Mets Selling Citifield Tix as Season Tix Only?

Bay Ridge Dave · 10-10-2008, 12:20 AM

Are sports teams immune to economic downturn? -- Newsday.com

Quote:

It will be interesting to see how active the Mets and Yankees will be on the free-agent market this winter. The Yankees, who market themselves heavily to Wall Street-types, may find a lot of those $2,500 seats and $500,000 luxury boxes they claimed were sold last April turn up empty next April.

As for the Mets, their second straight September Swan Dive might sink season ticket sales at Citi Field, too. Certainly, they are conducting business as if they are very worried. People asking for refunds on money sent for playoff tickets are being brushed off with a vague, "we're working on it" from the ticket office. The Mets told one longtime fan, Walter Davis of Port Jefferson, they would return his $1,500 immediately only "if it was an emergency." Otherwise, he'll have to wait at least two more weeks.

It is a sly and cynical way for a team to take a short-term, interest-free $50 million loan from its fans, paying it back when and how they feel like it. For the Mets, it may also be a way of hedging their bets on their intended policy of selling only season tickets at Citi Field. Now they might have to let in the people they hoped to keep out, the partial-plan holders and, worst of all, single ticket buyers.

The Mets' big test is coming in November, when the balance of their season-ticket money is due from fans who reserved seats with a nonrefundable 10-percent deposit during the summer. In the interim, some of those people may have lost jobs, suffered salary cuts, saw investments disappear. It may turn out that a lot of those people will walk away from those deposits rather than come up with the rest of the dough.

Yeah, I know it's Matthews, but IMO a good article.... And really, those refunds for postseason tickets should be taken care of immediately. What they are doing is completely disingenuous. All it serves to do is further piss off an already pissed off fan base. As for keeping certain types of customers out of Citi Field.... wow, just wow... talk about REALLY wanting it to be a playground for the rich. If true, I hope it really blows up in their faces.

TheeSublimeOne · 10-10-2008, 07:26 AM

I don't think I've ever gone to more than 10 games a year in a season, ever. Even if tickets were $5 bucks for uppers, it costs that much to drive out to Queens, pay $18 dollars for parking, pay $10-$50 bucks for 2 tickets, and that's before you even THINK about getting something to eat, drink, or something from the Mets shop. If they are really focused on not setting partial plan and single season tickets, then "real fans" would never get to go to a game, ever.

KingOlerud · 10-10-2008, 08:21 AM

Didn't a bunch of us in here see this exact thing coming the moment they announced the seat cuts? And weren't there idiots arguing that it was a matter of simple economics and nothing to do with keeping riffraff like normal people out?

Busyman · 10-10-2008, 09:59 AM

All fans are equal. But some fans are more equal than others.

Mr. Met · 10-10-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOlerud

Didn't a bunch of us in here see this exact thing coming the moment they announced the seat cuts? And weren't there idiots arguing that it was a matter of simple economics and nothing to do with keeping riffraff like normal people out?

I agree KO. I know many of us questioned this right from the get-go, myself included. It's yet another big F U to the fans, as if we needed any more of that nonsense.

Bay Ridge Dave · 10-10-2008, 04:16 PM

I'm not surprised. I had a feeling this is what Citi Field is all about after hearing that the restaurant was off limits to everyone but the priveleged few.

Bay Ridge Dave · 10-10-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busyman

All fans are equal. But some fans are more REAL than others.

Medford-fixed

Voodoo · 10-10-2008, 04:20 PM

If there's no partial plans or 7 packs they won't be seeing me.

mets84 · 10-10-2008, 04:25 PM

Not saying it's not a possibility, but have the Mets actually said this is what they want to do? Where is Wally getting this from?

Voodoo · 10-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets84

Not saying it's not a possibility, but have the Mets actually said this is what they want to do? Where is Wally getting this from?

That's a good point because the last update Delcos gave came in his comment that read:

Quote:

Nothing on the partial plans yet. From what I’ve been able to find out they are still defining the various packages.

