Season Ticket Holder Discussion Thread: Pt 4

[Section337]

That was a loooong time ago, under the Pocklington regime IIRC.

Actually, my first year was 1999-2000 and was able to buy a complete set of 2 extra tickets in the first year of playoffs. Think the option was available the 2nd year but didn't take it. Can't remember if it was available in the next set of playoffs, don't think it was, but definitely not available in 2006. Last playoffs they had the lottery for tickets, won an option for one game in the 2nd round.

2o years, 5 playoffs = Eeek! Quality < bank account

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Back on topic I just received a STH invite for an Oilers Hot Stove June 13 with Ken Holland and Dave Tippett.

They are taking write in questions to which I’ve already submitted one and am looking forward to attending!

 

[YEGman]

^ I got it, too. Won't bother to attend as I have been to several in the past and don't need any more puffery.

 

[guymez]

Back on topic I just received a STH invite for an Oilers Hot Stove June 13 with Ken Holland and Dave Tippett.

They are taking write in questions to which I’ve already submitted one and am looking forward to attending!

Can you bring a guest?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Can you bring a guest?

Yes I am down for 2 tickets, want to come?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

^ I got it, too. Won't bother to attend as I have been to several in the past and don't need any more puffery.

I am usually away for these things especially this time of year and haven’t been to any in years other than 1.

I am surprised your not interested in hearing from Tippett and Holland but I guess if you’ve been to a lot of them it may feel like more of the same.

 

[guymez]

Yes I am down for 2 tickets, want to come?

Hell yes!

I'm there! Thanks man!

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Hell yes!

I'm there! Thanks man!

Awesome! See you then!

 

[Jamin]

I was not implying it in any way, shape or form, the poster fabricated the story and was exactly why I did not reply to him directly. I had several businesses in retail and I know for a fact (video and telephone recordings viewed when customers complained of a rude CSR) that some customers often become agitated, rude, ignorant and abusive when they do not get what they want despite the absolute best training and patience by the customer service rep, then call or write or worse, post a false online review of a rude CSR when the customer was rude and often abusive.

I too know several people in the department that works with customers at OEG, and they have always been respectful and pleasant to deal with in every circumstance and with every query and are nice people away from the job as well as on the job.

People who deal with people inappropriately do not last in customer service jobs.

As someone who used to manage in a few different retail locations a few years ago I agree. Its amazing how nice they are when they come in, you tell them they cant return the product without a receipt (that has clearly been worn outside and has stains on it). And they loose their minds and start screaming at some poor teen in their first job. The amount of young girls who would cry in the backroom afterwards was brutal, the boys could handle it better but you could still tell they were upset and needed to be consoled.

The customer service veterans can handle it, just stand there getting abused without making a face or changing their tone. And you know they are veterans so its always funny getting a complaint. Like you I found looking at the security footage usually showed a customer being a terrible human being because they didn't get their way. Often times other customers will be like this employee did nothing wrong this chick is clearly just having a bad day/crazy and you don't even need the cameras.

I always say everyone should have to work 1-2 weeks of retail/service industry a year, doesn't matter the position. If your the CEO making 50k a week you still make your 50k, just for that week your working full time retail. I think it would change how a lot of people treat minimum wage workers. Sure its not skilled labor but that doesn't mean its easy.

/rant lol

 

[Daryls Friend]

Id be curious by those in the know as to how the 15% increase in the food and bevy has gone over with the STH, while providing the shiny distracting object of the 15% card. Anybody here in the call center able to provide any insight as to whether this even registers with the average STH ?

 

[Drivesaitl]

As someone who used to manage in a few different retail locations a few years ago I agree. Its amazing how nice they are when they come in, you tell them they cant return the product without a receipt (that has clearly been worn outside and has stains on it). And they loose their minds and start screaming at some poor teen in their first job. The amount of young girls who would cry in the backroom afterwards was brutal, the boys could handle it better but you could still tell they were upset and needed to be consoled.

The customer service veterans can handle it, just stand there getting abused without making a face or changing their tone. And you know they are veterans so its always funny getting a complaint. Like you I found looking at the security footage usually showed a customer being a terrible human being because they didn't get their way. Often times other customers will be like this employee did nothing wrong this chick is clearly just having a bad day/crazy and you don't even need the cameras.

I always say everyone should have to work 1-2 weeks of retail/service industry a year, doesn't matter the position. If your the CEO making 50k a week you still make your 50k, just for that week your working full time retail. I think it would change how a lot of people treat minimum wage workers. Sure its not skilled labor but that doesn't mean its easy.

/rant lol

But as I stated before Customer service of the worst companies with the worst products or performance get the worst response from customers, expectedly, because the customers are ripped, and pissed off. I don't justify the behavior, never would, and its rarely directed where it should be. The horses asses are people like Lowe and Nicholson that should be kicked to the curb. The frontline are the customer service agents.
They get all the brunt.

Can't help mention, again, that in these STH threads from year to year there have been common comments here from STH about giving the Oilers a "piece of their mind" and letting rip on the poor customer service agents. Which is only poor form venting and serves no real purpose. We're now commenting, on the board, about the same behaviors that were sadly being reinforced on this same board..

