Season Ticket Holder Issue - What would you do?

[RedRob]

After the years of constant bad mouthing from opposing team fans I was quite excited to step into our new stadium knowing that the season tickets were sold out. The thought of having fellow Card supporters around us to help cheer on OUR team was pretty cool.

Mind you I've made a point to purchase season tickets on the HOME team side of the field. We're 30 rows up, right behind the Cardinal bench.

Unfortunately my worst nightmares were realized as some a-hole bought almost an entire row of seats directly behind our seats and yes he sells them every single game. Well that's not exactly true, he personally used them at the KC game...to cheer on KC. Of course these tickets ALWAYS go to opposing fans as I'm assuming he sells them over the internet.

How do I know the guy's from KC? I somewhat determined that from the yelling that took place between he and others around me. But I got proof positive when a Cardinal employee came down to talk to two fans sitting right behind my wife and I; the employee and the couple were obviously friends from the past. I overheard him tell the out of towners that he checked on the season ticket holder and the guy was from KC. The people he was speaking to by the way were Seahawk fans (by far the most respectful but then we put a whipping on Seattle so what could they say?)

I've thought about writing a letter to the Cardinals asking them to do something about this. Would it matter; would they care?

What would you do?

 

[Lloydian]

I hear you. The four seats to my left were regularly filled with out of town fans for the same reason. That said, I console myself by knowing that the vast majority of people in the stadium are still wearing red, and no matter what, our visitors are spending premium money for those seats.

In the thread concerning the waiting list growing by 400 after the Whisenhunt hiring, someone posted that the stadium will remain sold out for the foreseeable future. That may be true, but if the team does not improve, how many Saints or Ravens fans are really going to plunk down good money to fly to Phoenix and attend the game when they could plunk down the same money to fly to a game in Seattle instead?

Let the scalpers take those risks and keep the games on TV. It's better than a weekly shot of the empty stands that we used to get.

 

[Scott MS]

We live in a free country where people are entitled to speak their mind. You're wasting your energy here.

If the Cards were to revoke their tickets, that would be discrimination. There is no requirement to cheer for the Cardinals when you buy tickets.

There is one thing the Cards can do to help your problem . . . WIN.

 

[40yearfan]

After the years of constant bad mouthing from opposing team fans I was quite excited to step into our new stadium knowing that the season tickets were sold out. The thought of having fellow Card supporters around us to help cheer on OUR team was pretty cool.

Mind you I've made a point to purchase season tickets on the HOME team side of the field. We're 30 rows up, right behind the Cardinal bench.

Unfortunately my worst nightmares were realized as some a-hole bought almost an entire row of seats directly behind our seats and yes he sells them every single game. Well that's not exactly true, he personally used them at the KC game...to cheer on KC. Of course these tickets ALWAYS go to opposing fans as I'm assuming he sells them over the internet.

How do I know the guy's from KC? I somewhat determined that from the yelling that took place between he and others around me. But I got proof positive when a Cardinal employee came down to talk to two fans sitting right behind my wife and I; the employee and the couple were obviously friends from the past. I overheard him tell the out of towners that he checked on the season ticket holder and the guy was from KC. The people he was speaking to by the way were Seahawk fans (by far the most respectful but then we put a whipping on Seattle so what could they say?)

I've thought about writing a letter to the Cardinals asking them to do something about this. Would it matter; would they care?

What would you do?

RedRob, when it comes time for ticket renewal, ask if you can change you seating assignment. If it's possible, it would solve your problem.

 

[Team G]

We live in a free country where people are entitled to speak their mind. You're wasting your energy here.

If the Cards were to revoke their tickets, that would be discrimination. There is no requirement to cheer for the Cardinals when you buy tickets.

There is one thing the Cards can do to help your problem . . . WIN.

You're absolutely right! These fans only come to the game because they expect a victory and a party in our house! If the Cards start winning consistently, there will be less opposing team's fans in the future. Build a winning tradition and there is no reason that AZ can't be like Philly or NY where opposing teams fans are not tolerated.

 

[Mulli]

You should turn around and fight the guy.

 

[Lloydian]

You're absolutely right! These fans only come to the game because they expect a victory and a party in our house! If the Cards start winning consistently, there will be less opposing team's fans in the future. Build a winning tradition and there is no reason that AZ can't be like Philly or NY where opposing teams fans are not tolerated.

I agree that wins would make the games sweeter, but on the expectation that winning would weed these people out, you're exactly wrong. The people who own these seats don't really care about the games so much as their potential to be money making propositions. As such, success on the Cardinals part would only enhance the value of those seats to visitors who would then care more about the game.

Think about it. Next year the Cards will have road games against Washington and Baltimore. It's the same flight but two different teams. Which game would you rather have tickets to?

 

[Pariah]

Have you ever gone to an away game? I have. I bought tickets on eBay.

I'd be pissed if someone tried telling me I didn't have the right to buy them, attend the game or cheer for my team.

 

[football karma]

If the conduct of the fans is contrary to the stadium rules --I would send a letter

If people behind you are out of control drunk, loud swearing, overall bad behavior -- you should point that out

 

[Redheart]

Simple. Invite KOC over to sit for a while...he will clear them out.

