There have been many criticisms of the way Bristol Sport interfaces with the public and I could list a half a dozen things which make me cringe. Having read the website I was ready at 8am, as a disabled supporter, to ring the City office at 8am. Having rung 20 times and been told the office was closed I eventually listened to the whole recorded message which stated that the office would re-open at 9 am on Monday. This means I probably now have no chance in getting any decent tickets. Despite all the good things Bristol Sport do they so do not deserve the support of Bristol's population in general. They do not have a clue how to treat customers
Just thought I would update people. As a ambulant disabled season ticket holder I did my research last week and this included E mailing Wembley and ringing BCFC. Wembley told me that tickets would be issued as per BCFC disabled policy. So I rang BCFC and they explained that I must ring the BCFC number on Monday i.e. I could not call at the ground. So eventually I get through on the BCFC number at 0920 and get put through to ticket sales which does not get answered so I give up after 10 mins. I get through again at 0930 and you've guessed it another 10 mins passes and I slam the phone down . By this time I am fuming get in my car and bomb off down to the City ground. After 5 minutes of ranting the pleasant young man says "Don't worry sir we can sort you out here" and I get the tickets I wanted but they said they did not do disabled rates. So to a degree "all well that ends well" but the misinformation provided really Pxxxxs me off. Now to try and get some coach tickets
All very poor indeed. I say I was surprised but unfortunately I'm not. The club don't care about the supporters, what they need, or what they think. They never have and they never will.
The on-line system did work quite well. However - I kept trying to log in from 7.30am - it went live at 7.51am - my first 3 choices of Blocks were already sold out - how could Blocks 223, 224 & 225 have sold out by then?? All football members (i.e Premier Lounge, Debunture Holders, Season ticket holders etc) had to go via Ticketmaster - are the "johnny come lately" Bristol Sport members being given preferential treatment? Bristol Sport need to remember that the football club existed before Bristol Sport came along!!
One more thing! I've heard that Walsall are getting concession rates for people over 60 - whereas City is only for those over 65!! Does not affect me personally, but it does not seem fair that a Walsall fan will see the game for half the price that a City fan will pay?
Another surprising update as at 0930 I fired an E mail off to Bristol Sport who had never previously replied to any E mails. At about 1230 I received a phone call at home offering to sort out my ticket situation. I recounted my experience and they admitted that I had been given wrong information. I will not dwell on the minutiae but suffice it to say that this whole tickets episode should not be rocket science but it has left me as a customer feeling undervalued. I note the comments about concessions and this is what started my dissatisfaction. My starting point was the BCFC disabled season ticket situation which is superb. So I tried to get a similar ticket for the Rugby in the closed season only to be told they didn't do disabled rates. When I said but it is all owned by Bristol Sport they said "look everyone is pre-occupied with the new stadium" and we have not even thought about the Rugby but will consider it for next year. Perhaps this might have acted as a catalyst for the Forever Bristol concept? Then after many years of cup exits I went for my West Ham tickets only to be told so sorry no disabled rates. I E mailed BCFC again and asked "why not" but got no reply. As regards the 60/65 OAP rates I think you will find that BCFC and the Rugby are different as well . Can't remember which is which. I now understand that Twickeham are doing away with disabled rates so I guess disabled people should be grateful for the concessions we used to enjoy. Happy days (well not last Sat) . Makes a change from moaning at the wife
Just two further things 1) re previous comments the online system apparently cannot cope with disabled concessions so no choice but to follow instructions 2) as regards the 9am BCFC phone line opening time, they admitted in their phone call that they didn't actually get going until 10.00am xxxx xx and brewery come to mind
