Comments on: The price of the playoffs http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:08:16 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Randolph http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131590 Randolph Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:40:25 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131590 I wish my salary was in US dollars and paying cash or putting it on credit didn't matter, but personally, for me the exchange rate does make a significant difference in the price of tickets and paying that much up front. I guess time will tell if this team is good enough to make it to the ALCS or even World Series, but I bet with ticket prices, how they are now will be a tough sell to most fans. They may sell out, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a day or even a couple of days. I didn't buy post-season strip this year because I wasn't worried about not having one opportunity to buy playoff games. I really think it'll be different then '06 and there will be tickets available at more reasonable prices (without having the shell out $2k upfront). I wish my salary was in US dollars and paying cash or putting it on credit didn’t matter, but personally, for me the exchange rate does make a significant difference in the price of tickets and paying that much up front.

I guess time will tell if this team is good enough to make it to the ALCS or even World Series, but I bet with ticket prices, how they are now will be a tough sell to most fans. They may sell out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a day or even a couple of days. I didn’t buy post-season strip this year because I wasn’t worried about not having one opportunity to buy playoff games. I really think it’ll be different then ‘06 and there will be tickets available at more reasonable prices (without having the shell out $2k upfront).

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131563 billfer Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:39:06 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131563 Games aren't sold out yet. I don't know that the demand is there. I think the ALDS games will sell out, but the ALCS games will be even more and there is a limit. It's not that much for people who make a decent salary, but that pool is dwindling. Many are working less hours, or have lost an income from the household, or are still fearful about the long term prospects. Many are upside down on their mortgages. Even those with jobs didn't get pay increases for the most part this year while their expenses went up. Games aren’t sold out yet. I don’t know that the demand is there. I think the ALDS games will sell out, but the ALCS games will be even more and there is a limit.

It’s not that much for people who make a decent salary, but that pool is dwindling. Many are working less hours, or have lost an income from the household, or are still fearful about the long term prospects. Many are upside down on their mortgages. Even those with jobs didn’t get pay increases for the most part this year while their expenses went up.

]]> By: David http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131562 David Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:53:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131562 This is econ 101 stuff. High demand (even in tough times) and somewhat of a monopoly. Plus you can bet that even if we are swept and only one game is played at CoPa, Yanks fans will drive the resell value of the ticket wayyyy up. These prices are worth it easily to most involved Tiger/Yankee fans who made a decent salary. I bet they could charge much more and still have a packed house. In my 20 year lifetime this will be the second time they most likely will make the post season. I hope they do not squander it. This is econ 101 stuff. High demand (even in tough times) and somewhat of a monopoly. Plus you can bet that even if we are swept and only one game is played at CoPa, Yanks fans will drive the resell value of the ticket wayyyy up. These prices are worth it easily to most involved Tiger/Yankee fans who made a decent salary.

I bet they could charge much more and still have a packed house.

In my 20 year lifetime this will be the second time they most likely will make the post season. I hope they do not squander it.

]]> By: Brent Rowe http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131559 Brent Rowe Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:39:59 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131559 I paid cash. Therefore, it doesn't really matter. However, the cost of my strip far outweighed my season tickets. However, it's my choice to pay for them. My question is...why does it take so long to get reimbursed? Is their a rational rule? I am not trying to be stupid but do they put the 5-10 million gross in a two month CD? :) I paid cash. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter. However, the cost of my strip far outweighed my season tickets. However, it’s my choice to pay for them.

My question is…why does it take so long to get reimbursed? Is their a rational rule? I am not trying to be stupid but do they put the 5-10 million gross in a two month CD? :)

]]> By: D12: Milton Bradley apologizes, looks ‘forward to better days’ http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131557 D12: Milton Bradley apologizes, looks ‘forward to better days’ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:21:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131557 [...] Detroit 4 Lyfe 8. The Tigers are saving Detroit by … charging skyhigh prices for the ALDS? Detroit Tiger Weblog9. Looks like Dusty Baker wants Jay Bruce(notes) to earn his job back in 2010. The Real McCoy 10. [...] [...] Detroit 4 Lyfe 8. The Tigers are saving Detroit by … charging skyhigh prices for the ALDS? Detroit Tiger Weblog9. Looks like Dusty Baker wants Jay Bruce(notes) to earn his job back in 2010. The Real McCoy 10. [...]

