Nice While It Lasted...

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 2:37 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

The Rays announced that there will be no more free parking.

They have also cut the price of outfield tickets by a dollar and have increased the price of the upper deck tickets by a dollar. There is also going to be a $2 service charge for tickets bought 5 hours or less before the first pitch, so go get your tcikets early.

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Service charge?

So much for being spontaneous about games.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2007 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Service charge?

Yea, i agree. It won't effect me becuase I have a ticket plan that I use, but before I go the plan I have now I would decide to go to games maybe an hour or two before the game. I live 5-10 minutes from the trop so I could always just go. I know its only $2, but still, the policy is dumb.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's inconvenient

I don't think I've ever bought tickets five hours ahead.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2007 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: It's inconvenient

yea like I said, I never did either until I got the ticket plan I have now. I pay up front for 20 games for me and the wife and use my vouchers when I want to go to a game. They told me that it wouldn't effect me, but who knows, they lied to me last season about a couple of things

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some Free Parking Still...

If you have four or more people in the car it is still free to park.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But you better have tickets in hand

Or they'll just make that money back with service fees.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: But you better have tickets in hand

hahahaha thats awesome

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks to Patrick's mother

The Yankees employ similar gameday charges:

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0245,jockbeat,39679,3.html

Times change...

While the new prices will take a Giambian bite out of fan wallets--if subway fares had risen at the same rate as bleacher tickets over the past 20 years, the D train would cost five bucks--the Yanks will offer $2 discounts on tickets bought in advance of game days. (This is no doubt a nod to the ticket free fall that teams like the Indians and Orioles experienced once games no longer sold out weeks in advance--if you can't scare people into buying tickets they may not use with the threat of sellouts, scare them with increased day-of-game prices.)

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2007 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Thanks to Patrick's mother

Yea I had heard that other teams do the same thing, but I still thought there is no need with the Rays. I think most people that buy in advance are either Season ticket holders or are coming to support the Visiting team.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Nice While It Lasted...

You would think going in the opposite direction makes at least as much sense - the .com approach to selling unused inventory - and offer walkups discounts rather than surcharges. Seat's empty otherwise. I understand that you don't want to undercut presale, but the main advantage of presale is the better guaranteed seat. Perhaps surcharge the most desirable locations, discount the less. With attendabce at 40% of capacity it seems like there's more upside by encouraging rather than discouraging walkups, plus the incremental parking and concession revenue is at least as important. It's hard to artificially create urgency when attendance is low.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Oct 12, 2007 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

There are things I'd like to take from the Yankees approach (titles, class, titles) but I wouldn't expect a team that has the worst record in baseball since the new DRO took over to implement something that will likely detract from their intended consumers (teenagers who in some aspects "grew up" with the Rays)

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2007 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree 100%

Thats me. I grew up with the Rays, I was 15 when they started their first season. I had been a huge Cubs/Indians fans. I am from Cleveland and went to every Cub game in the summer b/c my dad is from CHI and his brother hs season tickets. Tooke me about a year to only root for the Rays though

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 12, 2007 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Nice While It Lasted...

This is a pathetic, bush league move by an organization that is plain in denial right now. No, its the river in Egypt.

These people know who buys their tickets and they think fans carpool to these games? What about the 18-35 year olds who NEED to be the team's backbone!!

I am well aware of inventory, but this, just like the prime game ticket packaging and also taxing the most sought after ticket to me is an illustration of how uncaring the organization is. The seats are going to be empty regardless, but heck, its the principle?! Don't tell me how good it is, get competitive and fix the problem. I shouldn't ask but what are these "extra revenues" going to be used for anyways.

A bushleague and minor league move. Oh, Bright House Field is 10 minutes away and you don't see the Threshers discourage and tax on for walk ups!@!! If anything the prices get dropped to get the extra fans. How stupid!

Joe

by joedobr on Oct 12, 2007 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have an idea...

Here's one...Why not instead of marking up walkup tickets, why not mark it down and see how many fans want to buy it?! By doing this, you will get more fans and more of a gate instead of less people being squeezed.

You maintain the sanctity of the presale of the tickets, meaning first come first serve on all dibs on the seats, and you would DISCOURAGE 3rd market scalping and Stub Hub. Look how the Lightning deliberately holds back and sells 300 section tickets for day of game sale solely for those who simply want to get in and enjoy the experience. Now, you have encouraged the very type activity you say that you don't want!

Sorry folks, the Rays have lost me on this. Its been a comedy of errors for the last 2 weeks and its not going to let up. This was a stupid move, and although its $2, it opens the door for LARGER increases in the future, knowing the tendencies of the gate. I will not accept this as a "fan friendly" gesture, because it isn't. You tell everyone "free parking stays", when you know very well, that is DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING!!! They are operating with deceit, as they also have maintained their 20% increase, the "free parking" and the "walkup tax", all forms of deception!

Joe

by joedobr on Oct 13, 2007 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Lightning

Is (are?) simply the best ran sports organization in Tampa.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 13, 2007 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Nice While It Lasted...

I won't even try to argue that. There is no contest. And it should be a contest but the Rays don't have their act together. And they have no plans on changing.

Joe

by joedobr on Oct 13, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs