We've been working with the club for a while on processes to ensure tickets are made available and can be resold. I'll come onto that in a minute.
The above is an understandable but cynical view some take but the simple fact is that not enough people make unused tickets available for resale. That's a large part of the reason why we often have empty seats.
The process for recycling mobile tickets isn't good enough and needs to be made slicker and simpler but Ticket Exchange is straightforward to use. What we need to do is to get people to use it though. We believe that if you use it once, you'll be more likely to use it again.
We've just been discussing this on WhatsApp and, personally, I'd have done it for a different game. Maybe not midweek v Watford but another game that's more likely to see non-attendance than Liverpool (although it's Easter holidays later that week so quite a few may be away). There would prob be a bit of a financial hit to the club but the more who take advantage the better, as we need to build the habit.
As to longer-term solutions we've floated various solutions, including adjusting the price paid for tickets put on the exchange that more closely reflect the cost of matchday tickets, giving people part of the cash (or points) just for listing or even allowing a limited 'boost' so you could choose to get closer to full price a few times. These discussions are ongoing and nothing has been resolved but, to be honest, we don't believe the 1/19th refund really is a significant factor. But that doesn't mean we can't look at it.
Thanks for the Update PB.
I get the angle city are trying to achieve, they want as many tickets to readily available to cityzens from secure channels and no empty seats in the ground
Personally, im a pretty active user of the TE and have done for years right back to our viagago days and other 3rd parties.
My only points would be:
- need to reduce the 45 days - City gain the money from the sale of my ticket ~10 days before a game and i have to wait 45 after the match..like any refund i think it should be 5-10days Max.
- I know my seat is selling for ~£60 via city compared to the £43 i receive for my 1/19th so im happy getting that matched exactly. Any financial incentive higher than 1/19th ..i wouldnt complain.
- Other non tangible incentives like Loyalty points, Freebies or priority windows for other games might entice more usage.
- What is Citys current stance on capping usage at 6 times a season? that has been scrapped? Again personally, i have been hesitant to use the TE because i didnt want to add another stat to my ST or my fathers. Therefore, i was driven to use Facebook buy and sell pages for lower returns to manage that risk.
- The buy and sell pages are 90% legit and thousands of tickets are sold between blues this way each Matchday. ..but often scams and mis-selling takes place which leaves bad tastes with fans. Therefore, the incentive of handling tickets Fan2Club2Fan should be encouraged and made easier. The pricing on the tickets can be wildly spread with fans selling for 20-30 for £50 tickets..just to get something back and cash in hand with little bother. They rarely stay legit FV.
- Does the ticket office "buy" tickets or are all exchanges on the TE solely done by those with cityzens memberships?
Also..can you ask city to bring back the gift on the season ticket packs.. i know covid affected it this year plus all the environmental cut backs but even a voucher or something as i sometimes buy clothing from the shop :)
