Will Sens sell out their playoff games?

[ottawagm]

Check your e-mail and spam for the link. Cyril Leeder just e-mail me directly. All Sens SSMs can purchase two extra tickets in their section.

They are more expensive than the renewal special, they also come with a stern threat that if you resell them you will get order 66'd by Cyril. (They will cancel your tickets).

I wanted to grab two extra seats to take family members, but I can't afford them if I can't sell them when they go unused. I get what they are trying to do, so I am not complaining. But I would have committed to two extra seats.

SSM Renewal deal was $3800 for two 300 level seats. This is 5k.

Interesting that they haven't sent that email to all SSM only those that bought the first pair, or at least didn't send to me. I want 3 tickets, I didn't buy first time because it was only 2 and now I don't get offered (even though account manager said I would) more because I didn't buy them earlier?

This is Melnyk level incompetence.

They could spend less time worrying about Leaf fans if they actually sold them to their SSMs.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Interesting that they haven't sent that email to all SSM only those that bought the first pair, or at least didn't send to me. I want 3 tickets, I didn't buy first time because it was only 2 and now I don't get offered (even though account manager said I would) more because I didn't buy them earlier?

This is Melnyk level incompetence.

They could spend less time worrying about Leaf fans if they actually sold them to their SSMs.

Have you spoken to your rep? Maybe on the phone?

Assuming you didn't just misunderstand and they actually told you that, you got screwed pretty bad if you were actually advised not to buy at the original price, or not made aware of the risk of passing on it.

My 2 tickets were 25 percent cheaper at renewal than what they are asking today. Presumably, the renewal tickets also don't have the same sternly worded threat about resale.

As far as I understand it, they are only selling pairs right now and you wouldn't have been guaranteed tickets beside your original two. But I'd still try to speak to someone and see if they can resolve it and get you the original 2 that you passed on based on being misinformed.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Yup. How are you supposed to know your friends availability potentially in June 2025 for every night? And if they can’t make it, you can’t sell them.

That's the thing.

But I guess maybe I'm wrong here because at least looking at my section they've sold a handful of tickets since announcing this. I want to say the one section I was looking at sold maybe 5 pairs of tickets already.

 

[Golden_Jet]

That's the thing.

But I guess maybe I'm wrong here because at least looking at my section they've sold a handful of tickets since announcing this. I want to say the one section I was looking at sold maybe 5 pairs of tickets already.

Also keep in mind, 1/2 season ticket holders, get their seats one year, and are moved close by the next year.

 

[ottawagm]

Have you spoken to your rep? Maybe on the phone?

Assuming you didn't just misunderstand and they actually told you that, you got screwed pretty bad if you were actually advised not to buy at the original price, or not made aware of the risk of passing on it.

My 2 tickets were 25 percent cheaper at renewal than what they are asking today. Presumably, the renewal tickets also don't have the same sternly worded threat about resale.

As far as I understand it, they are only selling pairs right now and you wouldn't have been guaranteed tickets beside your original two. But I'd still try to speak to someone and see if they can resolve it and get you the original 2 that you passed on based on being misinformed.

Someone posted the email online, so it looks like it was only full and half season people, even though I was able to buy a pair earlier and account guy said it would be available to me.

In the email it says that IF they offer single seats to SSM before the public they will be at regular price with no discount. How nice of them, to say they will offer playoff tickets if you renew, but then don't actually offer them to you other than a pair for every game.

Same stuff that they pulled with Melnyk... we will spend to the cap with this new TV deal on every station until after renewal day and then no sorry we're a smaller market team not a cap team right after you are locked in and can't get a refund. I used to buy larger packs but promised them I wouldn't spend anything on season tickets until we had a new owner after that move.

Same guy is running things today as back then, so not surprised.

 

[Hotsam Batcho]

That's the thing.

But I guess maybe I'm wrong here because at least looking at my section they've sold a handful of tickets since announcing this. I want to say the one section I was looking at sold maybe 5 pairs of tickets already.

