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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
 Posted - 02/12/2011 : 11:09:25 PM
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We did the partial season ticket package this year and have just been walking up to extra games when we can go. Tonight was the 2nd time in the past couple of months we've walked up to the window at 6:15 and been told there are no lower seats left on either side between the blue lines.
Then the game starts and there are HUNDREDS of empty seats in those sections.
You're going to have a hard time convincing me THAT many people are buying Cyclones tickets and no-showing on a Saturday. Especially not twice.
So... What's up?
I'm not happy, and getting ready to call shenanigans.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
Edited by - Catch22 on 02/12/2011 11:09:59 PM |
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Apocalypse Sticks
(The Next Level!)
199 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2011 : 11:40:57 PM
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I get that a lot.. I had just written it off as laziness on the box office staff's part.
No worries though.. I can't think of the last time I sat in the seat that was sold to me.
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"What daring! What outrageousness! What insolence! What arrogance!... I salute you. " |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 12:06:43 AM
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I do sit in the seat I buy. Its a golden rule thing for me. I don't want to find someone in my seat and give the same courtesy.
A couple of games ago we went to take a potty break after warmups and found people in our seats when we returned. One of them pointed out that we could just sit in some of the other empty seats instead of making them move. I was not OK with either his ass in my seat or his attitude about it.
It's stuff like this that starts fights on $1 beer night. Sad to say.
Anyway, if it's lazyness on the part of the staff someone needs to correct that immediately. You don't have to be a genius to see that there are hundreds of empty seats where you were just told none are available. Thats some fairly piss poor customer service.
I'm hoping there is a reasonable explanation, but I certainly can't think of one.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
Edited by - Catch22 on 02/13/2011 12:08:40 AM |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 08:15:17 AM
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| There does seem to be a problem with a minority of USB Arena staff, from those who work the ticket windows to certain security personnel who can be just outright rude, even to multi-year, multi-seat season ticket holders. In fact, I don't see the service to ST holders that there used to be. They need to watch that in troubled financial times- We are paying their salary. |
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clonzfan
(The Next Level!)
126 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 10:01:13 AM
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I was a season ticket holder from when they moved downtown until this year. I had full season tickets up to last year, when work travel and all the weeknight games made me change to 1/2 season. I had planned on getting 1/2 season for me and my wife again this year until the incident I had with being told I could't give out hockey cards to kids the second game of the season.
I have been to three games since then.
I have always thought the customer relations at the arena was very poor. Probably has a lot to do with the fact it is union.
Maybe this expains why after three years of +20% growth in attendance from the year before, this year is only about 2%. |
Edited by - clonzfan on 02/13/2011 10:04:28 AM |
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Apocalypse Sticks
(The Next Level!)
199 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 10:27:32 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Catch22
I do sit in the seat I buy. Its a golden rule thing for me. I don't want to find someone in my seat and give the same courtesy.
A couple of games ago we went to take a potty break after warmups and found people in our seats when we returned. One of them pointed out that we could just sit in some of the other empty seats instead of making them move. I was not OK with either his ass in my seat or his attitude about it.
It's stuff like this that starts fights on $1 beer night. Sad to say.
Anyway, if it's lazyness on the part of the staff someone needs to correct that immediately. You don't have to be a genius to see that there are hundreds of empty seats where you were just told none are available. Thats some fairly piss poor customer service.
I'm hoping there is a reasonable explanation, but I certainly can't think of one.
I always wait 'til the first stoppage of play to re-locate and have always moved (and apologized) if a Johnny-Come-Lately stakes their claim. I've never had an issue, even when $1 beer nights brings out the ugly.
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"What daring! What outrageousness! What insolence! What arrogance!... I salute you. " |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 12:03:34 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hakeedude
There does seem to be a problem with a minority of USB Arena staff, from those who work the ticket windows to certain security personnel who can be just outright rude, even to multi-year, multi-seat season ticket holders. In fact, I don't see the service to ST holders that there used to be. They need to watch that in troubled financial times- We are paying their salary.
I thought it was just me but they don't seem to have the overall same customer service as I have seen in the past. The majority are great people and I have really come to like them, but there is some lacking in other areas. I'm also not convinced they want to put people on the ends to make it look like there are more people in attendance than there really are.
The season ticket window is more of a hassle to me than its worth. It would usually be quicker to walk around the building and buy a ticket as wait in a long line with only one person there to exchange tickets.
Also, I have not heard much on attendance figures this year. Can anyone advise if they are up, down, or the same? |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
Edited by - cloneinator on 02/13/2011 3:01:10 PM |
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clonzfan
(The Next Level!)
126 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 12:28:18 PM
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YEAR AVG. ATT. %INC.
2006-07 1844
2007-08 2523 36.8%
2008-09 3104 23.0%
2009-10 3887 25.2%
2010-11 3966 2.0%
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 1:03:25 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by clonzfan
YEAR AVG. ATT. %INC.
2006-07 1844
2007-08 2523 36.8%
2008-09 3104 23.0%
2009-10 3887 25.2%
2010-11 3966 2.0%
What is the Cyclones average attendance this year versus after the same number of games last year? That's how you determine whether a team is up or down versus a previous season in season. |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 1:32:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by cloneinator
I'm also not convinced they want to put people on the ends to make it look like there are more people in attendance there there really are.
