Season Ticket sales

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We've sold 2700 when I asked at lunchtime today. That's an improvement of around 200 on last seasons numbers at this stage.

Perhaps at last we're moving forward and it may be a sign of confidence in the players and management team.     

[since-1969]

How many are junior or discounted . What is the break even figure. Let's face it a ST are good for the club but  fans are mostly lead but finance at the moment and casual late ST buyers are more common . Perhaps there are better ways of getting new supporters through the gates . Results are important but it's image also . Rovers image is still seen as poor against Blades or Owls . Newspaper application forms or even application forms posted through the door may work . I'm a ST holder but I didn't get my application until 2 days before the deadline DOH!
It's just typical of the lack of service and under funding on supporter advertising .

[graingrover]

It would be interesting also to see the year on year ( to date) sales of  10/15 Match packages.

[BigColSutherland]

I'm a ST holder but I didn't get my application until 2 days before the deadline DOH!
It's just typical of the lack of service and under funding on supporter advertising .

The sales figures would actually suggest this is atypical.

[robchester]

My wife and I are both season ticket holders - I received my form but my wife still hasn't. We have  renewed though

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I've no doubt there mat have been issues with forms being posted out there's no denying that but, with all the different media, and as it comes around this time every year, I think you have done well to escape the knowledge it was Season Ticket renewal time.

Without wanting to sound like a Pro-mo, renewing or buying for the first time, has been made easier and cheaper than it has for some time. No need to fill out forms, being able to renew on-line, 6 months in house direct debit. Yes, these are all things you told us we needed and the club have put in place.

They haven't officially launched the multi-ticket sales options yet but these sales are expected to be grow again. These together with reasonable post-early bird prices for ST will help more sales throughout the summer and hopefully get us back up over the 5000 mark with a bit to spare (fingers crossed).

I'm sure the club will give us the opportunity to give them our feedback on our personal experiences this year when buying/renewing.

Let's hope these early figures and revenue give the board encouragement to support PD in the contracts department so he can get his business done sooner rather than later.   

since-1969, please do not take this as a dig. Did you not know you didn't have to wait for the application form to renew? As it happens I received mine in good time, but I didn't even take it out the envelope. I renewed 2 days prior to the deadline by just walking in with my ST book. I'm just old fashioned by leaving it late to renew!

[since-1969]

Donnybazrover

My point is simple . The club under performing off the field. I didn't expect the red carpet or anything just a gentle reminder to say that they wanted ME to renew. If they only get 4or 5 thousand STs is that good or bad if they continue to play in a half or third empty stadium is that good or bad ? I'm sure they want increase the price to make money but that's not going to happen unless there is an all year round promotion to the Dincaster and surrounding areas . Let's face it the wage bill is going up but I bet marketing has the lowest budget . I say put in more seats and charge less across the board for supporters who buy  5 year tickets . They gave tickets away in a raffle to what aim . When you can even get a cheap top up on a cup of coffee. It beggers belief that the club makes any money.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

You pose a question that also crossed my mind when, reading comments from others on this forum, asking if they'd received their letters.

In someway, if we've not received it, eventhough we know the content, do we feel a little left out? I know when my mates have had an e-mail or seen something that I think I ought to have (or may have missed) I can understand it.

To address your point about increasing prices. No they didn't want to increase prices. They wanted to strike a fair balance an they are aware of economics. They re-introduced the Cat C prices. They have reduced adult and concession prices for other seats.

I campaigned for cheaper prices for the South Stand so that would have been the Cat C prices however, I lost that battle. To reduce prices even further would put a higher risk in not getting the overall revenue in they need. It's easy for me and you to suggest sales would make up for the price reductions, but I'm not as convinced as I once was that sales would increase sufficiently. Overall, I think they've got the balance about right.

Wages are always going to be the most challenging to manage that's true, but from what I understand revenue is increasing from the additional income streams we have coming in.  The Dons had an attendance of over 1200 at their last home game. Might not sound a lot but it's increased revenue (and turnover) that comes in to the club coffers. With the way things are going for the Dons attendances could be on the rise with a chance of promotion to Super League in the offing. 

 

[Milepostuk]

I never received a renewal reminder this year for either me or my son which I find a little odd. I assumed that they weren't being sent to anyone. I have renewed but I think its strange that the club did not even send me anything.

Why don't we send something to everyone on the database. It couldn't be a renewal obviously but, we could offer them to everyone at the early price if they committed to buying. They would just have to choose their seat later?

[Not Now Kato]

I received my renewal reminder this year.
 
 
 
 
AFTER I had already renewed it!   
 
 

[Jenny]

I was the same NNK, it didn't bother me but obviously the club could have saved some money if they didn't send stuff to people who had already renewed, although I expect that the costs involved in stopping a mass distribution for a select few would outweigh the costs in just sending the literature in the first place.

Whilst in theory the process should have been far easier this year, I had a few teething problems with renewing and I am now wishing that I didn't set up a direct debit to pay for them as they don't appear to be taking it when they said they would and the amount they are taking according to the letter I have been sent is wrong.... I don't believe the blame lies with the ticket office for that, rather with the finance department at the club who are proving more difficult to get hold of.

[hoolahoop]

Come on everyone we all know that ST holders know when and how to renew; we are not children ! Those that are moaning on here can access this site but not the main site ? You couldn't make this up.

As for me , I was a lapsed ST holder for personal reasons last season and received a lovely telephone call about 2 weeks ago to chivvy me along.
They are doing their best but some still demand breakdowns, how much revenue, stats etc. Jeez they have enough to do.

Angry of Thorne. 

[roversdude]

Only gripe I have is my mate wanted to pay by installments but couldn't do this online

[silent majority]

A couple of things need pointing out.

Firstly, the database that everybody talks about is not quite what it seems. As I've said before the software the SMC relied upon during its tenure was the cheapest available and was lacking in flexibility and performance. Prior to handing over to DRFC the SMC renewed the contract so the club are stuck for quite a while. However what you are seeing are the changes being made to that system by DRFC and being paid for as we go along.

Secondly, the mailing is done by an external company due to the staff pressures that DRFC face at certain times. If mailings aren't getting through then it's a combination of both those issues, i.e. a database with poor information on and a sub contractor not performing.

They will get it right that I'm sure of, but it may take a bit of time.

[roversdude]

Is there an option to upgrade. The software package seems as they are stuck with it

[silent majority]

Is there an option to upgrade. The software package seems as they are stuck with it

The contract has been looked at, but I understand it would be very expensive to get out of and upgrades are costly and slow. But that's what they're doing.