student ticket package

[Dale]

I have a question for someone who purchased student season tickets. What was the policy on first-round playoff tickets for students? Were the tickets for the first round included in the package price? If they were "optional", were you told that you would not be guaranteed your same seat unless you bought your tickets now?

The reason I ask is that I am a bit po'd that the renewable season ticket holders were extorted into buying playoff tickets in advance this year (as opposed to early purchase being truly optional last year). If we did not fork out up front, our tickets for the playoffs would be put on sale on a "first come, first serve" basis only - no coupons, no options to buy only two instead of three. Yes, we get a refund at the end of the season on any unused tickets, but I am still annoyed by the attitude we are getting from the ticket office. I guess even Cornell hockey is not immune from the big-business, screw the customers attitude we see in too many other places these days. Pretty sad if you ask me.

[ugarte]

Could be worse.  You could be a season ticket holder for the Jets.  (Yes, I know, the public outcry made them change the policy, but still . . . pretty shady.)

[JasonR]

The students didn't have to buy the playoff tickets in advance.  We got a coupon for playoff tickets, just like last year.

[nyc94]

I fail to see how you are getting "screwed" or "extorted".  If you don't want or can't use the tickets then you'll have no trouble selling them to a student that was shut out of tickets - probably at a profit if you choose.  If Cornell plays fewer home playoff games than the number of tickets you were "forced" to buy you will get a refund.  All you are missing out of is about six months of interest on the price of a few tickets, which at these record low interest rates doesn't amount to a much.

[David Harding \'72]

[q]Could be worse. You could be a season ticket holder for the Jets.[/q]

How about the Cubs?  I'm told that season ticket holders had a chance to buy playoff tickets, but if the Cubs don't make it into the playoffs, they'll apply to price of the playoff tickets to your next year's season tickets.

[Dale]

With an added game to the home schedule, season tickets are expensive enough. It is hard enough for some people as it is to pay the price of a season's ticket, let alone having to add playoff tickets to the package as well. We are being extorted because the choice of not buying the tickets in advance means getting in line and waiting with everyone else for playoff tickets with no hold or guarantee on the seats you have had all season. No coupons. This "buy now or else" attitude is what bothers me. Why not continue the system they had last year where those who wanted to buy tickets in advance could, those who didn't could wait and use their coupons and get the seats they had all season.

It's not about the interest earned, it's about the total amount of money needed up front - it's a lot! Perhaps some people don't care if the Lynah Faithful become the Lynah Rich and Faithful - I do. Add to this the new policy about everyone needing a ticket (i.e. no babes in arms) and a Cornell hockey game for a family (despite Coach Schafer's pleas to make Lynah a "more family friendly atmosphere") is fast becoming an elite evening out. BTW, playoff tickets have traditionally been readily available right up until the last second, even last season, so they are not an automatic sellout as many people believe.

[Keith K \'93]

[Q]BTW, playoff tickets have traditionally been readily available right up until the last second, even last season, so they are not an automatic sellout as many people believe.[\\Q]
All the more reason for Cornell to try to sell them with the season tickets.  They are guaranteeing a lot of ticket sales at a time when the hockey buzz is highest.  I'm not saying I expect this, but if we were to struggle and finish 7th they might have a harder time selling out a playoff series.  There have been playoff games that haven't sold out.

That said, I agree that it's not a very fan friendly policy.

[rhovorka]

Keith K '93 wrote:

That said, I agree that it's not a very fan friendly policy.

Gee, that phrase, "not fan friendly" comes up a lot with the current Athletics administration.  Hmmmmm.  Well, at least they got that Wrestling Center built.  :-(

[nyc94]

I agree with what you're saying until you use words like extortion.  Extortion is what Ithaca used to (still does?) do to Cornell by denying construction permits unless they upped the annual "donation" to the city, claiming they had the right to because the University had a shortage of parking.

[Dale]

Bill '94 says:

I agree with what you're saying until you use words like extortion.

Okay, maybe extortion is a bit strong, but I really take exception to being threatened by people who want my money. I realize that my 20 years as a fan are no record as far as Lynah is concerned, but I think it ought to at least have earned me, and the many others like me, a little more respect - especially since we were there even when the team wasn't doing so well.