Jeff season ticket sales : 17 years post professionalism

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 1:52 pm

Bath http://www.bathrugby.com/tickets/season-tickets rubbish

Exeter http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/season-tickets dire

Gloucester http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/tickets/season_tickets.php Confusing and unhelpful

Harlequins http://www.quins.co.uk/tickets/seasontickets/index.php Hopeless

Leicester http://www.leicestertigers.com/tickets/season/index.php Good

London Irish http://www.lidirect.co.uk/ A phone number

London Wasps http://www.wasps.co.uk/default.ink As to be expected from a club in financial crisis

Northampton http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/fans/tickets/index.php unbelievably manual - like the 1970s

Sale http://www.salesharks.com/SeasonTickets Helpful but amateurish

Saracens http://www.saracens.com/ nothing helpful - but they are moving sometime soon(ish)

Worcester http://www.warriors.co.uk/tickets/season_tickets.php Very good

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:00 pm

Portnoy wrote:Bath http://www.bathrugby.com/tickets/season-tickets rubbish

Exeter http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/season-tickets dire

Gloucester http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/tickets/season_tickets.php Confusing and unhelpful

Harlequins http://www.quins.co.uk/tickets/seasontickets/index.php Hopeless

Leicester http://www.leicestertigers.com/tickets/season/index.php Good

London Irish http://www.lidirect.co.uk/ A phone number

London Wasps http://www.wasps.co.uk/default.ink As to be expected from a club in financial crisis

Northampton http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/fans/tickets/index.php unbelievably manual - like the 1970s

Sale http://www.salesharks.com/SeasonTickets Helpful but amateurish

Saracens http://www.saracens.com/ nothing helpful - but they are moving sometime soon(ish)

Worcester http://www.warriors.co.uk/tickets/season_tickets.php Very good

Bravo, Tigers, the best club in the universe - translated it for you, Portnoy

by caoimhincentre Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:02 pm

seems like a bit of a petty article.

Look at great me club is a organising tickets!!!!

by formerly known as Sam Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:08 pm

Couple of points:

1) to be fair to Portnoy this has bugged him for a while, he's mentioned it on a few different threads and he does seemingly rate Worcester as being better than Tigers so it's not a 'my club are the best so there' thing.

2) season ticket income is one of the biggest streams of turnover for a rugby club, if you can get 10,000 people willing to pay on average £300 for a season that's a neat £3m and a good atmosphere sorted before you've even kicked off. A major boost for the club.

by thebandwagonsociety Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:15 pm

Also revenue being received during the off season when most other options (advertising, tv, merchandise) is very quite. Sets the benchmark on expected turnout levels to agree deals for programmes/vendors/bars/food stalls, allows clubs to market for business to do product promotions at the matches

by caoimhincentre Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:27 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Couple of points:

1) to be fair to Portnoy this has bugged him for a while, he's mentioned it on a few different threads and he does seemingly rate Worcester as being better than Tigers so it's not a 'my club are the best so there' thing.

2) season ticket income is one of the biggest streams of turnover for a rugby club, if you can get 10,000 people willing to pay on average £300 for a season that's a neat £3m and a good atmosphere sorted before you've even kicked off. A major boost for the club.

Tend to disagree with that. he had a similar post last week to slag of Sarries.

you is just trying to wind people up

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:31 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Couple of points:

1) to be fair to Portnoy this has bugged him for a while, he's mentioned it on a few different threads and he does seemingly rate Worcester as being better than Tigers so it's not a 'my club are the best so there' thing.

2) season ticket income is one of the biggest streams of turnover for a rugby club, if you can get 10,000 people willing to pay on average £300 for a season that's a neat £3m and a good atmosphere sorted before you've even kicked off. A major boost for the club.

OK, Sam, a different tack, let's imagine that I am indulging Portnoy for a second. Take my club of interest, Exe, noted as "dire" by Portnoy - so what exactly is dire, is it the links, the deal, the layout? Including following Portnoy's links, 2 clicks of the mouse takes you to the relevant site for Exe - all the information is given there that you need. The deal is expensive, mainly cos we don't enjoy the 'P' shares that the rest of the premiership do, leaving us around £1m down on income before we've even started the league every year.

Contrast that with "very good" Worcester. Again, it's two clicks of the mouse to get to the application form, altho Wuss give more information about 'best offer available' prices after just the one click (still two needed to download a form tho or even more clicks than that to get to an online site). As for the deal, well at the moment I have 2 adult and one child/junior ticket at Exe, and it would cost almost exactly the same with Wuss.

by AlastairW Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:34 pm

I found it pretty easy to pick up my stoop season tickets to be honest. Click here, and here - pick your seat from this here seating plan - buy.

