2024 Membership - New record!

[Dogs 13]

My membership payments came out today as we were advised by email.
I think an improvement, especially for those people whose finances are a little tighter, would be to send a SMS a few days before payment is due to remind them. They can then ensure that they have the funds in their account to cover it and there are no surprises. Some people may not check their email but are much more likely to see a message on their phone.

North Melbourne does this 4 or 5 days before payment is due.

 

[_Cerberus_]

My membership payments came out today as we were advised by email.
I think an improvement, especially for those people whose finances are a little tighter, would be to send a SMS a few days before payment is due to remind them. They can then ensure that they have the funds in their account to cover it and there are no surprises. Some people may not check their email but are much more likely to see a message on their phone.

North Melbourne does this 4 or 5 days before payment is due.

Curious, do clubs ever offer payment plans? Imagine being able to afford a Gold Membership, by being able to pay an X amount weekly across the off-season until membership cut off date. Unfortunately many people cannot afford a one off on the spot payment. I'd be more inclined to purchase higher tier memberships if that was an option.

Unfortunately with my current career, I cannot make a call on a membership, or the type of membership. Until like March or April, as I have to plan around our fixture, with my night shifts and my own local footy fixture. I was only able to attend 4 games in total last season sadly. But if I move into a more time friendly job, then I will likely become a fully fledged member again.

 

[Dogs 13]

Curious, do clubs ever offer payment plans? Imagine being able to afford a Gold Membership, by being able to pay an X amount weekly across the off-season until membership cut off date. Unfortunately many people cannot afford a one off on the spot payment. I'd be more inclined to purchase higher tier memberships if that was an option.

Unfortunately with my current career, I cannot make a call on a membership, or the type of membership. Until like March or April, as I have to plan around our fixture, with my night shifts and my own local footy fixture. I was only able to attend 4 games in total last season sadly. But if I move into a more time friendly job, then I will likely become a fully fledged member again.

Three ways to pay.
In full, or 10 month instalments or 6 month instalments.
Although it states for 2022 renewing members, but I think it’s still the same.

Committed Bulldogs Terms & Conditions

Celebrate 100 years with a Western Bulldogs Membership.

membership.westernbulldogs.com.au

 

[_Cerberus_]

Three ways to pay.
In full, or 10 month instalments or 6 month instalments.
Although it states for 2022 renewing members, but I think it’s still the same.

Committed Bulldogs Terms & Conditions

Celebrate 100 years with a Western Bulldogs Membership.

membership.westernbulldogs.com.au

Thank you.

 

[Dogs 13]

Thank you.

From what I can see in the packages it’s offering 10 monthly payments.
Just call the club that’s the easiest thing to do.

 

[_Cerberus_]

I want to say, big credit to the membership department for their service via phone call. They were polite, professional, and pretty much cancelled my renewal and organized a refund in less than 5 minutes. I was surprised with how easy I was able to do this. Normally phone calls are my last option with anxiety sometimes.

I recommend those who have any issue with their memberships, to contact the club via phone call. As it is most effective option by far.

As for email, I do not recommend using that option. I had no reply after 6 days, when the normal reply time is within 24 business hours. Eventually got an email asking them to rate the service and reply which I never got. Only to check that later, and seen my ticket had already been closed without resolution. Not sure what happened there. But definitely take the phone call option if you need any assistance.

Despite my initial response, under temperament from being unexpectedly inconvenienced at the worst time. I still love the club and will still look at getting a new membership next year. Once my working schedule, and own footy playing schedule becomes clearer.

Hopefully we are able to stay at 60,000 members and keep ahead of some other teams with a similar base.

 

[dogwatch]

I want to say, big credit to the membership department for their service via phone call. They were polite, professional, and pretty much cancelled my renewal and organized a refund in less than 5 minutes. I was surprised with how easy I was able to do this. Normally phone calls are my last option with anxiety sometimes.

I recommend those who have any issue with their memberships, to contact the club via phone call. As it is most effective option by far.

As for email, I do not recommend using that option. I had no reply after 6 days, when the normal reply time is within 24 business hours. Eventually got an email asking them to rate the service and reply which I never got. Only to check that later, and seen my ticket had already been closed without resolution. Not sure what happened there. But definitely take the phone call option if you need any assistance.

Despite my initial response, under temperament from being unexpectedly inconvenienced at the worst time. I still love the club and will still look at getting a new membership next year. Once my working schedule, and own footy playing schedule becomes clearer.

Hopefully we are able to stay at 60,000 members and keep ahead of some other teams with a similar base.

Good to hear.

Despite my occasional cloud yelling on the auto-renewal issue I want to support your point. I have nearly always found the people at the club who answer calls or emails are committed to providing good service. My criticisms are higher up the food chain. We shouldn’t shoot the hard workers on the shop floor just because of the business rules they have to work under.

 

[Dogs 13]

Good to hear.

Despite my occasional cloud yelling on the auto-renewal issue I want to support your point. I have nearly always found the people at the club who answer calls or emails are committed to providing good service. My criticisms are higher up the food chain. We shouldn’t shoot the hard workers on the shop floor just because of the business rules they have to work under.

Double like, they’re usually very helpful and good at finding a solution
They probably know better than us the issues we have to endure, they would have heard it all before. Passing that feedback up the line is the key.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I want to say, big credit to the membership department for their service via phone call. They were polite, professional, and pretty much cancelled my renewal and organized a refund in less than 5 minutes. I was surprised with how easy I was able to do this. Normally phone calls are my last option with anxiety sometimes.

I recommend those who have any issue with their memberships, to contact the club via phone call. As it is most effective option by far.

As for email, I do not recommend using that option. I had no reply after 6 days, when the normal reply time is within 24 business hours. Eventually got an email asking them to rate the service and reply which I never got. Only to check that later, and seen my ticket had already been closed without resolution. Not sure what happened there. But definitely take the phone call option if you need any assistance.

