Goldeye Fans are being Ripped Off For Playoffs WHY!!!!!!

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caretaker110

Goldeye Fans are being Ripped Off For Playoffs WHY!!!!!!

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Posts: 384

( 3-Sep-09 13:06:16)

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Why are Winnipeg Goldeyes ripping off Winnipeg fans

Why are Winnipeg Fans having to pay up to 19 dollars for tickets to playoffs

Fargo fans pay only 5 dollars for any seat in park buying in advance and 7 dollars if bought on game day.

Kansas is selling all tickets for 6 dollars in advance and 7 dollars if bought on game day. Season ticket holders can buy two game pac for 10 dollars. ( 5 dollars per game)

Winnipeg is charging acording to wesite these prices. WHY!!

Season Ticket holders were forced to buy 6 of these tickets well before season even started

P1 - Club Seating Area

CA $19.00

P2 - Prime Seating Area

CA $15.00

P3 - On-Deck Seating Area

CA $13.00

P4 - Grand Slam Seating Area

CA $8.00

Is there anyone else but me that thinks this is both very unfair and a rip off

RetirePoulin6

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Posts: 24

( 3-Sep-09 20:03:17)

caretaker110 wrote:

Why are Winnipeg Goldeyes ripping off Winnipeg fans

Why are Winnipeg Fans having to pay up to 19 dollars for tickets to playoffs

Fargo fans pay only 5 dollars for any seat in park buying in advance and 7 dollars if bought on game day.

Kansas is selling all tickets for 6 dollars in advance and 7 dollars if bought on game day. Season ticket holders can buy two game pac for 10 dollars. ( 5 dollars per game)

Winnipeg is charging acording to wesite these prices. WHY!!

Season Ticket holders were forced to buy 6 of these tickets well before season even started

P1 - Club Seating Area

CA $19.00

P2 - Prime Seating Area

CA $15.00

P3 - On-Deck Seating Area

CA $13.00

P4 - Grand Slam Seating Area

CA $8.00

Is there anyone else but me that thinks this is both very unfair and a rip off

Hmmmmm here's a clue. Sam Katz. How else will he line his pockets? Lousy Mayor and even worse owner.

nlfan

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Posts: 6596

( 3-Sep-09 21:56:15)

1. I thought post season tickets were a required part of a season ticket package in Winnipeg. I'm pretty sure this is nothing new.

2. Higher post season prices? That too is nothing new. Unless things have changed, the league adds a surcharge on post season tickets and that cost is usually passed along in the ticket prices.

3. We ARE talking about $CAD vs. $USD. Goldeye ticket prices have always been higher than those in the US since leaving Deformity Field (where they had been some of the cheapest for admittedly bad seats). Even adjusting for the fluctuating exchange rate, Fish fans typically play more for a game at the Fish Bowl (one of the best minor league venues on the continent).

4. Fargo (and not KCK) are apparently choosing to take a hit in the pocketbook to try upping notoriously low attendance in the post season. This change is relatively new but not going on in Gary. In Gary, ticket prices have the predictable $1 added on. I'm not seeing Ken and the 'Cats fans griping about this. They also made the all tickets GA --clearly a this is to try making the games EXTRA appealing and a chance for fans w/o season tickets to try out the best seats in the house.

5. Why AREN'T the Goldeyes taking the same measures as KCK and FM? Because, unlike everywhere else in the world, it's been proven that Fish Fans will pack the park for the post season. Excuse the rest of us if we're not going to shed tears for those who in the past have complained that all post season games should be played in the Peg precisely because our attendance is so pathetic (and reduce the post season pay the players could be getting).

If Goldeyes fans want to be thought of as the "Yankees of the NoL" maybe they shouldn't complain about paying "Yankees-level" ticket prices, especially for the post season.

Last Edited By: nlfan 3-Sep-09 21:59:49. Edited 1 times.

caretaker110

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Posts: 385

( 3-Sep-09 22:25:43)

Good morning Nlfan

Just the answer I would exspect from you/

I am talking what is right reasonable and what is fair.. Yes the tickets went up 3 dollars per game for playoffs. The reason is understood.

What isn't fair in my opinion is why we are paying 3 times more than others

Please don't even go there when you use exchange rates as one of the reasons for why some fans get to see playoff for 5 and 6 dollars while we are being made to pay mainly 15 and 19

I truly believe that the goldeyes are over charging there fans and I don't think it is right

I didn't check on what Gary is charging as I won't be driving there to see any games

Bill I think your last remark was rude but expected from you. I am dissapointed that you can't see and agree that that having to pay 3 times more for the same ball isn't right

nlfan

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Posts: 6597

( 3-Sep-09 22:59:35)

I'm sorry if you find it rude... but your basis for "overcharging" tries to make the somewhat desperate moves by the 'Hawks and T-Bones as creating unfair situation for Fish fans. When the Goldeyes have to struggle for attendance then such moves would be appropriate (all year long). I won't blame any club (including the Goldeyes) for not cutting prices when their costs go up.

