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Why are we so slow at announcing ticket prices (inc season ticket prices)?


dune
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I know it's not the done thing to criticise the god Cortese on here, but our club has gone backwards when it comes to things like this.

 

He's waiting to see the finished plans of the extension first before deciding the price :rolleyes:

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A plastic scouser at work informs me that their prices are out and we are a cat c game @ 38 quid. I think that's a joke and that is the lowest price. The one good thing about supporting Saints up north is that we are always the cheapest.

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A plastic scouser at work informs me that their prices are out and we are a cat c game @ 38 quid. I think that's a joke and that is the lowest price. The one good thing about supporting Saints up north is that we are always the cheapest.

 

Thats great as it means they are underestimating us!

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Our financial year runs form 1st july to 30th june each year. This means to ensure finances are covered from year to year (easier accounting) Season tickets won't be on sale until at least July 1st 2012 same as the kit. Announcements probably be made earlier but like last time it's all about setting budgets then going form there. So be patient, we're doing it the Southampton way.

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Our financial year runs form 1st july to 30th june each year. This means to ensure finances are covered from year to year (easier accounting) Season tickets won't be on sale until at least July 1st 2012 same as the kit. Announcements probably be made earlier but like last time it's all about setting budgets then going form there. So be patient, we're doing it the Southampton way.

I highly doubt it'll be that late

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Our financial year runs form 1st july to 30th june each year. This means to ensure finances are covered from year to year (easier accounting) Season tickets won't be on sale until at least July 1st 2012 same as the kit. Announcements probably be made earlier but like last time it's all about setting budgets then going form there. So be patient, we're doing it the Southampton way.

 

Just because its the Southampton way it doesn't necessarily make it the right way.

 

I find it odd that we did away with the early bird discounts etc we used to see in previous years (and which many other clubs still adopt). Its all well and good saying that we're chasing the profits of matchday sales over ST sales, but with an average attendance for the season of 26K there were obviously a few potential customers that fell through the net. If that's the business plan for Premier League life then so be it.

 

Hopefully there will be a decent payment plan this year, indications are that there is so it will be good to see the details of it.

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Our financial year runs form 1st july to 30th june each year. This means to ensure finances are covered from year to year (easier accounting) Season tickets won't be on sale until at least July 1st 2012 same as the kit. Announcements probably be made earlier but like last time it's all about setting budgets then going form there. So be patient, we're doing it the Southampton way.

 

So not only have we invented an entirely new standard of fitness, we've also invented an entirely new way to run a football club.

 

"I don't think we should use that accountancy firm, they're not Saints finance."

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A plastic scouser at work informs me that their prices are out and we are a cat c game @ 38 quid. I think that's a joke and that is the lowest price. The one good thing about supporting Saints up north is that we are always the cheapest.

 

Just had a look on their website out of interest and a Cat C ticket last year was £42. Doubt they've lowered the prices.

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Just had a look on their website out of interest and a Cat C ticket last year was £42. Doubt they've lowered the prices.

 

He was mistaken (or i wasn't listening properly). Just looked and they've frozen prices for next season and cat c is between 39 and 42. And then there's the 3 quid Cortese Tax to add on.:rolleyes:

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An announcement was made on the big Screen at the Coventry game. I believe first date for existing ST Holders was 6th June.

But that was when they go on sale wasn't it? Think the question was when actual details will be released - prices, payment plans, different charges in different parts of the ground etc......

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But that was when they go on sale wasn't it? Think the question was when actual details will be released - prices, payment plans, different charges in different parts of the ground etc......

 

I have seen some dates knocking about, fu.ck knows where though, perhaps the OS which had the dates for renewals and the dates for seat changes and the dates for new sales.

 

They were posted just after the Cov' game IIRC.

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I have seen some dates knocking about, fu.ck knows where though, perhaps the OS which had the dates for renewals and the dates for seat changes and the dates for new sales.

 

They were posted just after the Cov' game IIRC.

But when will they announce details? For example, any change to family stand. Would be useful to know about installment plans as well in advance.

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But when will they announce details? For example, any change to family stand. Would be useful to know about installment plans as well in advance.

 

If last year is anything to go by, I think the answer will be "at the last possible moment".

 

Quite why that is, I don't know.

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If last year is anything to go by, I think the answer will be "at the last possible moment".

 

Quite why that is, I don't know.

 

As has been said Cortese doesn't want ST holders, he wants a full stadium paying match by match. We are in a cash rich position so can do this. However this approach won't work if we expand the stadium.

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Just because its the Southampton way it doesn't necessarily make it the right way.

 

I find it odd that we did away with the early bird discounts etc we used to see in previous years (and which many other clubs still adopt). Its all well and good saying that we're chasing the profits of matchday sales over ST sales, but with an average attendance for the season of 26K there were obviously a few potential customers that fell through the net. If that's the business plan for Premier League life then so be it.

 

Hopefully there will be a decent payment plan this year, indications are that there is so it will be good to see the details of it.

 

Why do you think we did this before and other clubs adopt this policy? It must be for cashflow reasons. We obviously have no cash flow issues, so no need to subsidise ST's for no reason - when they will sell anyway.