..... And i'm off to JPM 7's in a few weeks for it! Yahoo

Only the cheapy £180 ticket though, but still i worked it out as about £7.20/game (iirc) which you really can't moan about in London.

by formerly known as Sam Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:40 pm

OK, Sam, a different tack, let's imagine that I am indulging Portnoy for a second. Take my club of interest, Exe, noted as "dire" by Portnoy - so what exactly is dire, is it the links, the deal, the layout?

Fair point As.

Portnoy a breakdown of your comments with marking schemes, if possible?

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:44 pm

In this internet shopping age, why do buyers have to download seating plans, guess where they are sitting, phone ticket offices and stuff?

The Worcester site gets the edge because they indicate the seat prices in a block (they are expensive though).

However a wide-screen photo from all seats (with ST price) would be much better.

But the vast majority of clubs' ST sales sites are at least ten years out of date in relation to modern marketing techniques.

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:09 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
OK, Sam, a different tack, let's imagine that I am indulging Portnoy for a second. Take my club of interest, Exe, noted as "dire" by Portnoy - so what exactly is dire, is it the links, the deal, the layout?

Fair point As.

Portnoy a breakdown of your comments with marking schemes, if possible?

I didn't have a marking scheme Sam.

I just googled each rugby club (including the Tigers), found the home page and went looking for season tickets.

I did not create any user accounts (why should I?) and interpreted my personal user experience as a perspective 'blind' client.

Anyone else is perfectly free to comment.

by caoimhincentre Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:22 pm

maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:29 pm

Portnoy wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
OK, Sam, a different tack, let's imagine that I am indulging Portnoy for a second. Take my club of interest, Exe, noted as "dire" by Portnoy - so what exactly is dire, is it the links, the deal, the layout?

Fair point As.

Portnoy a breakdown of your comments with marking schemes, if possible?

I didn't have a marking scheme Sam.

I just googled each rugby club (including the Tigers), found the home page and went looking for season tickets.

I did not create any user accounts (why should I?) and interpreted my personal user experience as a perspective 'blind' client.

Anyone else is perfectly free to comment.

As

OK, Sam, a different tack, let's imagine that I am indulging Portnoy for a second. Take my club of interest, Exe, noted as "dire" by Portnoy - so what exactly is dire, is it the links, the deal, the layout?

http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/season-tickets

Get on board now!

It's the hottest sporting ticket in the Westcountry, so make sure you don't miss out on any of the 2012/13 action at Sandy Park.

After a memorable campaign this season, next term promises to be bigger and better as the Exeter Chiefs not only tackle the demands of the Aviva Premiership, but also that of the Heineken Cup, where they will go head-to-head against the elite of European rugby.

Season ticket applications have today become available for all supporters, who can either pick up a form from the club ticket office or download it direct by clicking here [1].

That means for as little as £280 per adult – providing you renew your season ticket before June 30 – you can not only watch all of the club’s Aviva Premiership home games, but also three home fixtures from the pool rounds of the Heineken Cup competition, as well as an additional two home games in the LV= Cup competition.

Season ticket holders will also get free admission to all of the club’s friendly fixtures, attendance to see the Braves in A League action, as well as discounts on buying drinks in the stadium bars and products within the club’s official Trading Post store.

Tony Rowe (pictured), Exeter Rugby Club’s Chief Executive, said: “Again we’ve had a tremendous season of rugby here at Sandy Park and part of that success has been due to the support we get for all of our home games.

“Building on what was a great first year in the Premiership for us, already this season we’ve again seen improvements on the field in terms of our performances; whilst off it we are also well on course to hit our financial targets for the year.

“As I’ve said before, these are exciting times for our club. We are the region’s Premier sporting club and as we look to the future, I believe the Chiefs are only going to get even bigger and better. Where else locally do you get the chance to see some of the biggest names and clubs in world rugby right on your doorstep?

“As a board we wanted to recognise the loyalty shown by all of our season ticket holders, whilst at the same time encourage many others to sign up for what we believe will be another great season in 2012/13.

“When calculating our figures it showed that if you purchase a season ticket rather than continually buying match tickets on a game-by-game basis, you not only save a considerable sum of money, but it equates to something in excess of three first-team games for free, as well as all the Braves fixtures and discounts mentioned above.”

