DISGRACEFUL treatment of Afl Members

[Chasing the Dream]

Can someone explain to me what the issue is if an AFL member buys a ticket to a game, say, this weekend, and gives it to a friend as a gift? How can this in ANY way be any sort of issue?

A membership is paid for.
A ticket is paid for.
A ticket is used.

Why does it HAVE to be the AFL member using the ticket?

Whats the difference between the AFL member sitting there or their friend who they bought the gift for?

I am concerned now that when I go, my mate will get in the shit because he made the choice to purchase a ticket and give it to me for my birthday.

Quite simply, it is in the terms and conditions, and we know that before we sign up. It's a rule, we live with it.

I live in Queensland and have had my SIlver Membership for 6 years now. Even though I don't live in Victoria, I still say it is awesome value.

Direct debit $27 or something a month. Now I travel to Melbourne 3 or 4 times and watch 3 games each weekend while I am there and get awesome treatment from the staff every time.

I also get a ticket to each game at the GABBA, which I use to bring someone to the game with me (as they can use my fully transferrable Lions membership) The lowest Lions membership costs around the $270 mark, so I consider it a bargain.

Throw in the discounted Record Vouchers (about $3 each to buy 11 vouchers) as an additional benefit as well

Can't be too far away from Full Membership, actually if the OP is a Full Member, he should show some balls and cancel. One spot closer for me then

 

[didak04]

Ahahahahahaha nice one Mr didak.... now tell me...are you an AFL member... or are you Tight like a tiger..... lol

I'm toight like a toiger. i have to save my money for a shmoke and and a pancake.

 

[DeanoT]

Can someone explain to me what the issue is if an AFL member buys a ticket to a game, say, this weekend, and gives it to a friend as a gift? How can this in ANY way be any sort of issue?

A membership is paid for.
A ticket is paid for.
A ticket is used.

Why does it HAVE to be the AFL member using the ticket?

Whats the difference between the AFL member sitting there or their friend who they bought the gift for?

I am concerned now that when I go, my mate will get in the shit because he made the choice to purchase a ticket and give it to me for my birthday.

Simple, if you want the benefit of sitting in the AFL reserve, then you should take up a membership yourself or buy a guest pass, not freeload of your mate, just because he has decided not to attend.

AFL memberships are not a syndicate or to be shared. Pay up if you wan't to go. Your mate risks losing his membership if caught giving you his ticket.

 

[STC]

I'm sorrry but that one makes sense. It's the same with train tickets, etc.

Just because you're eligible at the time of purchase doesn't mean much. You must maintain that concession in order to continue benefitting from it.

I can't think of a valid reason you wouldn't have the concession card on you, so can only assume his had expired and the correct call was made.

That's not true, you can get a concession train ticket without having a concession card, ticket machines don't ask you for a concession card. Moreover, train tickets don't have your name on them. There's a massive difference, if he can show photo ID that proves he is the same person listed on the card, why shouldn't he be able to use a concession card?

You can't think of a valid reason? Have you never left a card at home you didn't think you'd need to use?

 

[lgarth80]

What I disagree with though is the booking fees for all the games since the membership has already been paid for.

$5.5 each game, if you go to 40 its an extra $220. Also its just supposed to be a booking fee, I don't see why then it sky rockets to $13.5 for the first 2 weeks of the finals...does it cost $8.50 extra for them to reserve our seat in finals?

After you add up all the booking fees, its not as great a deal as it seems.

Not a great deal - I agree.
Why more booking fees? Simple - more processing required. More internet connections, streamlined systems, more staff at outlets, all these things cost money.

They probably should have kept it to $10 for finals and $5 for regular season games, but I can understand the load from a systems/processing perspective that needs to be recouped.

AFL membership is super. I've had it for 20 years and I am very happy with it. Mind you, I think there should be added rewards for long-term members like myself, however I've never complained about issues raised by the OP, or about people being caught abusing the membership or sneaking in (i.e. stealing). It's a great setup.

