Its to suit the staff in the office of branch. They probably knock off at 5/5.30 so causes minimum disruption/ ot costs.

Absolute ridiculous time to have it on, would love to know who's fantastic idea was to have it on at that time. It excludes everyone that works a 9 to 6 day and not to mention people outside the county (as Fourdogs said)

Ok I take the point about the time not suiting some people but I'm starting to feel a lot more love. Is it the new CEO I wonder?

Just seen the notice of the Season Ticket Launch Party.

“Connacht Rugby is delighted to confirm the date of our Season Ticket holders Launch Party which will take place at the home of Connacht Rugby on Friday, August 29th from 4:30 – 7pm.”

Yet again the “bright sparks” in the Marketing Dept only think of the supporters who live in and around Galway City.

4:30 - 7:00pm on a Friday evening excludes anyone more than 30 min from Galway.

After all these years, why did I expect anything different

Hang on, some people are Connacht fans because of the potential rewards?

The Connacht Facebook page announced we're all getting gloves lads, yere wish came true.

What are those magical figures, It costs 3 to 4 times to get a new subscriber than it does to hold on to an existing one.

Be it Sky, UPC, Home Insurance or Connacht Rugby, no one seems to want to take this fact on board.

I suppose if we all had renewed, took out Premium packages and supported things like the Wall and Grass roots, the Marketing Dept would have nothing to do. At least we are keeping someone in a job :whistle: :whistle:

Last year players rang thanking people for becoming Season Ticket holders - this year it seems to be aimed at the people who didn't renew- or did I interpret it wrong?

They did the same thing last year I'm sure, its just a bit of a publicity stunt. Whether its a good idea or not I don't know but I would say that there seems to be much less talk/rumours/discussion surrounding Connacht than the other provinces during the summer and its probably good for the branch to remind fans that they're there.

Good that it is that people call, it could be a awkward. I would not like a former player trying to convince me to change my mind over a season ticket purchase. There could be lots of financial reasons for not renewing. You could be deemed an unloyal supporter. I know that Gav would be diplomatic and everything, but not sure about it.

"Business Development Exec. Gavin Duffy hits the phones today (4 days ago) calling Season Ticket holders encouraging them to renew ahead of the new season."

Not looking good in terms of ST numbers this year then.

If I was a ST holder last year but hadn't renewed at this point (assuming majority of people in this category won't renew now 4 weeks to 1st game), I'd imagine it would be a fairly painful conversation with Gav calling me up, though I guess I'd appreciate the gesture.

ST obviously down over last year so they are going to have to provide added incentives to get the numbers up. I'm sure they realised they would upset some who renewed earlier but counted on them being diehard fans who wouldn't stay mad long so it was worth the risk. Though Fourdogs is right the drop-off should have been anticipated with Connacht out of HEC, on field progress was marginal at best and not a lot of excitement was generated through new signings so an earlier incentive was warranted. Perhaps the drop off greater than expected. Does anyone have any idea about numbers? Have the team or clan been enlisted to make calls to prior ST holders who have not renewed yet?

Dry yer eyes lads

Fourdogs wrote:

overstrander wrote: But won't those who renewed earlier get all these "gimmicks" and "rewards" too?

Overstrander
I was just talking specifically about the "New Ticket Club Rewards Scheme ".

None of the Clubs that the early renewals belong to will benefit. For example, if 20 people from the same club renewed their ST in say May or June (outside early bird prices period) their club got nothing. If the same 20 renew today, their club get 25 branded Polo's

I live in Drogheda and renewed before the final game of last season so it does not impact me either way.

All of these gimmicks cost money, just thinking that €20 off the basic ticket price from the very start might have generated the same volume of sales.

Fair point about the local club benefits, hadn't thought of that...

overstrander wrote: But won't those who renewed earlier get all these "gimmicks" and "rewards" too?

Overstrander
I was just talking specifically about the "New Ticket Club Rewards Scheme ".

None of the Clubs that the early renewals belong to will benefit. For example, if 20 people from the same club renewed their ST in say May or June (outside early bird prices period) their club got nothing. If the same 20 renew today, their club get 25 branded Polo's

I live in Drogheda and renewed before the final game of last season so it does not impact me either way.

All of these gimmicks cost money, just thinking that €20 off the basic ticket price from the very start might have generated the same volume of sales.

Fourdogs wrote: Anyone else think the a recent “gimmicks” and “rewards” to new Season ticket purchasers, being offered by the Branch, is a bit of slap in the face to those of us who have already renewed months ago.

Agree. 5 free jerseys yesterday for first 5 new tickets. 3 of the same surname got them. Some family got good deal. That's 70 euro of a season ticket right there
Today they have some upgrade for pavilion
Saying that every company does this. I pay something like 700 a year for upc and give new customers 6 months for 30 euro.

What pissed me of most was last season at half time, players came out and through jerseys and balls into the crowd.
Half of them went to people behind the posts. Not to sure how many loyal fans stand behind the posts