2024 Membership - New record!

[dogwatch]

The terms & conditions state that if you want to cancel your membership “product” you have to complete an opt out form and send it to the club or complete it at Whitten Oval.
It seems when you join up you automatically go on the Committed Bulldog process and you’ll be automatically renewed every year.
They’re deliberately making it difficult to opt out. I don’t see how you can sign up for just one year. Once the hooks are in the train just keeps on rolling. Perhaps paying in cash (or cheque ) is the only way so they don’t have your account details.
It’s just not right !!

Pay by BPay like I did. Eventually.
It only takes 9 months of nagging to get them to provide a legit BPay reference number but other than that it's a breeze.

 

[dogwatch]

Unfortunately…this is the “new normal”

Only if we accept it. Don't.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

If people believe that they have valid points (which I agree with, to varying extents), submit it as part of a question of the club's AGM: https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/agm

I don't think thing such as auto-renewals if communicated effectively and clearly are entirely wrong, especially in the context that there are a lot of other things that society seems acceptable to be direct debited in this way (gym memberships, phone plans etc.).

So I believe that asking a question or providing feedback on whether such communication such as if the terms and conditions are accessible, clear and presented well, whether the email notifications are sufficient in quality, timing and quantity, etc. would be most effective.

I think people should either cease to be a member or use their power as a member as part of the AGM process to raise concerns, that's only fair - it is a democratic institution after all and if enough people attend and ask questions or feedback as part of the AGM surely the club would make changes in a response to quell discontent or at the very least just to better represent the actions the members desire the club should take (as represented by this thread).

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

My membership is up to $800 this year. It’s a lot of money when you consider the games flogged off to Ballarat with no replacement game coming back like they did in years gone by.

Hopefully we’re not dealt too many Thursday/Friday night games next year too. Thursday night is especially turd for those of us juggling early mornings with Bulldog induced compulsive drinking.

$1440 here, went overseas this year and gave our tickets to the couple that sits next to us to make sure only Bulldogs sit in our seats.

 

[Spiritof82]

Received my membership renewal email and it was just on $200 more than what I paid last year with the link to pay it via Ticket Master/Tek (whichever one). Called the membership dept at the club and was told that the amount was wrong as I get discount for 50 years membership and let me know what the correct amount should be (which was closer to last years amount with the expected yearly inflation). Sounded like Ticket ??? just send out the invoices without checking things with the club.

Also luckily my credit card had to be renewed last year so Ticket ?? doesn't have my new card number so I said I'd be paying with cash to stop getting put back onto the yearly automatic cash grab by Ticket ??? and he said that's a good idea, so it sounds like they aren't happy with the Ticket ??? process which is probably forced on clubs by the AFL.

 

[Fossie 32]

Received my membership renewal email and it was just on $200 more than what I paid last year with the link to pay it via Ticket Master/Tek (whichever one). Called the membership dept at the club and was told that the amount was wrong as I get discount for 50 years membership and let me know what the correct amount should be (which was closer to last years amount with the expected yearly inflation). Sounded like Ticket ??? just send out the invoices without checking things with the club.

Also luckily my credit card had to be renewed last year so Ticket ?? doesn't have my new card number so I said I'd be paying with cash to stop getting put back onto the yearly automatic cash grab by Ticket ??? and he said that's a good idea, so it sounds like they aren't happy with the Ticket ??? process which is probably forced on clubs by the AFL.

That's a glimmer of hope if they aren't happy about it themselves

 

[Mantis Toboggan]

$1440 here, went overseas this year and gave our tickets to the couple that sits next to us to make sure only Bulldogs sit in our seats.

Is that for a couple of seats? I’ve been ‘Upgraded’ to the Legends Membership apparently. I’ll be expecting a standing ovation when I take my seat at Round One.

 

[Chicago1]

I'm glad yesterday was pension day for me. Beside the memberships, I had to pay the $500 Medibank excess for my angiogram hospital stay at Epworth Richmond. (Another reason to hate Richmond!) Looks like no pizza this weekend or for the rest of the year. Not that my cardiologist would be too upset about that.

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[flamethrower]

I have no problem with anyone purchasing a membership (or subscription to a product for that matter) having their membership product renewed automatically as it is clearly stated in the terms and conditions (and has been for years). Opting out should be made easier though - a tick box online or an automated phone call should suffice to cancel rather than a phone call to an actual person or email to the membership department.

However 2 things I find manifestly unfair...

First I think that it is unfair to default to an annual lump sum payment, rather than automatically put all members on a monthly payment plan (as businesses like Netflix and Spotify do). If someone with multiple family members on the one account doesn't see or receive the email from the club regarding an upcoming credit card payment for thousands, that can cause a great deal of financial hardship, especially currently with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Secondly the club should not be allowed to change your membership type to a more expensive product without written or verbal permission. An email only asking you to contact the club if you don't want the higher priced membership or membership add on is not good enough.