 

[Mulli]

Simple. Invite KOC over to sit for a while...he will clear them out.

 

[40yearfan]

Simple. Invite KOC over to sit for a while...he will clear them out.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Have you ever gone to an away game? I have. I bought tickets on eBay.

I'd be pissed if someone tried telling me I didn't have the right to buy them, attend the game or cheer for my team.

agreed - some people aren't aware how fortunate they are to see their team in person 10 times a year or make a short drive up to camp

i've been to games around the country and phoenix has a unique situation - it's a desirable place to be in the winter, with tons of transplants and readily available tickets

you don't want to be like eagles or jets fans (giants fans are actually really good)

probably the worst fans I've been around though, are SD when they are winning

the cards have a good loyal base, they just need to build it - you do that by putting on a winning product, not by acting like a bunch of pricks

 

[Wild Card]

I hear you. The four seats to my left were regularly filled with out of town fans for the same reason. That said, I console myself by knowing that the vast majority of people in the stadium are still wearing red, and no matter what, our visitors are spending premium money for those seats.

Lloydian:

That, and those traveling to see their team are presumably paying taxes on their hotel rooms and rental cars to help fund our shiny new stadium. So let's cut the out-of-towners some slack.

Of course, if they're AZ residents cheering for the opposing team, all bets are off. Pour a beer on 'em, if it'll make you feel better.

WC

 

[Matt L]

I have a question:

I have season tickets in the 400 level and I want to upgrade to either the endzone in the lower level or the corner. Will we be able to upgrade or do we have to stay in the seats we have because of the waiting list?

 

[Scott MS]

I have a question:

I have season tickets in the 400 level and I want to upgrade to either the endzone in the lower level or the corner. Will we be able to upgrade or do we have to stay in the seats we have because of the waiting list?

There will be an upgrade form included with the ticket renewal package.

Since most of the seats were sold last season, I would figure that somebody would have to choose not to renew their seats (or fail to pay their deposit) for some seats to open up. You would then have to request an upgrade and they would have to select your upgrade request over hundreds of others.

It's not impossible, so give it a try.

 

[Matt L]

If I request an upgrade, will I lose my existing tickets? Another question I have is: What if I want to add more season tickets? would this be possible?

When do these forms come out?

 

[Scott MS]

If I request an upgrade, will I lose my existing tickets? Another question I have is: What if I want to add more season tickets? would this be possible?

When do these forms come out?

Forms come with the renewal, which will happen at the start of February. You request an upgrade. If the upgrade is not honored, you remain in your old seats. I have filled the form out every year and got upgrades 3 out of 7 times.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

do you have a choice to turn down the upgrade?!

 

[earthsci]

I have a question:

I have season tickets in the 400 level and I want to upgrade to either the endzone in the lower level or the corner. Will we be able to upgrade or do we have to stay in the seats we have because of the waiting list?

I just got off of the phone with one of the ticket sales people. He said that when your renewal packet comes there will be a place to indicate that you want to upgrade your seats. The Cards will contact you. People with seats have priority over those on the waiting list. Now, if you want to add seats, you have to go on the waiting list.

 

[CardLogic]

Forms come with the renewal, which will happen at the start of February. You request an upgrade. If the upgrade is not honored, you remain in your old seats. I have filled the form out every year and got upgrades 3 out of 7 times.

Define upgrade.
Does it strictly mean an increase in seat category? I wish to improve/change my seat location within the same price category. Is that considered an upgrade? Will current STH's get an opportunity to move into "better" seats which are not renewed or will they be sold to new ticket buyers?

 

[JeffGollin]

Eat lots of beans, and stand up a lot.

 

[devilfan02]

Anyone know when 2007 season tix go up for sale?

 

[Duckjake]

That may be true, but if the team does not improve, how many Saints or Ravens fans are really going to plunk down good money to fly to Phoenix and attend the game when they could plunk down the same money to fly to a game in Seattle instead?

As said earlier it will be the exact opposite. Fans will more likely come to Phoenix because of the better climate in November and December and better chance they will win.

My question is how did these people get these supposedly prime seats that were sold based on a season ticket holder priority system. Did the guy from KC have seats for years in SDS?

I've questioned that since the selection process started and it seemed like more seats were sold a short time into the appointments than there were season ticket holders in 2003 when only 17,500 season tickets were sold.

You see visiting fans in every NFL stadium. You just don't see them in the tens of thousands like you do in Arizona.

A letter to the Cardinals won't do any good. They were at one time actually advertising tickets in the visitors cities.

Having obnoxious opposing fans at SDS was one thing. Having them at the Frat House is another. The Dallas game was a disgrace for the franchise and the state of Arizona.

I go to the games to watch football. If I want to get drunk and fight there's a bar a lot closer to the hospital I can go to.

 

[BigRedRage]

I wanted to split my 3 seats up as I did not know we would only get one parking pass and they said I can only give seats to a family member, not the friend who paid for them, kinda stupid that because I didnt make 3 seperate payments for my deposit I cant have a second parking pass and my friends cant have theyr names on all theyr tickets and stuff and all the mail you get from the cardinals. If that will be the case you should tell me when i reserve 7 seats that that will happen.