Deposits for 2009 season tickets being accepted. | John Delcos' NY Mets Report

Sounds like they may have the plans still, which I would like.

ultramet · 10-10-2008, 07:33 PM

What pisses me off is that I work with several Yankees fans who have partial ticket plans and they tell me that the Yanks are still offering partial plans (of course the plans will be more expensive but at least they are available). The Yanks are a team with an incredible winning history and a much more extensive fan base, yet they are STILL offering partial plans. Meanwhile, Freddie and company believe that, despite coming off two major collapses and facing the worse economic crisis ever to hit the US and world, they can continue to fill their seats only with corporate suits. Well, if the Wilpons don't rethink this strategy in these trying economic times, Citifield attendance will very soon resemble PNC ballpark attendance. Bottom line is that the Mets (and Yanks as well) are trying to re-write the economics of attending a baseball game in the midst of a recession. This is being done to re-coup their stadium construction costs. Bad idea.

Dr Strange · 10-11-2008, 08:20 AM

I haven't watched one pitch of the postseason this year. Nor did I last year. However, I realized something. I have a lot to do; get a lot more done; spend more quality time with my family, my son, my daughters (baseball was just for my son and I); and enjoy the theatre, movies and music.

I don't need baseball. I can wean myself off the Mets. If the Wilpons are going to make it financially impossible for me to go to a Mets game, that's it for me. I won't even watch them on tv.

I've been a fan since 1963. Last season, I watched or listened to almost every inning of every game. I went to about 3 or 4, taking my son. And though we sit in the cheap seats, it's still expensive for us.

The last game we saw was the Cub game where Delgado hit a grand slam, and later in the 10th, couldn't score Murphy from third with no outs. A great game, except for the inevitable outcome. Squeezed onto the 7 train, I cursed them the entire ride home.

I don't need this. I don't need the disappointment. The frustration. And I don't need their fu(kin stadium either, with the corporate name for their corporate friends; who'll be only ones who can afford to see them.

I'm done with them.

Kid A · 10-13-2008, 10:29 AM

My Brother and I have been Saturday pack holders for 2 seasons. They told me in the beginning of 2008 I could upgrade to full season and get priority to purchasing full season tickets at Citi Field. Yeah right.

It's really annoying and basically insulting that suddenly a new stadium opens with less seats and now my money isn't good enough for these ****ers.

Its not as if the partial holders are getting a price cut because they bought 7 or 13 games in a bulk pack. Your still paying face value and the only thing you are getting is first dibs on playoff tickets that you always seem to buy, but never get to use.

Be creative. Offer the partial plans, offer Saturday and Sunday 7 packs instead of every game on those days. I thought the point was to get as many people in the gates as possible.

At the present moment, I am happy to watch from my couch or at a bar (going every Sat for 2 seasons, especially these 2 seasons on the LIRR, not driving and 2 collapses, has burnt me out.)

Green Must Go · 10-13-2008, 10:33 AM

It probably won't happen, but I would laugh if the Mets could not sell out their games in 2009. Given the economic downturn, I would think corporations would be cutting down on expenses such as buying sports tickets. And I'm sure corporate tickets account for a big percentage of tickets. I know my company has virtually eliminated these type of expenditures.

kingdiggler · 10-13-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Must Go

It probably won't happen, but I would laugh if the Mets could not sell out their games in 2009. Given the economic downturn, I would think corporations would be cutting down on expenses such as buying sports tickets. And I'm sure corporate tickets account for a big percentage of tickets. I know my company has virtually eliminated these type of expenditures.

Your company is not a real fan.

10-11-2008, 08:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dr Strange Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 505	As fans, we're pretty powerless, except when we say "no." I haven't watched one pitch of the postseason this year. Nor did I last year. However, I realized something. I have a lot to do; get a lot more done; spend more quality time with my family, my son, my daughters (baseball was just for my son and I); and enjoy the theatre, movies and music. I don't need baseball. I can wean myself off the Mets. If the Wilpons are going to make it financially impossible for me to go to a Mets game, that's it for me. I won't even watch them on tv. I've been a fan since 1963. Last season, I watched or listened to almost every inning of every game. I went to about 3 or 4, taking my son. And though we sit in the cheap seats, it's still expensive for us. The last game we saw was the Cub game where Delgado hit a grand slam, and later in the 10th, couldn't score Murphy from third with no outs. A great game, except for the inevitable outcome. Squeezed onto the 7 train, I cursed them the entire ride home. I don't need this. I don't need the disappointment. The frustration. And I don't need their fu(kin stadium either, with the corporate name for their corporate friends; who'll be only ones who can afford to see them. I'm done with them.

