Fan’s Groups Angered By Lack Of Consultation Prior To ‘Stealth’ Increase In Ticket Purchase Fees.

[gw_leics772]

17 hours ago, Stadt said:

I’d rather we didn’t have donuts or two free beers over the course of a season instead unnecessarily charging fans to print their tickets in their own home. As Xen pointed out the revenue is nominal, we earn about £120m a season so what’s £200k going to do?

 

Say a bloke took his two lads to 10 games in a season and had the audacity to print tickets off at home? An extra £45 a season trousered by the club.

 

“But we’ve broken our transfer record! We’re building a new training ground! We’re going for the top 6!” None of that is being paid for by a 0.1% increase in revenue - it’s totally unnecessary. If we really needed that cash cut out the freebies or raise ticket prices, don’t charge fans an admin fee to print out tickets at home.

But it's not your choice, and never will be.

 

The bottom line is, if you want to set all of the rules, you buy yourself a football club.

 

Harsh but true im afraid.

 

The club are allowed to pick and choose what they listen to and act upon.  And i for one, think they are doing a "reasonable" job at it.

[Stadt]

I’m pissed up right now but it honestly feels a bit Orwellian the extent that people defend the club. Even if this scheme earned the club £1m (likely 10x the actual amount) over the course of the season is it worth it to fleece the fanbase? Season tickets have been frozen - but if you want to suggest you care about the fans you don’t charge them for firing up the Hewlett Packard at home. 

 

Football is more of a business than it’s ever been but it football still remains somewhat of a social institution. There’s not the same obligation to generate profits for shareholders as a run of the mill business so it baffles me that some sections of support are so defensive over the club trying to eke out an extra 0.1% in revenue. In a sporting world of exorbitant costs, the value isn’t in ripping off supporters it’s in letting go a third choice keeper or selling a seventh choice winger.

 

The reality is that club can absorb the cost. For non members already trying to get into an expensive closed shop an extra £50 season might not be so easy to be frivolous about.

 

In the first place this issue irritated me but it wasn’t major but seeing a fair few willingly accept it has actually wound me up a bit. It reeks of I’m alright Jack behaviour. If we did this 8 years ago the fan base would be more upset but success reduces a lot of morale fibre.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

.

[PaulW]

However much some might wish it so......The Club is not run as a collective.

[Xen]

We have some of the best owners around as far as top-level football goes and there's a lot they've done right. The one thing which has consistently been awful for their entire time here, though, is the ticketing system. Convoluted membership ballots, late delivery of tickets, general poor service and now this stealth price increase.

 

It's probably nothing to do with the owners personally, but whoever is in charge of the ticketing department has a lot to answer for...

[LinekersLugs]

9 hours ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

Self Entitlement? 

 

I sidnt want a free donut. I didn’t want a trip to Belgium. I’d have understood an increase in season tickets. 

 

But this is OTT. 

 

Just because we have good owners doesn’t excuse them from making bad decisions. I want the best owners and the best for my club

Mate you have the best owners in English football and maybe the whole world of football ??? there are none better , gave millions to children’s hospital , education in the city and helped create jobs , they  frozen ticket prices for nearly half a decade and have made us into a genuine top 10 team , we have the best already 

[Stoopid]

3 hours ago, Stadt said:

I’m pissed up right now but it honestly feels a bit Orwellian the extent that people defend the club. Even if this scheme earned the club £1m (likely 10x the actual amount) over the course of the season is it worth it to fleece the fanbase? Season tickets have been frozen - but if you want to suggest you care about the fans you don’t charge them for firing up the Hewlett Packard at home. 

 

Football is more of a business than it’s ever been but it football still remains somewhat of a social institution. There’s not the same obligation to generate profits for shareholders as a run of the mill business so it baffles me that some sections of support are so defensive over the club trying to eke out an extra 0.1% in revenue. In a sporting world of exorbitant costs, the value isn’t in ripping off supporters it’s in letting go a third choice keeper or selling a seventh choice winger.

 

The reality is that club can absorb the cost. For non members already trying to get into an expensive closed shop an extra £50 season might not be so easy to be frivolous about.

 

In the first place this issue irritated me but it wasn’t major but seeing a fair few willingly accept it has actually wound me up a bit. It reeks of I’m alright Jack behaviour. If we did this 8 years ago the fan base would be more upset but success reduces a lot of morale fibre.

Not one for blowing smoke up people's back-passages, but have to say this is beautifully put.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

7 hours ago, Ginger_Filbert said:

You can’t buy tickets to many live events anymore without paying an administration fee. Whether that be football, live concerts or the world table football championship. 