As far as working service making people more courteous to other service workers sometimes its the opposite and with those that are service workers jerking other service workers when they get the chance. A form of passing the buck or learned venting and shoe dropping that never stops.

That said, the customer service agents we encountered at the Ice District presentation center (we went a few times just out of interest) were not too polite, courteous, they were a bit stand offish, more interested in interacting with each other than the customers. I detected a bit of the avarice so characteristic of the whole org. As in don't waste our time, we're making social plans for the evening.
I'll make a point in this as well that in present day customer service is often different to older customers than it is to younger hip customers. The disparity of welcome so pronounced its impossible not to notice, but this not at all isolated to the Oilers. Some ageism is often sensed in these interactions. Young customer service agents can be susceptible to speaking to older customers like they would their parents, not in a good way. Its mostly unconscious I think.

We see it here too. This post will set off 5 meme responses of old man yelling at clouds...

 

[CanmoreMike]

But as I stated before Customer service of the worst companies with the worst products or performance get the worst response from customers, expectedly, because the customers are ripped, and pissed off. I don't justify the behavior, never would, and its rarely directed where it should be. The horses asses are people like Lowe and Nicholson that should be kicked to the curb. The frontline are the customer service agents.
They get all the brunt.

Can't help mention, again, that in these STH threads from year to year there have been common comments here from STH about giving the Oilers a "piece of their mind" and letting rip on the poor customer service agents. Which is only poor form venting and serves no real purpose. We're now commenting, on the board, about the same behaviors that were sadly being reinforced on this same board..

As far as working service making people more courteous to other service workers sometimes its the opposite and with those that are service workers jerking other service workers when they get the chance. A form of passing the buck or learned venting and shoe dropping that never stops.

That said, the customer service agents we encountered at the Ice District presentation center (we went a few times just out of interest) were not too polite, courteous, they were a bit stand offish, more interested in interacting with each other than the customers. I detected a bit of the avarice so characteristic of the whole org. As in don't waste our time, we're making social plans for the evening.
I'll make a point in this as well that in present day customer service is often different to older customers than it is to younger hip customers. The disparity of welcome so pronounced its impossible not to notice, but this not at all isolated to the Oilers. Some ageism is often sensed in these interactions. Young customer service agents can be susceptible to speaking to older customers like they would their parents, not in a good way. Its mostly unconscious I think.

We see it here too. This post will set off 5 meme responses of old man yelling at clouds...

The bolded part is so true.

I've witnessed my wife deal with difficult customers when she worked as a hotel front desk clerk. She could be yelled at and belittled and she didn't lose her cool and would work to solve the problem for the customer.

Me? In my retail experience this was my worst nightmare. One reason I'd rather work behind the scenes or on night shifts than risk dealing with these people.

Now as customers...

I feel I am very polite and co-operative. I go out of my way to be nice, or as a friend commented once, I wasn't someone who made a server feel like they "were my servant."

My wife on the other hand...well, I'll leave it at just saying she wants to get what she feels she deserves.

 

[CanmoreMike]

Id be curious by those in the know as to how the 15% increase in the food and bevy has gone over with the STH, while providing the shiny distracting object of the 15% card. Anybody here in the call center able to provide any insight as to whether this even registers with the average STH ?

What 15% food/beverage increase are you talking about? I understand they are bringing in a new menu and prices come out during pre-season games or late summer concerts. So what exactly is this price increase you keep talking about?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Id be curious by those in the know as to how the 15% increase in the food and bevy has gone over with the STH, while providing the shiny distracting object of the 15% card. Anybody here in the call center able to provide any insight as to whether this even registers with the average STH ?

I’ll be enjoying my 15% discount with my “shiny distracting object” card. Thanks so much for caring! Good to know there are stand up citizens like you watching out for us season ticket holders out there!

 

[Tobias Kahun]

I am usually away for these things especially this time of year and haven’t been to any in years other than 1.

I am surprised your not interested in hearing from Tippett and Holland but I guess if you’ve been to a lot of them it may feel like more of the same.

I'm interested in hearing how it goes.

Listening to Holland and Tippett is alot better than Chiarelli and McLellan.

edit. When did you change your avatar? I just noticed it. Hilarious.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I'm interested in hearing how it goes.

Listening to Holland and Tippett is alot better than Chiarelli and McLellan.

edit. When did you change your avatar? I just noticed it. Hilarious.

I will post something after it is over. @guymez is joining me so he could probably post something as well.

Changed my avatar right after the Flames lost to the Avs, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

 

[Section337]

My buddy and I met for lunch to decide if we should start a 3rd decade paying to get upset and sometimes be really happy. We pulled up the list of new offers but they held minimal selling power. I think momentum played a much bigger role.

 

[Section337]

My buddy and I met for lunch to decide if we should start a 3rd decade paying to get upset and sometimes be really happy. We pulled up the list of new offers but they held minimal selling power. I think momentum played a much bigger role.

