UPDATED: Cheese and Whine: Season Ticket Holder Issues

By: NathanHJ | September 25th, 2008

I stole this image from a Flikr stream created by “thisguyprints”. I hope he doesn’t sue me.

A few weeks ago I took out my frustration with the 2008 season on the Galaxy front office, sending a lengthy e-mail to my season ticket rep and laying out my conditions for renewal. I turned that e-mail into this post from September 10th. Basically it came down to a cost-benefit analysis and raising the costs would not increase the benefits, so I would consider bailing.

First, fill out the full contingent of bonus games. I realize these games aren’t guaranteed. That’s the nature of “bonus”. But last year I saw Chelsea (a preseason, undermanned, not in form Chelsea, but Chelsea nonetheless). I saw Pachuca. Twice. Hell I even saw Steve Cronin make like 12 saves in a US Open Cup match. This year I saw… a crap US Open loss.

Second, don’t raise the prices of season tickets for next year. It would be the height of fan abuse to make us sit through two garbage seasons and then raise the ticket price, especially when it is pretty clear the team in making a mint off of jersey sales, touring Asia, and the wretched, wretched Pan-Pacific Championship (can we please just kill that now – it is nothing but excrement masquerading as futbol).

Well, the good news is that I wasn’t the first person to whine about this (or act like “a baby” as Justin put it so pungently in the comments) so the Galaxy is doing two things. First, all unused bonus-game tickets will have their value refunded to the season ticket holder (STH) at the end of the season. (This was also noted by Justin.) Further, if the Galaxy performs a miracle over the last five games and makes the play-offs, then the bonus game tickets function as playoff tickets.

Second, the Galaxy is not raising season ticket prices this year, at least not for renewals. (The website is coy about prices for new season tickets, covering its bases by noting that prices are for the 2008 season.)

So. Problems addressed. I’ll probably renew, unless other factors in my life interfere.

On the other hand, a blog reader who wishes to remain anonymous has noted that the Galaxy front office is having some internal communications problems.

I phoned my ticket rep today, cause I noticed that the Season ticket renewal is up on the website, but I hadn’t received an email. [These went out this week. -ed.] They explained to me what was going on but they were accepting renewal deposits.

Then here’s the kicker, I was asked for a 25% deposit. I asked the ticket office why I had to give them so much money upfront when I could do it on the website for 100 bucks a ticket. Finally, after a debate, they let me put the deposit down for 100 bucks a ticket. The deposit they said they were going to start asking for was well over double the 100 buck deposit.

And it’s true. But it’s actually worse than the reader experienced. If you are buying new season tickets on-line the deposit is $100. If you are a renewing STH and you want to buy ADDITIONAL season tickets, then the deposit is 25%, which in every case is more than $100. So, if you are a first-time buyer you slap down $100. If you are a renewal (which any marketing major will tell you is your source of greatest profits because (1) they keep coming back and (2) you aren’t spending any money on acquiring them as a customer) and you want new seats, you have to give up 25%.

I suspect that this isn’t the end of the world for most people, but it does highlight a glaring inconsistency within the front office in the way it is treating it most loyal (by definition) fan base. With all the changes recently I don’t know if this is something that slipped through the cracks or is a deliberate strategy, but it is certainly annoying and is ruffling some feathers. The front office might want to look into this.

UPDATE: Kenny in the comments notes this,

No price increase? What are you talking about. I got some stupid email that I had some secret Mission Impossible mission to renew my tickets. So I check it out, and sure enough tickets went up by $70! FU AEG.

And he’s right! Almost. My tickets went up $81, not $70, including all fees. Oof. Ticket prices increasing is to be expected on some level, but after this year and the fact that my rep assured me the price was the same makes this a bit of a kick in the teeth.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season, Off the Field

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bleier7

Justin, remember, you are paying 2007 prices! Basically I was paying at least $10 less through the galaxy per ticket than going through ticketmaster. When I asked what the season ticket prices would be it was exactly that price x 20. So beyond ticketmaster savings, I am not sure what the savings are?

For $25, where are your seats? Sounds like the end line?
Justin

You can get them at the same price hmmm, I tried that last year and it didn't work for me until Becks got hurt and then tickets were really cheap, since they have not been playing the greatest this year tickets have still been ok priced but you must be finding some great deals on tickets. With my 2 season seats we averaged about $25 a ticket for the year, seems to be the parking is the only thing you do not save money on $300 for a parking pass and $15 a game no difference just a guaranteed spot in lot 11.
bleier7

This is what I don't get; how can they raise ticket prices every damn year when the Galaxy already have the most expensive (by far!) ticket in the league!! I am not a season ticket holder, but I have been buying single game tickets at 'season ticket' prices all year long. My rep is a great guy and certainly don't hold him accountable, but the prices to me are absurd, especially for the complete lack of chemistry on the field! Tickets for new season tickets upstairs are $660 a year AND they want 25% down... even though the website still offers the $100, which is weird...

I just don't know if it's worth it especially when you would have to pay for SEVERAL games when Internationals are gone. 3 in the last month and a half! (including the next home game as the US team plays on the Oct. 11) I really hesitate to become a season ticket holder as I don't see too many benefits if I can purchase single game tickets at the same price...
Anon

My pleasure - it seems like we have to band together these days to get accurate information. What I think is the most frustrating is that I really love going to the games and watching all of the away games on TV - in fact, my friends and coworkers call me a bit obsessed - but since I've started buying season tickets, I feel like I'm treated like crap. Has anyone gotten the renewal information in the mail yet? I'll feel a bit better if there is a letter at least explaining that we're able to renew at 2008 rates instead of what I was originally told, which, like many of you, was that there would be "no increase from last year if you renew by the early renewal deadline." Right now, I feel like they are trying to pull a fast one - yes, the money is a factor, but its more the principle!
Kenny

What a load of bull. I love how they get out of calling it a price increase. Thanks for that info Anon.
Justin

The bonus tickets are being taken care of through money back (towards you next season seats) but If you do not renew then I bet you are out the money, if we make the playoffs then you already have your tickets.
Anon

I just got off the phone w/ my rep too because I was fuming after I read this post and got a notice of a ticket price increase. Here is the deal - for those of us who were renewing STHs last year, we paid 2007 prices. Now, for the 2009 season, we are paying 2008 prices, which they are saying is "no increase". When I expressed my discontent, I was told basically if price was an issue, I shouldn't renew. That was it. Also, my rep would not confirm that they are doing anything with respect to the bonus tickets. I'm so pissed.
Justin

Nathan, Yeah I saw the credit (thanks for most of it lol) I just thought that you might of had a shady rep but if hes cool than its all gravy baby!
George

i got the same stupid 'mission' email, and i responded to them quite harshly...
Kenny

No price increase? What are you talking about. I got some stupid email that I had some secret Mission Impossible mission to renew my tickets. So I check it out, and sure enough tickets went up by $70! FU AEG.
Justin

I put down my money 2 weeks ago and knew all the info you just wrote about. I think you should get a new ticket rep because they are not being upfront with you and trying to get more $ out of you then what was needed. I have two seats (my Wife's and mine)it was $100 a seat for the deposit. I never had to send a email just called and asked what was going on with the bonus tickets, with next season prices, joked around a little, and found out what I needed too.