Take your UFS tinted glasses off and try living in the real world. 

Nothing is free anymore...

And it’s nice to see your comment on my first post... where to ******* start with this. Without actually starting anything. Care to elaborate?

Id love to see any counter argument to any point I made. 

 

Ahh yes because the cinema, theatre gig venues etc are backed by 5 billion pound TV deals as well to make up the vast majority of their income aren't they. 

 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

"Balancing the books" hey?

 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

A few points ...

 

If the club want to get an extra £1 per ticket, then just put the price of the ticket up.   I won't like it.  Who does?  But at least it's up-front, you know where you are, and it's not being "sneaky" about it (which angers people, as they feel you're taking them for idiots).

 

I don't mind a small "admin fee" for a printed ticket per transaction.  ok, I know it's their job as a ticket office ... but at least I am causing them to actually do something.  Get an enveloppe out, find the tickets, put them in, post it etc.    But that effort is pretty much the same, whether it's 1 or 4 tickets.   Charging per ticket, just doesn't sit right.

 

Booking the tickets online, is actually saving the club time and effort.   You're doing most of the time-consuming picking tickets, entering card details etc.    When you go in, or book over the phone ... they are having to select your seats etc, which takes up their time.   So if anything, there's a "moral case" (a bit strong, sorry) for NOT charging you extra online, as you're saving them time and money.    I think that's the bit I really don't like - it's back-to-front logic.

 

 

 

 

[Jacnah]

On 13/07/2019 at 00:34, Foxes_Trust said:

The Foxes Trust and Union FS have come out strongly in condemnation at the fact that Leicester City did not consult Fans’ Groups prior to the substantial increase in fees introduced by the Club for 2019/20 for Match Tickets (Home & Away), Stadium Car Parking, Foxes Travel and other services.

 

Full details below

 

http://foxestrust.co.uk/7353/fans-groups-angered-by-lack-of-consultation-prior-to-stealth-increase-in-ticket-purchase-fees

 

We encourage fans comments on this thread

Why should they have to consult? Do McDonalds consult when they put the price of a burger up? I'm not saying I agree with the increase, but I don't lose any sleep about not being 'consulted'  although I appreciate others may have a completely different view.

 

TBH, I'm a bit cynical of 'Fans Groups'. I'm sure they do sterling work in some respects, however, they certainly don't represent all fans and there is a seemingly inevitable growth in their own self defined importance and perhaps being 'angered' by this is illustrative. I'd be interested in being educated by those 'angered' as to what they expected from consultation? 

[CosbehFox]

 

1 hour ago, LinekersLugs said:

Mate you have the best owners in English football and maybe the whole world of football ??? there are none better , gave millions to children’s hospital , education in the city and helped create jobs , they  frozen ticket prices for nearly half a decade and have made us into a genuine top 10 team , we have the best already 

I take it you haven’t dealt with the ticketing side every often. It’s been a shambles during their period 

[HighPeakFox]

I see both sides on this, and find myself agreeing with opposing views at times. 

 

Yes, the club has fantastic, generous owners, and we're lucky. However, that should never mean that we assume they get everything right, or that a detail like this is to be ignored. 

 

People are suspicious of constructive criticism, which always bothers me. If I criticise (and I have) our supporters for being unsupportive, I get it in the neck from some. Likewise, some people are refusing to hear a word against the ticketing policy here, when it's a legitimate point for debate, if nothing else. 

 

Don't take it personally unless it's a personal attack - good criticism is not and should never be that. 

[Ginger_Filbert]

1 hour ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Ahh yes because the cinema, theatre gig venues etc are backed by 5 billion pound TV deals as well to make up the vast majority of their income aren't they. 

 

And yet we still only made a couple of mill profit was it?

At the end of the day football clubs are businesses first and foremost nowadays and businesses cover costs. 

[Fox92]

2 hours ago, LinekersLugs said:

Mate you have the best owners in English football and maybe the whole world of football ??? there are none better , gave millions to children’s hospital , education in the city and helped create jobs , they  frozen ticket prices for nearly half a decade and have made us into a genuine top 10 team , we have the best already 

The fact you bring stuff like this up when there is a need, and evidence, to criticise the club/the owners is scary.

 

I don't live in Leicestershire so I buy my away tickets online. It was a £2 extra charge for the two away tickets I usually buy. That is now £3. On average I personally do about 14 away games a season so 14*£3 is £42. That's £12 more than an actual away ticket and £14 more than previous seasons of £28 (14*£2).

 

Oh, and with how much the club make they should be lowering season ticket prices if anything. Most clubs freeze season ticket prices. I can point out many different clubs with many different positives. Stoke have offered free away travel for their fans for the past 5 or so seasons. 

