Flex packs altered! New system just might suck!

[bnnguy]

Anyone else get an email from the Jays notifying the Flex Packs are no more - now there are just Game Packs with a whole lot more restrictions incl. only choosing from preset options for 12-game packs, many seats not eligible (incl lower rows in the 500s (my personal seats of choice), and selections beginning before the promotional schedule is released. Also seems liek you cant vary the number of tickets you get to each game, which was a big selling point for me. Thoughts?

[Jonzo]

Title misleading. They're not cancelled, they're just re-structured. You can only get 20, 12, and 6 game packs. And yeah, there are some restrictions which are quite annoying.

 

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ticketing/game_packs.jsp?partnerId=ed-10815266-928590723

[bnnguy]

Yeah, without the 'flex' - that is, choosing which games, which seats, how many tickets to each game ...

[Dr. Dinger]

Ugh, I have bought Flex Packs 5 years in a row. This sucks, but this is what happens when your team becomes popular.

[Jonzo]

Id say it has more do with new leadership.

[CrackerJack]

Id say it has more do with new leadership.

 

yeah, the new regime - that left a team with the (or one of the) worst attendance in MLB year in and year out - get league leading attendance falling in their lap and maybe they're getting a little carried away with it?

[Jonzo]

After reviewing all of the details and restrictions, I may opt to just purchase tickets on Stubhub next year whenever I feel like going.

[LGBJ29]

This is f***ing dumb. I guess it's their way of trying to sell more games during the week as they figure weekend games will sell out regardless. s***** for long time flex pack holders who've seen our benefits diminish steadily over the past couple years

[Jonzo]

Just spoke to a rep, I was inquiring about section 227 (my preferred section). He said their season ticket base has expanded like crazy and there's basically nothing available in that section for game pack holders. As reference, for the past several years I got that section in rows 2-4.

[CBlake]

This is a very American approach, sports marketing and sales strategies differ quite differently down south. I would not be surprised if some kind of wondered around the league what the Jays were doing selling tickets pretty much all at the same level. Looking at flex packs it was the same $15 to see the Red Sox on a Sunday in September and Tampa Bay on a Monday in May.

 

For one when is the 2017 MLB side out, I assume by Thursday.

[jaysblue]

After reviewing all of the details and restrictions, I may opt to just purchase tickets on Stubhub next year whenever I feel like going.

 

It's basically what I did this season. Most of the time when I got a flex pack, I had to sell most of the games anyways because of either being out of town, or couldn't find anyone to go with. I can't commit to games that are like 6 months in advance. The hassle to sell them as well was a pain sometimes and I'm even talking about last season. Most of the time when I decide to go to a game its the last minute, based on whose pitching, which players are in town, the type of night it is etc.

[jglicksm]

It actually looks like a good system (at least the 20 game pack does). It used to be that scalpers bought flex packs instead of season tickets. They'd get only Saturday's, Sunday's (giveaway days), Canada Day, the home opener and maybe some Red Sox and Yankees games in July and August. They'd pay the same for the most in demand games as the ones where nobody shows up. Then they'd sell them at whatever market rate they could.

 

Now the in demand games will be more expensive to buy from the team and there will be less upside for the scalpers. That's good for fans.

 

Also, if you don't care for those more in demand games you can pay less than what season ticket holders pay per game and just go to the C and D games. As a season ticket holder I'm annoyed by this new system because for a 20-game commitment you can pay 12 bucks a seat for 20 games in the 500s whereas I have to pay 17 per game. The team would contend that my pack includes premium games so that's why I pay more and I get that/ not actually complaining.

 

Just some food for thought.

[burlingtonbandit]

Ugh, I have bought Flex Packs 5 years in a row. This sucks, but this is what happens when your team becomes popular.

 

More like what happens when Andrew Miller was brought in and Brooks was fired. They left money on the table with the old pricing structure and are trying to recuperate it now. Prices for flexpacks will go up as well based on demand.

 

Still ways to get around it though. 20 game flexpack seems the way to go if you split it with someone else.

[LGBJ29]

It actually looks like a good system (at least the 20 game pack does). It used to be that scalpers bought flex packs instead of season tickets. They'd get only Saturday's, Sunday's (giveaway days), Canada Day, the home opener and maybe some Red Sox and Yankees games in July and August. They'd pay the same for the most in demand games as the ones where nobody shows up. Then they'd sell them at whatever market rate they could.

 

Now the in demand games will be more expensive to buy from the team and there will be less upside for the scalpers. That's good for fans.

 

Also, if you don't care for those more in demand games you can pay less than what season ticket holders pay per game and just go to the C and D games. As a season ticket holder I'm annoyed by this new system because for a 20-game commitment you can pay 12 bucks a seat for 20 games in the 500s whereas I have to pay 17 per game. The team would contend that my pack includes premium games so that's why I pay more and I get that/ not actually complaining.

 

Just some food for thought.

 

while some of this may be true, for those who live out of town and can only make it to weekend games it's really unfortunate. My buddy and I would split a 10 game flex pack (4 tickets to each game) , and would sell the other 2 to 2 of our friends each game. It was awesome. I can't afford to do that for 20 games, nor do I have the time, especially with a bunch of money already tied up in playoff tickets. And Im not buying a 12 game pack and forced to buy s***** weekday games where I have to take time off work.

 

Scalpers can still get their way buying 20 game flex packs and selling premium games for a profit, but this screws over a ton of out of towners with flex packs that drove in for weekend games.

[burlingtonbandit]

When is the schedule even out?

[UWHabs]

When is the schedule even out?