Does your access allow you to see how many tickets roughly there would be left over for the general public?

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Someone posted the email online, so it looks like it was only full and half season people, even though I was able to buy a pair earlier and account guy said it would be available to me.

In the email it says that IF they offer single seats to SSM before the public they will be at regular price with no discount. How nice of them, to say they will offer playoff tickets if you renew, but then don't actually offer them to you other than a pair for every game.

Same stuff that they pulled with Melnyk... we will spend to the cap with this new TV deal on every station until after renewal day and then no sorry we're a smaller market team not a cap team right after you are locked in and can't get a refund. I used to buy larger packs but promised them I wouldn't spend anything on season tickets until we had a new owner after that move.

Same guy is running things today as back then, so not surprised.

It sucks that you had that experience. In my experience, communication over season ticket matters has been reasonable.

I do sometimes get a "making it up as we go along" vibe with anything the team does like events or promotions, where it's impossible to know what to expect for a special event, but it is nothing nefarious. I don't think I have ever been misled by my rep and while I don't think I bother them for a lot, they have been reasonably accommodating when possible. New ownership also just took over, it takes time to overhaul entire organizations.

I don't think there was a way where they would make everybody happy with how they handle the playoff tickets. The non season seat members are upset because there is word that there won't be many individual tickets available. Some season ticket members are upset that they didn't get enough priority and think that individual tickets shouldn't even be offered to non-SSMs. Some season seat members are annoyed at the no-resale clause. While others are happy because they think it might keep Leafs fans out.

 

[ottawagm]

It sucks that you had that experience. In my experience, communication over season ticket matters has been reasonable.

I do sometimes get a "making it up as we go along" vibe with anything the team does like events or promotions, where it's impossible to know what to expect for a special event, but it is nothing nefarious. I don't think I have ever been misled by my rep and while I don't think I bother them for a lot, they have been reasonably accommodating when possible. New ownership also just took over, it takes time to overhaul entire organizations.

I don't think there was a way where they would make everybody happy with how they handle the playoff tickets. The non season seat members are upset because there is word that there won't be many individual tickets available. Some season ticket members are upset that they didn't get enough priority and think that individual tickets shouldn't even be offered to non-SSMs. Some season seat members are annoyed at the no-resale clause. While others are happy because they think it might keep Leafs fans out.

I just think the rep made a mistake thinking I would be included. I'm more upset that they can't figure out how to get tickets to SSM and fans who have waited 7 years and want to buy them, because they are worried someone could sell them to someone else.

My parents are getting older and I really wanted to take them to the games. My mom said we could go without her if I bought the pair but I'm not going to do that.

We've gone to a lot of playoff games together, the best was the Pageau Pageau Pageau game, imo, and we've waited 7 years. I've been getting smaller packs the last 2 years because they said we'd get playoff preference.

And now with preventing people from reselling them, I won't even get to buy them on the secondary market. Stupid.

 

[Golden_Jet]

In the email it says that IF they offer single seats to SSM before the public they will be at regular price with no discount. How nice of them, to say they will offer playoff tickets if you renew, but then don't actually offer them to you other than a pair for every game.

That’s the way it’s always been. thought you would’ve known that since you had packages before.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Does your access allow you to see how many tickets roughly there would be left over for the general public?

There is no way to know that because we don't know how much they actually released for this promo.

I can only see the 300 sections. 307-310 sold out. 306 has about 5 pairs. 320-324 pretty much entirely gone. Milk Zone is entirely gone.

Just eyeballing it, any of the 300 seconds that I didn't mention have 5-10 pairs of tickets left. Maybe a bit more in some.

Keep in mind, they may not have released everything for this promotion. I also can't see 100 or 200.

To me, it looks like they were right and I was wrong because a lot of tickets sold even with the disclaimer about cancelling resold tickets. It seems like there were a lot more available in the middle 300s when the e-mail first came out, but I could just be imagining it.

