Season Ticket Renewals

[soona]

Longtime lurker here - I guess I had nothing to add . . .until now.

Blazer season ticket packets came out today, and I'm pretty frustrated. First, prices went up quite a bit, which is a shock given the economy and what has happened to people's savings - if they had any. But they need renewal commitments by March 16th! Seems pretty soon, I sure wasn't ready for this now . . .

But get this! If you don't renew, and you want to buy playoff tickets for this year, you need to PAY IN ADVANCE FOR 16 PLAYOFF GAMES - the number of games they would play IF they win EVERY series in seven games and get to game 7 of the NBA finals, and even then ONLY IF they have home court advantage in every round! You have to buy them by March 16th, and then they'll refund you the balance if the Blazers don't play 16 home playoff games this spring! You gotta be kidding me! That's how they reward loyal season ticket holders?? (They don't even mention what the price would be, but I assume it's a step up from the regular season prices.)

I'm just shell-shocked right now - looking at the nice envelope with all the nice stuff about how we are all part of a team, etc, but they are really digging into us.

And get this - if I do renew at the higher prices, they charge a $15 fee on top of the many, many thousands of dollars I would be paying. A handling charge they say. It's a slap in the face.

So I'm thinking I could just let my tickets go, but then I can't see playoff games without paying some unknown amount for 16 games and waiting on my refund later. I guess I could always watch them on TV next year - oh wait! I can't watch them on TV because they don't have Comcast where I live, but League Pass is blacked out here anyway (60 miles from Portland)!

Is this how they reward fan loyalty over 20 years? Excuse me for ranting on my first ever post but I am obviously very worked up. Thanks for listening.

 

[alex42083]

Understandable. The Blazers have had so much good pub lately over the past year, and then time to time, there's a couple things to make you go huh or why.
I'm not a season ticket holder but I'm assuming you're not the only one angry about it, then the Darius email thing, and then of course the Comcast fiasco. I'd call the Blazers if I were you just to make your voice heard.

Anyway, welcome to the board!

 

[MAS RipCity]

Well first off..I am pretty sure the playoff pricing is how most teams do it. You pay for the games, if they only go so far, the other money goes towards the following season's pricing.
Also, the seats at the RG are already under-priced, esp. in the 200 levels.
Some ticket pricing areas weren't hit hard at all, some were, just the nature of the game.
And although the economy is crap, the Blazers aren't really feeling it. People will come to the games regardless, so that is prolly their thought process.

 

[Rodolfo]

Screw them man. Go get a nice HD tv and pray that Comcast and the Satellite companies work things out.

 

[LOTBfan]

1. Prices only went up in the lower bowl (except for the impossible to get tan striped promotional section).
2. Prices for the playoffs are listed in your packet.
3. Prices went up less than 7% and are still under valued across the league.
4. If you are a 20 year season ticket holder, you are getting a killer deal because of the loyalty program anyway.


Everything increases in price over time, and for the last 4 years the Blazers have increased below the national average.

Nitpicking imho... release your tickets so I can upgrade.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I understand your frusteration, but as MAS Rip City said, other teams do the same thing. What do you expect them to do? They have to be prepared if the team makes it out of the first round etc. They dont have time after each round to sell tix to everyone for the next round.

Prices at the RG are very reasonable compared to other NBA teams. Tickets sell on Stub Hub etc. for more than the face value, so that pretty much sets the market value. Popular teams = higher prices for tix. Fact of life.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

you have to spend money to make money.

 

[Sug]

Nothing changed from last season with the playoff thing, they just want to get paid early. Put it on a credit card if you are stuck.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

1. Prices only went up in the lower bowl (except for the impossible to get tan striped promotional section).
2. Prices for the playoffs are listed in your packet.
3. Prices went up less than 7% and are still under valued across the league.
4. If you are a 20 year season ticket holder, you are getting a killer deal because of the loyalty program anyway.


Everything increases in price over time, and for the last 4 years the Blazers have increased below the national average.

Nitpicking imho... release your tickets so I can upgrade.

Last year my tickets were $85 as a half season ticket holder. This year they are $95 for full season and $105 for half season. So mine went up 24%!!! Thats pretty crazy at any time, let alone in this economy.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

Nothing changed from last season with the playoff thing, they just want to get paid early. Put it on a credit card if you are stuck.