[Bayfox]

Well I guess the 1st FCC of next season may drag on a bit

 

 

[ArchieW]

This charge doesn't apply to home league tickets for members. So the charge will not affect anywhere near as many as being stated.

 

Other 2019/20 Fox Membership highlights include:

- No transaction fees on home Premier League match tickets (saving £1.50 per ticket purchased) 

 

Plus adult membership was cheaper this year (£40 over £60 last). 

 

I think it's just a way to make membership more attractive.

[Guest Col city fan]

6 hours ago, Stadt said:

I’m pissed up right now but it honestly feels a bit Orwellian the extent that people defend the club. Even if this scheme earned the club £1m (likely 10x the actual amount) over the course of the season is it worth it to fleece the fanbase? Season tickets have been frozen - but if you want to suggest you care about the fans you don’t charge them for firing up the Hewlett Packard at home. 

 

Football is more of a business than it’s ever been but it football still remains somewhat of a social institution. There’s not the same obligation to generate profits for shareholders as a run of the mill business so it baffles me that some sections of support are so defensive over the club trying to eke out an extra 0.1% in revenue. In a sporting world of exorbitant costs, the value isn’t in ripping off supporters it’s in letting go a third choice keeper or selling a seventh choice winger.

 

The reality is that club can absorb the cost. For non members already trying to get into an expensive closed shop an extra £50 season might not be so easy to be frivolous about.

 

In the first place this issue irritated me but it wasn’t major but seeing a fair few willingly accept it has actually wound me up a bit. It reeks of I’m alright Jack behaviour. If we did this 8 years ago the fan base would be more upset but success reduces a lot of morale fibre.

Great post imo.

Taking the piss is taking the piss. We have brilliant owners who have given to this club immensely. But that doesn’t mean we have to turn a blind eye to everything they do. It doesn’t work like that, especially where commerce is involved. Booking fees don’t have to be there. Be transparent and honest and let the public make their minds up. 

[Haywood_6]

 It's true the club give a lot back to the fans and I'm as grateful for our owners as anyone else. But say it how it is, this £1 transaction fee per ticket is nonsense rip off charge. 

[HybridFox]

1 hour ago, ArchieW said:

This charge doesn't apply to home league tickets for members. So the charge will not affect anywhere near as many as being stated.

 

Other 2019/20 Fox Membership highlights include:

- No transaction fees on home Premier League match tickets (saving £1.50 per ticket purchased) 

 

Plus adult membership was cheaper this year (£40 over £60 last). 

 

I think it's just a way to make membership more attractive.

Being a bit pedanatic here but the fee still applies for the Atalanta game and any cup games presumably. Why not just make it no home games all together!

[ArchieW]

22 minutes ago, TK95 said:

Being a bit pedanatic here but the fee still applies for the Atalanta game and any cup games presumably. Why not just make it no home games all together!

That's true, I agree.

 

I assume they've worked out how to raise a similar amount from the charge, while offering the reduction for members.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 hours ago, Ginger_Filbert said:

And yet we still only made a couple of mill profit was it?

At the end of the day football clubs are businesses first and foremost nowadays and businesses cover costs. 

My heart bleeds for us. 

 

It's pretty clear we're not going to change each other's minds here but the day will come when it's you that's being priced out, hopefully there will still be people at that point willing to give a shit enough to hold the club to account and try and help you out. 

[Mehrez]

3 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

"Balancing the books" hey?

 

Oh come on you know that’s based on the 2016/17 season - Champions League money where we recorded a £90m+ profit, last season that certainly wouldn’t have been the case they made £1m profit, so those asking if £200k makes a difference well based on a profit of £1m then yes it does.

 

Not saying I particularly agree with adding the fees on but those saying costs are rising are correct, it would be nice if they club absorbed all of them but they are a business at the end of the day.

[Ashley]

On a serious note... there is a way to stop it. Dont buy tickets online and go to the ticket office in person.

 

More people in the ticket office/club shop the staff wont be able to cope let's be honest and they'll revert to the normal £1 charge for all tickets ?‍♂️

[DerbyshireFox]

44 minutes ago, Ashley said:

On a serious note... there is a way to stop it. Dont buy tickets online and go to the ticket office in person.

 

More people in the ticket office/club shop the staff wont be able to cope let's be honest and they'll revert to the normal £1 charge for all tickets ?‍♂️

If that were feasible for everyone that would work. Sadly working 12hr shifts and 30miles there and back, it isn’t feasible to go on the days my priority for away tickets opens. I’m sure it’s the same for many. A couple near us come from Norwich for every home game