 

[_Cerberus_]

The problem is, it shouldn't be buried inside terms and conditions. Everyone knows most people don't even read them.

Its like Netflix. When you go to purchase, the small window at the front tells you so clearly, that once you purchase, they will renew it monthly on said date. Also the option to opt out is a simple two or three mouse clicks away. It's not being honest and transparent burying stuff like that. Some people are not even told of price increaes ahead of time either.

It's the lack of transparency and making it hard to cancel that is the issue.

 

[DognBones]

To me, the AFL has a responsibility for the oversight of this issue. It's not good enough to claim that membership is purely the responsibility of clubs. It is little wonder that, as supporters, we love the game but we often have little faith in the AFL as an institution.

 

[BEaston]

This club can walk a plank. When I purchased a 3 game membership at the end of this year. There was not an option asking for their permission to renew automatically. Nor was there any warning that it would occur.

Instead today, when I needed to buy groceries. I was left at the check out unable to process my purchase, due to insufficient funds. Turns out that took money out of my account for a membership I never asked for. Left me in an awkward spot as I had to step aside, hold up the line, and transfer funds across from another account.

The fact the club has taken it on themselves to auto renew without your consent. Has left me feeling pretty unimpressed. It should be the other way around, auto renew doesn't occur unless SOMEONE selects it. Not very professional at all.

The fact that so many of you here have complained about it happening as well, yet the club has chosen not to fix it. Shows how poorly they have handled the whole thing.

I heavily edited this post, as initially I posted it at a time I let my temperament get the better of me.

You should have got an email confirming this? I did with lots of warning on when the renewal would occur.

 

[rolling01]

Can just imagine the whinging if they didn't auto renew and people forgot to renew before the cut off date to keep your seats from the year before and they were given to other members.

 

[Northernsoul74]

Sorry if this has been covered as I have not read the whole thread.

I have just been speaking with the club about their shifty auto renewal system, apparently it's somewhere in the T&C and you have to call up to cancel every year, because to buy a membership you agree to the T&C.

I love the club but that is ****ed.

That’s not good enough.

 

[dogwatch]

Can just imagine the whinging if they didn't auto renew and people forgot to renew before the cut off date to keep your seats from the year before and they were given to other members.

That's a long bow to draw.

I never heard of anyone whinging about not being auto-renewed (without their knowledge) in all the years before they started this practice.

 

[_Cerberus_]

You should have got an email confirming this? I did with lots of warning on when the renewal would occur.

I have the Western Bulldogs account attached to my junk/non personal email. Which I never check as it has nothing important, and like 20,000 junk emails from stores and other stuff via purchases. I did a quick look and didn't find anything.

Not everyone checks emails. All my important stuff like bills come via mail, repayments set to auto via bank card, work doesn't send emails. I am sure there are plenty others who don't check theirs as they too have nothing important.

Warning shouldn't come via email months later anyway. It should be on the same screen as when you make the initial purchase, clear and day, like Netflix and Spotify do. Not hidden away where its hard to see.

 

[_Cerberus_]

I sent a kind email to the club, asking the membership department to please refund my membership, as I did not want to purchase it. And I need that money back as it is quite useful to me at the moment.

Two days later, no reply. In fact, the email I got moments ago, simply asked me to fill in a reply to whether I was satisfied, or unsatisfied with their reply/service. I'm thinking, what service? I haven't got an official reply yet haha. Silly.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Not everyone checks emails. All my important stuff like bills come via mail, repayments set to auto via bank card, work doesn't send emails. I am sure there are plenty others who don't check theirs as they too have nothing important.

I don't think this is an entirely great representation of what reasonable communication looks like in 2024. I don't think "well I don't really check my emails" is that fair of an excuse. Email communication for things that are important is standard, and has been for some time.

I have the Western Bulldogs account attached to my junk/non personal email

That's on you. It doesn't appear to be any systematic issue by others posting on this thread.

It should be on the same screen as when you make the initial purchase, clear and day, like Netflix and Spotify do. Not hidden away where its hard to see.

This is fair. It's also probably an AFL directive/control through their forced use of Ticketmaster as a system for all clubs, though.

 

[Dogs 13]

I don't think this is an entirely great representation of what reasonable communication looks like in 2024. I don't think "well I don't really check my emails" is that fair of an excuse. Email communication for things that are important is standard, and has been for some time.

That's on you. It doesn't appear to be any systematic issue by others posting on this thread.

This is fair. It's also probably an AFL directive/control through their forced use of Ticketek as a system for all clubs, though.

Ticketmaster for Dogs

 

[BEaston]

I have the Western Bulldogs account attached to my junk/non personal email. Which I never check as it has nothing important, and like 20,000 junk emails from stores and other stuff via purchases. I did a quick look and didn't find anything.

Not everyone checks emails. All my important stuff like bills come via mail, repayments set to auto via bank card, work doesn't send emails. I am sure there are plenty others who don't check theirs as they too have nothing important.

