Ok, so of your 5, 3 have been successful in this ballot, as they are from the same household. Frustrating but I do kind of understand the difficulty in all this as just a few days ago there were rules in place which meant no household mixing.
Our account linked family were similarly not been picked both times, but they managed to pick up tickets on day 2 for the MK Dons game.
If if I could suggest anything and you really want to sit together get the three to buy three tickets just before the deadline ends in a part of the seating plan where there is high availability, ie not on the halfway line. Then when you are able when the phase 2 opens you should be able to get the others by them
If that’s still too much of a risk for you, don’t get any in phase 1 and do your 2 separate purchases at the same time in phase 2.
Good luck
Sounds like excellent advice Jean and you can track the sales by looking at the seating plan. It may still be worth contacting the ticket office, to discuss not only this game, but also future games.
Ok, so of your 5, 3 have been successful in this ballot, as they are from the same household. Frustrating but I do kind of understand the difficulty in all this as just a few days ago there were rules in place which meant no household mixing.
Our account linked family were similarly not been picked both times, but they managed to pick up tickets on day 2 for the MK Dons game.
If if I could suggest anything and you really want to sit together get the three to buy three tickets just before the deadline ends in a part of the seating plan where there is high availability, ie not on the halfway line. Then when you are able when the phase 2 opens you should be able to get the others by them
If that’s still too much of a risk for you, don’t get any in phase 1 and do your 2 separate purchases at the same time in phase 2.
Good luck
Thanks for your concerns, Dan.
I just can't stop feeling hard done by but let's fast forward to when the lads are up & running 100%, we're winning games again week after week & everyone wants to go to a Saturday match.
There won't be many spares on offer in phase 2...and loads of season ticket holders could well be "unlucky" Jims, week after week.
Would that be fair when we've all paid a similar amount of our hard earned up front all those months ago ?
The club do need to find out the following info from season ticket holders fairly quickly
1. Do you want to come to games (and by that I mean all games) and want to be included in all ballots. If you don't want to come or want a refund then let the club know now so that those who want to go have a better opportunity of going.
2. Please indicate what group of other season tickets you want to be linked to.
Once this is known a ballot is held, if you get a ticket you are withheld from the next ballot. However if you are part of a group only 1 ticket out of group goes in the ballot, if that is chosen the whole group get a ticket this won't harm the group chances but it won't increase their chances either.
Once the initial ballot has been done tickets left are put out based on loyalty points.
If you win a ballot twice and don't use the ticket you are taken out of future ballots.
Ok, so of your 5, 3 have been successful in this ballot, as they are from the same household. Frustrating but I do kind of understand the difficulty in all this as just a few days ago there were rules in place which meant no household mixing.
Our account linked family were similarly not been picked both times, but they managed to pick up tickets on day 2 for the MK Dons game.
If if I could suggest anything and you really want to sit together get the three to buy three tickets just before the deadline ends in a part of the seating plan where there is high availability, ie not on the halfway line. Then when you are able when the phase 2 opens you should be able to get the others by them
If that’s still too much of a risk for you, don’t get any in phase 1 and do your 2 separate purchases at the same time in phase 2.
Good luck
Thanks for your concerns, Dan.
I just can't stop feeling hard done by but let's fast forward to when the lads are up & running 100%, we're winning games again week after week & everyone wants to go to a Saturday match.
There won't be many spares on offer in phase 2...and loads of season ticket holders could well be "unlucky" Jims, week after week.
Would that be fair when we've all paid a similar amount of our hard earned up front all those months ago ?
Nothing is going to be perfect. If it’s alternated, I know someone who could go Tuesday but wasn’t picked, but is working next home game. So by default if alternated they would have been picked for that and couldn’t go.
If if it’s done on ‘social bubbles’ like you hoped, then you could have ten people linked to one social bubble and if one person was successful in the ballot, you could potentially have ten people going from that one draw. That will severely limit the amount picked as ‘successful’ in the first phase and really reduce the chances of people not linked to social bubbles.