 

Probably tomorrow:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ticketing/game_packs.jsp#game_categories

Game categories with be available here on Wednesday, September 14 after 1:00 p.m. ET Please check back then.

[HERPDERP]

Honestly, stubhub or even r/jaystickets is a better alternative.

 

I've even taken to following select Blue Jays fans on twitter who have prime seats. For example, follow this guy, he has face value seats in the 100 field level regularly

 

 

he deleted the offering but he had seats behind the Jays on deck for face value for tonight's game

[jaysblue]

while some of this may be true, for those who live out of town and can only make it to weekend games it's really unfortunate. My buddy and I would split a 10 game flex pack (4 tickets to each game) , and would sell the other 2 to 2 of our friends each game. It was awesome. I can't afford to do that for 20 games, nor do I have the time, especially with a bunch of money already tied up in playoff tickets. And Im not buying a 12 game pack and forced to buy s***** weekday games where I have to take time off work.

 

Scalpers can still get their way buying 20 game flex packs and selling premium games for a profit, but this screws over a ton of out of towners with flex packs that drove in for weekend games.

 

Its expensive to be a fan, what did you expect?

[TheHurl]

I gave up mine this year. Loved the 20 ticket flex pack but it really was too much flexibility for the buyer and ticket brokers. This might come back to bite them in a couple years but for now, it makes sense for the team. Especially with dynamic pricing.

[jaysblue]

Honestly, stubhub or even r/jaystickets is a better alternative.

 

I've even taken to following select Blue Jays fans on twitter who have prime seats. For example, follow this guy, he has face value seats in the 100 field level regularly

 

 

he deleted the offering but he had seats behind the Jays on deck for face value for tonight's game

 

Yeah but for tonights game, you can buy tickets in the lower bowl for almost 60-70% off.

[Jonn]

I like the changes personally. And would like to see promotions to Mondays and mid week gams. You put out a bobble head on a Monday against a s***** team. Guarenteed sell out

[jaysblue]

I like the changes personally. And would like to see promotions to Mondays and mid week gams. You put out a bobble head on a Monday against a s***** team. Guarenteed sell out

 

Other teams do that. I remember last year when out at Dodgers Stadium, they had a bobblehead promo for a weeknight game in August.

[burlingtonbandit]

I like the changes personally. And would like to see promotions to Mondays and mid week gams. You put out a bobble head on a Monday against a s***** team. Guarenteed sell out

 

I read that the reason they do the Sunday is to get everyone in the stadium early at 11 and then they sell a crap ton more in Concession $$ than what they would gain in ticket sales for a weekday.

[AdamLindsMom]

Did all you flexpack holders get an email regarding this? I didn't get the email for the postseason tix or the code and I didn't get this one either.

[West Texas Forever]

I will still probably get the 20 game flex pack per usual, still lame that it will take people 20 game flex packs to be able to maximize their savings and game picks, ******** for sure. Even though the team next year will probably be a 84 win team I still support the Jays regardless.

[TheHurl]

I read that the reason they do the Sunday is to get everyone in the stadium early at 11 and then they sell a crap ton more in Concession $$ than what they would gain in ticket sales for a weekday.

 

but concession money is very small to the team (and was confirmed on the board by someone who worked for a front office). unless of course these promotions are actually paid for by Aramark.

[burlingtonbandit]

but concession money is very small to the team (and was confirmed on the board by someone who worked for a front office). unless of course these promotions are actually paid for by Aramark.

 

Yeah I'm not sure how it works with who gets the $ for concession sales but thats just what I was told about the promotions being on the sunday.

[jaysblue]

I read that the reason they do the Sunday is to get everyone in the stadium early at 11 and then they sell a crap ton more in Concession $$ than what they would gain in ticket sales for a weekday.

 

They probably also figure with all those people inside the stadium early at 11 with nothing to do, some will kill time walking through the Jays Shop to just look around and then possibly buy something.

 

One thing I hate about going early for promotional days is that you're forced to buy lunch/snacks & beers from the concessions (unless you bring your own food), and if you plan on drinking 3-4 beers that day (which some people do when they go to games), I'm sure people will spend more on concessions then the actual ticket. But like Hurl said, not sure what percentage goes to the Blue Jays.

 

I have stopped buying beer when going to games. It's sickening that they charge close to $12 for a can that you can buy for $2.50-3 at the LCBO. I'll either go for beers before or afterwards somewhere.

[jglicksm]

but concession money is very small to the team (and was confirmed on the board by someone who worked for a front office). unless of course these promotions are actually paid for by Aramark.

 

How much do you think the promotional giveaways actually cost to have manufactured and shipped? Sunday is a calculated decision. It is a day tons of people can make it to and Saturday is the most popular game across MLB. Brookes tweeted about that before quitting or getting fired or whatever actually happened. A friend of mine actually suggested to move promotions to mid-week and he dismissed it.

 

That being said, there is a new management team in town and they made it clear the promotion schedule is pending. Promotions appear to mainly Saturday's in Cleveland.

 

To me, it would seem smartest to assign promotional games after a lot of the market has bought their packs. It would be unpopular, but would increase revenue for sure. They've made a lot of unpopular moves so far, in many cases justifiably so. Wouldn't shock me to see a move made in this direction.

[Jonn]

I read that the reason they do the Sunday is to get everyone in the stadium early at 11 and then they sell a crap ton more in Concession $$ than what they would gain in ticket sales for a weekday.

 

I suppose that makes sense. I just think it would really wake up those Monday and midweek games. We are going to draw over 40k on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At least early in the season it could give us a nice boost.