I was very proud of the AFL members at the Adelaide-Collingwood match being the most vocal, passionate packed part of the ground. After years of AFL members being canned for not showing up to games and being part of the chardonnay set of supporters, I thought it was a fantastic show by the AFL members to turn up, and provide the atmosphere to accompany one of the games of the season.

Well done AFL and I look forward to my gold plated lavatories in the upcoming upgrades.

 

[Borgsta]

That's not true, you can get a concession train ticket without having a concession card, ticket machines don't ask you for a concession card. Moreover, train tickets don't have your name on them. There's a massive difference, if he can show photo ID that proves he is the same person listed on the card, why shouldn't he be able to use a concession card?

You can't think of a valid reason? Have you never left a card at home you didn't think you'd need to use?

However if a ticket inspector (at the game and on the train) comes on if you have a concession ticket you must provide one. If you don't on the train you are given an on the spot fine. If you don't at the ground you shouldn't be allowed to enter.

It's all there in the terms and conditions.

 

[Valve Bounce]

The way AFL members these days are being treated is nothing short of an absolute joke. A few points I'd like to make.

1. Having to show your ticket to get into level n and p every time you go in and out. As an AFL member, you should have access to these areas even if you don't reserve a seat. You still should be allowed to walk around these areas. It is very annoying having to show your ticket everytime you walk out to have a piss or when you are carrying food back in. If people are going to sit in the wrong sits, people with the right tickets will call the attendants over to sort it out, don't annoy everyone else by overpolicing something.

2. Nazi like attendants. I was standing on level n last night with a couple of people. Some of the guys were being fairly loud, but not swearing or doing anything wrong. An attendant came over and asked us what was going on. Aren't we allowed to stand in the foyer section of n (past the gate, but before the seats) and talk these days.

3. The attendants SNATCH your ticket off you both at the gates when you come in and when you are going to your seats. If you want to see our tickets, ASK. Do not grab them off us rudely.

4. I know a mate who went to the Bulldogs Cats game on his membership card, he showed up and swiped it. He was pulled up because it was a concession and asked to show his concession card. He explained that he didn't have it and that id should be enough because he had to show proof of concession entitlement at the start of the year to get the concession membership. If he shows the id, this is enough. But the moron at the ground couldn't get this. Absolute disgrace.

5. Asking us to bring our memberships to finals. If we reserve a seat with our membership, we shouldn't have to. What about people with guest passes? They don't even have memberships. Work that out? What are they going to do with the people on guest passes.

The standard of service for afl members has got worse every single year. It is about time they started giving us value for money and treating us like humans when we get to the ground. They really need to stop acting like Nazis.

I will be putting my complaint in writing to the afl membership department, I urge anyone who feels the same to do so as well.

END OF RANT.

You need to have a look at the "Right in front of me" video, have a good laugh and unlax.

 

[LightTower4]

How does that work though? My paper ticket had my mate's name on it because he bought them on ticketek's website.
If you use 5 barcodes and get 5 tickets, all the tickets have the name of the person whose credit card was used to pay for them.

Real member scans ticket then gets passout.
Give passout to mate.
Real member scans mates illgotten ticket to get back in.

 

[blue harvest]

Can someone explain to me what the issue is if an AFL member buys a ticket to a game, say, this weekend, and gives it to a friend as a gift? How can this in ANY way be any sort of issue?

A membership is paid for.
A ticket is paid for.
A ticket is used.

Why does it HAVE to be the AFL member using the ticket?

Whats the difference between the AFL member sitting there or their friend who they bought the gift for?

I am concerned now that when I go, my mate will get in the shit because he made the choice to purchase a ticket and give it to me for my birthday.

There are more AFL members than there are seats in the AFL reserve.
The AFL does this because it knows not all members want to go to all games. If members start doing what your friend has done then it screws up their system and doesn't leave enough tickets for other members who want to go. I saw many people being asked for their membership card and id at the gate last week, but you could see ahead which line was being checked - lots of people were swapping lines to avoid being checked.