Its very tough all this. I agree it can be done better though. But the focus of your argument is essentially that you or Mr F have not been picked in the first draw for both games. Many others haven’t either by the looks of it, and there’s a question of whether that is right (I think it’s not).
Ok, so of your 5, 3 have been successful in this ballot, as they are from the same household. Frustrating but I do kind of understand the difficulty in all this as just a few days ago there were rules in place which meant no household mixing.
Our account linked family were similarly not been picked both times, but they managed to pick up tickets on day 2 for the MK Dons game.
If if I could suggest anything and you really want to sit together get the three to buy three tickets just before the deadline ends in a part of the seating plan where there is high availability, ie not on the halfway line. Then when you are able when the phase 2 opens you should be able to get the others by them
If that’s still too much of a risk for you, don’t get any in phase 1 and do your 2 separate purchases at the same time in phase 2.
Good luck
Thanks for your concerns, Dan.
I just can't stop feeling hard done by but let's fast forward to when the lads are up & running 100%, we're winning games again week after week & everyone wants to go to a Saturday match.
There won't be many spares on offer in phase 2...and loads of season ticket holders could well be "unlucky" Jims, week after week.
Would that be fair when we've all paid a similar amount of our hard earned up front all those months ago ?
Nothing is going to be perfect. If it’s alternated, I know someone who could go Tuesday but wasn’t picked, but is working next home game. So by default if alternated they would have been picked for that and couldn’t go.
If if it’s done on ‘social bubbles’ like you hoped, then you could have ten people linked to one social bubble and if one person was successful in the ballot, you could potentially have ten people going from that one draw. That will severely limit the amount picked as ‘successful’ in the first phase and really reduce the chances of people not linked to social bubbles.
Its very tough all this. I agree it can be done better though. But the focus of your argument is essentially that you or Mr F have not been picked in the first draw for both games. Many others haven’t either by the looks of it, and there’s a question of whether that is right (I think it’s not).
If the social bubbles count as one in the ballot instead of the total in the bubble they have the same chance as those not in the bubble
I’ll be honest mate, I’m not clever enough to work out whether that is even or there is some advantage/ disadvantage in play without my brain blowing up lol
If the club are going to allow social bubbles to attend together and there is 5 in that bubble, would that mean they have 5 chances of getting 5 tickets?Does seem unfair.
The club do need to find out the following info from season ticket holders fairly quickly
1. Do you want to come to games (and by that I mean all games) and want to be included in all ballots. If you don't want to come or want a refund then let the club know now so that those who want to go have a better opportunity of going.
2. Please indicate what group of other season tickets you want to be linked to.
Once this is known a ballot is held, if you get a ticket you are withheld from the next ballot. However if you are part of a group only 1 ticket out of group goes in the ballot, if that is chosen the whole group get a ticket this won't harm the group chances but it won't increase their chances either.
Once the initial ballot has been done tickets left are put out based on loyalty points.
If you win a ballot twice and don't use the ticket you are taken out of future ballots.
That sounds like a workable & sensible plan, JH2. Thank you for responding to my request for discussion on this issue with respect and the consideration that most Lifers feel for those on here.
I've nearly had my fill of this tonight but would like to add something which I have included in the email I have just sent to the club.
Looking back I came across an email I received from the club on 28th August last requesting the completion of a questionnaire regarding our Social Bubble....I referred to this a few days ago, I believe , but couldn't find the actual detail at the time.
The email explained that this was important if a season ticket holder wanted to purchase future tickets with up to 5 others ie to sit together , and as this affected my family, it was duly completed and forwarded back to the club. In effect, this would show a link with up to 5 others on their season ticket accounts, as it does on ours.
In addition, it stated "The Club defines a Social Bubble as up to 6 members from 2 different households ".....
I believe this addresses AFKA's point adequately....
So, not only did the club decide to move the goalposts today regarding the rotation policy, they clearly, at least in my case, failed to implement another which made a lot of sense and presumably would have assisted others like myself today. To have made today's announcement at least 24 hours before this 2nd match ticket ballot would have been preferable as everyone would know where they stood and had time to query the content as I have done tonight.
