Tickets 2022/23 season tickets

[bazzer9461]

Surely everybody that requested a refund got one?

How many were there?

 

[Sarge]

Hmm, I’ve had a season ticket since2006 and would kind of expect a bit of personal attention, some little goodies or free cup tickets or whatever.

It’s a bit like going to the same pub every week for years and the landlord still not saying hello

Bit like on matchdays in the 'bird

 

[Northstandboy]

So there will be no shop credit?

But it does say:

Retail Discounts – Exclusive money off and discount promotion

 

[MJB]

Hmm, I’ve had a season ticket since2006 and would kind of expect a bit of personal attention, some little goodies or free cup tickets or whatever. It’s a bit like going to the same pub every week for years and the landlord still not saying hello

Still, I’d rather have a quiet landlord than one who charges me close to a million quid to enter the pub once a fortnight!

 

[OUSP]

So there will be no shop credit?

But it does say:

Retail Discounts – Exclusive money off and discount promotion

There will be something but full details of how it will work are being worked on.

 

[Manorlounger]

There will be something but full details of how it will work are being worked on.

This is a disappointing trend. I really thought that after last season's launch, lessons had been learnt. It's not as if opinions had not been canvassed. Both OxVox and OUSP have had meetings with the club over the season to discuss exactly these issues.
I don't wish to be disparaging over the efforts of club employees but, the marketing and ticketing is very poor and does not reflect the aspirations of the club as a whole.

 

[windmill]

Bit like on matchdays in the 'bird

You got it in one.

 

[Scotchegg]

I agree that marketing is no where near as good as it should be for a club with our aspirations.

We saw from the dot counting and attendance threads how much can be achieved by word of mouth and social media engagement, but this was driven by individual fans. The club were aware of this threads and responded by responding to things discussed on here, but it always felt a little reactive rather than proactive.

Season ticket sales are so important at driving up attendance and revenue. We saw that the bigger games can generate their own interest and we should still see several 10k+ games next season. But an increase in season ticket sales will add numbers to the wet Tuesday night Accrington games. We should be aiming to get the average attendance up around 9000, and healthy season ticket sales will be essential in doing this.

The frustrating thing is that we've had 12 months to plan for this season ticket launch. We could have looked at those that we're targeting to upgrade from casuals to regulars, regulars to season ticket holders.

The media launch, which is usually very good, could have featured families who attended for the first time this season but will now be looking at getting season tickets (and showing how these are affordable with the family stand and installment payments). They could have featured older fans who may not have got an ST last summer because of covid concerns but now feel safe enough to return. They could have featured lapsed ST holders or those who have returned in good numbers since Christmas.

And in every way, the language could have been better to present that an eTicket is cheaper rather than a traditional card costing more. Other benefits could have been included, pre-ordering shirts to arrive before the first home game, kids being mascots, season ticket days at the training ground etc. A little imagination and forethought could snd should have made the season ticket launch something that gets everyone talking for all the right reasons.

 

[horseman]

I agree that marketing is no where near as good as it should be for a club with our aspirations.

We saw from the dot counting and attendance threads how much can be achieved by word of mouth and social media engagement, but this was driven by individual fans. The club were aware of this threads and responded by responding to things discussed on here, but it always felt a little reactive rather than proactive.

Season ticket sales are so important at driving up attendance and revenue. We saw that the bigger games can generate their own interest and we should still see several 10k+ games next season. But an increase in season ticket sales will add numbers to the wet Tuesday night Accrington games. We should be aiming to get the average attendance up around 9000, and healthy season ticket sales will be essential in doing this.

The frustrating thing is that we've had 12 months to plan for this season ticket launch. We could have looked at those that we're targeting to upgrade from casuals to regulars, regulars to season ticket holders.

The media launch, which is usually very good, could have featured families who attended for the first time this season but will now be looking at getting season tickets (and showing how these are affordable with the family stand and installment payments). They could have featured older fans who may not have got an ST last summer because of covid concerns but now feel safe enough to return. They could have featured lapsed ST holders or those who have returned in good numbers since Christmas.

And in every way, the language could have been better to present that an eTicket is cheaper rather than a traditional card costing more. Other benefits could have been included, pre-ordering shirts to arrive before the first home game, kids being mascots, season ticket days at the training ground etc. A little imagination and forethought could snd should have made the season ticket launch something that gets everyone talking for all the right reasons.

The same 4-5.000 would likely be the purchasers anyway of a ST but to dismiss those who rallied to the call is very poor.

I also don't see why a ST at any club cannot be administered along the lines that i've previously stated. a date to secure your seat followed by a date for those that came through the gates last season, all at the same price.

A Community is not one if you can be sat next to someone who paid a lot less for the same Ticket.

 

[Scotchegg]

The same 4-5.000 would likely be the purchasers anyway of a ST but to dismiss those who rallied to the call is very poor.

I also don't see why a ST at any club cannot be administered along the lines that i've previously stated. a date to secure your seat followed by a date for those that came through the gates last season, all at the same price.

A Community is not one if you can be sat next to someone who paid a lot less for the same Ticket.

There will always be variable price bands.