 

[Cat for Life]

Not a great deal - I agree.
Why more booking fees? Simple - more processing required. More internet connections, streamlined systems, more staff at outlets, all these things cost money.

They probably should have kept it to $10 for finals and $5 for regular season games, but I can understand the load from a systems/processing perspective that needs to be recouped.

AFL membership is super. I've had it for 20 years and I am very happy with it. Mind you, I think there should be added rewards for long-term members like myself, however I've never complained about issues raised by the OP, or about people being caught abusing the membership or sneaking in (i.e. stealing). It's a great setup.

I was very proud of the AFL members at the Adelaide-Collingwood match being the most vocal, passionate packed part of the ground. After years of AFL members being canned for not showing up to games and being part of the chardonnay set of supporters, I thought it was a fantastic show by the AFL members to turn up, and provide the atmosphere to accompany one of the games of the season.

Well done AFL and I look forward to my gold plated lavatories in the upcoming upgrades.

I doubt that the processing fees are that much more for the final. I think the answer is that they charge that because they can, people are willing to pay it.
I don't buy into this thinking that $13.50 is a great deal when the public has to pay $60 odd. It's included in the price of the membership already so you can't compare.

 

[Big R]

Showing a concession card is fair enough because if you buy your membership online, I don't think you have to prove you have a concession card to purchase one, because it is expected you carry one on you at all times if you are asked to present one. Hate to sound like a stiff, I got no problem with people trying to get around it if they can, but that's why they ask and the risk people take when they attempt to get a half price ticket.

 

[Giants FC]

From the moment an AFL member arrives in the Yarra Park area, a valet parking attendant should look after parking the car. Red carpet should be rolled out as the highly esteemed AFL member is paraded through. Upon arrival, all gate attendants should fall to their hands and knees in worship; before the AFL's butler brings them a glass of chardonnay and some prawn sandwiches.
But what would happen if an imposter, who isn't really an AFL member, tries to get in on the act. We can't have people checking for that.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Ticketek facilitate the purchase....do you really expect them to make no profit out of your transaction?

They already do via a handling fee brother.

They are double dipping for the finals when they haven't during the H & A.

 

[Truetiger]

From the moment an AFL member arrives in the Yarra Park area, a valet parking attendant should look after parking the car. Red carpet should be rolled out as the highly esteemed AFL member is paraded through. Upon arrival, all gate attendants should fall to their hands and knees in worship; before the AFL's butler brings them a glass of chardonnay and some prawn sandwiches.
But what would happen if an imposter, who isn't really an AFL member, tries to get in on the act. We can't have people checking for that.

Spot on. Also if i drive up on wellington pd and show my afl membership they the afl should drive my car for me to a vip car spot. Also we should get a free record as well for the day. Plus all food and drinks should be given to us at the seats. Plus should get free travel to and from the games as well. Should also be able to attend every game and not just have a limit of 40.

 

[Giants FC]

The problem is how to prevent the riff-raff from impersonating AFL members. The OP doesn't like anyone checking their tickets. Maybe the OP has a certain aura of superiority, either a halo or stigmata, that should be enough in itself to guarantee admission to the exalted AFL members seats.

 

[The Sultan]

I'm a full member and got brought two tickets for my brother in law (who is a restricted collingwood member) do they check, that the ticket were not purchased on his membership, or is it just a case of do you have an AFL membership.

 

[DeanoT]

I'm a full member and got brought two tickets for my brother in law (who is a restricted collingwood member) do they check, that the ticket were not purchased on his membership, or is it just a case of do you have an AFL membership.

I assume you mean you bought a ticket on your membership, and then a guest pass, as you can't buy two tickets from the same membership.

And yes, if the ticket came from your membership, and your brother attends instead of you, you're in trouble if he gets caught.

 

[Runk]

You're getting entry to a shitload of games, including finals, in the best stadium in the country for 2/5ths of **** all.

You should be on your hands and knees kissing the AFL's arse.

Whilst that isn't entirely factual, I still love it.

More to the point, suck it up Princess. You bastards ruined my chance of getting into the 1993 Grand Final.

