Bait and switch by the UK ticket office.

[UK78ALUM]

Just got my email confirmation. Remember how they said that we could order as many as we wanted for the MCB? Well, I ordered 9 tickets - and here is the email I just received:

The first four (4) tickets from your order will be assigned based on your priority ranking. All remaining tickets from your order will be assigned in the best available seat locations after all priority assignments are completed. All pre-orders will be filled with $70, $50, $35, or $15 tickets.

So, no, of course we didn't want to sit together. Why on earth would we want to do that?

This sucks! and of course they only tell you this after they have your credit card information and you have committed to purchase the tickets. Classic bait and switch as far as I'm concerned.

[RV]

Last year I ordered 12 and 8 were together and the other 4 were higher up. Due to that incredible response last year they limited me to 4 at the more prestigious venues this year but allowed more than 4 so I ordered 6 this time hoping to be under the cutoff. Looks like I overshot as well. Wouldn't have been difficult on their part to put a notation that when ordering more than 4 the additional seats would be separated.

[UK78ALUM]

Just sent this email:
================
Mitch,
Just got my email confirmation. Remember how we were told that we could order as many as we wanted for the MCB? Well, I ordered 9 tickets - and here is the email I just received from your ticket office:

The first four (4) tickets from your order will be assigned based on your priority ranking. All remaining tickets from your order will be assigned in the best available seat locations after all priority assignments are completed. All pre-orders will be filled with $70, $50, $35, or $15 tickets.

So, no, of course we didn't want to sit together. Why on earth would we want to do that?

This is unacceptable - and of course I was only told this AFTER you had my credit card information and I had committed to purchase the tickets. This is classic bait and switch as far as I'm concerned. So, which part of my family do you suggest I send to the cheap seats? Are they going to be sitting alone? In pairs?

As a football season ticket holder since 1978, let me say that this stinks. It appears that you are trying to please everyone, and the result is that no one is going to be satisfied with this approach.

[jwade]

While I agree the order form could have been more explicit as to how orders would be filled, I also believe it's unreasonable to expect to receive more than 4 tickets in the best sections given the demand for this game.

If sitting together is more important than location, I suspect that UKAA would seat you all together in one of the less expensive sections. Personally, I think that's a reasonable trade-off.


Jim

[Wildcat Derrick]

While I agree the order form could have been more explicit as to how orders would be filled, I also believe it's unreasonable to expect to receive more than 4 tickets in the best sections given the demand for this game.

If sitting together is more important than location, I suspect that UKAA would seat you all together in one of the less expensive sections. Personally, I think that's a reasonable trade-off.


Jim

agreed

[Los Gatos]

Just sent this email:
================
Mitch,
Just got my email confirmation. Remember how we were told that we could order as many as we wanted for the MCB? Well, I ordered 9 tickets - and here is the email I just received from your ticket office:

The first four (4) tickets from your order will be assigned based on your priority ranking. All remaining tickets from your order will be assigned in the best available seat locations after all priority assignments are completed. All pre-orders will be filled with $70, $50, $35, or $15 tickets.

So, no, of course we didn't want to sit together. Why on earth would we want to do that?

This is unacceptable - and of course I was only told this AFTER you had my credit card information and I had committed to purchase the tickets. This is classic bait and switch as far as I'm concerned. So, which part of my family do you suggest I send to the cheap seats? Are they going to be sitting alone? In pairs?

As a football season ticket holder since 1978, let me say that this stinks. It appears that you are trying to please everyone, and the result is that no one is going to be satisfied with this approach.


Be careful what you ask for. If I were to receive your email I'm offer to cancel your entire order and refund your money.

[UK78ALUM]

While I agree the order form could have been more explicit as to how orders would be filled, I also believe it's unreasonable to expect to receive more than 4 tickets in the best sections given the demand for this game.



Jim, you forget that seats are assigned based on priority. What good is a priority system if you only get half your order and someone with a lower priority gets the other half? And hell, for that matter I may well be that person with a lower priority number, but that still doesn't make it right.

Let's use another example. What if Delta sent me an email (after I made my reservations and agreed to purchase my tickets) and told me that I was only going to be allowed to fly first class on one leg of my trip. The rest would have to be in coach, in fairness to everyone, sorry. We know you're one of our longtime supporters as a Platinum level Medallion flyer, but we want to try and appease as many as possible. That would work about as well, I think.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

i agree i would take what they give u cause all they got to do is say we cancel your order and give them to someone else i mean u are one of the lucky ones that is gettin tickets most everyone else got to paid out rages prices if they dont know any one

[jwade]

Jim, you forget that seats are assigned based on priority. What good is a priority system if you only get half your order and someone with a lower priority gets the other half? And hell, for that matter I may well be that person with a lower priority number, but that still doesn't make it right.

