Ticket Office

[Pacman1903]

Finally bothered my arse to renew my ST today.

I phoned up at 9.35 and was greeted with a "lets hit the 11k mark" type spiel. Like a call to arms. This was followed by "the ticket line is closed and opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.30-17.00". So I tried again at 9.45 but no same again, then at 10.00 again still closed then again at 10.05

So took the modern approach and every time I clicked on my seat on the map it crashed, 6-7 times I had to start again. Then eventually it worked.

They are nae very good at this making it easy for the fans malarkey. Red TV, ticket office canna be assed opening on time, ticket website being sh@te

And the chairman advocates cheating

[krakowdon]

The chairman will continue to advocate cheating if folk keep renewing their season tickets.

[The Trading Sheep]

The chairman will continue to advocate cheating if folk keep renewing their season tickets.

In fact he will advocate it more, because it would be fair to assume people are happy with the set up

[Pacman1903]

Just to add. I got my conformation letter through saying they will post my Hamilton ticket along with the season ticket. They really are useless c@nts if they cant get the new cards sorted

As for the buying of the season ticket. I think Stewart Milne is a tube. I will get a banner voicing my opinion he is a tube but if I didn't buy a season ticket id have the hassle of buying single tickets for every game which is a pain in the hole. Granted I work offshore and don't go to every game but my good deed is giving my season ticket to folk for their enjoyment/disgust. (delete as applicable).

[rico94]

Fit is the actually story regarding the season tickets?

I take it by pacmans rant they won't be available for the Hamilton game,to be fair on the club I heard it's the company who supplies the cards that's fecked up rather than afcs fault.

[sheepcrooky]

Fit is the actually story regarding the season tickets?

I take it by pacmans rant they won't be available for the Hamilton game,to be fair on the club I heard it's the company who supplies the cards that's fecked up rather than afcs fault.
I am sure my last e-mail said they would be available this week. Very very shambolic from our club who are doing well on the park, but the back office, whether ticketing, turnstiles, Red TV or something else is awful just now. The club should have done proper supplier due diligence on the new ticketing company, but it sounds like they have not.

[Pacman1903]

Just received a "personal message from Derek McInnes" as others must have.

So Hearts and Hibs are better fans than us. Is that what you are getting at?

Thursday was ace was it. Well how about you target the people who turn up for big games only? Im sure its possible to find the folk who buy pigs, sevco, Maribor, Apollon tickets and nae Hamilton, Ross County, St Johnstone etc by looking at their buying history

Also he has reached out personally to me, someone who has already bought a season ticket to go and try and find someone else to buy one. What would be my reward for it. Is that surely not the marketing departments job

Expecting the break 11k season tickets is a huge ask the season after the pigs just pissed all over Scottish fitba and the chairman has alienated his fans

Cheers for the "personal message" though Derek min

Anyway heres the email.............






Season Tickets - You can make a real difference!

Dear ***e**,

On Thursday night I felt our club was at its best, with the players and 20,000 Dons fans as one trying to get the result. When you see an atmosphere like that you want it to be more like that all the time. The atmosphere lifted our players, it intimidated the opposition and, of course it also generated additional income for the Club to enable me to reinvest in the football operation.

Myself, the management team and the players are really excited about the new league campaign which promises to be highly competitive. For example, Hearts and Hibs fans have rallied to the cause with excellent season ticket sales, and in Hearts case their foundation donates significant additional investment. I completely understand everyone's circumstances are different, and some people cannot contribute as much as others, but I ask you to help me level the playing field by surpassing our best season ticket sales ever!

Levelling the playing field

And that’s why I am reaching out to you personally to urge you to invest in a season ticket if you have not done so already. For those of you who have already signed up, thank you! Please try and convince another family member or friend to buy a season ticket. If every season ticket holder got someone else to sign up, we'd have 20,000 at every game. That would be brilliant.

I want my time here to be remembered fondly as a successful period for the Club, the players and our supporters, and one where we are winning trophies. As we work towards that together, you can make a real difference.

[kkong]

What would be my reward for it.

Discount on your next ST, depending how many people you refer for a ST this season.

£120-499 : Credit of 10% of sales value against next ST.
£500+ : Credit of 10% of first £499 of sales value plus 20% on sales value >£500 against next ST.

Full details here:

http://www.afc.co.uk/news/9815.php

[sheepcrooky]

I think the "personal message" would have sounded better if it just said "message". Some reasonable points made, but the best way to sell more seats would have been for our chairman to grow a set.