Whilst engaged with my email to the club, I note that CAST have responded to the issue and would thank them for their involvement and positive suggestions. It will be interesting to hear if anything is put up on the OS concerning the Social Bubble exercise which CAST has also referred to, albeit not by name.
In my defence, I'll finally (Yay !!!) add that, as we are all so aware, supporting our football club is an extremely emotive issue. I think I have possibly surpassed myself today and may have relegated the " couldn't organise a p*ss up in a brewery " saga to the depths of the minds of regulars on here. But I won't apologise for my passion. I am what I am & wear my heart on my sleeve, like it or not.
Whatever AFKA thinks, and TBH his words hurt & saddened me, this is NOT about me ! Of course, my huge disappointment this afternoon was going to mean I couldn't sit back and say , never mind. I DID mind, for me and for others in the same old, rickety boat. The club asked for feedback from Thursday after the previous night's match and presumably received some....and then acted on what they felt at the time was the correct solution.
I didn't make contact at that point because I "knew" my lot would be a "priority" come this 2nd round of ballots.
Oh me of too much faith !
So now, my feedback has been given but of course, once again, it isn't just MY problem..
Believe that if you will but as I wrote earlier, I really hoped that Lifers know me better than that.
The club would have to be careful re the group idea (Qu 2.) as other than Support & Childcare bubble rules you can't socialise with anyone from outside your household (so I believe) in Tier 2. This is probably why they would only link those with the same address.
I suspect when they took the info back in August that was under the old, old rules.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I don't understand the displeasure. Any ST who wanted to have gone on Wednesday could have gone right? Due to them opening the ballot after we didn't sell out.
Have you really thought this out ? ????
You are basically saying that those not successful in the first ballot for last Weds and again not successful again for next Saturday ( like me & my family) are basically 2nd class season ticket holders , and as such won't get first dibs on the seats they'd prefer...How is that a fair process when we ALL paid our money up front before we were "saved" by TS.
Why should I be happy in saying "Never mind. I'll probably pick up 5 when the dregs are left at the beginning of next week" ? AND this will be more difficult with less still on offer bearing in mind more fans will want to attend a Saturday match.
THIS new rule was not included in the original info we all received/saw on the OS when the process was announced.
THIS is due, apparently, to fan feedback from the successful ones who could not attend the MKDons game due to lack of childcare or work problems....and who will be in the ballot this time alongside those who were at The Valley on Weds and will likely be there again next Sat ! How can that be a fair and transparent policy ?
So, as it stands, my 5 will be "in the hat" as I prefer to call it, for the Tuesday evening game v Bristol Rovers ...another evening match where children accompanying us will still be at school and will be very late home post match .....but STILL may not be "lucky" ! In fact, there may well be fans who fail to attend ANY home games under the restrictions , all season if they are incredibly unfortunate. How can that be value to any degree for purchasing a season ticket, especially during those very uncertain times last summer ?
Another pertinent point is that if we have 4,000+ season ticket holders, and 2,000 finally attended the last match, then with 2,000+ non attenders , and a huge number of them residing in tier 3 ( esp Kent) there would inevitably been enough for all those eligible to attend 1 of the first 2 home games under the restrictions. THIS was surely how the system was intended to run !
I also note that there was nothing on the successful emails received regarding the new rule re no further rotation....so unless successful s. tkt holders looked at the OS, they would be oblivious of this amendment......
I cannot begin to express how I'm feeling at this moment. After all the plaudits given to our club recently ( and rightly so on the whole) this is totally unacceptable, disrespectful and unworkable. In fact I cannot believe how this was agreed by anyone from the club's SMT ! I am seething and am shaking so badly , I can barely type this.
I have emailed CAST to ensure that they are aware of this issue and I know they will respond accordingly.
I trust that those who know me are confident that this is NOT just for me & my group but for ALL fans, especially those with current season tickets and indeed those hoping to be able to purchase soon. I feel as though I have been kicked in the teeth ...something I kind of expected when KM was around but NOT in these halcyon days.