And, back to the exchange rate comments, re-read what I wrote. Since '99 you have ALWAYS paid the highest ticket prices in the league. I don't recall complaints about this longstanding issue. FM and KCK are the exceptions to what most clubs do. Just because they happen to be close to you and/or you are willing to travel to see doesn't make it a crime that your club is doing what the majority of teams do. I'll add further, I don't recall any complaints when the Hawks have done this in the past either.

JohnU11

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Posts: 797

( 3-Sep-09 23:04:02)

In the past, RailCats ticket prices were a buck higher for post-season and I don't recall seeing anything that gave a discount.

Tickets are $10 for reserved, which is always a good seat.

Owing to the reality that about 1,300 fans will be there given good weather, it either makes good sense or it doesn't.

But if they cut the prices in half, they would not double the attendance for post-season.

KCK had fewer than 1,000 at Wednesday's opener and that's a far cry from the seasonal average.

I pay the extra dollar for the post-season without complaining because the baseball I will see is not about the entertainment. It is about the baseball, which is what I want my ticket to buy me.

I just hope I get to see a game, owing to my work schedule.

caretaker110

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Posts: 387

( 3-Sep-09 23:51:01)

nlfan

I wasn't meaning

... using your words you say....but your basis for "overcharging" tries to make the somewhat desperate moves by the 'Hawks and T-Bones as creating unfair situation for Fish fans. When the Goldeyes have to struggle for attendance then such moves would be appropriate (all year long). I won't blame any club (including the Goldeyes) for not cutting prices when their costs go up....

to knock any teams playoff prices.

I only listed the ticket prices that were avalable to show the comparison

I am only questioning why do we in Winnipeg have to pay three times more to see games and how the goldeyes can justify it Team exspences seem to be equal

Using Fargo as the example don't both teams have to drive the same distance to and from there cities to play, don't they pay the same meal allowances, don't they nearly pay the same hotel

bills. I would think both teams have to pay the same amount into the players pay pool . Yes the dollaer value might be 15% extra for goldeyes

No one can convence me that goldeyes are not overcharging there fans to see the playoffs.

I have felt the same about what we pay for regular season tickets also.

caretaker110

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Posts: 388

( 4-Sep-09 00:02:43)

Thanks John for letting us know what Gary is charging for playoff tickets.

Yes playoff crowds always go down and that is disapointing.

Fargo had 1525 at the game last night and Kansas drew 949

It will be interesting how many we will draw as we also are in the middle of football season I see that goldeyes are not planning to play Sunday afternoon and try and go up against the

Labour day game in Regina which will be on the tube.

Did Gary say what amount the League said had to be paid into the playoff pool to pay players. We had ours go up 3 bucks. I am hoping it all goes to the players. They are so under paid

kennethap

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Posts: 515

( 4-Sep-09 01:16:14)

nlfan wrote:
4. Fargo (and not KCK) are apparently choosing to take a hit in the pocketbook to try upping notoriously low attendance in the post season. This change is relatively new but not going on in Gary. In Gary, ticket prices have the predictable $1 added on. I'm not seeing Ken and the 'Cats fans griping about this. They also made the all tickets GA --clearly a this is to try making the games EXTRA appealing and a chance for fans w/o season tickets to try out the best seats in the house.

Actually, TWO dollars is added to the price of each playoff ticket in Gary. This year (for the first time) all playoff tickets were an additional cost to season ticket holders up front. At first I didn't like the idea, but it began to make sense because I was going to buy the tickets anyway. Why take the chance of purchasing my playoff tickets too late and having someone buy my seat out from under me??? Actually one year for one playoff game, I lost my seats...but I sat there anyway. Sorry people, sit somewhere else. I've spent years shaping this seat to fit MY particular butt.

There's something new in Gary though for this year. Each fan was given a $5 fan appreciation gift on Appreciation Day. The gift can be applied to merchandise, consessions, or to a playoff ticket. This is the first time I've ever seen the Railcats offer a discount for a playoff ticket. Think I'll use my gift for a dry and expensive slice of cheese pizza since I've already bought my playoff tickets.

I think what's going on in Winnipeg is simple supply and demand economics. It's what the market will bear. Just like gasoline. When people refused to (or couldn't) pay those high prices, then prices went down. People are obviously comfortable paying the prices they are paying in Winnipeg. If playoff attendance doesn't improve in KCK, then expect to see a what-the-heck attitude and prices return to normal.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Kennethap

nlfan

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Posts: 6598

( 4-Sep-09 01:51:49)

You may not be "knocking" other teams' prices, but it oversimplifies the situation. You're analyzing and something that is endemic to your team's pricing and acting like it's suddenly a massive rip off.

