The Mets Police

During the week we had several ticket office anecdotes, this is the compilation post for those:

Media Goon wants to upgrade his location and says that the mets are making him wait until Wednesday.

Ed weighed in with some more information about how the process works and it almost makes sense, almost.

David is finding similar experiences to Goon.

JMP suggests Stubhub may have a better interface for consumers than the official Mets site.

I think the Mets should restore 7 game packs.   15 game plans are a problem to me.

15 game plans and pricing.


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Do/did the Mets think their tickets are underpriced?

As always I remind everyone that this ain't 60 Minutes but so far even the Mets have agreed with us on the previous anecdotes.  Scott wrote me the following, and I have no reason not to believe him.  I have deleted the employee's name and Scott's seat location.  Scott sent this before lunch yesterday (Bay day, so I held onto it).

I just got a call back from (employee) at the Mets ticket office after the deadline (I guess they didn't sell my seats in 52x row XX yet). Though I appreciate her call and effort, when I told her that the tickets were extremely overpriced last year, she actually told me that management felt they were UNDER priced and could have been higher after doing their market research, which is why we didn't see a truly significant drop this year.  They dropped the seats they determined were overpriced.  My response... well I know they're going to have a hard time selling the tickets this year, so obviously they were overpriced, so I'm not about to debate that with you, but I do appreciate the call.  

Scott added in a second email that the rep asked if there was anything to be done to keep his business, but no offers were made.

Interesting stuff.

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Taking a closer look at Dan's article about ticket plans...

The Weekday plan.  No thanks.  15 games, 4 in April, 3 in September.

The big carrot in that plan is Opening Day which right now is $138 on Stubhub.  That's a lot, but instead of playing $143 for the other 14 games you could break that $143 ($281-$138) and use it on games you actually want (say ten $11 games or one titanium game).   I made the "I have to go to opening day" mistake last year and bought a 15 game plan.  Thank heavens I sold my extra ticket to the opener  for a $250+ profit which took the sting out of one of the seats.    Oh, why didn't I bring Junior you ask?  Because we opened our new stadium with a night game because the Padres are whinier than this blog.

As for the Friday-Plus etc plans...I like that they renamed the plans.  Last year I killed them for having "Saturday" plans that included Wednesday.  This year it's the same but at least they threw the word plus in there.

Note that the "Almost Every Saturday But Not These Plan" does not include the game on June 26th against Minny.  Maybe they don't want you to see the Twins new uniforms.  You instead get to see Detroit on Thursday night.

The promotions haven't been announced yet, how much you wanna bet that June 26th is a good giveaway day.  It would be a nice day for an Old-Timer's Day by the way.

You also don't get August 14th against Philly because that's a rivalry game and they can sell that out without rewarding you the loyal customer who paid for 15 games.  You can buy a 16th game if you want to see the Phillies.  Instead enjoy the game on 8/11 against the Rockies.  On Wednesday night.

9/18 vs Atlanta?  Nope you don't get that one either.  Right now I'll guess that buy September 18th 2010 you won't be looking to go to a game anyway.  They may be doing you a favor.  However enjoy that 9/15 Wednesday night against the Pirates.

I imagine the Friday/Sunday/Weekend plus plans have similar annoyances.  I'm too lazy to go through.  I was a Saturday guy.   This year I'm out.  I'll spend my $138 on Stubhub and pocket that other $454 and use it on desperate sellers on Stubhub.

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Here are your 2010 ticket prices.  I've done my best to screengrab, but it's probably easier if you visit the official Mets site...but before you leave, keep reading.  Click on any of the graphics in this post and they will be readable size.








I haven't had a chance to go through it yet...I had Promenade Reserved and see no changes.

There's also a letter that went out to season ticket holders which I haven't had the chance to grab the text from yet - but:

Payment is due by December 4th.

Underlined in bold it says "Accounts that have not made any payment as described will be cancelled after December 4."

There is an option to make a partial payment on the 4th, and then two additional payments.









If you squint you'll be able to see which games are Titanium, which are tin, or whatever the heck the color scheme is.  (Please stop.)

The only Platinum games are opening day and the Yankees series.  Some of the Gold choices seem odd - are you psyched to see the Astros on August 27th?