[LED]

I also got the e mail from deek but having already paid for a season ticket I would rather know when my card is ready to be picked up? What is the latest on this? The hamilton game is next sunday are they going to issue paper tickets instead. What a mess. Really if AFC want to have an increased fan base the club need to get their house in order. Right now the Dod yule and Milne rant about supporters not turning up to matches seems rather churlish when you considers how the club is letting down its current supporters right now in terms of ticketing problems, closed turnstiles, standing by the rangers poor handling of the new stadium and training facilities.

[afc49]

Discount on your next ST, depending how many people you refer for a ST this season.

£120-499 : Credit of 10% of sales value against next ST.
£500+ : Credit of 10% of first £499 of sales value plus 20% on sales value >£500 against next ST.

Full details here:

http://www.afc.co.uk/news/9815.php


I think this is a brilliant idea, we all know and see the difference a full pittodrie makes, I know we will never get 20k at the league games but it would be great to see 14-15k at least at most home games, I didnt think the email was a dig at us supporters more like a call to arms in my eyes, the club are trying to get more bums on seats and it's up to people like me to help make that happen, a full season ticket isn't an option for me because of work commitments although I have had quite a few in the past, I also don't earn enough to justify buying one unlike some of the other members on here so have been looking at the 6 game package but I can't find out how much they are, any links or help would be much appreciated, looking to get 4 tickets, 2 adults 1 for an 18 year old and a 15 year old

[Jupiter]

If they want bigger crowds, how about letting us pay at the gate again.

[LED]

I think this is a brilliant idea, we all know and see the difference a full pittodrie makes, I know we will never get 20k at the league games but it would be great to see 14-15k at least at most home games, I didnt think the email was a dig at us supporters more like a call to arms in my eyes, the club are trying to get more bums on seats and it's up to people like me to help make that happen, a full season ticket isn't an option for me because of work commitments although I have had quite a few in the past, I also don't earn enough to justify buying one unlike some of the other members on here so have been looking at the 6 game package but I can't find out how much they are, any links or help would be much appreciated, looking to get 4 tickets, 2 adults 1 for an 18 year old and a 15 year old

I heard despite saying there was going to be a six game option they have delayed this and might drop it altogether. Source is from another forum.

[kkong]

If they want bigger crowds, how about letting us pay at the gate again.


With Print at Home it's more or less there. You can buy any time on your phone.

Officially phones are not supported for entry yet (requires a print on A4) but I don't see why you can't display the barcode on your screen and scan that in the reader.

Perhaps because they are not confident it will work with majority of phones or it's too complicated for some supporters to open a PDF on their phone (if it is a PDF, I have never used print at home).

[Pacman1903]

Discount on your next ST, depending how many people you refer for a ST this season.

£120-499 : Credit of 10% of sales value against next ST.
£500+ : Credit of 10% of first £499 of sales value plus 20% on sales value >£500 against next ST.

Full details here:

http://www.afc.co.uk/news/9815.php


Shame I don't know any c@nt who wants one

Anyway, this is marketed all wrong. There should be an incentive for season tickets for new people. For every adult in the Merk a childs is free for example. Then you are enticing a new generation through the gate too, while bumping the crowd

[kkong]

I heard despite saying there was going to be a six game option they have delayed this and might drop it altogether. Source is from another forum.

Reds on the Road seems to have been binned as well, despite it being detailed in the ST brochure.

[Jussi]

If they want bigger crowds, how about letting us pay at the gate again.

For some reason they think everyone has smart-phones, or uses PC's.

They have essentially swiped away a whole demographic doing that.

I bet 95% of our attendees now is under 50 , because of this.

[kkong]

For some reason they think everyone has smart-phones, or uses PC's.

Well, 81% of the UK population owned a smartphone by 2016 and this will only increase, so it's a reasonable assumption.

For the economically active population at least, it's increasingly difficult to function in everyday life without a smartphone, tablet or PC.

http://i.imgur.com/4tX8QrL.png

[Jupiter]

I don't have a smartphone, but I do have a PC and iPad, so I don't really need one.

[DonUnder]

For some reason they think everyone has smart-phones, or uses PC's.

They have essentially swiped away a whole demographic doing that.

I bet 95% of our attendees now is under 50 , because of this.


Many over 50's are perfectly adept with smart phones.


Remembering their glasses to read smart phones is another matter!

[Pacman1903]

At least we are getting our season ticket cards for the first game of the season now. (im nae as im offshore)

So they didn't make a total c@nt of it in the end

[kkong]

Hang on... let's wait and see how many people don't receive them in the mail by Saturday.