Just because it hasn't changed, doesn't make it right. Why do we have to pay for a product in advance, that in all probability will never happen, only to be reimbursed? Seems like they should ask for the money round by round, to me.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

Tickets sell on Stub Hub etc. for more than the face value, so that pretty much sets the market value. Popular teams = higher prices for tix. Fact of life.

Tickets on craigslist can ALWAYS be found for cheaper than face value. Even the Lakers. Every game. Does that set the market value?

 

[Chuck Taylor]

I understand your frusteration, but as MAS Rip City said, other teams do the same thing. What do you expect them to do? They have to be prepared if the team makes it out of the first round etc. They dont have time after each round to sell tix to everyone for the next round.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe they only make you pay for the entire playoffs if you haven't renewed your tickets. So if you have renewed your tickets, you pay per round. This gives a lot less credibility to the "they don't have enough time between rounds" argument.

 

[Tince]

Tickets on craigslist can ALWAYS be found for cheaper than face value. Even the Lakers. Every game. Does that set the market value?

I sold my season tickets to the Lakers game in January for 3 times face value, so whoever put theirs up for under face value was a total idiot.

 

[Tince]

This will be my 4th year as season ticket holder, and since I got in under a promotional rate, my season ticket costs have gone up 80%. My first reaction is to be pissed, but then I realized that next year Paul Allen will be going over the luxury tax and all the ticket revenue we bring in will help the bottom line for the Blazers. I know he is a billionaire, but I also know he doesn't like to lose money hand over fist. I like to think I contributed in the purchase of the Suns draft picks we've bought over the past few years. I know it isn't really true, but it helps me sleep easier at night.

On my renewal plan, it gives me the option to "Pay as they play." so that is what I'm doing...

 

[repda503]

I am a first time season ticket holder this year. To me March 16th seemed very early as well. I've heard that last years ticket renewals had some kind of event where you went to the RG and picked your seats for the next year? Is there something like this or was that just a rumor? Hows the priority system work?

 

[Tince]

I am a first time season ticket holder this year. To me March 16th seemed very early as well. I've heard that last years ticket renewals had some kind of event where you went to the RG and picked your seats for the next year? Is there something like this or was that just a rumor? Hows the priority system work?

In May they open up the Rose garden to season ticket holders and allow them to choose their seats if they want to move from the previous location. For me, this will be a no-brainer because my ticket range has expanded to sections closer to center court, so I'll be moving for sure.

You get a discount (1% per year) for each year you've been a season ticket holder, up to 20 years. So if you have been a season ticket holder since 1989, then you will get your season tickets for 20% less than someone like yourself who is signing up for the first time. It's a great idea to reward the long term Blazer season ticket holders.

 

[repda503]

Oh ok so once you commit for next years season tickets by March 16th, then after the season ends they open up the RG to those who have committed. Im assuming the people who hold onto their previous locations are seats you wont be able to choose. Generally is there still a lot of open sections closer to center court for this event in May?

Thanks a lot for the info Tince!

 

[Tince]

Oh ok so once you commit for next years season tickets by March 16th, then after the season ends they open up the RG to those who have committed. Im assuming the people who hold onto their previous locations are seats you wont be able to choose. Generally is there still a lot of open sections closer to center court for this event in May?

Thanks a lot for the info Tince!

For my first year, they just assigned me the best seat available, but then again, it was after the open house. I believe the open house takes place over a few days, and you're assigned a time based on how long you've been a season ticket holder. My guess is you'll get the last slot, and then be able to select yours seats from there. My experience last year was that there were open seats in every section, but the closer to center court you go, the higher up you'll end up. It's personal preference from there.

 

[repda503]

Interesting. I was getting curious about the process as this renewal deadline neared. thanks

 

[THE HCP]

Damn you Supply and Demand!

 

[RW#30]

Unless I misread my packet you pay round by round. You need to provide a credit card# and they charge after each round. Like others stated you get a sweet 20% discount and a prepayment discount if you pay in full. Not a horrible deal. I agree with the March 16th date..way to early. On the other hand Paul wants your tax refund before you spend it. BTW-your first round cost the same as regular season, the second roud goes up by 5% the finals would be about double $.

