sea_point wrote: I've come to this a bit late, but can I just say that I don't agree with the tenor of this discussion and the specific naming of an individual especially by users masquerading behind nom de plumes.

If you want to use this forum to suggest ways that the Clan or the Branch can improve....fine

But Bitching about an individual employee of Connacht Rugby from behind the mask of anonymity on here is bloody poor form.

Diom - I'll leave you to decide what to do with this thread, but I would expect any names to be removed..

sea_point

We do not always see eye to eye on matter but on this you are 100%

sea_point wrote: I've come to this a bit late, but can I just say that I don't agree with the tenor of this discussion and the specific naming of an individual especially by users masquerading behind nom de plumes.

If you want to use this forum to suggest ways that the Clan or the Branch can improve....fine

But Bitching about an individual employee of Connacht Rugby from behind the mask of anonymity on here is bloody poor form.

Diom - I'll leave you to decide what to do with this thread, but I would expect any names to be removed..

Yes, I've removed the names (and let me apologise for not taking that step sooner). I don't think that it is inappropriate to criticise an employee of Connacht Rugby when he is in a public facing job though. This is the same as giving out about any other service you care to name, and I would like the forum to remain as open as possible about every topic.

However I DO agree that this is not the most appropriate manner to raise issues with a service though. I would recommend that your first course of redress would be to contact Connacht Rugby directly with complaints. After that please contact me or one of the other committee members. Finally if WE are not doing anything about it, then you should complain about US.
This forum does not get to hear the other side of the story which is unfair to the person involved. Please try the other avenues first.

In particular I will warn our posters that if you are considering posting a complaint here about a Connacht Rugby employee that you maintain a civil manner in doing so (not that there was a problem with civility in this case).

I would like to emphasise that the opinion above is a single poster's opinion. Being involved with the Clan for the last while I am used to people criticising our efforts as well, and as we are a public group and thus acting in a public manner we must accept that criticism will be levelled. I imagine a person working in a public facing role in Connacht Rugby would similarly have to develop a thick skin for criticism, justified or not. So to be honest I cannot see a criticism from rossie affecting anyone very much (or at least I would hope not), especially when the view of the board is evidently very split with a few (myself included) praising while a few others criticise, and most not having much of an opinion at all!

SO in future, please try and direct complaints through the more appropriate channels first and before resorting to public condemnation.

sea_point wrote: I've come to this a bit late, but can I just say that I don't agree with the tenor of this discussion and the specific naming of an individual especially by users masquerading behind nom de plumes.

If you want to use this forum to suggest ways that the Clan or the Branch can improve....fine

But Bitching about an individual employee of Connacht Rugby from behind the mask of anonymity on here is bloody poor form.

Diom - I'll leave you to decide what to do with this thread, but I would expect any names to be removed..

100% agree, was busy all day so didnt have time to write this. ive emailed him a good few times and got replys right away. ive walked into the office for tickets, free ST tickets and ST renewals etc. always does a great job.

players and coaches are paid to give us a good time, they put them selfs out there to be spoken about, mistakes made etc.
its very very unfair to talk about one guy in the office, if your unhappy with the service, email him or if your very unhappy, email alex or the ceo.

i agree with seapoint, name should be removed.

I've come to this a bit late, but can I just say that I don't agree with the tenor of this discussion and the specific naming of an individual especially by users masquerading behind nom de plumes.

If you want to use this forum to suggest ways that the Clan or the Branch can improve....fine

But Bitching about an individual employee of Connacht Rugby from behind the mask of anonymity on here is bloody poor form.

Diom - I'll leave you to decide what to do with this thread, but I would expect any names to be removed..

ummm, wrote: Considering the changes that have been made in the past 3 years I don't think we should come down too hard on people.

Certainly things can improve, but don't forget that disconnects work in both directions.

Im certainly not knocking the trojan work that has been done over the last few years, I just feel that there is a slackening off of the pace this year and they have gone for the low hanging fruit instead of planting new trees.

The best way to grow Connacht rugby is to get more people in, not take more off those already there.

Wasn't aware that people have issues with the front desk. I'd imagine they get a good bit of abuse being on the "front-line" as it were. The thing is though they wouldn't have the power to say "yeah that's grand" when presented with something outside of the remit... They are following the policies set by the marketing and commercial side of the house.

Considering the changes that have been made in the past 3 years I don't think we should come down too hard on people.

Certainly things can improve, but don't forget that disconnects work in both directions.

I must say I've never had any problems with anyone in the branch on the day to day stuff. The ST is still very reasonable. Their explaination on the 'walk up' charges was very reasonable (even if I don't agree with it, they did think it through). Didn't think much of the ST gift, don't think it was aimed at us, but found it hard to get worked up as I've always viewed it as a freebie anyway.

I do think that there are some missteps there, don't get me wrong. I think the merch so far has been a bit lacking, the ticketing thing was very off, but any organisation has issues like this. I agree with Boarders, every fan of every club has things they'd do differently. Definitely a case of ten steps forward and maybe a half step back, in my book.

I wouldnt be too harsh on the lads who answer the phone. From my dealings with them and the office, they haven't been given the details from higher up at all.

Would you rather they told you one thing, and then you only found out later, that what they told you was wrong.

Phatguerilla AFAIK it was u12s that went free. Lots of borderline 12yr olds that lived locally would attend on their own. Unlikely that they will pay to attend. Might not come back as adults

I would say yes but then again the fans of most clubs will say yes. There have been a lot of positive changes and there is much greater professionalism in so many areas but I think a lot of the changes they have made in recent times in particular are totally disconnected with reality. Personally I don't mind the season ticket being a bit higher but in terms of expanding the supporter base and getting walk up fans they appear to be putting every obstacle in the way. We were all walk up fans at some stage and then as the bug bit turned into regular supporters. By alienating non season ticket holders they are effectively capping attendances for the coming years at less than 4000 which will only decline further if they continue with the type of stuff we've seen in the last year or so.

Plus this whole mystery €450k issue is the elephant in the room. How do you expect supporters to keep contributing when they hear of this kind of thing happening with no apparent follow up.

Just moved this to the ideas and improvements forum as it seems more at home here.

I have to say that I am surprised that the front desk is criticised. I have never had any attitude from anyone there and I've always found them helpful. Then again I'm never really asking much that is off-centre so perhaps my experience is less rounded than others.

Agree with the vast majority of points in particular the walk up fee, but were kids up to 17 really getting free until this season? That's a bit crazy. I go to LOI games (boo! hiss!) sometimes when home and u-12 tickets are 5e and concession 10e. And they get similar attendances to the majority of Connacht games (interpro and heineken excepted) so it hasn't been damaging to their attendance.

You should complain to Sears. Only way it will improve.

Add in a lazy and unhelpful attitude on the phone. You can almost hear him yawn on the other end and can cut atmosphere with knife when you look for something out of the branch perceived norm. Last season they had 2 for 30 offer for main stand. I rang up looking to get them for bohermore end as son likes seeing players at dressing room area. I was greeted with a sigh and a no initially before I got a maybe and ring back tomorrow. I then asked if they could be collected at the box office. On game day. An emphatic no. I emailed sears direct and he replied but didn't address the problem directly . Just generalisations and a confession of many changes were required I rang back the following evening and there was no problem with getting bohermore tickets on offer or collecting them at box office on game day
The guy couldn't be arsed with customer service and clearly was told what to do by someone higher

add in that the shop at the ground doesnt offer 10% discount to season tickets which the website does. i dont get it, some people can be iffy buying clothes online due to sizes, why not give the discount in store too, sell them while people have them on there mind.