 

[Merv_Hughes]

The problem is how to prevent the riff-raff from impersonating AFL members. The OP doesn't like anyone checking their tickets. Maybe the OP has a certain aura of superiority, either a halo or stigmata, that should be enough in itself to guarantee admission to the exalted AFL members seats.

You've all missed the point. Completely.

Probably why I am complaining is that I am used to how the afl members used to be. We used to be able to show up on the day and sit anywhere on level n and p.

My main issue is the way the nazis at the ground are acting. They stick their noses in where it is wanted (e.g. when we are standing around talking, asking what is going on because some people were being loud, it's the football).

Maybe it's just the experiences I've had. I don't like having things snatched from my hand which has happened numerous times.

And to those going on about the value you get - that isn't my point. I know it is great value. I wouldn't be an afl member if it wasn't. All I am saying is that it would be nice if the attendants at the ground:
1. Knew the rules that they were going to police
2. Weren't so Nazi like - if I have walked past you 5 times in 10 minutes, do you need to ask for my ticket every time when you clearly have seen me each time.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Not much to complain about, really. I'm happy for them to check cards and tickets, I've always found staff helpful and I wish the attendants were quicker to jump on people misbehaving in the members section. You get to go to plenty of games and get relatively easy access to finals including a basic guarantee of a ticket if your team is playing in the GF, in exchange for a bunch of pretty tight rules. If you don't like the deal, don't sign up - I don't think anything there we don't all know about.

 

[Merv_Hughes]

Not much to complain about, really. I'm happy for them to check cards and tickets, I've always found staff helpful and I wish the attendants were quicker to jump on people misbehaving in the members section. You get to go to plenty of games and get relatively easy access to finals including a basic guarantee of a ticket if your team is playing in the GF, in exchange for a bunch of pretty tight rules. If you don't like the deal, don't sign up - I don't think anything there we don't all know about.

You want them to jump on people for misbehaving, do you?
I'll take it your the type that likes to take your scones and tea to the football then.

 

[GREEN HAWKEYE]

Hey OP!
Stop being a big cry baby. They're are a lot of peole who love their AFL and are real club supporters (Which i can see your not) who would love to be a AFL member but just simply can't afford it, or live too far away (as in Cairns).

You have what some of us can only dream of!

GROW UP!

 

[DeanoT]

You want them to jump on people for misbehaving, do you?
I'll take it your the type that likes to take your scones and tea to the football then.

Cut your losses mate. 97 posts so far, and I can't recall one of them agreeing with you yet. If you don't like your AFL membership, don't renew next year. I doubt any of us will miss you.

 

[CalDon]

You've all missed the point. Completely.

Probably why I am complaining is that I am used to how the afl members used to be. We used to be able to show up on the day and sit anywhere on level n and p.

My main issue is the way the nazis at the ground are acting. They stick their noses in where it is wanted (e.g. when we are standing around talking, asking what is going on because some people were being loud, it's the football).

Maybe it's just the experiences I've had. I don't like having things snatched from my hand which has happened numerous times.

And to those going on about the value you get - that isn't my point. I know it is great value. I wouldn't be an afl member if it wasn't. All I am saying is that it would be nice if the attendants at the ground:
1. Knew the rules that they were going to police
2. Weren't so Nazi like - if I have walked past you 5 times in 10 minutes, do you need to ask for my ticket every time when you clearly have seen me each time.

Ah yes - the good old days. Unfortunately gone forever.

While I don't doubt your "issues" with the attendants are real (as you see it) I can honestly say I've never had a problem.

 

[arrowman]

...if I have walked past you 5 times in 10 minutes, do you need to ask for my ticket every time when you clearly have seen me each time.

Same thing at any well-run major event. For example at the Clipsal 500, I'm pretty much on first name terms with the staff on duty at the stand where I sit by the end of the first day.

And they still need to see my ticket every time I enter the stand.

It's what they have to do. They are not allowed to let people in "because they know their face".

Get over it.