Ticket/Attendance Discussion: The Sequel

[BigZ65]

I'm curious have you ever owned your own business?

Why on God's green earth should any business owner (Jets or otherwise) allow others to make money off their hard work and investment? Sorry I don't understand your logic, it fly's in the face of all logic and business sense.

Example, do you agree with copy right laws? If you don't agree with copy right laws, then no sense continuing this chat b/c.......well lets just say our chat won't be useful or productive to either of us.

Locking the doors? I couldn't give a flying F if they lock the doors.......good that they do. Why would I want them to leave them unlocked?

So your complaining that they are looking any all means to make their business profitable or more profitable? I'll assume you've never owned your own business if that's your POV. Again I don't get why you would care, either you can afford it and want to pay or don't go.....its a choice.

Getting away from printed tickets is a common thing.

Seat exchange rates exorbitant? Compared to? Do you have a study comparing costs around Canada to be able to say or claim that? Personally I never thought they were high, very minor cost to all events I've ever went to, Jets games or otherwise at the arena.

You certainly seem angry at TNSE, I just don't see any of your complaints as reasonable or logical.......at least to me, of course you can feel how ever you want bc you are a consumer. But posting on a public forum your basically asking for others to respond with their experiences and opinions and I'm giving you mine.

STH's sales are down yes, but I suspect there are other reasons why they are down, not the ones your bringing up. If people want to complain about on ice results ok, if they want to complain about on ice results compared to ticket prices.....ok maybe within reason but the Jets are already 2nd lowest in Canada IIRC. But complaining about stopping scalpers, locking doors, etc seems fairly petty to me.

I've had no issues or complaints with the arena or TNSE for my 10 years as a STH. I've never had any complaints going to other events at the arena. My only complaints regarding the team is the on ice results and some decisions around the roster & coaches.

I mean, I have a MBA and can tell you that there are spin-offs all over the place of different businesses. That’s kind of how an economy of anything works.

The specific referenced issue was them fighting a law that actually protected them because they wanted to route resale through Ticketmaster at a markup.

Yet another example of them not understanding their sales issue in regard to season tickets.

 

[BigZ65]

My hottest take ever is that scalping is a great thing for the consumer.

If Ticketmaster/Live Nation fight it that is 100% truth…great for consumers.

Too bad companies like TNSE are too tied into those ghouls to realize their own opportunities.

 

[Hunter368]

you responded to a post regarding the fact True North spent the first fees years feverishly working against scalping only to embrace the concept of secondary resellers once it worked to their advantage.

I brought up Live Nation as secondary reselling has long been their model and has become an accepted industry practice. True North is simply following suit.

It doesn’t make it right tho.

I would need to know more of the legal POV's and options to comment more on it and I suspect no one here is an expert on it either........we just have our own limited knowledge of it. I'm not saying your right or wrong, just saying I need more information on it to comment further or to take others comments.

 

[Hunter368]

I mean, I have a MBA and can tell you that there are spin-offs all over the place of different businesses. That’s kind of how an economy of anything works.

The specific referenced issue was them fighting a law that actually protected them because they wanted to route resale through Ticketmaster at a markup.

Yet another example of them not understanding their sales issue in regard to season tickets.

No one is talking about "spin offs" here or commenting on anyone's education, we're talking about "stealing/pirating" profits to your own business.

Ive commented lots on how they can help ST sales and engaging with STH's and non STH's to improve sales, not any issue with that I've said that many times and agree.

I commented on the ticket master topic already, I and others really need more information on it IMO to comment.

 

[BigZ65]

No one is talking about "spin offs" here or commenting on anyone's education, we're talking about "stealing/pirating" profits to your own business.

Ive commented lots on how they can help ST sales and engaging with STH's and non STH's to improve sales, not any issue with that I've said that many times and agree.

I commented on the ticket master topic already, I and others really need more information on it IMO to comment.

Literally you: “HAVE YOU OWNED A BUSINESS BEFORE!!! GRR”

GRR added for effect.

The comment is about spin. People vote with their wallets…TNSE can do what they think is best for them but the spin is sickening. They are run out of rope pretending to have altruistic motives in this city.

 

[Hunter368]

Literally you: “HAVE YOU OWNED A BUSINESS BEFORE!!! GRR”

GRR added for effect.

The comment is about spin. People vote with their wallets…TNSE can do what they think is best for them but the spin is sickening. They are run out of rope pretending to have altruistic motives in this city.

MBA doesn't mean you own your own business, I know many people with their MBA virtually none of them own their own business.

People do vote with their wallet I agree, but what are the reasons for some not buying ST's? Reasons are the important thing that I'm trying to talk about.