As well as the freeze on season ticket prices, the Chiefs have also confirmed that match-day prices for Under-16s will also remain untouched for next term.

Discounted prices are only applicable to season ticket renewals prior to June 30, 2012.

#

[1]http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/assets/PDF/st.pdf is not the most attractive online selling experience ever is it?

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:31 pm

caoimhincentre wrote:maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

As I suggested, Worcester is better on the ST front.

by caoimhincentre Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:33 pm

Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

As I suggested, Worcester is better on the ST front.

but in every other way inferior???

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:55 pm

caoimhincentre wrote:
Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:
maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

As I suggested, Worcester is better on the ST front.

but in every other way inferior???

That would be your interpretation cao. Strange that you suggest that you'd chose the comment

maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

in the very article when I said they weren't.

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:05 pm

AlastairW wrote:I found it pretty easy to pick up my stoop season tickets to be honest. Click here, and here - pick your seat from this here seating plan - buy.

..... And i'm off to JPM 7's in a few weeks for it!

Only the cheapy £180 ticket though, but still i worked it out as about £7.20/game (iirc) which you really can't moan about in London.

Is interesting from http://www.quins.co.uk/tickets/seasontickets/index.php . However from the 'click here' link you go to an irresponsive brochure.

by caoimhincentre Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:12 pm

Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:
Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:
maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

As I suggested, Worcester is better on the ST front.

but in every other way inferior???

That would be your interpretation cao. Strange that you suggest that you'd chose the comment
maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???
in the very article when I said they weren't.

Half of what you wrote made no sense what so ever.

I am merely trying to understand the reason for this article.

by Portnoy Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:27 pm

caoimhincentre wrote:
Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:
Portnoy wrote:
caoimhincentre wrote:
maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???

As I suggested, Worcester is better on the ST front.

but in every other way inferior???

That would be your interpretation cao. Strange that you suggest that you'd chose the comment
maybe all other clubs should benchmark Leicester in every way???
in the very article when I said they weren't.

Half of what you wrote made no sense what so ever.

I am merely trying to understand the reason for this article.

In this seventeen-year-old professional league, why not sell online?

A wide-screen camera view from every seat available on offer (with a price). Select your preferred seat/s click and buy.
Not difficult from the base of Worcester/Leicester software.

by AlastairW Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:37 pm

Portnoy wrote:
AlastairW wrote:I found it pretty easy to pick up my stoop season tickets to be honest. Click here, and here - pick your seat from this here seating plan - buy.

..... And i'm off to JPM 7's in a few weeks for it!

Only the cheapy £180 ticket though, but still i worked it out as about £7.20/game (iirc) which you really can't moan about in London.

Is interesting from http://www.quins.co.uk/tickets/seasontickets/index.php . However from the 'click here' link you go to an irresponsive brochure.

That's for the brochure, because it says .... 'click here for the brochure'. Hover over season tickets and there a big old linky to season tickets section. Could click on the seat i wanted in 5 clicks of the mouse.

You do have a point that it's certainly not as straight forward as Amazon, or specifically designed retail sites, and that could well hamper season ticket sales. It's not rocket surgery to get to though Wink

by Poorfour Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:38 pm

I would expect a professional club to spend money where it thinks it will get the best return.

Quins have increased season ticket numbers year-on-year, are reporting that they're (not entirely surprisingly) on track for record sales this year, and have plenty of fans who love the fact that if they go down to the ground the staff will let them try out their seats for real before buying.

I suspect that most first time STs tend to phone the club to buy, because they will have questions (I certainly did), and all existing STHs get their package preloaded into their online account from which they can just click and pay. This year we had to phone up because we wanted to reclassify my kids' seats to take advantage of the excellent new family packages, not something that's easily catered for by software.

The only problem I've ever had buying a ticket online was when tickets for the semi-final were hidden on a really stupid page on the site. But the fans persisted (and posted tips) and the game was a sellout. So was it really an issue?

Rugby's still a young sport in professional terms and it doesn't have either the guaranteed demand or the financial resources that roundball does. I strongly doubt that a slicker site would draw in enough additional STHs to justify the outlay.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:18 pm

Poorfour, sadly you are utterly missing the point of this Portnoy thread - Tigers are simply the best, so everyone bow down. Woo woo!

by **Ozzy3213** Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:23 pm

and they are the best despite being unfairly handicapped by everything from the salary cap to having to play matches during the international windows As, don't forget that.