 

[CanmoreMike]

I’ll be enjoying my 15% discount with my “shiny distracting object” card. Thanks so much for caring! Good to know there are stand up citizens like you watching out for us season ticket holders out there!

For those claiming that the Oilers will just raise food prices 15% - an increase of 15% next off-set by our 15% discount equals a 2% discount off last years prices.

Nothing to sneeze at - or brag about either - but the Oilers would have to have a lot of chutzpah to pull a stunt like that when reports suggest this is going to be a trying off-season with STH.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

For those claiming that the Oilers will just raise food prices 15% - an increase of 15% next off-set by our 15% discount equals a 2% discount off last years prices.

Nothing to sneeze at - or brag about either - but the Oilers would have to have a lot of chutzpah to pull a stunt like that when reports suggest this is going to be a trying off-season with STH.

I honestly could care less. Food and bev prices are what they are and are insane at every sporting venue in North America other than the Atlanta Falcons new football stadium.

I expect prices to rise each year because the last time I checked food, wages and overhead increases every year. Anyone expecting prices to drop or stay the same is kidding themselves.

If I get a 15% discount off whatever the current price is that is better than no discount. But in the end I go to watch a live hockey game. If I have a beer and hot dog I’ll have a beer and hot dog whatever the price is and gladly take the discount with my “shiny distracting object card” lol.

 

[CanmoreMike]

I honestly could care less. Food and bev prices are what they are and are insane at every sporting venue in North America other than the Atlanta Falcons new football stadium.

I expect prices to rise each year because the last time I checked food, wages and overhead increases every year. Anyone expecting prices to drop or stay the same is kidding themselves.

If I get a 15% discount off whatever the current price is that is better than no discount. But in the end I go to watch a live hockey game. If I have a beer and hot dog I’ll have a beer and hot dog whatever the price is and gladly take the discount with my “shiny distracting object card” lol.

I'm curious if they are actually pulling a profit from that price structure or whether they find they can charge more for seats by offering those discounts. Or squeeze people another way.

Either way - I think this model has some merit and, obviously, hope it catches on in more places.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I'm curious if they are actually pulling a profit from that price structure or whether they find they can charge more for seats by offering those discounts. Or squeeze people another way.

Either way - I think this model has some merit and, obviously, hope it catches on in more places.

Yeah I don’t know but apparently they sell far more in volume and the volume is so much that their profits on food and bev are greater than when they were in their old stadium charging insane sporting venue prices.

I don’t know if Montreal still does this but there was a section I sat in that the concessions were free, as part of your ticket price like what the Sportsnet Lounge is here. (Have you ever tried that section?)

I have no idea what the food and bev sales are at the Oilers games now but I wonder if sales volume would increase to the point where profits are higher if prices were considerably lower? I know we used to eat at the game either at Studio 99 or at the concession or rail service but now we typically hit somewhere enroute to the game. Cheaper and better food.

 

[CanmoreMike]

Yeah I don’t know but apparently they sell far more in volume and the volume is so much that their profits on food and bev are greater than when they were in their old stadium charging insane sporting venue prices.

I don’t know if Montreal still does this but there was a section I sat in that the concessions were free, as part of your ticket price like what the Sportsnet Lounge is here. (Have you ever tried that section?)

I have no idea what the food and bev sales are at the Oilers games now but I wonder if sales volume would increase to the point where profits are higher if prices were considerably lower? I know we used to eat at the game either at Studio 99 or at the concession or rail service but now we typically hit somewhere enroute to the game. Cheaper and better food.

I have not tried the Sportsnet Lounge but think we will this year if there are still some seats left for STH prices (I like that perk!) for a game we want.

Have tried Studio 99 at the season finale and was pleased with it. Won't go every game - but I think it is a fun add on for the night. I can see us going once or twice every year.

We also usually eat en route - albeit last year we probably ate about 4x at Vera's Burger Shack by the casino. I actually really enjoy it. I've gone there for lunch on days when I'm working nearby. But there are so many great eats downtown now I hope to eat elsewhere.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I have not tried the Sportsnet Lounge but think we will this year if there are still some seats left for STH prices (I like that perk!) for a game we want.

Have tried Studio 99 at the season finale and was pleased with it. Won't go every game - but I think it is a fun add on for the night. I can see us going once or twice every year.

We also usually eat en route - albeit last year we probably ate about 4x at Vera's Burger Shack by the casino. I actually really enjoy it. I've gone there for lunch on days when I'm working nearby. But there are so many great eats downtown now I hope to eat elsewhere.

I’ve done SN Lounge a couple of times, it’s not bad at all! Don’t like looking through the net but overall it’s ok!

 

[nhlfan79]

I'm curious if they are actually pulling a profit from that price structure or whether they find they can charge more for seats by offering those discounts. Or squeeze people another way.

Either way - I think this model has some merit and, obviously, hope it catches on in more places.

Yes, it's still a money-maker, and has a spillover effect into other aspects of the gameday experience. The lower prices mean more people are buying who otherwise wouldn't; those who are buying are buying more; people come into the stadium even earlier; and lower food prices mean people are buying more souvenirs and other merchandise. Win, win, win, win.

Falcons drop food prices, make more money