Spot on Jean I was not successful in first ballot for MK but managed to get a ticket in next phase I thought stupidly I would get a ticket in the ballot for Wimbledon - but received email to say I hadnt The club has got difficult decisions to make here. Would love to know what fans suggested doing a random ballot for every game - as someone has said that in theory that some Season T Holders will go to all games whilst some would go to none That just cant be right or fair
Well, I am yet to receive a single email from the club regarding my success or failure in either of the MKD orWimbledon ballots. This is despite me writing to the ticket office and them confirming that I AM definitely in the ballot. I think someone is telling me a porky pie!
......oh, and the other thing that is niggling at me is the fact that, as a season ticket holder who has not been contacted or successful to attend either of the first 2 ‘ballot’ games, I am now being penalised for buying the December VP bundle by the club taking back my Charlton Cash and leaving me with a deficit/debt/overdraft of £22.
So, I guess the next steps for me are to: 1. Take the time and effort to contact the club yet again and query why I seem to be unpopular with the communications and ticketing departments to the extent that I am not being offered tickets to attend games that I have already paid for. 2. Consider whether I want the hassle of attending a match anyway given that I have paid for the home streaming bundle with additional make-weight cash that I won’t get back and can’t use if I am at the game, leaving me with a debt to the Club.
Surely, if I cannot use my streaming pass because I am at the game, I should get a refund of my Charlton Cash ((and arguably also the make-weight Cash I added to it) to ensure that my loyalty has not come at a financial cost to myself?
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Happy to say successful in both ballots!! Don’t get when people bought their season ticket in a pandemic with scum owners they suddenly want to pick and choose their games?? maybe they always did and why there are so many empty seats on Sell Out games
Happy to say successful in both ballots!! Don’t get when people bought their season ticket in a pandemic with scum owners they suddenly want to pick and choose their games?? maybe they always did and why there are so many empty seats on Sell Out games
Midweek games it seems is when Season ticket holders don't turn up, it could be some of the season tickets are under priced so that people still buy them knowing they can afford to miss 5 or 6 games. Years ago the price of a season ticket was about the cost of say 20 games, so the aim of buying a ticket was to save money, the same example as an annual rail ticket was normally priced at 10 months travel. It is not as though where still in the Premier League where you needed a season ticket to guarantee enrty to a home game.
I've got people who have sat with me for 20-years with Season Tickets - Midweek games have become increasingly difficult to attend for them as they're coming from so far as have to worry about getting kids sorted for bed etc. so unfortunately have no choice not to attend at times
They shouldn’t have changed the rules those that weren’t successful in the MK ballot should have been given priority for the AFC game and those that were successful in the MK given opportunity to pick up what was left.
if the feel they need to they can change it after that.
I was lucky and got a ticket because people didn’t want to go, if the full 2,000 had been taken up I would have been out of luck.
I don’t think an open ballot every time is the fairest way as people have pointed out you could never be drawn out.
Just because the season ticket holders didn’t take up the 2,000 tickets this time doesn’t mean they won’t going forward. I will be amazed if any go on general sale for a Saturday game unless we have more fans in tier3 than I think and those that don’t want to go in the current environment.
If you are drawn out and can’t go (unless for medical reasons and then you won’t be going anyway ) I don’t see why you should the get the same priority for the next game as someone who didn’t get drawn out of the ballot.
I wasn’t successful in the MK ballot so was expecting to be ok for the AFC game. I have been drawn but if I hadn’t I would have been livid and rightly so after the club told me I would be prioritised and totally agree with Fanny on this.
I would love to be able to go to every game and health allowing in normal circumstances I would. However, I realise this is not possible in the current environment and there needs to be a way to distribute tickets fairly.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
Rumours are London is likely to be moved to tier 3. That will be it for trips to the Valley.
I will add i do understand some people can’t attend midweek games for a variety of reasons but I don’t think they should get any priority for weekend games ahead of people that can attend both.
I felt the ballot with priority was probably the fairest way to distribute the tickets.
one ballot every time with no priority is not in my opinion.
if they feel the tickets won’t go they should use the priority points.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
Rumours are London is likely to be moved to tier 3. That will be it for trips to the Valley.