Let's use another example. What if Delta sent me an email (after I made my reservations and agreed to purchase my tickets) and told me that I was only going to be allowed to fly first class on one leg of my trip. The rest would have to be in coach, in fairness to everyone, sorry. We know you're one of our longtime supporters as a Platinum level Medallion flyer, but we want to try and appease as many as possible. That would work about as well, I think.


Dave, I'm not forgetting that at all. I'm merely saying that even with a priority distribution system, there has to be some practical upper limit as to how many tickets can be purchased by any individual. Somebody, who knows who, is at the top of UK's priority list. How many of the $70 tickets should that person be allowed to order? 10? 20? As many as they want? All of them? Of course not, because that would be unfair to everyone else. Just because someone's the top dog doesn't mean the rest of us have to beg for scraps. [Please forgive the dog reference, we briefly discussed beagles on another thread and it's on my mind. :icon_mrgreen:]

Once again, I agree that the ticket order form should have been more explicit as to how the tickets would be distributed and that would have allowed you, RV, and others to make a more informed choice as to whether to place an order. But as to the other question, I still think that limiting the $70 tickets to no more than 4 per order is reasonable.


Jim

[UK78ALUM]

[Please forgive the dog reference, we briefly discussed beagles on another thread and it's on my mind. :icon_mrgreen:]






Jim, no problem. My Welsh Corgi is sitting next to me as we speak (or type).

[Captain Morgan]

I think that this is misleading. Common sense would be that if you ordered 6 tickets you would expect them to be together. With that said, a fair system would be to allow each season ticket holder to purchase the number equal to the number of season tickets you have. Priority points would dictate the location of your seats.

[jwade]

I think that this is misleading. Common sense would be that if you ordered 6 tickets you would expect them to be together. With that said, a fair system would be to allow each season ticket holder to purchase the number equal to the number of season tickets you have. Priority points would dictate the location of your seats.

I understand the logic in what you're saying, but let me pose another real-life scenario that argues against it.

John Doe has had 4 season tickets since 2005. Bill Smith, on the other hand, has had 2 season tickets since 1975. Why should John be allowed to purchase 4 bowl tickets, but Bill only 2? Is that really fair? Should we not reward Bill for his 30+ years of support more than John for his 2 years?

This is a rhetorical question because, truth be known, there is no perfect distribution system. Every system is subject to one bias or another. You use the word "fair" but fairness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

[To Dave: A good friend of mine had Welsh Corgi's for years. They're really cool, too.]


Jim

[RV]

Once again, I agree that the ticket order form should have been more explicit as to how the tickets would be distributed and that would have allowed you, RV, and others to make a more informed choice as to whether to place an order. But as to the other question, I still think that limiting the $70 tickets to no more than 4 per order is reasonable.

I too think 4 per order is reasonable and I have no problem with putting ticket limitations on as the 'big dog's would just gobble them up. The point I was making that it would have been very easy to put the notification on the app that only x amount could be seated together as per your priority ranking and additional tickets would be filled afterwards.

[RV]

I think that this is misleading. Common sense would be that if you ordered 6 tickets you would expect them to be together. With that said, a fair system would be to allow each season ticket holder to purchase the number equal to the number of season tickets you have. Priority points would dictate the location of your seats.

I agree but the problem lies in the fact that there are some corporate folks that get numerous season tickets and the allottment would be gobbled up quickly by them.

[Captain Morgan]

"John Doe has had 4 season tickets since 2005. Bill Smith, on the other hand, has had 2 season tickets since 1975. Why should John be allowed to purchase 4 bowl tickets, but Bill only 2? Is that really fair? Should we not reward Bill for his 30+ years of support more than John for his 2 years?"

Excellent point. I guess the bottom line is that whatever system UKAA uses should be clearly communicated to the season ticket holders. Mitch and Co. dropped the ball on this one.

[bret1555]

All I know is this. . . Last year, my dad and I went with 6 & we got to sit together.

This season it is somehow logistically impossible? Has LP Field been renovated to allow fewer seats? That dog just won't hunt. . . Plain and simple.

So, I guess my wife and I have to sit and hope we don't have nosebleed seats? This is ridiculous.

[SueW930]

I ordered 5 tickets. Just hoping that we are not seated 4 together and 1 by himself. I just don't believe that will happen, though.

[BigBlueManiac]

UKALUM, just curious, how many season tickets do you have?

[Chaz]

All I know is this. . . Last year, my dad and I went with 6 & we got to sit together.

This season it is somehow logistically impossible? Has LP Field been renovated to allow fewer seats? That dog just won't hunt. . . Plain and simple.

