Under-12s Price band

[willz_royal]

i understand that they have to do different pricings for different ages. But logically it doesnt make sense. Everyone in the stadium, be they 12 or 45, takes up 1 seat. So why do they pay different prices?

always wondered this.

and i love the 16 and under bracket, it keeps football, for just one more year, affordable.

Logically it makes huge sense. It is called marketing. By allowing kids in for a reduced price you get them hooked so that they stay on and pay the full price later on in life. Seems totally logical to me.

ah, you have me wrong. I am talking about the low end. Not charging kids adult prices, but charging adults kid's prices. If the seat can be occupied by a human being for say, 20 quid, then why does a deeper voice, lower balls, and some stubble, mean an extra 20 ontop?

[TFF]

[I can see there might be "practical difficulties" with match day tickets but it's really not much of a reason for not offering an under 12 ST. I would be only too happy to produce a birth certificate/passport when buying my two junior (under 12) season tickets. If I was unable/unwilling to produce such documentation I would pay the standard junior rate. It's not really rocket science. I'm sure the club could even make a note of having a verified DOB and then not need it for subsequent renewals.

It is on the day policing that is the problem. If you have a concession ticket you should have proof of the concession with you (ts&cs say so and when I raised this with the club after a member asked me to they agreed that there is not enough publicity of this) so they have proof of age for the older concessions (pensioners and those who want to prove they are old enough to buy alcohol) and for the u16s through the Young Royals (not compulsory but useful for most u16s) but nothing other than the birth cert etc for u12.

One example quoted was that for just one game there were 25 abuses of the u12 concession (a bearded u12 for one!) and that it has appeared to be a combination of abuse and easy proof of qualification that have determined this change.

I'm sorry but that's just lame. Would you have the government abandon the benefits system just because some people abuse it?

What proof of age does a fifteen year old carry? If the club are prepared to accept a Young Royals membership card as proof of being under 16 why could they not issue a different colour under 12s Young Royals card?

As I said earlier I'm going to renew anyway but this does leave a bitter taste. It's a shame that STAR seem unwilling to pursue the issue beyond asking the question and accepting a pretty weak excuse.

R£ading FC

[working class hero]

[I can see there might be "practical difficulties" with match day tickets but it's really not much of a reason for not offering an under 12 ST. I would be only too happy to produce a birth certificate/passport when buying my two junior (under 12) season tickets. If I was unable/unwilling to produce such documentation I would pay the standard junior rate. It's not really rocket science. I'm sure the club could even make a note of having a verified DOB and then not need it for subsequent renewals.

It is on the day policing that is the problem. If you have a concession ticket you should have proof of the concession with you (ts&cs say so and when I raised this with the club after a member asked me to they agreed that there is not enough publicity of this) so they have proof of age for the older concessions (pensioners and those who want to prove they are old enough to buy alcohol) and for the u16s through the Young Royals (not compulsory but useful for most u16s) but nothing other than the birth cert etc for u12.

One example quoted was that for just one game there were 25 abuses of the u12 concession (a bearded u12 for one!) and that it has appeared to be a combination of abuse and easy proof of qualification that have determined this change.

I'm sorry but that's just lame. Would you have the government abandon the benefits system just because some people abuse it?

What proof of age does a fifteen year old carry? If the club are prepared to accept a Young Royals membership card as proof of being under 16 why could they not issue a different colour under 12s Young Royals card?

As I said earlier I'm going to renew anyway but this does leave a bitter taste. It's a shame that STAR seem unwilling to pursue the issue beyond asking the question and accepting a pretty weak excuse.

R£ading FC

Perhaps people like yourself should consider standing for election to the STAR board?

[mini _dariusz]

[I can see there might be "practical difficulties" with match day tickets but it's really not much of a reason for not offering an under 12 ST. I would be only too happy to produce a birth certificate/passport when buying my two junior (under 12) season tickets. If I was unable/unwilling to produce such documentation I would pay the standard junior rate. It's not really rocket science. I'm sure the club could even make a note of having a verified DOB and then not need it for subsequent renewals.

It is on the day policing that is the problem. If you have a concession ticket you should have proof of the concession with you (ts&cs say so and when I raised this with the club after a member asked me to they agreed that there is not enough publicity of this) so they have proof of age for the older concessions (pensioners and those who want to prove they are old enough to buy alcohol) and for the u16s through the Young Royals (not compulsory but useful for most u16s) but nothing other than the birth cert etc for u12.

