Reight ! - I've got an idea for attracting bigger ticket sales next season.

Don't shout me down yet - I've been thinking about this one. I dunno if anyone has ever tried it and would like to think it is original - but as I have possibly never had an original thought, perhaps it's not.</p>

Firstly - this is an <u>alternative</u> to season ticket or pay on the gate options and would be used alongside those methods of admission. </p>

The prices I quote <u>are merely prices</u> and should not be examined too closely. What I am suggesting is the principle of how it might work, and the advantages of such a scheme.</p>

The idea is simply this.</p>

Mr A reckons he can attend quite a few home games, but doesn't know how he will be fixed because of shifts. Thinks a season ticket would be a waste.</p>

Mr B cannot afford to buy a season ticket - and knows he will not be able to go to a lot of the matches because of the cost.</p>

Mr C is a regular supporter, but only gets to some games due to him living a long way away.</p>

Mr D just never knows how he is fixed. He finds the cost prohibitive at times, and sometimes he needs that gentle push, especially when the team is not doing well.</p>

These are all supporters, who, for various valid reasons, weigh up the odds and perhaps do not attend games when the club needs them to do so.</p>

OK - the plan</p>

Introduce a &quot;Ticket Loyalty Scheme&quot; - or whatever you might like to call it.</p>

This is how it works - again, don't take the prices too literally.</p>

All these above examples pay, say £10 to register themselves with the scheme. Possibly be issued with a swipe card or something to prove membership.</p>

From the moment of registration they are entitled to matchday tickets at a progressively decreasing cost.</p>

23 games - the first 5 games cost them £2 under the gate price.</p>

Games 6 to 10 cost them £3 under the gate price</p>

Games 11 - 15 cost them £4 under the gate price</p>

Games 16 - 20 cost them £5 under the gate price</p>

Games 20 - 23 cost them £6 under the gate price.</p>

Whatever the prices, they need to be regulated so that they would pay more than a season ticket, but less than 23 gate charges, and be attractive enough to go for without affecting season ticket sales.</p>

There would need to be conditions - for example, no ticket could be guaranteed. You go to buy your ticket and what you get would depend on availability.</p>

They could count for status - for example, being in the ticket scheme would give you priority after ST holders to buy other tickets for popular matches, or even STs if we got promoted and there was a rush.</p>

Remember also that this would only benefit the purchaser progressively - the more matches he attends, the bigger the discount. It would go on the number of games you attended - not the number of the game itself. For example if you didn't turn up until game 17, you would get only the discount for game 1.</p>

Giving your card to someone because you couldn't go wouldn't be that damaging either. Someone else will pay to get in, giving the club money they wouldn't otherwise get and it would benefit you cos it would earn discount on your next ticket.</p>

I feel sure the club would benefit in the long run, and more supporters would be attracted to turn up.</p>

That's the basic rough plan outline, and it would need to be worked on.</p>

Whaddya think?</p>

Any good - or just a pile of poo?</p>

 

Sounds good to me, I'd get one.

 

good idea

 

I have a pass but it sounds good!!

 

That would be ideal for me

It would require some computer software on their ticketing system, but that shouldn't be too hard.

 

Got to say its a good idea

And hope the club sees this thread and lots of possitive replies

 

plus

How many times do you need to go - before they start paying you to go???

 

My idea for attracting bigger ticket sales next season.

Get promoted! ff

 

hee hee. I think that would work better.

 

Sounds good....might be a bit complex to instigate though.

A simpler method - buy 3 tickets for seperate games, at the same time, and get a discount

 

a possibility but...

....not a lot of people can afford £66 at one go, even if it's reduced.

 

sounds like a good basic idea that could work red rag but alas no good to me as a season ticket holder ff

 

That wouldn't work for me

Can't afford three tickets in one go.

 

There could be alsorts of "invisible" benefits

1. A tangible feeling of really belonging to the club you support.</p>

2. As mentioned earlier - other spin-off benefits, as with ST holders.</p>

3. The more you attend, the more attractive the price becomes - and that alternative game at another ground looks less attractive by the week.</p>

4. A feeling of proper recognition for your support.</p>

5. The next best deal possible instead of the season ticket you could never afford.</p>

6. The club gets a better idea of the extent of its core support and subsequent ability to plan ahead with greater accuracy.</p>

7. And possibly that bit of extra push needed to capture and keep those who may not be totally committed to either the club itself, or the idea of more regular football.</p>

 

The only sensible idea I've read on the subject

Has got some up front admin costs, so I'm not sure you could discount the first few tickets, but apart from that the idea works.

 

think you've got the nail on the head there mate

it would require computer software, but surely that could be paid for by the increased gate revenue?

i'd buy one.

 

I think its a very good idea and.........

would sign up to the plan however I have siad this before on subjects similar. It would effect the clubs forecasting for income almost impossible. When it comes to sorting out players wages and expenditure it would be difficult for the club.</p>

I feel the deal is also such a good deal that a lot of season ticket holders would rather use the scheme than buy season tickets.</p>

This would leave the initial money pot available to the club smaller thus making it difficult to buy the players that we would all want to watch as well.</p>

Its a very good plan in theory but i am sure the club would rather have every fan buying a season ticket in reality and do away with match day tickets.</p>

I commend the idea and don't want to come across as a kiljoy but I would rather pay the full price and the club use my money to build on the foundations of the last 12 months. I am sure the club would love to charge the fans less and fill Oakwell but the money isn't in the coffers to gamble on such a scheme.</p>

I really do hope that I'm wrong like?</p>

 

Yes...you're right

I would not want to affect season ticket sales. The idea would be to pitch it at those who for whatever reason, cannot or will not buy a season ticket anyway - and will then use the discount as an incentive to come to more games.</p>

On that basis it could actually help the club to forecast income, because they would have a notional idea of how many people have serious intentions of making their loyalty discount pay.</p>

If for example, a ST in the East Stand is £335 and 23 games at an average of say £20 would cost £460, I would think that at an overall saving of say £50 for attending up to 23 matches, could still be attractive enough for the casual payer, whereas the avid ST holder would still be saving around £70 over and above that.</p>

It's a close call I know, and not being an accountant I might be talking total unworkable ******.</p>

But I do believe that thousands of pounds are probably lost, and hundreds of seats go undeservedly empty each season, just for the sake of a few sensible options that could pay us all. And feel sure that there must be ways of addressing that.</p>

But I take your point.</p>