So, I guess my wife and I have to sit and hope we don't have nosebleed seats? This is ridiculous.
Bret, I understand where you're coming from as last year I ordered 5 and all were seated together. IIRC last year there were about 22k pre-ordered and there was a limit of 8 under the priority system. This year 28k were pre-ordered and now limits 4 tickets for priority.

The only problem I see is that they didn't tell us of possible limits for this game. Chick Outback etc had limits.

[UedK]

Last year my brother and I ordered eight apiece and got all 16 together eight rows up above the tunnel where UK ran out of. We asked for the same thing this year, we will see what we get.

I got the same four priority limit ticket email and I don't find it so unreasonable. We had great seats last year and I was a little surprised that we didn't get split up back then. If need be this year, us old guys will take the $70 seats and send the youngens up to the $35 seats.

Folks the pie only has so many peices. Let everyone have a slice and help cheer the BigBlue to a victory over the Noles.

[EricBigNally]

I think something that might need to be added to the registration for right of first refusal is that you may get the same number as you ahve season tickets first (according to priority) and then go back and anything extra is assigned (again by priority). Maybe even have a box to check stating that you would give up having your first set of tickets to someone of lesser priority to sit together further up. I don't think it is necessarily fair that someone is able to by say 15 or 20 tickets when they have had 2 season tickets... odds are, many of those tickets will end up for sale. I'm not saying EVERYONE who buys more tickets than their season seats are selling them because I know that simply is not true, I just tihnk that would help prevent it a bit.

[UK78ALUM]

I don't think it is necessarily fair that someone is able to by say 15 or 20 tickets when they have had 2 season tickets...

Except I haven't bought two season tickets, I've bought 58. Two seats for 29 years. Why should someone with 6 seats for 4 years be higher ranked?

[aroig4219]

Except I haven't bought two season tickets, I've bought 58. Two seats for 29 years. Why should someone with 6 seats for 4 years be higher ranked?

Personally I think they should have made the limitations more clear on the web site. If they were upfront about things, they could have avoided this confusion.

It makes a lot of sense to me that they would want to go by the priority rank AND the number of tickets you have. Those that are used to getting 'good' seats in the regular season, and have them all year long, should get their 'good' seats. THEN others should buy what is left.

We have 6 'good' season tickets and put in for 8 bowl seats...wonder what we'll get.

[UK78ALUM]

If they were upfront about things, they could have avoided this confusion.



Simply put, that says it all for me !!

[UedK]

Simply put, that says it all for me !!

Other than expectations not met. Would you of done anything different on your order if you knew your seats may be split up?

[UK78ALUM]

Other than expectations not met. Would you of done anything different on your order if you knew your seats may be split up?

Yes, absolutely. Had we known, more of us would have placed their own orders - probably 4, 3 and 2 instead of 9 at once. I just happen to be the organizer of these things by default, having done away games, golf trips, golf tournaments, etc., for some years now.

And in fairness to Mitch and UK, I want to note for the record that I have already been contacted by them this morning and have been offered some options - a couple of which are satisfactory to us. So, this will work out fine I think.

[BigBlueManiac]

I've been following this, and have started to respond several times. I'm in some agreement with you. Some disagreement. Here goes.

First of all, I am with you 100% that this "split group policy" should have been laid out up front by UK, to avoid confusion.

Having said that, in fairness to all season ticket holders, I think that UK should only allocate Bowl tickets on a 1 bowl for 1 season ticket basis until ALL season ticket holders are taken care of, based on their priority rank. Once that was accomplished, THEN go back and fill those who ordered extras. (Sounds like this is exactly what happened in YOUR situation, they just didn't lay it out up front.)

I have never studied the priority rankings. I'm perfectly happy with my seats at Commonwealth and have been since I first got my tickets in 1982.

Having said that, I agree totally with an earlier poster that said if you want more BOWL tickets than you have SEASON tickets, and you want them TOGETHER, then you should be allowed to get them, but at the lowest priority. People who want a bunch of tickets over and above what they have at Commonwealth should NOT be allowed to bump long term ticket holders who are just ordering their fair share.

For those who think this might be a "logistical nightmare", I remind them of some rather hefty "handling fees" that UK is charging for distributing tickets. UKAA will make a small fortune off of several days work in distributing tickets.

If UK is guilty of a "bait and switch" tactic, I believe that it is an unintentional one. They had nothing to gain by making people mad with this scenario. Sounds to me like one of those problems that SHOULD have been anticipated, but wasn't.

In theory, UK handled the ticket order exactly as it should have been handled in fairness to all Cat fans and season ticket holders. Yes, they didn't tell you the particulars, but thats the only negative I see in how this was handled.