One example quoted was that for just one game there were 25 abuses of the u12 concession (a bearded u12 for one!) and that it has appeared to be a combination of abuse and easy proof of qualification that have determined this change.

I'm sorry but that's just lame. Would you have the government abandon the benefits system just because some people abuse it?

What proof of age does a fifteen year old carry? If the club are prepared to accept a Young Royals membership card as proof of being under 16 why could they not issue a different colour under 12s Young Royals card?

As I said earlier I'm going to renew anyway but this does leave a bitter taste. It's a shame that STAR seem unwilling to pursue the issue beyond asking the question and accepting a pretty weak excuse.

R£ading FC

I don't think you're a million miles away from having a valid point.

[ShrewsandRoyals]

Shrewsbury Town are capable of organising banded ticket levels for U11 based on proof of age by birth certificate at the start of the season.............

Where there is a will, there is a way. Need I say more.

Can I confirm that season tickets will no longer be available because people abuse them by handing them on to mates, or selling them for a match when they can't go? T&C's, T&C's.

[West Stand Man]

Shrewsbury Town are capable of organising banded ticket levels for U11 based on proof of age by birth certificate at the start of the season.............

Where there is a will, there is a way. Need I say more.

Can I confirm that season tickets will no longer be available because people abuse them by handing them on to mates, or selling them for a match when they can't go? T&C's, T&C's.

It in't issuing the tickets that is a problem; it is policing their use. Reading have used the same tactics as Shrewsbury in previous years. The problem comes when an U12 concession is used by someone other than the entitled holder. Surely though, that is manageable by putting an embedded photo onto the card so that gate stewards can check? That might make the card a few pence more expensive - but would reduce the risk of fraudulent usage.

[STAR Liaison]

Shrewsbury Town are capable of organising banded ticket levels for U11 based on proof of age by birth certificate at the start of the season.............

Where there is a will, there is a way. Need I say more.

Can I confirm that season tickets will no longer be available because people abuse them by handing them on to mates, or selling them for a match when they can't go? T&C's, T&C's.

At the risk of seeming to support the decision rather than just reporting it, their response would be something along the lines of: Do Shrewsbury Town have 24000 people to steward with ever changing steward personnel?

It is the result of the success of the club and the demand for tickets that make a lot of the solutions posted on here much harder to put into practice. Not my preference and also, I would suspect, not a decision easily taken but one they have now taken.

[ShrewsandRoyals]

Shrews tickets clearly say what the person is. No they don't police 24,000, they do 6-8000. Other larger clubs manage OK how do they do it? Perhaps they realise there will be some abuse and accept it as a form of "shrinkage" just as Mr average retailer accepts theft of stock as shrinkage.

I still believe there are far more adult season ticket holders that abuse their terms and conditions by selling on their ticket for a game (happens on here), and lending it to a mate. What is done to police this? Will all season tickets be withdrawn because of a significantly larger number of people abusing it? How can you tell if a person is actually a pensioner or not? Why isn't that targetted? If they can police this, then they can police the age band at the younger point......or perhaps they don't as an adult wouldn't abuse the OAP system would they.......

The younger age level is targetted as an easy way of potentially clawing back some revenue that has been cut elsewhere, with a calculated risk of loss of business at that point. Lose a family with 2 young kids - gain 2 extra adults.

The arguement of people abusing it, or not being able to tell if someone is a year too old (or for OAP's too young), has not been used across the board so it doesn't wash with me I'm afraid.

Perhaps STAR could confirm the methods employed by the club to monitor and eradicate abuse of OAP membership cards, and an explanation as to why this method can't be employed for the younger price band?

[Platypuss]

Shrewsbury Town are capable of organising banded ticket levels for U11 based on proof of age by birth certificate at the start of the season.............

Where there is a will, there is a way. Need I say more.

Can I confirm that season tickets will no longer be available because people abuse them by handing them on to mates, or selling them for a match when they can't go? T&C's, T&C's.

At the risk of seeming to support the decision rather than just reporting it, their response would be something along the lines of: Do Shrewsbury Town have 24000 people to steward with ever changing steward personnel? .