With the covid rate going down in 31 of the 32 London boroughs that appears to be very unlikely.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
I hope Kent manages to sort itself out and moves out of Tier 2, but not before 29/05/21!!
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
I hope Kent manages to sort itself out and moves out of Tier 2, but not before 29/05/21!!
Why? - Season will be over by then and Bowyer / Gallen will be preparing for next season in the Championship?
Extremely lucky and fortunate to have got tickets for both games so far, but that could easily change of course.
Missed out on Doncaster as i wasnt quick enough to get in with my season ticket earlier enough, which in my view was fair enough.
Cant go to Plymouth as i am working 12hour days that day and lose out on a few hundred quid if i go plus 13 hours A/L, so someone else can have my spot if i am picked.
No idea how I’ve managed to upset you Fanny, I agree with you that the process is wrong and I went out of my way to think of practical suggestions of how you can all go and sit together.
Having announced what the priority aspect would effectively be for the Wimbledon game when they announced the MKD one, they shouldn’t have changed that to negatively impact those not drawn out first in the MKD ballot, which you and Mr F are an example of. That was my point.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
@JohnnyH2 suggestion is worth consideration, but if a collated entry of ‘one’ per social bubble was put in the draw, they would be drawn less frequently and if anyone within that group of six who was unable to make that particular game they’d have to wait even longer for the next opportunity.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
I think for the Wimbledon they should have stuck to what they said they would do - anyone not drawn in the ballot for MK would be prioritised. To change that (seemingly without warning) is really poor.
No commitments had been made on what would come after that and I think that the best way would have been to simply make the tickets available to all ST holders on a first come first served basis. Whilst Kent remains in Tier 3 I actually think 2,000 tickets will be broadly sufficient.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Very unlikely that Kent will move into Tier 2, when cases are still on the rise in many areas of the county.
I hope Kent manages to sort itself out and moves out of Tier 2, but not before 29/05/21!!
Why? - Season will be over by then and Bowyer / Gallen will be preparing for next season in the Championship?
Gotta be careful, many more performances like Wednesday and a stunning playoff final victory will be our route!
Comments
It may still be worth contacting the ticket office, to discuss not only this game, but also future games.
I just can't stop feeling hard done by but let's fast forward to when the lads are up & running 100%, we're winning games again week after week & everyone wants to go to a Saturday match.
There won't be many spares on offer in phase 2...and loads of season ticket holders could well be "unlucky" Jims, week after week.
Would that be fair when we've all paid a similar amount of our hard earned up front all those months ago ?
1. Do you want to come to games (and by that I mean all games) and want to be included in all ballots. If you don't want to come or want a refund then let the club know now so that those who want to go have a better opportunity of going.
2. Please indicate what group of other season tickets you want to be linked to.
Once this is known a ballot is held, if you get a ticket you are withheld from the next ballot. However if you are part of a group only 1 ticket out of group goes in the ballot, if that is chosen the whole group get a ticket this won't harm the group chances but it won't increase their chances either.
Once the initial ballot has been done tickets left are put out based on loyalty points.
If you win a ballot twice and don't use the ticket you are taken out of future ballots.
If if it’s done on ‘social bubbles’ like you hoped, then you could have ten people linked to one social bubble and if one person was successful in the ballot, you could potentially have ten people going from that one draw. That will severely limit the amount picked as ‘successful’ in the first phase and really reduce the chances of people not linked to social bubbles.
Its very tough all this. I agree it can be done better though. But the focus of your argument is essentially that you or Mr F have not been picked in the first draw for both games. Many others haven’t either by the looks of it, and there’s a question of whether that is right (I think it’s not).
I've nearly had my fill of this tonight but would like to add something which I have included in the email I have just sent to the club.
Looking back I came across an email I received from the club on 28th August last requesting the completion of a questionnaire regarding our Social Bubble....I referred to this a few days ago, I believe , but couldn't find the actual detail at the time.
The email explained that this was important if a season ticket holder wanted to purchase future tickets with up to 5 others ie to sit together , and as this affected my family, it was duly completed and forwarded back to the club. In effect, this would show a link with up to 5 others on their season ticket accounts, as it does on ours.