I'll dig through this a little more when I have time.  In the meanwhile...discuss!   Thanks to Peter for the hookup.
This next section lists some of the benefits which includes "ticket resale through Stubhub", your own personal ticket rep and "savings" on the McCartney DVD.  Really.

Dear Mets Season Ticket Holder: 

Thank you for your support during our inaugural season at Citi Field.

Everyone at the Mets - our Ownership, General Manager Omar Minaya, Manager Jerry Manuel, the coaches, players, front office and staff - shares your disappointment with the 2009 season. We are also determined to get the organization and the team to where you - and we - want to be: a championship caliber team in 2010.

You soon will hear from Ownership and Omar about how we plan to improve the ball club through a combination of player signings, trades, enhanced player development and continued commitment to one of the highest player payrolls in Major League Baseball.

We greatly appreciate your purchase of Mets Season Tickets - in this economy or any other. We are currently finalizing our ticket pricing for 2010. Season Ticket prices will be reduced by an average of more than 10 percent, with several seating areas being adjusted by more than 20 percent. Every Season Ticket Holder invoice for 2010 will be less than 2009.

We will be in touch with you in the weeks ahead regarding additional details and benefits.

As a reminder, we have scheduled a Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day this Sunday, October 4 which will include an exclusive post-game Mr. Met Dash for you to run the bases at Citi Field.

Thank you again for your business in 2009. We hope to earn your continued support and look forward to seeing you at Citi Field in 2010.

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I still haven't gotten "the email" from the Mets.  Maybe I'm not getting the discount.  Do any of you guys have it?  I'd like to see the complete version.

Here are some quotes from David Howard.



"Every season-ticket holder will see a decrease in their invoice next season."

"The ballpark itself was a huge success, Unfortunately, the performance on the field was an extreme disappointment."

"The Mets are sensitive to the economic realities facing our fans and we have lowered our ticket prices in response to these challenging conditions."

"This move underscores our appreciation of our fans' ongoing loyalty and support. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and value to our customers at Citi Field in 2010."



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Yesterday's announcement that ticket prices for season ticket holders will be lower was a good start for the Mets, however it won't be enough to stave off decreased attendance in 2010.  Since this blog is here to help the Mets be as successful as possible in all matters, on-field and off, we offer David Howard the following suggestions, in order of difficulty.

1.  Make "Saturday Plan" games occur on Saturday only.
This season, David, you got greedy.  I bought a Saturday package because I wanted to go to games with my son....on Saturday.   You stuffed it with several weeknight games.   The price you will pay is that I will go from buying 30 games to probably none.   However, I think offering "Saturday plans" (or Sunday plans) that only include games on that day of the week is an easy honorable move.   If you can't do this, then don't insult us by calling it "Saturday", just call it "Plan C" or something.

2.  Cut the game packs down from 15 to 10.
Part of the Saturday plan shuffle was that you got me to buy more games than I actually wanted.  So I ate a bunch of weeknight games.   I'm not buying 30 or 15 games from you in 2010.  Others will be like me.

3.  Offer some 7-packs like the old days.
I know you thought you would sell out the park.  You didn't.  You won't next year either.  Sell some smaller packages.

4.  Don't be a jerk with the good games.
In the last few years of Shea you got all cute and bundled the Yankees series with games nobody wanted.  Don't do that.  It's jerky.  Sell the tickets to the Yankees series as an individual event.  Same with opening day and every other day.

5.  Stop with the Gold/Silver/Bronze nonsense.
Pick a price and charge that price.  I don't look at it as "wow it's only $11 to see the Nationals", I look at it like "wow they are really screwing us today" on the other days.

6.  Don't insult me with ticket fees.
It really frosted me when I wrote you a check for $1200 and you banged me with a $25 delivery charge.  I can almost understand you passing the FedEx charge along to me (by the way, shop around you can do better).   I can't understand the $40 "processing fee."  Was that to pay the human to put my tickets in the envelope?  Do they do that at a rate of one every two hours or does the ticket office pay really really well?  Can I have a job?

Now some suggestions that might be harder for you but I'd like you to think long and hard about these.  You have a fanbase ready to depose the king...it's time for bread and circuses.