I don't give a flying F about altruistic motives or any claim of such which most often see in many businesses marketing to the public.......its just marketing.

What actual things can TNSE do to make the experience better for fans, both STH's and casual fans? I'm trying to understand what people think on that.

 

[Hunter368]

The difference between winning & losing in the NHL is a very fine line, Jets are a testament to that. Lots of talented players on the team, but haven't put it altogether.

The difference between a successful business or not is also a fine line, Jets STH sales seem to be a testament to that also. During COVID, economic recession, CPI (Consumer Price Index) very high, excise rates very high, lost jobs, high mortgage rates, etc consumers have less disposable income now then ever (in the last number of years anyways) so businesses need to work harder then ever to win those customers and retain those customers.

Jets are no exception to this, I hope and want to see what they do this summer to win fans back and then work to retain them long term. Plus our business community needs to step up also, a market as small as Winnipeg needs business community support buying boxes, tickets, etc.

 

[Gm0ney]

I'm curious have you ever owned your own business?

Why on God's green earth should any business owner (Jets or otherwise) allow others to make money off their hard work and investment? Sorry I don't understand your logic, it fly's in the face of all logic and business sense.

Example, do you agree with copy right laws? If you don't agree with copy right laws, then no sense continuing this chat b/c.......well lets just say our chat won't be useful or productive to either of us.

Locking the doors? I couldn't give a flying F if they lock the doors.......good that they do. Why would I want them to leave them unlocked?

So your complaining that they are looking any all means to make their business profitable or more profitable? I'll assume you've never owned your own business if that's your POV. Again I don't get why you would care, either you can afford it and want to pay or don't go.....its a choice.

Getting away from printed tickets is a common thing.

Seat exchange rates exorbitant? Compared to? Do you have a study comparing costs around Canada to be able to say or claim that? Personally I never thought they were high, very minor cost to all events I've ever went to, Jets games or otherwise at the arena.

You certainly seem angry at TNSE, I just don't see any of your complaints as reasonable or logical.......at least to me, of course you can feel how ever you want bc you are a consumer. But posting on a public forum your basically asking for others to respond with their experiences and opinions and I'm giving you mine.

STH's sales are down yes, but I suspect there are other reasons why they are down, not the ones your bringing up. If people want to complain about on ice results ok, if they want to complain about on ice results compared to ticket prices.....ok maybe within reason but the Jets are already 2nd lowest in Canada IIRC. But complaining about stopping scalpers, locking doors, etc seems fairly petty to me.

I've had no issues or complaints with the arena or TNSE for my 10 years as a STH. I've never had any complaints going to other events at the arena. My only complaints regarding the team is the on ice results and some decisions around the roster & coaches.

I'm not talking about violating trademarks and copyright laws. I was talking about how TNSE couldn't stand it that some people were walking across the street for a beer at Tavern between periods, so they barred re-entry and said it was due to air quality.

I know the arena beer markup is 700% or something and maybe they thought they were missing out on a significant amount of sales. But people left the arena either because they wanted a smoke, to get some fresh air, to buy a cheap beer quickly, or to find a washroom without a 10 minute lineup. So now all those people don't have that option, and for the people who preferred to stay behind the arena concourses and washrooms are more crowded. So everyone's gameday experience suffers, and for what, $250k in concession profits maybe? At least it hurts Tavern too, I guess...

The only thing I'm mad at TNSE about is constantly shooting themselves in the foot. They make these tone-deaf unforced errors. I'm glad you've had no issues or have no complaints about their customer service and in-game experience, but many other former (and current) season ticket holders have. The bottom fell out of the ticket market a few years ago and the attendance numbers this season make the point better than I can on here.

 

[darksociety]

MBA doesn't mean you own your own business, I know many people with their MBA virtually none of them own their own business.

People do vote with their wallet I agree, but what are the reasons for some not buying ST's? Reasons are the important thing that I'm trying to talk about.

I don't give a flying F about altruistic motives or any claim of such which most often see in many businesses marketing to the public.......its just marketing.

What actual things can TNSE do to make the experience better for fans, both STH's and casual fans? I'm trying to understand what people think on that.

There are 24 pages of reasons - did you bother to read any of them? It's completely irrelevant if you think those reasons are valid or not as a 'business owner' (no one cares about your Subway franchise) - if a customer cares about X, Y, Z and they vote with their wallet, then TNSE must account for it or lose business. Period.

You can get however reductive you want about this or that reason, the fact remains is that TNSE has burned a shocking amount of goodwill in the community and the chickens are now coming home to roost. Too bad. Maybe they'll reach out to you for some help since you seem to be exhibiting the same sort of tone-deaf vibe that goes well with their culture and contributed to me stop going to games.