Ticket Pricing -- Big Picture

Regular season ticket prices Goldeyes season ticket holders pay CAD$16/gm for club level seats vs. $8.50/gm for advance single game reserved seats at the Nest. That's nearly twice the price. That discrepancy almost dissappears for the cheapest seats where FM adult GA seats are nearly the same price as WPG grand slam seats (which are further from home plate but are real seats, not benches). Also, no one's not complaining that Hawks day of game ticket price for Adult GA seats actually went up a dollar from $6 to $7.

Post Season Prices

Instead of comparing Hawks prices to Fish prices apply the change in terms of the club itself. FM cut the price by $3/3.50 and eliminated reserved seating. (Having a reserved seat should be worth something itself but that's another issue). Cutting $3 off the Goldeyes season ticket price would get them down to $13 and still 2.5X the comparable 'Hawks price. Computed as a percentage, roughly 60% ($5 vs. $8.50), Goldeyes ticket prices would be $9.60 and still nearly twice the RedHawks price.

Operating Expenses are NOT the same

First, the cost of running any game at CanWest is more expensive. The ballpark is larger. It's located near the heart of downtown of major metropolitan city. It's in Canada. The cost of games in Midway, as pathetic as the facility is, are higher than Fargo (heck, we have the highest parking prices in either league at $7 in the main lot even in the preseason).

As hard as they might try to do it, the Hawks will almost certainly not come close to a full house. The cost of running a 1/3 capacity crowd at the Nest costs considerably less than a full house in the Fish Bowl. The Goldeyes have to pay for a full contingent of all staff while I'm pretty sure the Hawks will has a skeleton crew (much like the Saints do in the pre and post seasons).

Also, as I've mentioned before, league typically add a surcharge for all post season (and ASG) games of about $1.

Yes... the Goldeyes could try taking a hit in profits by reducing prices. But to compete with Fargo (or KCK) is unfair to the club since the situations are very different.

I can't speak for Big Bruce & Co. but I also think they're actually trying to marginally reduce their losses. They have to host a game that will lose them money. They have to have a skeleton crew (or half staff) to serve the reduced crowd that will make it out. That crew might serve from 800 to 1600 people. So either the Hawks can maintain or raise prices and drive that number to the low end of the scale --or-- they can cut their prices by close to half and hope they double the butts in the seats (and maybe get more concession sales) to make up the difference. It's not an easy choice (they still are a business), but they made the one that's fan friendly and should keep goodwill in a small community. And, of course, that larger crowd's support could help the team on the field too.

Attendance Drop Off

I like your concern over football season dropoff. I wonder sometimes if you folks have it so good you cannot comprehend what we experience. Let's put that in perspective with the games last night:

Fargo had 1,525. That less than 40% of this season's average.

KCK had 949, That's barely 18% of their average for this season --and they're second in the league attendance less than 1,000 behind Winnipeg.

When was the last time the Goldeyes had an official paid attendance amount of 2,472 (40%) or 1,112 (18%)?

We're talking games at 1/3 to 1/6 capacity. That would be a VERY empty Fish Bowl --and for a strong club good enough to make into the post season (not an also ran). That's what nearly every other ballclub in the NoL (and AA) encounter each and every fall.

One of the Goldeyes strengths has been that even with less than 24hr. notice a good crowd will show up for a game. I don't think you've any games close to these levels since leaving Deformity Field. I for one was shocked that 3-4K showed up for a last minute rescheduling of a midweek game several years back.

I know that at Midway the crowd is definitely more into the game (the real diehards are the ones at them) but it still feels empty and isn't quite as much fun (unless you win it all). For all the complaints I read/heard over the past decade in online forums, I still think many Goldeyes fans don't truly appreciate how good they have it.

...And thanks Ken for giving us the correct "added cost" for RailCats postseason tickets. That means you're paying nearly as much "extra" as caretaker is.

Last Edited By: nlfan 4-Sep-09 01:55:03. Edited 1 times.

TYSOALEX

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Posts: 70

( 4-Sep-09 02:36:57)

Caretaker I can sympathize with you. My sons and I sit behind home plate so we pay a premium for our playoff tickets. But I think kennethap hit the nail on the head in mentioning simple supply and demand. People in Wpg want to see playoff baseball and are willing to pay for that privilege. The only way you will see the 'Eyes go the route Fargo has is if the crowds drop to 1,000 to 2,000 but you and I know that will never happen. A crowd of 5,000 sets of alarm bells in this city. My question is have you emailed Collier with your concerns. I'd be interested to hear what he has to say.

pleasevoteforpedro

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Posts: 400

( 4-Sep-09 02:56:23)

The laws of supply and demand certainly apply, and we've always paid more for tickets. Coupled with the fact that there is a league surcharge ($1?) which if I'm not mistaken, contributes to a playoff share for the players. So I'm all for that.