I would then ask them how they suppose Birmingham, Sheff Utd, Charlton, Derby County and Norwich City propose to manage it.

[Royal Lady]

If it's not solely a question of making £££s, then the 16 and under ticket should be priced the same as they would have charged an Under 12 ticket for this coming season. 16-21 should be the same price as an Under 16 ticket would have been this season. You won't get people abusing the system then. The problem will come when people reach 21 and are either still at Uni or not earning a lot of money. Showing your SU card or similar when buying your ticket should give you a student discount of say 10%-£15% on a ticket. Anyone who looks like they might be older than 21 but are using a 16-21 ticket should be asked to show proof of identity at the gate. Most young people carry their driving licence or similar, as they are often asked for proof of age in the clubs and pubs of Reading - anyone without their proof of age is made to pay full ticket price, if they can subsequently prove they are younger, they get the refund on their next ticket.

[The 17 Bus]

I can get in as a pensioner, whats all the fuss?

[SWLR]

What happened to the Megablock? I likes the fact all the poor people were sat next to the rich folk in the upper west. Were the latter given pegs for their noses?

[royalsteve]

From my perspective the Club is shooting itself in the head here. My kids are now all over 12 so it doesn't affect me.
When I first started to bring the family I relied on the various kids bands to afford admission. As a result the Club has hooked 3 kids. One is now on the under 21 rate and wants an ST even though she is at Uni so misses loads of games.

I reckon we will see a load of gaps next season [which will fill with glory hunters if we do well]. I also suspect we will not do brilliantly and then the crowds will dip. If the recession bites we will suffer further.

From my perspective I could easily afford to buy a ticket for myself [and most people only buy a ticket for themselves]. I can just about afford to buy STs for my wife and kids if I make cutbacks elsewhere. But as with Platypuss I may well choose not to renew.

Although the Club decide the prices etc. I think we need them to have the counter arguments made to them quite forcefully:

1. Students are very hard up - and mature ones are even more strapped as they may have other responsibilities. Use of a FT NUS card is a reliable form of proof. Most establishments will also give a stamped letter of proof on headed paper.
2. Many families will struggle if they have several kids. So perhaps a buy one and get second half price would help them? Other Clubs are investing much more in young supporters - even without the parachute payments!
3. Any kid in full time education would need a reduction. However many kids who leave school at 16 are earning a substantial wedge within a couple of years. So why the odd use of age as an arbitrary indicator. Far better to spend a little effort and target those who need help.
4. The unemployed might benefit from a helping hand.
5. The club need to understand that it would be reprehensible in the extreme if they bounce prices up and squeeze folk out if we are promoted.

Ah well, rant over.....

re: 4 - get a job

[Royalshow]

From my perspective the Club is shooting itself in the head here. My kids are now all over 12 so it doesn't affect me.
When I first started to bring the family I relied on the various kids bands to afford admission. As a result the Club has hooked 3 kids. One is now on the under 21 rate and wants an ST even though she is at Uni so misses loads of games.

I reckon we will see a load of gaps next season [which will fill with glory hunters if we do well]. I also suspect we will not do brilliantly and then the crowds will dip. If the recession bites we will suffer further.

From my perspective I could easily afford to buy a ticket for myself [and most people only buy a ticket for themselves]. I can just about afford to buy STs for my wife and kids if I make cutbacks elsewhere. But as with Platypuss I may well choose not to renew.

Although the Club decide the prices etc. I think we need them to have the counter arguments made to them quite forcefully:

1. Students are very hard up - and mature ones are even more strapped as they may have other responsibilities. Use of a FT NUS card is a reliable form of proof. Most establishments will also give a stamped letter of proof on headed paper.
2. Many families will struggle if they have several kids. So perhaps a buy one and get second half price would help them? Other Clubs are investing much more in young supporters - even without the parachute payments!
3. Any kid in full time education would need a reduction. However many kids who leave school at 16 are earning a substantial wedge within a couple of years. So why the odd use of age as an arbitrary indicator. Far better to spend a little effort and target those who need help.
4. The unemployed might benefit from a helping hand.
5. The club need to understand that it would be reprehensible in the extreme if they bounce prices up and squeeze folk out if we are promoted.

Ah well, rant over.....

re: 4 - get a job

Sorry but why should the unemployed get any help what so ever? Why not get a job.