Warning shouldn't come via email months later anyway. It should be on the same screen as when you make the initial purchase, clear and day, like Netflix and Spotify do. Not hidden away where its hard to see.

Fair enough on it showing on the initial screen. Agreed on that.

Email is the main mode of comms these days so disagree on the rest. Don't think ignoring your inbox is a valid excuse, like ignoring your letterbox wouldn't have been 30 years ago.

 

[_Cerberus_]

I don't think this is an entirely great representation of what reasonable communication looks like in 2024. I don't think "well I don't really check my emails" is that fair of an excuse. Email communication for things that are important is standard, and has been for some time.

Fair enough on it showing on the initial screen. Agreed on that.

Email is the main mode of comms these days so disagree on the rest. Don't think ignoring your inbox is a valid excuse, like ignoring your letterbox wouldn't have been 30 years ago.

You both make reasonable and fair points. But also as I mentioned, I do have two emails. One for work, personal, banking, medical etc. I check it every time an alert pops up. I am very OCD with keeping things separate and organized.

The other is purely for online purchases, junk. Which has now spammed out to 20,000 unread emails pretty much all promoting said stores latest sale or new products etc. I use this for my Bulldogs stuff as well, as they have NEVER sent me anything important in 8 years. It is all team news, draft news, match reports, stuff all widely available on socials, and not worth having your personal email spammed with. Any tickets are automatically sent to apps, and the Bulldogs app itself posts all the stuff that email would. Would it be reasonable to think that one wouldn't expect to suddenly get an important email out of the blue after 8 years of nothing?

As I said as well, I checked my inbox and nothing from the Bulldogs membership department regardless.

But we can all agree as you have, that it should have been transparent from the time of purchase. And cancelling should be as simple as a couple of clicks. I think people, myself are more annoyed at the lack of transparency at the time of purchase, and the effort needed to cancel it. Netflix and Spotify are both great at this. Both could be improved from the club ahead. But I have a feeling, as some others have, that it may not be a club controlled thing. Ticketmaster are the worst ticketing company in Australia. They are known for dodge practices and price gouging. Would not be surprised if it is more them and the AFL, than it is our own club.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I have the Western Bulldogs account attached to my junk/non personal email. Which I never check as it has nothing important, and like 20,000 junk emails from stores and other stuff via purchases. I did a quick look and didn't find anything.

Not everyone checks emails. All my important stuff like bills come via mail, repayments set to auto via bank card, work doesn't send emails. I am sure there are plenty others who don't check theirs as they too have nothing important.

Warning shouldn't come via email months later anyway. It should be on the same screen as when you make the initial purchase, clear and day, like Netflix and Spotify do. Not hidden away where its hard to see.

Might be better to use your main email; they don’t send that many, but occasionally there’s an important one. You wouldn’t like to miss finals ticketing info, for example.

 

[Fossie 32]

I have no problem with anyone purchasing a membership (or subscription to a product for that matter) having their membership product renewed automatically as it is clearly stated in the terms and conditions (and has been for years). Opting out should be made easier though - a tick box online or an automated phone call should suffice to cancel rather than a phone call to an actual person or email to the membership department.

However 2 things I find manifestly unfair...

First I think that it is unfair to default to an annual lump sum payment, rather than automatically put all members on a monthly payment plan (as businesses like Netflix and Spotify do). If someone with multiple family members on the one account doesn't see or receive the email from the club regarding an upcoming credit card payment for thousands, that can cause a great deal of financial hardship, especially currently with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Secondly the club should not be allowed to change your membership type to a more expensive product without written or verbal permission. An email only asking you to contact the club if you don't want the higher priced membership or membership add on is not good enough.

Where is it "....having their membership product renewed automatically as it is clearly stated in the terms and conditions (and has been for years)." ?

 

[Fossie 32]

Can just imagine the whinging if they didn't auto renew and people forgot to renew before the cut off date to keep your seats from the year before and they were given to other members.

I don't think anyone is complaining [whinging???] about the concept of auto - renewing memberships they have agreed to. The issue is including payments in auto - renew that haven't been agreed to - at least intentionally

 

[Fossie 32]

If people believe that they have valid points (which I agree with, to varying extents), submit it as part of a question of the club's AGM: https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/agm

I don't think thing such as auto-renewals if communicated effectively and clearly are entirely wrong, especially in the context that there are a lot of other things that society seems acceptable to be direct debited in this way (gym memberships, phone plans etc.).

So I believe that asking a question or providing feedback on whether such communication such as if the terms and conditions are accessible, clear and presented well, whether the email notifications are sufficient in quality, timing and quantity, etc. would be most effective.

I think people should either cease to be a member or use their power as a member as part of the AGM process to raise concerns, that's only fair - it is a democratic institution after all and if enough people attend and ask questions or feedback as part of the AGM surely the club would make changes in a response to quell discontent or at the very least just to better represent the actions the members desire the club should take (as represented by this thread).

Looks like you can submit questions via a proxy [the chairperson or 'other'] here

2024 AGM RSVP

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