7.  Make the 10 game packages really attractive.
You know the games people want to go to.   You call them "gold" maybe even platiumn (I can't keep track).  You want to keep the season ticket holder base...then offer a package that includes Opening Day, one Yankee game and choice of 7 weekend games.   You're not going to sellout in 2010, don't sweat filling the place on the big days.  I forget, how many sellouts were there in 2009 again?

8.  Move us down for 2010.   
You and I both know that you're going to lose people.   I paid $600 or whatever it was to sit in left field 500's.  Let me sit closer to home plate at that rate for 2010.   Let the guys who were there move down to the 400's, and so-on.   My friend Mr. Sunshine the Yankees Fan complained about his Yankee seats twice and twice got moved.   The Yankees don't and won't have the attendance problems you do.   Do right by those who were with you in 2009.

9.  Give all the season ticket holders a custom Majestic replica jersey.
I'm serious.   This season I was able to buy a majestic jersey from mlb.com for $75.  With my very own name on it.   One of the biggest complaints about Citi is that it does not feel like the home of the Mets.   Outfit everyone in Mets jerseys and encourage them to wear them.  Make this part of our Mets culture.   Pack the park with fans in Mets jerseys.   Think long term.  I don't know how many plan holders you had in 2009, but multiply that number by $75 (you probably can get jerseys wholesale, right?).   It may be a six digit number, but think of the $25 per game we're going to spend on tacos.  Oh and the $18 parking.   That $43 per game will get you your $75 back rather quickly.  

Thanks for listening David.   I'll be here all winter to help, I'm not going anywhere.  You know how to reach me.

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This came in as a response to another article..I thought it was well worth sharing.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Readers Thoughts About 2010 New York Mets Season T...":

I, too, am a Excelsior Silver 1st row ticket holder. What a scam...I was much closer in section 3 Loge reserved then I am now! Also...please..I emplore all of you to look at other teams season ticket prices. There needs to be a blog about other team ticket prices on this site!! My seats in the World Champion Philles stadium would be $60 or less. They give so many perks...I got NOTHING!!! Most stadiums charge only $30-50 dollars for field level close to the dugout. What was I thinking when I got these seats. So Mets...I am out!! I am done!!! I have been a season ticket holder for 20 years...but I am officially finished unless prices are cut at least in half!! Do you hear us Mets!! Enough of the rip off prices. You want an empty stadium...keep the prices where they are!! I lost so much money this year that I could've bought a new large screen TV and watch the games in HD!!! My only concern is that they will try to give season ticket holders a "discount" if we renew...but it wont be enough. I hope everyone sends a letter to Mets VP David Howard and let your voices be heard. It is time for a change!! 

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Take a look at this: Florida Marlins at New York Mets Tickets September 9 2009
These (below) were the prices on Stubhub at about 10pm Thursday night.

Promenade Reserved 502 [ Section view ]	5	2	$1.90 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 526 [ Section view ]	10	Up to 5	$1.90 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved Infield 505 [ Section view ]	7 - Aisle Seats	Up to 4	$1.95 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 527 [ Section view ]	4	4	$1.99 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 531 [ Section view ]	13	2	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 504 [ Section view ]	9	2	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved Infield 523 [ Section view ]	5	2	$2.00 each auction	View Details
Promenade Reserved 503 [ Section view ]	11	2	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved Infield 505 [ Section view ]	12	2	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 525 [ Section view ]	15	Up to 3	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 526 [ Section view ]	4	4	$2.00 each auction	View Details
Promenade Reserved 504 [ Section view ]	12	Up to 4	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved Infield 523 [ Section view ]	10	Up to 4	$2.00 each	View Details
Promenade Reserved 504 [ Section view ]	9	Up to 4	$2.00 each	View De

Thursday the 10th (which is part of the SATURDAY PLAN) is just as bad:
Florida Marlins at New York Mets Tickets September 10 2009

If you'd like to go this weekend you can do quite well for both Saturday and then for Sunday's Bobblehead giveaway.
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets Tickets September 5 2009
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets Tickets September 6 2009

Personally, I can't even give my seats away.  Unreal.  This is a first year stadium and nobody wants to go.