 

[Hunter368]

I'm not talking about violating trademarks and copyright laws. I was talking about how TNSE couldn't stand it that some people were walking across the street for a beer at Tavern between periods, so they barred re-entry and said it was due to air quality.

I know the arena beer markup is 700% or something and maybe they thought they were missing out on a significant amount of sales. But people left the arena either because they wanted a smoke, to get some fresh air, to buy a cheap beer quickly, or to find a washroom without a 10 minute lineup. So now all those people don't have that option, and for the people who preferred to stay behind the arena concourses and washrooms are more crowded. So everyone's gameday experience suffers, and for what, $250k in concession profits maybe? At least it hurts Tavern too, I guess...

The only thing I'm mad at TNSE about is constantly shooting themselves in the foot. They make these tone-deaf unforced errors. I'm glad you've had no issues or have no complaints about their customer service and in-game experience, but many other former (and current) season ticket holders have. The bottom fell out of the ticket market a few years ago and the attendance numbers this season make the point better than I can on here.

I'm not disagreeing about STH sales or sales in general going down, I'm also not disagreeing that the Jets have to do better. All I'm saying or trying to get across is what realistic things can they do better or change or add or remove to make going to a game a better experience?

I mean if we post here, I assume we all love the team and want to to be part of Winnipeg forever, so what "constructive" points can we as fans make to improve the experience?

Can we start a list? I will be happy to build a list if people give "constructive ideas/points".

 

[Hunter368]

There are 24 pages of reasons - did you bother to read any of them? It's completely irrelevant if you think those reasons are valid or not as a 'business owner' (no one cares about your Subway franchise) - if a customer cares about X, Y, Z and they vote with their wallet, then TNSE must account for it or lose business. Period.

You can get however reductive you want about this or that reason, the fact remains is that TNSE has burned a shocking amount of goodwill in the community and the chickens are now coming home to roost. Too bad. Maybe they'll reach out to you for some help since you seem to be exhibiting the same sort of tone-deaf vibe that goes well with their culture and contributed to me stop going to games.

I seen a lot of bitching, moaning yes.......not sure how many actual real/realistic and constructive ideas I've seen TBH. The easiest thing in life to be is devils advocate, hardest thing in the world to do is come up with workable and constructive ideas.

PS: Yes I've read about half of those 24 pages

 

[surixon]

I'm not disagreeing about STH sales or sales in general going down, I'm also not disagreeing that the Jets have to do better. All I'm saying or trying to get across is what realistic things can they do better or change or add or remove to make going to a game a better experience?

I mean if we post here, I assume we all love the team and want to to be part of Winnipeg forever, so what "constructive" points can we as fans make to improve the experience?

Can we start a list? I will be happy to build a list if people give "constructive ideas/points".

I would personally like their customer service team to engage me/other STH more throughout the year. Instead of one basic end of year survey i'd like to be surveyed quarterly. That way they have more current data and might be able to address issues/make changes during the year.

I'd want the discount to apply across the board to concessions as none of the items I order are on the list.

I wouldn't mind more promotional nights for things like tee-shirts or that everyone gets a free slice of pizza if the team scores x goals.

 

[RestlessYoungZero]

While the empty seats are certainly concerning, I think True North is doing just fine. Unsold seats & the subsequent loss of the concession sales associated with it are offset by the price gouging for concessions & the inability for fans to leave for cheaper alternatives elsewhere during intermissions.

The Jets return was marketed as a manner to increase business in our downtown, but instead they have locked their doors during games. The Hargrave Market, The Shark Club, Boston Pizza, Tavern United, The Met have all been affected negatively by this.

Even before they locked their doors, True North was making it difficult for those that wanted a pint elsewhere. Moxies paid premium dollars for their spot on the north end of the arena and was plagued with bullshit during games and events. True North went as far as to task physically handicapped individuals with neurological disorders with the job of rescanning entry, a job doomed for failure. There were many occasions when fans missed entire periods unable to get back into MTS Centre because the individual tasked to scan tickets couldn't hold the device steady.

It says a lot about the character of an organization when the handicapped become pawns to increase concession sales.

Then there's their casino...

True North is not losing money. They just want more.

Its been well documented that this isn't a Jets/ TNSE decision. Its a league wide policy. Stop making enormous assumptions without actually looking into it first.

 

[Hunter368]

I would personally like their customer service team to engage me/other STH more throughout the year. Instead of one basic end of year survey i'd like to be surveyed quarterly. That way they have more current data and might be able to address issues/make changes during the year.

I'd want the discount to apply across the board to concessions as none of the items I order are on the list.