I can only think of 3 reasons to not sell available seats to walk-ups, and none of them are acceptable to me.
1. Trying to spread bodies out to make the place seem fuller than it is.
2. Attempt to incent people to buy season tickets to secure better seats.
3. Lack of effort on the part of the window staff.
As I said before, I can't think of a single other reason, and this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Last night, at 6:15, I asked for section 128 rows K through M. I was told there were NO tickets left on either side in the lower bowl, only ends and corners. I ended up in the corner in row F. During the game I counted 10 empty seats in section 128 rows K through M.
That
Is
Ridiculous.
I love hockey and have lost count of how many Cyclones games I've been to in the last 4 years, but don't screw with me. Screwing with me is the absolute fastest way to stop getting my money.
I feel like I'm being screwed with.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
Edited by - Catch22 on 02/13/2011 1:36:10 PM |
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clonzfan
(The Next Level!)
126 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 3:54:39 PM
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| There are 10 more home games left this year, one Monday afternoon, three Wednesdays, four Fridays, and two Saturdays. No real outstanding promotions, so I figure they will end up with about the same average attendance as last year. |
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 4:38:04 PM
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My guess (and that's all it is) is that the seats which are empty in the middle sections are either no shows or people sitting elsewhere.
For instance, last night, there were probably 500 or so people sitting in the upper sections and another 100 or so in the 5th floor restaurant. These people were ticketed somewhere other than where they were sitting.
For the year-through 26 home dates-the Cyclones are averaging 3966. Last season, the 26 game average was 3513. This season's figures are a 12.9% increase over last season's for the same number of games.
Given that the price of a ticket increased $1 (8.3%) total ticket revenues to date have probably increased in the 18-20% range.
It's going to be interesting to see what the attendance is for the upcoming Monday afternoon game. I'm told that most schools are now using that day as a "make up" day for all the weather-related cancellations so far this year.
I think that it's entirely possible that there will be less than 1000 at that game. Good seats will be available everywhere |
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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Edited by - hrc666 on 02/13/2011 4:42:32 PM |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 4:59:35 PM
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I'll buy the people in the restaurant theory, so that explains maybe 1/8 of the empty seats.
But they will sell you upper level seats if you request them, so at least some number of those people were sitting in the seats they bought.
There was nobody in our usual season ticket seats last night, but I was told they were taken. It *could* be no-shows, but that is a fairly unexplainable amount of no shows on a Saturday with good weather, and its the second time it has happened to us.
I'm not buying it. |
Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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AwesomeSauce
(The Next Level!)
159 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 6:52:54 PM
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I have tried to buy upper level tickets during the playoffs the last couple years but was told they wouldnt sell those until all lower level seats were gone. I'm a bit anti-social (especially on $1 beer frat boy night) so it suits me fine up top.
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2011 : 7:26:33 PM
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I was told last night I could go upper or corners. The sides and ends were full.
The sides and ends weren't remotely close to being full and I'm calling BS. That's all I'm saying.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 01:29:57 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hakeedude
There does seem to be a problem with a minority of USB Arena staff, from those who work the ticket windows to certain security personnel who can be just outright rude, even to multi-year, multi-seat season ticket holders. In fact, I don't see the service to ST holders that there used to be. They need to watch that in troubled financial times- We are paying their salary.
Last winter, I was out of a job and in school, I needed some cash and applied at USBA. I got hired and was pretty excited about it. The "orientation" we had was basically a tour of the building and some info on how to make a request for scheduling. There was no real customer service training at all except for they told us that if someone was mad to grab a supervisor. In my interview they asked me "can you handle someone yelling in your face?" I was ok with that. During the summer, I work in a supervisor position where customer service is key and I deal with a lot of unhappy (and some happy) people voicing their concerns (and often obscenities) to me, so I found dealing with people at the arena to not be that bad. The season ticket holders who showed up as soon as the doors opened were the best to talk with and I was used to dealing with angry people. However, a lot of the other employees had no idea what they were doing and it made situations worse a lot of times from what I witnessed.
There's a lot of really nice and friendly folks who work at the arena and a lot of idiots too, but it was one of the worst jobs I've had. You'd show up super early before an event, clock in, get issued a uniform and then stand around for an hour until someone came by and picked you to stand at the top of a section, stamps hands at smoking doors, etc. Then you'd go to that position, wait around for the event to begin and stay in that spot all night. The whole operation is poorly planned and no one is trained on how to deal with guests in a courteous manner.
Eventually, I got offered a part-time gig with shooting photos and took that. When I offered my two weeks notice at USBA they told me I could just "stop showing up" and they'd take me off the schedule.
And to the person who said they're union - the general event staff is not (having been in the useless Kroger's union before I can see why you might have thought that). The Aramark folks who run the concessions might be (I'm not sure), but the arena maintenance staff definitely is union.
If they actually trained their employees on some form of guest service and streamlined their operation, the customer experience could easily be 10x better. Have you ever been to Nationwide Arena? Their staff forms a line and thanks you for attending/wishes you a safe trip home on your way out. When I was at USBA, as soon as the game was over you were free to go home or stand outside and have a smoke break with the 20 other guys who were still riding the clock. |
Recreational Trespassing, Rants about the Reds, Hanging out with Zamboni Drivers and Photography:
www.queencitydisco.com |
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