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Don't forget this weekend is K-Rod Bobblehead Day plus another Mr. Met Dash, both on Sunday.

I took a look at Stubhub this morning...I stay away from the auctions but at 9am you could have bought "buy it now" seats for $10.

If you want to go on Saturday you could get in for $9 last time I checked.

I can't wait to see how little I will get for the Wednesday and Thursday tickets I can't use, and I still wish the Mets would adopt a ticket exchange policy similar to the Yankees.

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Go take a look at Stubhub right now.

I did my best with these screen captures but they are hard to see...


Tickets for tomorrow are going for three bucks.  I have mine listed for $6 and I don't even make the first page.   Anything below $6 and I might as well use them to light the grill.

THREE dollars???!!...and a whole bunch cheaper than $8.   Major league baseball in a first year ballpark in a city of 8 million people.





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Yesterday's discussion prompted some passionate responses.   Y'all in Flushing might want to call an emergency meeting.   By the way, I still have gotten even $6 for the tix I can't use tomorrow.


From the post "Robbing Peter To Pay Paul In The New York Mets Tic...": 


well said. if the secondary market crashed this year, I think the primary market, to an extent, crashes next year.

a year ago, we were made to believe that the only way to get into Citi Field (which we all wanted to do a year ago) was to buy season tickets, with the idea being to get plan holders to upgrade out of fear. then, eventually, they released those mini plans, and i really believed that there wouldn't be much left for individual game tickets, and probably so did many others, because a lot of people bought those packages for the 15 game "Saturday" plan with 5 weeknights. deceptive? yes.

if ticket holders were part of a union, maybe we could have sued.

for 2010, my guess is a drop in EVERY ticket package out there. but remember that most of the StubHub market was made from those packages' leftovers and not from individual game ticket holders who bought and couldn't go. i think the Mets will end up with a lot of tickets in their hands on the primary market and not so much on the secondary market. it will probably be a buyers market, just not as much (hey, would you rather see the Mets get your service fee or StubHub? I'd rather go to the box office in person and avoid both). 


...

I have 15-packs, and I can't even GIVE the tickets away - most of the Mets fans I know don't even want to go for free.

I declared a major victory the other night when I was able to sell my tickets for $10 each ($8 after fees) to the Thursday night game. 


...




I can say for sure that no way I re up for my seasons without a dramatic price decrease. Had 4 in 127, moved to 331 for the second half, after the Mets kept under cutting our stub offers with half price baseline boxes in "Flushing Flash" email blasts. These seats average face of about $87 per seat. I'd say I'm willing to pay $30 for these seats tops. I'd much rather commit my money to games I actually want to see then eat all those crappy weather and unappealing opponent tickets.

I am guessing most holders feel the same way. This in turn means a major revenue drop for the team. Consequently, I can't see them spending anything to upgrade in the off season. Making me even happier to bail! 



Posted by Anonymous to The Mets Police at August 18, 2009 10:59 AM 


I had a weekday upper level outfield plan, I managed to make a little money and see a few games for free, but these past few weeks I've had trouble giving the games away. Even with that being said though, there is no way I would have made money without selling opening day. Next season unless the prices are reduced by at least 50% and the perks are increased, I am out. 


...


Well, I bought Friday and Saturday Plans despite the fact they were misrepresented by including five weekday games each, which is inconvenient for a 9-to-5 worker who lives 90 minutes from Wilpon's Folly. That was my choice. I figured I could easily sell or trade tickets I didn't want, but no one could forsee how jinxed 2009 would be. I'm stuck, like many others. And as my soap opera with the Mets Disorganization continues, by not refunding my $23 for a blocked solo I bought, they've lost $2,000 from me in 2010.

The Mets will be the new St. Louis Browns if they don't read the economy correctly for 2010. For example, Jets season tickets are on sale on this Web page; my company is offering decent Jets season tix and plans at a 20% discount. I've been a Football Giants fan since 1970, and I bought a ticket at face value from the Giants. All this would be UNTHINKABLE a year ago, before the economic collapse.


