I don't know if many of you know but earlier this year I had a dialogue with Bristol Sport about the lack of availability of concessionary tickets for the disabled at the rugby. At the time I congratulated the Football Club for its superb pricing policy for the disabled. They agreed that they would regularise things next season. Their response has been to align the Football policy with that of the Rugby i.e. the disabled concessions price will be the same as the aged based concession... In my case the increase will be a massive 74.07%.
Just to anticipate any replies there is an argument which says why should disabled people be treated any differently than other people, price wise. In this respect policies vary. The modern vogue seems to moving away from special rates for the disabled to a one off concessionary rate. In the case of BCFC they have had a standard rate for disabled people every since I have been a season ticket holder and allowed them (e.g. ambulant disabled) to sit anywhere in the ground. Now they only have one concessionary rate which varies from stand to stand. Some people will say fair enough. It does nevertheless come as a shock when faced with a huge 75% increase. Perhaps Bristol Sport are adopting the "business norm".
Just looked at the prices, we normally get a family ticket 2 adults 2 kids but that ain't being done unless I move to the family part, and that is now one adult one child. Anyway compared to last year there seems to be a massive hike, plus it's not interest free next year either
Seems harsh though I admit I haven't looked at disabled prices but the dual price season tickets seem good value, and remember that certainly during the rugby you can pretty much pay the lowest price and sit wherever you want. Does the above price include a 'carer' ticket?
The new south stand is £179 plus vat for a rugby season ticket for a disabled plus carer? To be honest that seems really good value at £13 per game? how much were you paying before?
Thanks to another thread for pointing out last years early bird prices I have double checked my proposed increase and it works out at 106%. There are those who point out whether the new price represents VFM. This does not detract from the fact that the increase from last season is significant. This to me represents the thin end of the wedge i.e. those who determine the pricing policy see the punter as a captive audience. Prepare yourself for your football costs going endlessly north. Someone has to pay for the new stadium
I always say that with everything in life you have a choice viz take it or leave it. At the moment the club is successful and people are prepared to pay. However the principle of supply and demand will always apply but with the complicated ownership situation at BCFC one is never quite clear where the money is going. One cannot argue that SL has put his money where his mouth previously but I think we are now entering a period in which the fans will pick up an increasing percentage of the costs tab. Each person must therefore decide what he is prepared to pay
You didn't answer any of my questions?? If you are a season ticket holder for the rugby this year how much did you pay? If you are a season ticket holder for the football this season how much did you pay? Do you require a carer with you, and how does this work if not? Genuine questions so we can do fair comparison!
I am not a season ticket holder for the Rugby. I tried to get one but ascertained that I had to pay the full price. This happened because despite knowing about the move to AG the FC and the Rugby still retained their previous pricing strategies. For the Football this year I paid £159 . Next season it is £329. All early bird prices. This is as I have already expressed represents an increase of 106%. All disabled holders are entitled to a free carer ticket.
As regards the Rugby the response I received from AG was as follows Dear XXX Thank you for email. At the moment the season tickets are still being dealt with at the Rugby club, so they can offer you advice from there. The gentleman you need ton speak to is Steve Gray and his number is 0117 9581640, if he’s not there one of his colleagues will be able to help you. Kind regards Kay McGinty Supporter Services Manager I rang Mr Gray but he never responded. I then assessed that The Rugby club "didn't do" disabled rates whereas the Football Club did and decided to go to Football only. This season it appears that the Football Club has adopted the Rugby's pricing policy as it relates to disabled supporters.. Simple as. All I am saying is that for me that increase is 106%
If I were you, I would write to the club with your thoughts on what would be a fair compromise. I must admit that I am a little surprised at the prices for the coming season. As the Atyeo will now be for away fans and City singers/standers, those who currently sit there will all have a price increase by changing stands. This, I understand, because it is a new stand with, we anticipate, better facilities. The coming season with a limited capacity if 16,000 will not bring the ticket revenue that the club would have if we are doing well in the Championship in a 27,000 seat stadium. So, with wages likely to double(?), the football club will make larger than wanted losses. For the Rugby Club, there isn't the degree of certainty of a higher league as there is with City. If they stay down, how can increased prices be justified? But should they also go up, the likelihood is that they could sell out for a higher percentage of league games than City. And then looking forward to 2016-17 with 27,000 capacity. Let us assume that City are in the Championship and Bris are in the Premiership. If both are doing well and challenging seriously, I see attendance's regularly around 80-90% of capacity. That is the time for the Clubs to introduce sensible increases to ticket prices, rather than now. But if they are both scrapping near the bottom, then they will both struggle to draw good gates. And whatever the performances at that time, both clubs will need to be enticing children to become regular lifelong supporters. In that respect pricing is one aspect. The other is the building of a relationship with the local clubs and this is where City can learn from Bris Rugby. I really do hope that nobody is deterred by the published prices as both clubs need everyone to stick with them. If you are in that position, then write to the club with your situation. They would be mad to ignore you.
I wrote initially to the club who responded We have held disabled prices at the same rate for several years now while other prices have risen (UNTRUE). We are also investing in new up-to-date and more comfortable facilities for our disabled supporters, and we feel that a general concessionary rate is the right way to go. A disabled season ticket holder in the Atyeo will still only be paying £9.78 a game, with their carer (if required) going free. Although I appreciate this is an increase on what you have previously paid, we think this still represents excellent value for our loyal disabled supporters. I visited the shop who explained that they had several complaints (also about the family ticket situation) and they suggested I write again. This I have done suggesting the flowing alternatives Existing disabled season ticket holders be allowed to retain rights at the same percentage below full price tickets Existing disabled season ticket holders be given a period of graduated increases You stick to your guns and probably lose x % of your season ticket holders Incidentally Rugby over 60s have been allowed to retain previous Rugby rights