Despite my initial response, under temperament from being unexpectedly inconvenienced at the worst time. I still love the club and will still look at getting a new membership next year. Once my working schedule, and own footy playing schedule becomes clearer.

Hopefully we are able to stay at 60,000 members and keep ahead of some other teams with a similar base.

That's encouraging to hear. Nothing beats talking to a person; unfortunately we have got out of the habit and rely a bit too much on technology. I've always found the membership people very good.

When (not if ) you join up again, do it via telephone and make a point of asking for it not to be automatically renewed.

 

[flamethrower]

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

Just had a look and the 2025 Membership Ts and Cs no longer specifically mention anything about this. In fact there are now separate Ts and Cs for Committed Bulldogs that say a member may opt in to this option, and that 2 different payment plans were available (as well as a lump sum upfront full payment). Very interesting - they must have had a lot of complaints about the stealthy way they did this.

I know it existed when I signed my wife and daughter up as members in 2015, as when I specifically asked the membership department person about the Bulldog for Life program, it was confirmed that I had to opt out of the program which I specifically did for them at the time. In 2016 when my daughter renewed her membership, I didn't bother about opting out again so we both roll over our memberships every year.

I also know that each October we will receive an email specifically about our new membership details, so I have them sent to a separate email account just for "important" emails.

 

[Fossie 32]

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

2024 AGM RSVP

tradablebits.com

Just sent in a question for the chairman to submit as proxy as below. May help if others can do same.

" Can the club address the issue of non authorized membership payments being rolled over on credit card auto payments? I organise BigFooty sponsorships for both AFL and AFLW competitions and have had payments for these sponsorships [and other charges] added to my rollover payments without my permission, which I believe has cost me at least $800 in payments which I did not authorise. I advised the club of this only for it to happen again. I am told this is a system organised by the AFL but would hope the club can represent its members in taking action to discontinue this practice.

There are many similar stories in this thread in BigFooty. It would be great if the club would monitor and contribute to our BigFooty site.
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2024-membership-new-record.1372203/page-12 "

 

[ManOfClay]

I cancelled what was an expensive membership part way through 2024 due to financial reasons but have now re signed up as long distance member for 2025.


I’ve asked the club this too, but does anyone know if my membership years will roll over? I’d been a member for more than 10 years so it would be good to continue that streak

 

[_Cerberus_]

I cancelled what was an expensive membership part way through 2024 due to financial reasons but have now re signed up as long distance member for 2025.


I’ve asked the club this too, but does anyone know if my membership years will roll over? I’d been a member for more than 10 years so it would be good to continue that streak

It should. I am pretty sure its total years and not consecutive.

That being said. I had 3 periods where I didn't buy a membership, and restarted a year or two later. And each time I got a pack congratulating me on being a first time member. So their data may not be the best. Just ring the club up if in doubt.

 

[Chicago1]

It should. I am pretty sure its total years and not consecutive.

That being said. I had 3 periods where I didn't buy a membership, and restarted a year or two later. And each time I got a pack congratulating me on being a first time member. So their data may not be the best. Just ring the club up if in doubt.

Consecutive years is used. I wasn't a member in 1989 when I lived in Perth, so my consecutive years comes out to 36. I have 12 years prior to 1989, but they don't count.

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Probably already mentioned, but has anyone else had money taken from their bank accounts by the membership department?

Trying to work out if it’s for the season gone or the season ahead.

 

[Golden_6]

Probably already mentioned, but has anyone else had money taken from their bank accounts by the membership department?

Trying to work out if it’s for the season gone or the season ahead.

They start taking payments out in October.

If you’re on the monthly automatic renewal, the payments will be from October to April.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

They start taking payments out in October.

If you’re on the monthly automatic renewal, the payments will be from October to April.

Paid automatically via credit card for next year’s membership. They gave me notice twice.

 

[ManOfClay]

Consecutive years is used. I wasn't a member in 1989 when I lived in Perth, so my consecutive years comes out to 36. I have 12 years prior to 1989, but they don't count.

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

It should. I am pretty sure its total years and not consecutive.

That being said. I had 3 periods where I didn't buy a membership, and restarted a year or two later. And each time I got a pack congratulating me on being a first time member. So their data may not be the best. Just ring the club up if in doubt.

Update - club says this will continue my Years of Membership for 2025 and beyond.

 

[Bulldog in Kiev]

Anyone know when gather round barcodes are coming out? Memebers tickets on sale tomorrow and Norwood only holds about 12k!

 

[Dogs 13]

Anyone know when gather round barcodes are coming out? Memebers tickets on sale tomorrow and Norwood only holds about 12k!

Received my email 2.30 this afternoon

 

[Bulldog in Kiev]

All good, got mine too now.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Go dogs, 65 years consecutive membership and 100 years of consecutive for my late dad and me he joined in 1925. Lets make it a memorable centenary.

 

[_Mike_]

Go dogs, 65 years consecutive membership and 100 years of consecutive for my late dad and me he joined in 2025. Lets make it a memorable centenary.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

OMG I have just had my irate interstate son on the phone about his membership. He has been a member consistently for 22 years, and a social club member, changed his address and apparently he is a first year member with no social club. Has anyone else had problems with their membership this year?

He sent an email to them and got an out of office, saying they will be back on the 13th

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

OMG I have just had my irate interstate son on the phone about his membership. He has been a member consistently for 22 years, and a social club member, changed his address and apparently he is a first year member with no social club. Has anyone else had problems with their membership this year?

He sent an email to them and got an out of office, saying they will be back on the 13th

He should phone. Sounds like something easily sorted. They left off my social club one year, a phone call fixed it.