In addition, it stated "The Club defines a Social Bubble as up to 6 members from 2 different households ".....
I believe this addresses AFKA's point adequately....
So, not only did the club decide to move the goalposts today regarding the rotation policy, they clearly, at least in my case, failed to implement another which made a lot of sense and presumably would have assisted others like myself today. To have made today's announcement at least 24 hours before this 2nd match ticket ballot would have been preferable as everyone would know where they stood and had time to query the content as I have done tonight.
Whilst engaged with my email to the club, I note that CAST have responded to the issue and would thank them for their involvement and positive suggestions. It will be interesting to hear if anything is put up on the OS concerning the Social Bubble exercise which CAST has also referred to, albeit not by name.
In my defence, I'll finally (Yay !!!) add that, as we are all so aware, supporting our football club is an extremely emotive issue. I think I have possibly surpassed myself today and may have relegated the " couldn't organise a p*ss up in a brewery " saga to the depths of the minds of regulars on here. But I won't apologise for my passion. I am what I am & wear my heart on my sleeve, like it or not.
Whatever AFKA thinks, and TBH his words hurt & saddened me, this is NOT about me ! Of course, my huge disappointment this afternoon was going to mean I couldn't sit back and say , never mind. I DID mind, for me and for others in the same old, rickety boat. The club asked for feedback from Thursday after the previous night's match and presumably received some....and then acted on what they felt at the time was the correct solution.
I didn't make contact at that point because I "knew" my lot would be a "priority" come this 2nd round of ballots.
Oh me of too much faith !
So now, my feedback has been given but of course, once again, it isn't just MY problem..
Believe that if you will but as I wrote earlier, I really hoped that Lifers know me better than that.
I suspect when they took the info back in August that was under the old, old rules.
@Rob7Lee says above, the social bubble of six was set up when the gov guidelines were different, and personally, though it would very much benefit me and my group, I’m not convinced it would be fair for everyone with just 2,000 tickets if people were able to take six tickets across multiple households if one of their bubble got picked in the draw.
as said, it’s not perfect and can be improved. I’m not sure what that is though that remains fair to everyone.
So, I guess the next steps for me are to:
1. Take the time and effort to contact the club yet again and query why I seem to be unpopular with the communications and ticketing departments to the extent that I am not being offered tickets to attend games that I have already paid for.
2. Consider whether I want the hassle of attending a match anyway given that I have paid for the home streaming bundle with additional make-weight cash that I won’t get back and can’t use if I am at the game, leaving me with a debt to the Club.
Surely, if I cannot use my streaming pass because I am at the game, I should get a refund of my Charlton Cash ((and arguably also the make-weight Cash I added to it) to ensure that my loyalty has not come at a financial cost to myself?
Thanks very much Charlton.
If Kent moves to Tier 2 whilst we still have a 2,000 capacity cap then we might need to rethink, possibly leveraging the loyalty points system, but cross that bridge and all that.
Don’t get when people bought their season ticket in a pandemic with scum owners they suddenly want to pick and choose their games??
maybe they always did and why there are so many empty seats on Sell Out games
Years ago the price of a season ticket was about the cost of say 20 games, so the aim of buying a ticket was to save money, the same example as an annual rail ticket was normally priced at 10 months travel.
It is not as though where still in the Premier League where you needed a season ticket to guarantee enrty to a home game.
if the feel they need to they can change it after that.
I was lucky and got a ticket because people didn’t want to go, if the full 2,000 had been taken up I would have been out of luck.
I wasn’t successful in the MK ballot so was expecting to be ok for the AFC game. I have been drawn but if I hadn’t I would have been livid and rightly so after the club told me I would be prioritised and totally agree with Fanny on this.
one ballot every time with no priority is not in my opinion.
if they feel the tickets won’t go they should use the priority points.
Missed out on Doncaster as i wasnt quick enough to get in with my season ticket earlier enough, which in my view was fair enough.
Cant go to Plymouth as i am working 12hour days that day and lose out on a few hundred quid if i go plus 13 hours A/L, so someone else can have my spot if i am picked.