 

New ST's go on sale about the 2nd July, renewals the 6th. Last season, prices were released at the end of June and went on sale mid-July. So this is an improvement, although I can't personally see why they can't get the info out now...

Edited by Saint Mikey
Date amend!
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So that probably means that the new prices will be revealed on the OS on 5th June.

 

Just checked online and last years prices were announced on the 3rd of June so the 5th sounds a little too late IMO. Maybe end of this month - this gives people more notice and more time to determine if they have the money.

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Why do you think we did this before and other clubs adopt this policy? It must be for cashflow reasons. We obviously have no cash flow issues, so no need to subsidise ST's for no reason - when they will sell anyway.

 

New ST's go on sale about the 2nd July, renewals the 6th. Last season, prices were released at the end of June and went on sale mid-July. So this is an improvement, although I can't personally see why they can't get the info out now...

 

Yes, I accept the cashflow argument. Certainly for the "early bird" renewals. But even still, and perhaps its a different argument, I don't understand why the window for renewals is now so short. As I recall last year its was around 2 weeks! Just about enough time to get it done (assuming you're not on holiday abroad for those 2 weeks), but not enough time surely to promote it, get the word out there, and completely maximise ST sales.

 

I agree with Dune that we're not bothered about ST sales and more interested in matchday sales. But having just seen an average attendance of 26K in what has surely been one of the most exciting seasons in a generation, there's an argument that this approach let quite a few potential sales through the net.

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I wish they would get the STs on sale a bit quicker, or at least give the supporters some expectation of when they will need to have the money available so that they can budget accordingly, however much it is.

 

It smacks of just seeing the fans as cash cows who will just pay up as and when they are told to. To be fair for this coming season they will see us as cash cows even more, but they shouldn't be too complacent.

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They're probably waiting to see who gets promoted between West Ham or Blackpool. Assuming they bring back a tiered pricing system, it could be the difference between another Category A/Platinum game or a Cat. D/Bronze game.

 

After all, as West Ham have been pointing out all season, they are a massive, massive club.

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I wish they would get the STs on sale a bit quicker, or at least give the supporters some expectation of when they will need to have the money available so that they can budget accordingly, however much it is.

 

It smacks of just seeing the fans as cash cows who will just pay up as and when they are told to. To be fair for this coming season they will see us as cash cows even more, but they shouldn't be too complacent.

 

If anything, our slowness in getting season ticket sales up and running is a real positive. Clubs thrive on season ticket sales during the close season, but we seem content with not getting this revenue until sometimes in July - so that's got to be a positive way of looking at it and our potential finance position.

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Dont know what the problem is. Every year I know from March onward I need to pay for Mrs LS and my own season ticket. It is no shock and no surprise, it happens at roughly this time every year giving me time to save. In fact last year and this I have had longer than in the past to save for it. As for amount. We can all guess at a price, say, £30 x 19 = £570. So if you guess at that and it is less your happy. If more it wont be much more, if any I'm guessing.

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Dont know what the problem is. Every year I know from March onward I need to pay for Mrs LS and my own season ticket. It is no shock and no surprise, it happens at roughly this time every year giving me time to save. In fact last year and this I have had longer than in the past to save for it. As for amount. We can all guess at a price, say, £30 x 19 = £570. So if you guess at that and it is less your happy. If more it wont be much more, if any I'm guessing.

 

Far too sensible

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Dont know what the problem is. Every year I know from March onward I need to pay for Mrs LS and my own season ticket. It is no shock and no surprise, it happens at roughly this time every year giving me time to save. In fact last year and this I have had longer than in the past to save for it. As for amount. We can all guess at a price, say, £30 x 19 = £570. So if you guess at that and it is less your happy. If more it wont be much more, if any I'm guessing.
Right, so you know what the installment plan is going to be? Can you post up the details here for the rest of us? Will the Family Centre occupy the same area next season as well? Cheers.
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Dont know what the problem is. Every year I know from March onward I need to pay for Mrs LS and my own season ticket. It is no shock and no surprise, it happens at roughly this time every year giving me time to save. In fact last year and this I have had longer than in the past to save for it. As for amount. We can all guess at a price, say, £30 x 19 = £570. So if you guess at that and it is less your happy. If more it wont be much more, if any I'm guessing.

 

I don't think anyone is saying its a "problem"; because it's certainly not a major one. There are certain details that it would be beneficial to know in advance of course, but nothing that won't eventually be revealed.

 

Its just a little mystifying that the club goes so very quiet on season tickets during the off-season (when there's not much else to talk about or get distracted by). Especially so when you see the likes of Reading promoting their STs from before the season ended and through the off-season. It trades off the feelgood factor of promotion and gets fans on board early, and from that point of view must surely maximise sales. We on the other hand have a two week window for sales which is usually announced a few days beforehand, and other than that no news whatsoever.

 

Sure, pretty much everyone who wants a season ticket will have the opportunity to get one, and we can all guess and speculate on how much it will cost. Its just that some find it a bit odd that we choose to "advertise" and sell season tickets in such a closed, low key fashion.