I know this is a big deal to you, but in the overall scheme of things, you ARE getting the tickets you wanted. Thats in contrast to a LOT of UK fans right now that are clamoring for tickets. (I've gotten phone calls and emails out the wazoo) I'd be happy that I was getting what I ordered, start making your trip plans and enjoy watching the Cats and FSU!

And now... "Positive waves....."
Sgt Oddball - Kelly's Heroes

[UK78ALUM]

If UK is guilty of a "bait and switch" tactic, I believe that it is an unintentional one. They had nothing to gain by making people mad with this scenario. Sounds to me like one of those problems that SHOULD have been anticipated, but wasn't.

I can actually shed some light on this one. First, I agree that it was unintentional. In fact, I apologized to Joe Sharp and Mitch for my choice of words there. Frustration overcame good judgment and I'm sorry for that.

And, I also found out that this limit policy was in place last year as well, but there were more tickets to be had - and - the limit was higher -and- no one in my group ordered enough tickets to exceed the limit. So, the combination of those factors left us in the dark about how this year's distribution would go.

All done, time to go have a good time.

[RV]

Having said that, in fairness to all season ticket holders, I think that UK should only allocate Bowl tickets on a 1 bowl for 1 season ticket basis until ALL season ticket holders are taken care of, based on their priority rank. Once that was accomplished, THEN go back and fill those who ordered extras.

Like I said previously. If you did this, as it was explained to me, there are corporate entities and individual fans that buy dozens of tickets. These folks are high up on the priority rank and would surely get the same amount if allowed, pushing everyone behind them higher and maybe out.

For the record I have 7 season tix and ordered 6 for the bowl so I don't leave the impression I was trying to get more than my share.

[kyjones]

This is a great debate. Fighting and arguing over bowl tickets. LOL. How often does that happen?????

[CATHYnKY]

I've had 4 season tix since 1969. Have have 2 season tix for the women's bball season the past 2 years. I was only offered 2 Chix Filet tix. A friend of mine order 11 for MCB. She has Kfund mid field, lower level seats and has for quite a while. Be interesting to see how they split these. There are 7 in one group and 4 in another one. Hopefully the "odd" ticket won't be a loner.

[UedK]

Yes, absolutely. Had we known, more of us would have placed their own orders - probably 4, 3 and 2 instead of 9 at once. I just happen to be the organizer of these things by default, having done away games, golf trips, golf tournaments, etc., for some years now.

And in fairness to Mitch and UK, I want to note for the record that I have already been contacted by them this morning and have been offered some options - a couple of which are satisfactory to us. So, this will work out fine I think.

Thanks for clarifying Dave, I did not know that your original order encompassed several ticket holders that could have maximized your obtaining better seats in light of the surprise 4 ticket priority rule.

For us it's just two guys with priority points going after 16 tickets so we wouldn't of changed a thing. We did ask that our seats be grouped together and I know that the UKAA will accomodate us as much as possible. Probably two groups of four and another two groups of four.

Ed

[UedK]

I can actually shed some light on this one. First, I agree that it was unintentional. In fact, I apologized to Joe Sharp and Mitch for my choice of words there. Frustration overcame good judgment and I'm sorry for that.

And, I also found out that this limit policy was in place last year as well, but there were more tickets to be had - and - the limit was higher -and- no one in my group ordered enough tickets to exceed the limit. So, the combination of those factors left us in the dark about how this year's distribution would go.

All done, time to go have a good time.

I remembered that limit last year and didn't comment as it did not affect us. But with the 4 priority tickets per order limit we still received 16 pretty good seats all together.

Remember this:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/UedK/IMG_2767.jpg

[goUKatsgo]

I checked on my account through UkAthletics.com and looked at tickets and it shows some numbers that may or may not be the section number or where are seats are for the bowl game. I was just wondering if anybody else has done this.

[gerntz]

I appreciate the one seat/one position, but that ignores long-term & financial commitments to UK FB & UK in general that the priority points system does recognize. E.g., should someone who bought 4 season tickets this year for the first time get four tickets before someone with two season tickets for 30 years & may have gifted the program an additional $10,000? I don't know the right answer but I do think there are other considerations besides buying season tickets in 2007.

Me, I've had three season tickets for 30 years & have donated to UK outside the season ticket prices. I was eligible for 4 priority bowl tickets & bought them. Someone can like that or not.

[bret1555]

I know I may be beating a dead horse, here, but this really upsets me. . . I pay for half of the two season tickets that have been in my family my whole life. While I can understand that the UKAA wants to make tickets available to as many different types of fans as possible, why does it matter if 5 are with me, as opposed to 3 being with me, next to 2 guys I don't know? We pay a hefty K-Fund "Contribution" along with those season tickets; which is basically like buying another two seat season tickets. I would think that would count for something.