 

[mgb]

I think it is a bit of a strong arm tactic to make you pay for all 16 possible playoff games if you don't renewal your season tickets. I could see the first round, that's probably the only round we'd play at home if we do, but to make you pay for all of them as if we'll have home court all the way through the finals is a bit much. Especially this early when we don't even know if we'll make the playoffs. There is no reason for the Blazers to make you pay for every playoff game except to try and force you to renew. Don't get me wrong, I plan on renewing, but I can completely understand people complaining. It's bs.

 

[mgb]

Unless I misread my packet you pay round by round. You need to provide a credit card# and they charge after each round. Like others stated you get a sweet 20% discount and a prepayment discount if you pay in full. Not a horrible deal. I agree with the March 16th date..way to early. On the other hand Pal wants your tax refund before you spend it. BTW-your first round cost the same as regular season, the second roud goes up by 5% the finals would be about double $.

That's true if you renew your season package, but if not you have to pay for all possible 16 games up front one lump sum.

 

[jwhoops11]

Damn you Supply and Demand!

I'm down with supply and demand, I understand being fiscally responsible to your product. What I'm not down with is the amount of the increase. I'm one of the (un)lucky season ticket holders in a promotional section. That 6.7% increase is closer to 40% for me. I'm not complaining about an increase, but there needs to be a happier medium from 6.7% to 40%. I'll pay about $1,500 more next season for my two seats than I did this season. I'd have been much more understanding if they broke that increase over the next couple of seasons than all at once.

 

[BlazerBeliever]

I'm down with supply and demand, I understand being fiscally responsible to your product. What I'm not down with is the amount of the increase. I'm one of the (un)lucky season ticket holders in a promotional section. That 6.7% increase is closer to 40% for me. I'm not complaining about an increase, but there needs to be a happier medium from 6.7% to 40%. I'll pay about $1,500 more next season for my two seats than I did this season. I'd have been much more understanding if they broke that increase over the next couple of seasons than all at once.

Did you think your seats were going to be a promotional price every year. Come On. I am in my second season (5th overall) sitting in section 211. My price went up 4 dollars a ticket. Two years ago when I went to the select a seat I looked at the promotional seats in section 209. Yes, I love the savings I would get. However I was more interested in sitting in a better section KNOWING those tickets were not going to be that cheap for very long.
As for the playoffs this year, I feel it is wrong to make anyone commit to next season in order to get playoff tickets for this season. Next season has nothing to do with this year! If you have season tickets for this season then you should automatically be eligible for playoff tickets this year.

 

[jwhoops11]

Did you think your seats were going to be a promotional price every year. Come On. I am in my second season (5th overall) sitting in section 211. My price went up 4 dollars a ticket. Two years ago when I went to the select a seat I looked at the promotional seats in section 209. Yes, I love the savings I would get. However I was more interested in sitting in a better section KNOWING those tickets were not going to be that cheap for very long.
As for the playoffs this year, I feel it is wrong to make anyone commit to next season in order to get playoff tickets for this season. Next season has nothing to do with this year! If you have season tickets for this season then you should automatically be eligible for playoff tickets this year.

Nope, I'm actually pretty smart, hence the reason I said in my post I'm not complaining about the increase in price.Trust me, I get it from the Blazers point of view. What I am upset about is a 40% percent increase in one year. When your promotional pricing ended did your seat price go up 40%? Break it down 20 and 20 over the next few seasons, I'm down with the program. To me, this high of increase will be a tough sell to a section of fans that were sold tickets on the premise that the Blazers wanted "Blazer maniacs" back in the Garden. Now that they have them, what are they saying. They'd like the older, grumpier, can't stand up and cheer crowd (but with more money) that they had 4 years ago?

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm a BlazerManiac too...just on the other side (225)

 

[jwhoops11]

I'm also in 225, hopefully you aren't one of the annoying fans that sit in front of me

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm pretty annoying. I raise my hands every time a Blazer shoots a three, and I stand a lot.

That said, I haven't made it to many games this year, so it might be my fault if some d-bag bought my tickets. Sorry about that. I'll be there for the Fri/Sun doubleheader next week.

 

[jwhoops11]

Glad you aren't the fellows that make beer runs all night in row D. I swear, they leave before the end of each quarter, and never return together. It really is a study in how often you can make the whole row stand up during a game before they want to kill you. Generally patience wears thin just after halftime!