I could easily be sat next to someone who renewed a season ticket, someone who got one for the first time, a half season ticket holder, a member, someone buying on the day, someone over 65, or under 16, and someone gifted the ticket by the club or a sponsor, all paying differently for the same product. So I don't mind that there are early bird discounts, or discounts for loyalty etc.

But all of which would benefit from better marketing and promotion.

 

[horseman]

There will always be variable price bands.

I could easily be sat next to someone who renewed a season ticket, someone who got one for the first time, a half season ticket holder, a member, someone buying on the day, someone over 65, or under 16, and someone gifted the ticket by the club or a sponsor. So I don't mind that there are early bird discounts, or discounts for loyalty etc.

But all of which would benefit from better marketing and promotion.

My point is "Everyone" should have the same opportunity to pay the same price. Yes let ST confirm their ticket and seat first then offer them to a 2nd date at the same price, don't see why that is so difficult.

Remember the slogans from the past.....We are in this together and United We stand

If our aim really is about being a Community then Market/Promote that fact.

 

[Manorlounger]

There will always be variable price bands.

I could easily be sat next to someone who renewed a season ticket, someone who got one for the first time, a half season ticket holder, a member, someone buying on the day, someone over 65, or under 16, and someone gifted the ticket by the club or a sponsor, all paying differently for the same product. So I don't mind that there are early bird discounts, or discounts for loyalty etc.

But all of which would benefit from better marketing and promotion.

This was pointed out to the club at the start of last season. Both OxVox and OUSP had raised concern.

 

[Northstandboy]

I still find £420 for the North stand expensive when the South lower is the same price, North Stand needs to be in the middle of £330 (OM) and South Lower (£420).

£380 would be a good price for the North Stand!

 

[holdsteady]

The marketing has always been a bit lazy because we get 5,000 turn up come what may, with an extra few thousand if we are doing well/big games. Never really had to work at it.

If we move to an 18,000 all seater then that’s a lot of empty seats that will need filling, it will need a new approach to capitalise on the potential fan base, not just those who already regularly attend.

 

[MarkG]

We've always had early bird or loyalty discounts, and typically the deadline for renewals gets repeatedly extended so that I suspect the majority of ST holders don't pay the "full price".

Also I think it is right that existing ST holders get rewarded, after all we bought season tickets last season still with the risk of further lockdowns.

 

[Oxford57]

Everyone’s personal circumstances are different, I didn’t renew last year as I was in the extremely clinical vunerable club , which it appears is as difficult to get thrown out off, i e mailed the club to ask if it was possible to a very small part of the ground we’re some form of social distancing could be applied , nothing happened, as I am sure that there must more than me who had concerns regarding covid, and if it could have been made to work it would fit with the all in it together approach, I wasn’t after any form of special treatment by any means, it was just to feel safe

I can assume that the vast majority of season tickets are renewed with little input from the club in terms of customer involvement

 

[MarkG]

Also looking back at past seasons. For 2006/07 when we were in the Conference, it was £235 for an East Stand early bird renewals. 16 seasons later, we are playing two levels higher, and a renewal is £329. So overall a 40% increase in 16 years, but annualised that is only 2.1% per year.

 

[horseman]

The marketing has always been a bit lazy because we get 5,000 turn up come what may, with an extra few thousand if we are doing well/big games. Never really had to work at it.

If we move to an 18,000 all seater then that’s a lot of empty seats that will need filling, it will need a new approach to capitalise on the potential fan base, not just those who already regularly attend.

I mentioned this several seasons back and again got shot down for it, this is my opinion but the days when people will just turn up regardless have long since passed and can be for many reasons.

The important thing so often missed by the Marketing team is games "after" those Big Games, The Bread and Butter games.

 

[Manorlounger]

I would have expected a marginal increase in price for this season, after all, the club has kept any rises to a minimum in recent times. However, the marketing approach to encouraging existing ST holders has not been particularly exciting nor has the package appeared to be complete - discounts, U's cash, 1893/lounge etc.
If the club are serious about encouraging new ST holders to come forth and existing holders to renew, where are the "early bird" discounts? Where is the enticement to purchase once existing holders have had their renewal period? It is always said that ST's are the crucial cash flow for the club and yet, here we are again with a very weak and understated campaign. Why can we not be now reading about the new kit, the offers incoming to the shop?
It's come to something that we don't even get anything physical to show our support unless we fork out an extra tenner. Oh yes, pardon me, I forgot the "Supporter wall" We all remember that, don't we? Our names on the wall in the tunnel - that bit we didn't get to see. (and, don't forget, that was a cock up initially. All those who had donated their ST cost to the club were left out, in favour of new ST purchases.) At least that is to be moved to "more public facing location" - we shall see.

I don't like being so critical and coming across as a moaner but, if the club has a marketing section, what do they do all day?

 

[Sarge]

The marketing has always been a bit lazy because we get 5,000 turn up come what may, with an extra few thousand if we are doing well/big games. Never really had to work at it.

If we move to an 18,000 all seater then that’s a lot of empty seats that will need filling, it will need a new approach to capitalise on the potential fan base, not just those who already regularly attend.

.... if every single home game - including PJT and early round League cup ( and FA cup ) are not attracting crowds of around 10K , the marketing department- IMO - arent doing enough marketing ......