In 1970, the highest-priced ticket at Shea was $4.50 (about $30 in 2009 dollars, and yes, I know the players' salaries are higher ). However, a Cubs fan I know walked up to the box office at Wrigley on gameday and got a solo four rows behind home at the Cubs highest price---$80---and their payroll and fanbase ain't like them Buccos.


From the MLB field to the tragic minors to incompetent PR shills to the awful minor-league park the Mets imposed on us, the state of the Mets is morbid.


Maybe I'll hit a game or two in 2010 for comic relief. 

...

I too, like the first poster bought a ticket pack with 2 of my friends thinking it was the only reasonable way for us to get into Citi Field. I bought "uppers" tickets in section 528. Not even factoring the obstructed view of left field (I couldn't see Murph miss all those flyballs) there's no way I'll buy a ticket pack next year unless the prices drop close to 50%

The Wilpons will either figure it out this Sept when all those seats are empty, or next March when they've sold a fraction of the ticket packs they sold this year.

...



I had season tix for several years, and I gave them up after last season from a combination of cost and the recession. Needless to say, i'm thrilled that I did. The going rate as of last month for Mets tix was at least 50% off. I'm sure its lower now, especially if you have primo seats where the mkt value runs as low as 20% of list price and lots of tix never get sold at any price.

I have zero intention of buying season tix next year. Even in 2006-2008, it was extremely difficult to sell games during the season that I couldn't go to, unless it was opening day or the Yankees. This way, I can pretty much go to any game that I want (with a healthy discount off list). There is no way seats will sell above list unless the Mets decide to cut prices by 50% or more. Therefore, why buy seasons? I can't see any upside. I was recently offered seats in a suite with unlimited food to a weekend game at less than 100 bucks/seat! And if you are unlucky enough to try to sell seats in the 500 level, you will be lucky to get 10 bucks for each one.

The Mets are going to be facing some tough decisions next year, but their problems are our gains.


By the way, while this isn't the biggest blog in the world, it does get over a thousand unique visitors every day and not a single person has yet revealed themselves to be part of the market research that David Howard said the Mets did.   That's odd.   I also continue to find it odd that to the best of my knowledge none of the blogs (even Metsblog) or the beat reporters mentioned it.   Nobody on twitter.  Howie and Gary never mentioned it while I was listening or watching.   


So if you were part of the research, I'd love to hear from you.

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On Monday I write a weekly column for Flushing University.   This was this week's column.

I think the Mets have a big problem on their hands. No, not on the field. Off the field. In the stands. They recently announced that some tickets would be discounted through TheaterMania.com Right or wrong, the average fan perceives that Mets tickets are now 33% to 50% off. Perception is reality. In the short term maybe they sell some extra tickets. What happens in the long term? With the cutting of prices, prices on the secondary market have crashed even further. I can't make it Thursday night. Should I sell my $19 tickets for the going rate of $7 on stubhub? Should I "eat" them? Give them away again? That's not the Mets' problem, but 2010 is. I looked ahead to September. As part of my "Saturday package" I have a Tuesday night game and a Thursday night game. At Shea Stadium it was quite cold at night in September. The sun sets in the 7's not the 8's and the wind would start whipping in, and so far at Citi Field I have seen strong winds in the Promenade (can we just call this 'uppers') even on the warmest of nights. Again, nobody made me buy the tickets. It's my problem not the Mets' problem. This year. What happens to the Mets in 2010 when they ask me to renew. Do I want to buy all those tickets at face value (really, $23 for the uppers against the Giants?) or should I just wait and buy tickets on Stubhub. Even if the Mets rebuild and win 115 games I can probably still do OK on stubhub. I just looked at the next home game for the Yankees (a team having a good season) and I can get in (2 tickets) for $24 each. So how much could Mets tickets cost me - again assuming the team is good. Maybe it will cost me an extra buck or five to see that one Mets game I really want to see. What about those "Saturday" games that are on Tuesday night in September. What about those Saturday games that aren't part of the "Saturday" package anyway. (Why don't the Mets just call these the "Stengel Plan" or something so as not to rub it in our faces?) It was nice to see the team finally listen to the fans and hang some "Mets stuff" around the park. It should never have taken so long. The ticket thing may have been short term smart but it's going to backfire, as many things they try often do.

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