It's a pretty good hustle by the team because if they don't face the Leafs, they just got people to commit to packages with a partial Leafs tax.

I wouldn't get my hopes up about getting individual game tickets if we face the Leafs. At that point, it's going to be a lottery like any hot concert. If we don't face the Leafs, I bet there will be a lot available at okay prices either through the team or secondary market.

 

[ottawagm]

That’s the way it’s always been. thought you would’ve known that since you had packages before.

No when we had the 20 game packs I was still able to buy tickets individually before the public.

The email posted online says they may be able to do that again. They SHOULD do that again.

Give large $ people the chance to buy full playoff if they want. Then give SSM chance to buy individually for a period. Then open it up to the public.

I would have bought 3xfull playoff if they had it assuming refunds were fine. Now I'd buy the same for at least 2 of 3 first round, maybe 3 of 3 depending on the days of the week.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Ironic, but if the Leafs/Sens clinch and they offered me the chance to buy a package for rounds 2/3/4 I would do that instead of extra tickets for the all four.

I'm going to the Sens/Leafs myself, but the atmosphere is a bit too 1996 ECW for taking kids and some family, which would be part of my motivation behind extra tickets.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

For some context, I'm not a STH and would jump on the chance to buy single game playoff tickets.

You've got to prioritize your STH. They give you the most business, and they have been supporting you through the shit years when not as many people were. Even if it's their first year STH, they bought not knowing the team would be good going in.

I surely hope nobody thinks it's ridiculous that STH get first grab, and new STH for next year get second grab.

For far do you go before selling to the general public? Hard to say, but I don't have an issue with STH getting third grab for buying extra tickets. I think they handicap themselves by forcing you to buy the entire playoff run or round (whatever it is), but I think they should have some sort of advantage to bringing their buddies or their family. Take care of them first.

If I can't go, I'll be bummed, but also totally understand that it's business and it makes sense to prioritize you STH base. I could have bought half season tickets for next year for $800 and gotten early access, but I didn't. The Sens are using this opportunity to retain STH and also create new ones, which should be how it is.

This isn't even factoring in the potential Leafs opponent.

 

[Stylizer1]

From what I've read online STHs for this year and new season ticket holders for next are given a couple rounds to pre purchase tickets. What they do with those tickets is anyones guess.

There are some being sold on stubhub for 270 per at minimum in the nosebleeds.

I have no idea what the pricing will be when it gets released to the general public and how many will be left.

From the last playoffs STH were allowed 8 seats and then there were also the Sens insiders who got first dibs on tickets before the public. I actually went and stood inline at the sens store in Place D'Orleans and was 3rd in line. The system crashed and everyone had to wait 20 minutes. by the time it was my turn there were only single seats left in the 300's.

 

[Masked]

I'm going to the Sens/Leafs myself, but the atmosphere is a bit too 1996 ECW for taking kids and some family, which would be part of my motivation behind extra tickets.

1996 ECW was much more family friendly than Leaf fans at the CTC.

 

[Stylizer1]

I once went to a Sens vs Islanders game in NYC Easter weekend in 2010 and figured I would just try to go and buy some tickets. When I arrived there was this guy scalping tickets and I asked how much for one. He told me the ticket was $160 but he would give it to me for $90 and the seat was 8 rows from the ice, dead center. I was like "naw, I'm just going to buy nose bleeds for $20ish". Then he asked me how much do you have I told him $50..........? He was like I'll do that. Right away I was like this is scam and he said I will walk right up to the gate with you until you are in. It was legit.

I couldn't help but think this guy worked for the Islanders and was trying to just up sell people the best they could.

Nassau Coliseum was so old and didn't even have nose bleeds. lol Funnest time I ever had at a hockey game. A family of 4 from Ottawa was on one side and these 2 hardcore Islanders fans on the other. Somebody even won a car between the 2nd and 3rd period by shooting a puck through a small slot in front of the net.