I wouldn't mind more promotional nights for things like tee-shirts or that everyone gets a free slice of pizza if the team scores x goals.

Great ideas, I see these as constructive ideas and I think would be doable.

 

[surixon]

Great ideas, I see these as constructive ideas and I think would be doable.

Another idea is to build in the old or a new reward points system into the new Jets app.

You can earn points through completing those games/contests or you get points through all purchases at the games and their stores. These points can be used for tickets, seat upgrades, specialty merchandise etc.

You want people to spend more and use the app well here is a way to entice them to.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

When my family were season ticket holders, I loved getting the season ticket package at the start of the year. Came with a little pin and lanyard and other jets trinkets.

But even those were reduced in quality as the years went on. Even putting effort into those little things would have made a difference for us.

 

[Buffdog]

It's been a few years since I've been to a Jets game in Winnipeg, but I happened to be in Calgary last November and caught the Jets vs Flames game at the Saddledome

Canada Life Centre game day experience leaves a lot to be desired but it's light years ahead of the Saddledome. Packed concourse, no bathrooms, and shitty techno/redneck music.

I realize that there are plenty of places better than here but it could be worse too

 

[fmrdh]

Kroppy brought something to the live experience for me that watching on TV couldn't. Guy is a legend.

 

[MardyBum]

Not a season ticket holder, but I just hate going downtown. Since my days at the U of W or trolling around Whiskey Dix I can count on my hand the number of times I've voluntarily went downtown outside of the forks. It sucks. It's funny how during weekday lunchtime it actually feels alive with the 9-5ers, but I have no interest in going down there in the evening as a person in my 30's for more than a few games a year. I can't imagine expecting older folks with disposable income to travel even further into downtown without perks, while they see or hear about people walking up with cheaper tickets than theirs.. Kiss their ass and make downtown more fun for the young kids or one off walkups.

I wish they could airlift the stadium and upcoming real estate out of downtown lol.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Not a season ticket holder, but I just hate going downtown. Since my days at the U of W or trolling around Whiskey Dix I can count on my hand the number of times I've voluntarily went downtown outside of the forks. It sucks. It's funny how during weekday lunchtime it actually feels alive with the 9-5ers, but I have no interest in going down there in the evening as a person in my 30's for more than a few games a year. I can't imagine expecting older folks with disposable income to travel even further into downtown without perks, while they see or hear about people walking up with cheaper tickets than theirs.. Kiss their ass and make downtown more fun for the young kids or one off walkups.

I wish they could airlift the stadium and upcoming real estate out of downtown lol.

That is how Winnipeg created the problem in the first place. Revitalizing downtown means not fleeing to the suburbs. Everyone who is "from" Winnipeg wants to own an arce lot with a 3000 SQ foot home just outside of Winnipeg while wanting all the luxury that a city like Toronto or Montreal or Vancouver provide

Its kind of stupid to think you can flee the city and then want what those other cities have. They have people who live downtown with money.

 

[Hunter368]

Another idea is to build in the old or a new reward points system into the new Jets app.

You can earn points through completing those games/contests or you get points through all purchases at the games and their stores. These points can be used for tickets, seat upgrades, specialty merchandise etc.

You want people to spend more and use the app well here is a way to entice them to.

Agreed, IMO it builds a loyalty and feeling of earning something.

 

[surixon]

Agreed, IMO it builds a loyalty and feeling of earning something.

It's also something the org did at one point so it should be easy to bring it back.

 

[Hunter368]

It's also something the org did at one point so it should be easy to bring it back.

Like anything in life, it’s much harder to give something & take it away then if you never offered it in the first place.

Jets do a lot of things well/good, but absolutely need to improve in many areas.

 

[Gm0ney]

Its been well documented that this isn't a Jets/ TNSE decision. Its a league wide policy. Stop making enormous assumptions without actually looking into it first.

It was not, in fact, a league wide policy:

"It's not a mandate from the NHL, but a recommendation that 22 other facilities in our league have already acted on." - Kevin Donnelly

So it was absolutely a Jets/TNSE decision - the NHL recommendation just provides some cover to help the credulous to shrug it off.

 

[surixon]

It was not, in fact, a league wide policy:

"It's not a mandate from the NHL, but a recommendation that 22 other facilities in our league have already acted on." - Kevin Donnelly

So it was absolutely a Jets/TNSE decision - the NHL recommendation just provides some cover to help the credulous to shrug it off.

Still it's an industry wide practice. Given over 2/3 the league is doing it I don't fault them for adopting it as well.

If I was in their shoes I'd want the people attending the game to buy beer and concessions in the venue instead of leaving quickly to purchase elsewhere as well.