[TartanIvor]

I don't care about how many season tickets are sold in Edinburgh. Aberdeen is much smaller and to get 11k is a good result in comparison to what they have sold I work and live in Leith been a Dandy all my life get to games when I can and not just for the big games for example how many was at the game when we got thrashed by Livingston where I walked up and PATG in the King St end like I did when I was a schoolboy and had the feelgood factor that my income helps the club I love

[misterdon]

I understand why people are frustrated about the delay in tickets, but this appears to be a problem with the 3rd party printing tickets so we can’t hold the club 100% accountable. Regarding the season ticket sales, as per TartanIvor my brother and I are based in the central belt and don’t get up to every game – especially when the games get moved from 3PM on a Saturday. We still get our season tickets every year though and get up as much as we can. I agree we should be able to sell more than 11k, especially when you see European nights and Cup semi’s and final’s (yes we do seem to get to these again!)…

It has always puzzled me that when I am in the pub before a match and get talking to folk they are like “Moan the Dandies, hope we win today” and when you ask them if they are going they say no, or I might walk up later after a couple of pints… Bottom line is you can’t just walk up now or make a last minute decision like the old days. I am not saying this is the route of the issue, and clearly we need more season tickets sold, however; I reckon the fact you can’t just pay at the turnstile now takes anywhere (depending on the opposition) between 200 to 500 of the gate.

Another reason we have lower attendances than some is due to the fact most teams (outwith Celtic and the Rangers) don't bring fans 'away up to Pittodrie'... Motherwell \ Killie \ Hamilton etc etc can sometimes bring between 500 to 800 to Hibs and Hearts due to the location. I have actually counted under 50 fans in our away end many times. The lack of travelling support to Pittodrie has always cost us financially. It's actually easier for me to go to away games (and I used to go to almost every one!) but I don't any more as we are a cash cow for other teams due to our amazing away support. I do love the atmosphere but had to make a choice, do I keep going to away games or just buy a season ticket to help the team financially - I decided on the later. I am happy a large section do go away and roar the team on, I can't do both though so decided to help the club financially rather than line another clubs pockets.

Anyway, I think 11K would be a good effort and something to build on – COYR!!

[Pauldolski10]

My season ticket arrived just now

[cougared]

Re PATG.

From what I can remember, they released stats a few years ago about the numbers who were using the PATG facility - it was very small and - they said - not financially viable. Cash is expensive for firms to process - handling, counting, security, banking.

The other factor is that now - with smartphones - everyone can buy a ticket in the pub before the match or as the go to the game. I dont know if you can gain access to the match by scanning the code direct from the phone but you would think it would be pretty easy.

Was in a bar recently (in Brisbane) where the card reader system wasn't working and customers were coming in were informed they would have to pay cash. Almost all turned and walked away to other bars. In London a few weeks ago - didnt have to use cash once. Contactless. To me this would appear to suggest that cash is no longer the main method used in even quite small financial transactions. Maybe the club could install a contactless entry system on one turnstile?

Have been to see AC Milan a few times over the past few years. With them I buy a card - similar to our season tickets (arrived today btw) - cost less than a tenner and whenever I want to attend a match I go online and activate the card. No cash. The card is valid for three years.

Ps - not really a new member - had problems with profile and password blah blah

[Jupiter]

How about instead of paying cash at the gate, you could get in by using a debit or credit card?

[grc1]

Slightly off topic from what is being discussed but think the ticket office have handled the waiting list situation for Thursday night pretty badly - given they have all our details would it have hurt to send an email to those on the list saying they weren't getting a ticket rather than having us sit about climbing the walls all day and checking the internet every 2 seconds..........

[byreg09]

Well , got home last night and still no season ticket.

This could end up messy !!

[GASC1980]

Has anyone who E-Mailed Derek Matthews regarding the ticket fiasco for the game in Cyprus received a response? I E-Mailed him on Friday 28th July. I followed this up with another E-Mail on Tuesday 1st August as I hadn't heard anything. To date I have not even had an acknowledgement far less a reply. Extremely poor customer service in my opinion or do they just blank any queries you have???.

[kkong]

Has anyone who E-Mailed Derek Matthews regarding the ticket fiasco for the game in Cyprus received a response? I E-Mailed him on Friday 28th July. I followed this up with another E-Mail on Tuesday 1st August as I hadn't heard anything. To date I have not even had an acknowledgement far less a reply. Extremely poor customer service in my opinion or do they just blank any queries you have???.

No reply to my email to the ticket office expressing dissatisfaction with ticket sales process.

I did get sorted with a ticket, but they should also either respond to individual emails or put an article on the website explaining what went wrong and that in future the loyalty point system will be used as intended.

[cougared]

Is Derek Matthews still there? They are looking for a new Commercial Manager - was that not his job?

Anybody received their Ross County tickets yet? Ordered Tuesday at 7 am.

[kkong]

Is Derek Matthews still there? They are looking for a new Commercial Manager - was that not his job?