 

[Masked]

Anyone else back in the day buy a Senators playoff ticket at Kmart?

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

From the last playoffs STH were allowed 8 seats and then there were also the Sens insiders who got first dibs on tickets before the public. I actually went and stood inline at the sens store in Place D'Orleans and was 3rd in line. The system crashed and everyone had to wait 20 minutes. by the time it was my turn there were only single seats left in the 300's.

What was face value for the cheapest first round 300s back then?

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

For some context, I'm not a STH and would jump on the chance to buy single game playoff tickets.

You've got to prioritize your STH. They give you the most business, and they have been supporting you through the shit years when not as many people were. Even if it's their first year STH, they bought not knowing the team would be good going in.

I surely hope nobody thinks it's ridiculous that STH get first grab, and new STH for next year get second grab.

For far do you go before selling to the general public? Hard to say, but I don't have an issue with STH getting third grab for buying extra tickets. I think they handicap themselves by forcing you to buy the entire playoff run or round (whatever it is), but I think they should have some sort of advantage to bringing their buddies or their family. Take care of them first.

If I can't go, I'll be bummed, but also totally understand that it's business and it makes sense to prioritize you STH base. I could have bought half season tickets for next year for $800 and gotten early access, but I didn't. The Sens are using this opportunity to retain STH and also create new ones, which should be how it is.

This isn't even factoring in the potential Leafs opponent.

There is a misperception that you need to be rich to have season tickets. I think that causes some resentment from people who buy individual tickets.

A lot of these people are those who spend enough on single game tickets that they probably could get a half-season package and spend the same amount or even save money, with the caveat being they might have to sell a portion of their games to recoup the cost.

So long as they keep the ability to swap your tickets for different games in the same price range, it's a no brainer to do at least a quarter season package.

I think they need to do a better job marketing how much it costs and how it actually works. Something like a half season package is more like getting a stack of coupons that you can assign to almost any games you want in the same tier. I don't know if people fully understand this element.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

There is a misperception that you need to be rich to have season tickets. I think that causes some resentment from people who buy individual tickets.

A lot of these people are those who spend enough on single game tickets that they probably could get a half-season package and spend the same amount or even save money, with the caveat being they might have to sell a portion of their games to recoup the cost.

So long as they keep the ability to swap your tickets for different games in the same price range, it's a no brainer to do at least a quarter season package.

I think they need to do a better job marketing how much it costs and how it actually works. Something like a half season package is more like getting a stack of coupons that you can assign to almost any games you want in the same tier. I don't know if people fully understand this element.

You can do quarter season tickets?

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

You can do quarter season tickets?

Sorry, I meant to say half season.

With that said, in practice a half-season package usually becomes a quarter season one for a lot of fans who do the traditional sell off the expensive games at a profit to subsidize the less expensive games. Sell Edmonton, attend Columbus, etc.

 

[Stylizer1]

What was face value for the cheapest first round 300s back then?

I don't remember exactly because i didn't have access to the site but the 2 single tickets in the 300's would have came to around $300

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

I don't remember exactly because i didn't have access to the site but the 2 single tickets in the 300's would have came to around $300

Thanks. If that's roughly correct, they gave SSMs a pretty good discount on renewal for playoff tickets at about $50 per ticket for the lowest price tier in the first round.

 

[Stylizer1]

Thanks. If that's roughly correct, they gave SSMs a pretty good discount on renewal for playoff tickets at about $50 per ticket for the lowest price tier in the first round.

All I remember is that they lower 300 seats near the corner about 10-15 seats apart.

 

[MiscBrah]

I think playoff sales will be good. We haven't had playoffs in a long time, and the City is getting on board with the Sens. I have said this before in other threads, but I have friends and family who haven't watched Sens games in years, tuning into every single game for the last few months. Even for myself, I barely watched games over the past 3-4 years, and now I've been watching almost every single one since January and went to my first game since 16/17 in February.