I do wonder, however, why the surcharge is $3 this year.

kennethap

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Posts: 516

( 4-Sep-09 04:52:31)

No, the surcharge was $2 for playoff tickets. I remember because the Railcats gave that as the reason playoff tickets were $2 more than regular tickets.

Dang Bill?!? Seven bucks to park at Midway??? It was only ten bucks the last time I parked for a White Sox game...and yes, I still dislike the White Sox with a passion.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Kennethap

nlfan

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Posts: 6599

( 4-Sep-09 07:43:08)

Supply and demand is definitely a factor --and it shows in the consistently outstanding attendance for all Goldeyes games.

Yep... parking was $7 in the main lot (and MN Wire lot just west of it). That is the everyday "game day" prices during, before and after the season. That figure is set by the city who gets all the proceeds, not the Saints. Part of those fees cover the handling of the tailgaters (including paying for the occasional fire dept. visit when some idiot pours hot coals into a dumpster and not one of the 3 concrete bins specifically set out for that purpose).

Last Edited By: nlfan 4-Sep-09 07:46:36. Edited 1 times.

RetirePoulin6

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Posts: 26

( 4-Sep-09 11:52:09)

Whine whine whine. The Goldeyes need to charge lots more. How else will they buy those pancake coupons? To let everyone know. Friday night I will be streaking after inning 5. I will be taping those baseball cards all over me they handed out Monday. Nothing else on except cards covering my nude body. I will remove cards as I run. By the time I get to Dee Brown from my seat, I will have only his card covering my member. At that time, I will pull a Sharpie out of my ass and ask Dee to sign. Bidding on eBay will begin shortly thereafter!

midway tailgater

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Posts: 689

( 4-Sep-09 11:56:41)

To put the Midway Stadium parking prices in perspective.... I pay 5 bucks to park for Twins games and have only a 3 block walk.

I can somewhat feel the plight of Winnipeg in what I have to deal with for college hockey. To see the team of my choice, University of Minnesota, I pay 35 bucks for a ticket and another 9 bucks just to park. For games in the same league, tickets in Duluth and Mankato are only $18 with free or cheap parking nearby. I think someone stated it earlier, it's a supply and demand issue. If the Goldeyes can raise playoff tickets and still get a good gate, they're going to do it. In St. Paul, I always bought GA tickets and just seat gypsyed to the good seats. Not sure if that plan would work in Winnipeg, but if I was up there I would sure try it. Gotta stick it to the man in these economic times, right?

www.10thinningstretch.blogspot.com

JohnU11

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Posts: 800

( 4-Sep-09 12:17:46)

poulin6, you have contributed nothing to these discussion boards and I'd be on the long list of people who would like to see you prohibited from participating.

.

crazye97

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Posts: 14

( 4-Sep-09 12:40:58)

Just pointing out that all 3 potential games this weekend in Winnipeg are sold out, according to Ticketmaster.com, as no seats will show. Obviously the fans will pay the prices for the fun they have at the ballpark. And RP6, I'll enjoy seeing your head knocked off if you do.

I lied. Ticketmaster was being silly. But still, obviously fans are still willing to pay the prices.

Last Edited By: crazye97 4-Sep-09 15:16:44. Edited 1 times.

BarkeepND

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Posts: 620

( 4-Sep-09 21:45:13)

nlfan wrote:

Post Season Prices

FM cut the price by $3/3.50 and eliminated reserved seating.

the price is cut but the seats are still reserved.

nlfan

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Posts: 6602

( 4-Sep-09 22:06:18)

Doh! I misread the press release. (They're all for the general public, and a single price --which means "why buy a GA?").

caretaker110

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Posts: 392

( 4-Sep-09 22:24:23)

Morning BarkeepNd...... Great game result for you guys ... I felt so bad for pitcher... and a good price to watch it and no league surcharge.... Is Fargo paying into the playoff fund out of there own pocket

Thanks for all your thoughts on ticket prices. I continue to feel Winnipeg charges to much in compaison to what the other parks in the league charge

Its always been a great concern of mine. The whole thing about how much is too much for this level of baseball. I still question the high ticket prices on top of increased ways to nickle and dime us to death.

It is starting to put the cost up to the point where many are starting to question what is too much. I think that is why The Free Press had the large article on how crowds are starting to fall.

I know its not just the weather. If I read the article properly I recall it said season ticket sales fell 5% this season. The article was what made me decide to mention it here.I have been considering the last few years whether to end buying a season ticket, it is my enjoyment of the game that keeps me paying, but I have reached my limit as to what is too much

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