Think he is / was Customer Services Manager.


Anybody received their Ross County tickets yet? Ordered Tuesday at 7 am.

Also ordered online Tuesday morning and not received yet.

[cougared]

Think he is / was Customer Services Manager.




Also ordered online Tuesday morning and not received yet.


Think you are right. Just adding one and one to make three. Ticket office not covering itself in glory, Commerical Manager vacancy - wrong end of stick. Think the lass who got the SLO worked in the ticket office tho. Dont know what her position was.

[nice1simmy]

Is Derek Matthews still there? They are looking for a new Commercial Manager - was that not his job?

Anybody received their Ross County tickets yet? Ordered Tuesday at 7 am.

Ordered my ticket online tuesday as well,phoned the club today when it hadn't arrived,said there's a problem dispatching tickets but should arrive tomorrow,if not then have to pick it up at ross county ticket shop saturday morning

[kkong]

said there's a problem dispatching tickets

Busy selling tickets for next week's European game for when we get re-instated? :)

Or have they run out of envelopes?

[nice1simmy]

Busy selling tickets for next week's European game for when we get re-instated? :)

Or have they run out of envelopes?

Haha not sure what the problem is,there could be a long queue at ticket office on saturday morning if tickets dont come tomorrow,they'd have to reprint tickets that havent arrived and put them up in team bus i'd imagine

[Pacman1903]

Got home today and my season ticket hasnt been delivered. Good een

[cougared]

No good Pacman. I think there is a systemic problem in the ticket office and that problem has arisen since February/March - certainly before the Cup Final. Evidence is beginning to mount up.

[TartanIvor]

I understand why people are frustrated about the delay in tickets, but this appears to be a problem with the 3rd party printing tickets so we can’t hold the club 100% accountable. Regarding the season ticket sales, as per TartanIvor my brother and I are based in the central belt and don’t get up to every game – especially when the games get moved from 3PM on a Saturday. We still get our season tickets every year though and get up as much as we can. I agree we should be able to sell more than 11k, especially when you see European nights and Cup semi’s and final’s (yes we do seem to get to these again!)…

It has always puzzled me that when I am in the pub before a match and get talking to folk they are like “Moan the Dandies, hope we win today” and when you ask them if they are going they say no, or I might walk up later after a couple of pints… Bottom line is you can’t just walk up now or make a last minute decision like the old days. I am not saying this is the route of the issue, and clearly we need more season tickets sold, however; I reckon the fact you can’t just pay at the turnstile now takes anywhere (depending on the opposition) between 200 to 500 of the gate.

Another reason we have lower attendances than some is due to the fact most teams (outwith Celtic and the Rangers) don't bring fans 'away up to Pittodrie'... Motherwell \ Killie \ Hamilton etc etc can sometimes bring between 500 to 800 to Hibs and Hearts due to the location. I have actually counted under 50 fans in our away end many times. The lack of travelling support to Pittodrie has always cost us financially. It's actually easier for me to go to away games (and I used to go to almost every one!) but I don't any more as we are a cash cow for other teams due to our amazing away support. I do love the atmosphere but had to make a choice, do I keep going to away games or just buy a season ticket to help the team financially - I decided on the later. I am happy a large section do go away and roar the team on, I can't do both though so decided to help the club financially rather than line another clubs pockets.

Anyway, I think 11K would be a good effort and something to build on – COYR!!

Great post look at last nights support at Hamilton 2 to 1 by Dons fans

[Pacman1903]

No good Pacman. I think there is a systemic problem in the ticket office and that problem has arisen since February/March - certainly before the Cup Final. Evidence is beginning to mount up.

I suppose ill have to phone tomorrow. Good thing i was offshore Hamilton game. Didnt have a ticket anyway

[Pacman1903]

Thats my season ticket just showed up today

[GASC1980]

Still no reply to my E-Mails to the ticket office. Anyone any suggestions as to who I should contact if nobody in the ticket office sees fit to reply to any queries one might have?

[Skacel]

Still no reply to my E-Mails to the ticket office. Anyone any suggestions as to who I should contact if nobody in the ticket office sees fit to reply to any queries one might have?

You are far better phoning them: 01224631903

[kkong]

You are far better phoning them: 01224631903

You're not going to get a sensible answer to the Apollon ticket shambles by speaking to a customer service adviser on the phone.

[GASC1980]

Exactly. Hence the reason I'm asking who best to approach in order to escalate my complaint.

[kkong]

You could try derek (dot) matthews@afc.co.uk if he is still there.

He is (or was) Customer Service Manager.

[GASC1980]

That's who I have E-Mailed and when I spoke to Lynn in Cyprus he was still there. Think I'll speak to her again. Hopeless.