All hail the mighty Tigers!

by Irish Londoner Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:22 pm

Unfortunately the Tigers have missed a trick in their sales pitch - I'm in Leicester on Monday and thought I might take a wander down to Welford Road and have a look in the club shop, however the shop's opening hours are not posted on the website - honestly you'd think they were Northampton or something Shocked

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:43 am

nice one, might have to do a thread about that - club shop opening hours being displayed on websites after 17 years of professionalsim - yawn!

by Portnoy Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:49 am

Irish Londoner wrote:Unfortunately the Tigers have missed a trick in their sales pitch - I'm in Leicester on Monday and thought I might take a wander down to Welford Road and have a look in the club shop, however the shop's opening hours are not posted on the website - honestly you'd think they were Northampton or something

http://store.leicestertigers.com/stores/tigers/help/help.aspx?hpg=opentimes

by HongKongCherry Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:44 am

You have far too much time on your hands.

by Irish Londoner Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:06 pm

Potnoy - thanks I thought it would be on the same page as the club shop rather than a couple of clicks away as that would be easier Very Happy

by Portnoy Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:16 pm

Sorry about your dyslexia IL, it is on the page under the the misleading link 'opening times' a whole one click away.

by jeffwinger Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:51 pm

I don't think the time passed since the advent professionalism comes into it really. Buying tickets from a rugby club website seems simpler than a football club, from my limited experience. Having moved to the big city recently, and being a general sports fan, I thought I'd have a browse around some of the Premier League sites to see if I could take in the odd game. Some require you to sign up to some sort of loyalty scheme which determines whether or not you are eligible for tickets to each game, based on how many points you have accrued. You don't get any of that nonsense with Rugby. And Football has been professional for far longer.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:27 am

Ah, jeff, bless, you've taken the post literally - unfortunately, instead it was another Leicester is best post in disguise warning

by **Ozzy3213** Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:19 am

I am still waiting to find out from Portnoy why London Irish have a dubious future over on his other current Leicester are great thread.

Portnoy???????

by Poorfour Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:21 am

I've come over all Flanders and Swann. All together now:

"The Tigers, the Tigers, the Tigers are best. I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest!"

by Portnoy Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:18 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:I am still waiting to find out from Portnoy why London Irish have a dubious future over on his other current Leicester are great thread.

Portnoy???????

Sorry As.

A bit strange having to respond to a post regarding Article A on Article B. However I quoted LI as one of the precedents over their promotion claim.

The two London clubs I'm pointing my finger at are Wasps (possible insolvency) and the Welsh exiles.

But issues pertaining to primacy and hypocrisy will have to be resolved.

by caoimhincentre Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:34 am

Portnoy wrote:
Ozzy3213 wrote:I am still waiting to find out from Portnoy why London Irish have a dubious future over on his other current Leicester are great thread.

Portnoy???????

Sorry As.

A bit strange having to respond to a post regarding Article A on Article B. However I quoted LI as one of the precedents over their promotion claim.

The two London clubs I'm pointing my finger at are Wasps (possible insolvency) and the Welsh exiles.

But issues pertaining to primacy and hypocrisy will have to be resolved.

So London Irish arent in a dubious position like you stated earlier in this article?????

My god you talk a lot of POO.

by Portnoy Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:43 am

Are you stalking me cao?

So London Irish arent in a dubious position like you stated earlier in this article?????

You'd need to explain that comment/query.

by caoimhincentre Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:51 am

Portnoy wrote:Are you stalking me cao?

So London Irish arent in a dubious position like you stated earlier in this article?????

You'd need to explain that comment/query.

thats a serious accusation to make Por

you stated in your other Leicester thread that LI were in a dubious position. Why did you state this, or would you like me to go back to that thread and ask it there.

No changing the subject now Por answer the question

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:55 am

Portnoy wrote:
Ozzy3213 wrote:I am still waiting to find out from Portnoy why London Irish have a dubious future over on his other current Leicester are great thread.

Portnoy???????

Sorry As.

A bit strange having to respond to a post regarding Article A on Article B. However I quoted LI as one of the precedents over their promotion claim.

The two London clubs I'm pointing my finger at are Wasps (possible insolvency) and the Welsh exiles.

But issues pertaining to primacy and hypocrisy will have to be resolved.

Thanks Portnoy, I hadn't asked Headscratch

by Portnoy Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:26 am

Aha. Oz it should've been. Who I wrongly recalled as a Wasps supporter. That's Hound - another one of the pub regulars.

Major Brainfart must have snuck in (again) to the guest room here at Portnoy Towers.

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