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I don't think anyone is saying its a "problem"; because it's certainly not a major one. There are certain details that it would be beneficial to know in advance of course, but nothing that won't eventually be revealed.

 

Its just a little mystifying that the club goes so very quiet on season tickets during the off-season (when there's not much else to talk about or get distracted by). Especially so when you see the likes of Reading promoting their STs from before the season ended and through the off-season. It trades off the feelgood factor of promotion and gets fans on board early, and from that point of view must surely maximise sales. We on the other hand have a two week window for sales which is usually announced a few days beforehand, and other than that no news whatsoever.

 

Sure, pretty much everyone who wants a season ticket will have the opportunity to get one, and we can all guess and speculate on how much it will cost. Its just that some find it a bit odd that we choose to "advertise" and sell season tickets in such a closed, low key fashion.

 

Well its getting folk talking about it! - maybe its a cunning publicity by stealth plan... on a serious note, the recent emails to all on the dtatbase to long on anconfirm details including DOB could suggest its about a more personlised campaign? who knows but why does it seem odd when it was the same last year?

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Well its getting folk talking about it! - maybe its a cunning publicity by stealth plan... on a serious note' date=' the recent emails to all on the dtatbase to long on anconfirm details including DOB could suggest its about a more personlised campaign? who knows but why does it seem odd when it was the same last year?[/quote']

 

It doesn't seem odd in terms of what this management team do; I don't expect anything different to be done about it, we'll likely get a 2 week window for renewals and a 2 week window for new sales, as per last year.

 

What I find odd is that the club choose to shy away from the types of promotions of season tickets that so, so many other clubs choose to pursue. Because, as I say, I'm sure that must be detrimental to the amount of season tickets we actually sell, and therefore the amount of revenue we can bring in over the year.

 

I think we all know that the club have chosen this approach and won't deviate from it; probably due to chasing revenues from matchday tickets as opposed to season tickets. I just doubt whether that strategy is potentially the one that maximises revenues the best. Which is why I class it as "odd".

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If its a rush now just think what it'll be like when we've got 50,000 of the buggers to sell in 4 week. We'll be dreaming of the days when we were only bigger than Everton and to Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City as well.

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It doesn't seem odd in terms of what this management team do; I don't expect anything different to be done about it, we'll likely get a 2 week window for renewals and a 2 week window for new sales, as per last year.

 

What I find odd is that the club choose to shy away from the types of promotions of season tickets that so, so many other clubs choose to pursue. Because, as I say, I'm sure that must be detrimental to the amount of season tickets we actually sell, and therefore the amount of revenue we can bring in over the year.

 

I think we all know that the club have chosen this approach and won't deviate from it; probably due to chasing revenues from matchday tickets as opposed to season tickets. I just doubt whether that strategy is potentially the one that maximises revenues the best. Which is why I class it as "odd".

 

I think its simply down to the fact that if they leave it late and keep the renewal window short, it puts pressure on people to renew rather than think too much about it.

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It doesn't seem odd in terms of what this management team do; I don't expect anything different to be done about it, we'll likely get a 2 week window for renewals and a 2 week window for new sales, as per last year.

 

What I find odd is that the club choose to shy away from the types of promotions of season tickets that so, so many other clubs choose to pursue. Because, as I say, I'm sure that must be detrimental to the amount of season tickets we actually sell, and therefore the amount of revenue we can bring in over the year.

 

I think we all know that the club have chosen this approach and won't deviate from it; probably due to chasing revenues from matchday tickets as opposed to season tickets. I just doubt whether that strategy is potentially the one that maximises revenues the best. Which is why I class it as "odd".

 

Fair point, but for taht we would need to see a comparison betwen actual revenues. I think things may change in future years - when its all gone electronic - when NC arrived they wanted to stop the abuses, and the defaulters on the repayment plans and they probably also had the data on Actual attendence of ST holders - which they would have of actual turnstile entry stubs, or total - the match day tickets sold... I dont know the answer, but I suspect there is a rational for this, if only financial.

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I think its simply down to the fact that if they leave it late and keep the renewal window short, it puts pressure on people to renew rather than think too much about it.

 

Interesting. Personally I'd have thought a longer window would encourage more who are sitting on the fence to actually go for it. There will always be the last week or two of the sales window which will put people under pressure. Having them on sale for longer means a longer marketing campaign and a longer opportunity to make sales.

 

To date it can be argued that the current method has not worked in comparison to a longer window for (potentially) more sales; we had an average of 6000 empty seats last season, so often weren't selling out. I doubt there are many if any people who didn't buy a season ticket yet went to 20 or more home games, which is around the break-even point. Premier League, with the majority of home games selling out, maybe it will make more financial sense. Especially when you factor in the booking fee (althoughthis has previously been promoted as cost-neutral, so not a revenue spinner allegedly), so perhaps not a factor after all!

Edited by The Kraken
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What I want to know about season tickets is do you have to take the whole bloody book to every game or can you just take the ticket for that match?

 

They'll now be doing a credit card system with a swipe on the turnstiles. So all you will need to do is take your card, no need for the paper books previously used.

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