10-13-2008, 10:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
Kid A Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 2012 Mets, IDGAF. Posts: 2,980	My Brother and I have been Saturday pack holders for 2 seasons. They told me in the beginning of 2008 I could upgrade to full season and get priority to purchasing full season tickets at Citi Field. Yeah right. It's really annoying and basically insulting that suddenly a new stadium opens with less seats and now my money isn't good enough for these ****ers. Its not as if the partial holders are getting a price cut because they bought 7 or 13 games in a bulk pack. Your still paying face value and the only thing you are getting is first dibs on playoff tickets that you always seem to buy, but never get to use. Be creative. Offer the partial plans, offer Saturday and Sunday 7 packs instead of every game on those days. I thought the point was to get as many people in the gates as possible. At the present moment, I am happy to watch from my couch or at a bar (going every Sat for 2 seasons, especially these 2 seasons on the LIRR, not driving and 2 collapses, has burnt me out.) __________________ If this show ends up being one of the greatest rock 'n roll concerts of all time, I'm afraid its gonna have an asterisk next to it...because I'm on steriods. Jeff Tweedy "The only true currency in this bankrupt world... is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Almost Famous

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10-10-2008, 07:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheeSublimeOne Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: formerly known as placebo31 Posts: 3,243	I don't think I've ever gone to more than 10 games a year in a season, ever. Even if tickets were $5 bucks for uppers, it costs that much to drive out to Queens, pay $18 dollars for parking, pay $10-$50 bucks for 2 tickets, and that's before you even THINK about getting something to eat, drink, or something from the Mets shop. If they are really focused on not setting partial plan and single season tickets, then "real fans" would never get to go to a game, ever.

10-10-2008, 08:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
KingOlerud Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Moonbat Land Posts: 15,269	Didn't a bunch of us in here see this exact thing coming the moment they announced the seat cuts? And weren't there idiots arguing that it was a matter of simple economics and nothing to do with keeping riffraff like normal people out?

10-10-2008, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Busyman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 11,097	All fans are equal. But some fans are more equal than others.

10-10-2008, 04:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bay Ridge Dave Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Noneya! Posts: 20,875	I'm not surprised. I had a feeling this is what Citi Field is all about after hearing that the restaurant was off limits to everyone but the priveleged few.

10-10-2008, 04:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Voodoo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,794	If there's no partial plans or 7 packs they won't be seeing me.

10-10-2008, 07:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
ultramet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,829	What pisses me off is that I work with several Yankees fans who have partial ticket plans and they tell me that the Yanks are still offering partial plans (of course the plans will be more expensive but at least they are available). The Yanks are a team with an incredible winning history and a much more extensive fan base, yet they are STILL offering partial plans. Meanwhile, Freddie and company believe that, despite coming off two major collapses and facing the worse economic crisis ever to hit the US and world, they can continue to fill their seats only with corporate suits. Well, if the Wilpons don't rethink this strategy in these trying economic times, Citifield attendance will very soon resemble PNC ballpark attendance. Bottom line is that the Mets (and Yanks as well) are trying to re-write the economics of attending a baseball game in the midst of a recession. This is being done to re-coup their stadium construction costs. Bad idea.

10-13-2008, 10:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
Green Must Go Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: your 2013 Mets starting lineup Posts: 27,334	It probably won't happen, but I would laugh if the Mets could not sell out their games in 2009. Given the economic downturn, I would think corporations would be cutting down on expenses such as buying sports tickets. And I'm sure corporate tickets account for a big percentage of tickets. I know my company has virtually eliminated these type of expenditures.

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