]]> By: D12: Milton Bradley apologizes, looks ‘forward to better days’ | Sports News Images and Videos http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131554 D12: Milton Bradley apologizes, looks ‘forward to better days’ | Sports News Images and Videos Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:01:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131554 [...] Detroit 4 Lyfe 8. The Tigers are saving Detroit by … charging skyhigh prices for the ALDS? Detroit Tiger Weblog9. Looks like Dusty Baker wants Jay Bruce(notes) to earn his job back in 2010. The Real McCoy 10. [...] [...] Detroit 4 Lyfe 8. The Tigers are saving Detroit by … charging skyhigh prices for the ALDS? Detroit Tiger Weblog9. Looks like Dusty Baker wants Jay Bruce(notes) to earn his job back in 2010. The Real McCoy 10. [...]

]]> By: Randolph http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131553 Randolph Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:53:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131553 I bought a full playoff strip in '06 and it was well worth it, I easily got rid of games I couldn't/didn't want to go to and went to one game each round. I won't complain because the market does drive the prices, I sold game 2 world series tickets for $450 each which basically helped pay for the other games I went to during the playoffs and regular season. The only issue I have with this is for season ticket holders, having to put all of the money up front is quite a burden. They won't be getting a refund until mid-November, that's a long time to be sitting on two grand. It just so happened with me in 2007, I put the $2500 down for playoff tickets on my Canadian Visa, the exchange rate at that time was 1.25, by the time I received my refund about 2.5 months later the rate went down to 1.05, I lost over $500 and never saw one playoff game that year. Maybe I'm nitpicking right now, but I haven't nor will I buy a full strip of playoff tickets again unless they allow payment before each round. I bought a full playoff strip in ‘06 and it was well worth it, I easily got rid of games I couldn’t/didn’t want to go to and went to one game each round. I won’t complain because the market does drive the prices, I sold game 2 world series tickets for $450 each which basically helped pay for the other games I went to during the playoffs and regular season.

The only issue I have with this is for season ticket holders, having to put all of the money up front is quite a burden. They won’t be getting a refund until mid-November, that’s a long time to be sitting on two grand. It just so happened with me in 2007, I put the $2500 down for playoff tickets on my Canadian Visa, the exchange rate at that time was 1.25, by the time I received my refund about 2.5 months later the rate went down to 1.05, I lost over $500 and never saw one playoff game that year. Maybe I’m nitpicking right now, but I haven’t nor will I buy a full strip of playoff tickets again unless they allow payment before each round.

]]> By: Dylan http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131552 Dylan Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:26:29 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131552 I bought a ticket and I assume the demand is there so I can't really blame them. I am surprised that some other teams are offering tickets at a small mark up though. I would think everyone would be jacking up the price. Let's make the playoffs to make this a relevant discussion though :-) I bought a ticket and I assume the demand is there so I can’t really blame them. I am surprised that some other teams are offering tickets at a small mark up though. I would think everyone would be jacking up the price.

Let’s make the playoffs to make this a relevant discussion though :-)

]]> By: J Ellet Lambie http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131550 J Ellet Lambie Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:09:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131550 Great piece Bill, thanks for posting. I did not renew my season tix this year due to the price increase, which I found in bad taste after setting an all-time attendance record last year while finishing last in the division. Combined with the major dip in the local economy I felt it was a bad decision by the Tigers to raise prices (my seats went up 15%). Playoff tix are always more expensive, but as you pointed out other teams chose to charge less for post-season tickets. I know this organization needs to generate more revenue, it's a business after all, but the amount being charged is high compared to what the prices could have been. It would have been nice to see the organization cut the fans a break, but as much as I hate to say it, I'm not surprised. Great piece Bill, thanks for posting. I did not renew my season tix this year due to the price increase, which I found in bad taste after setting an all-time attendance record last year while finishing last in the division. Combined with the major dip in the local economy I felt it was a bad decision by the Tigers to raise prices (my seats went up 15%). Playoff tix are always more expensive, but as you pointed out other teams chose to charge less for post-season tickets.

I know this organization needs to generate more revenue, it’s a business after all, but the amount being charged is high compared to what the prices could have been. It would have been nice to see the organization cut the fans a break, but as much as I hate to say it, I’m not surprised.

]]> By: rings http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131549 rings Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:40:49 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131549 FYI - Here's the strip breakdown for outfield box seats: If game: $45 (will obviously not be played) ALDS: $70 ALCS: $110 WS: $250 You had to buy all potential games (If game, 3 ALDS tix, plus 4 CS & WS tix) on the strip, plus a $25 "convenience fee." Refunds will be issued for unplayed games...sometime. FYI – Here’s the strip breakdown for outfield box seats:
If game: $45 (will obviously not be played)
ALDS: $70
ALCS: $110
WS: $250
You had to buy all potential games (If game, 3 ALDS tix, plus 4 CS & WS tix) on the strip, plus a $25 “convenience fee.” Refunds will be issued for unplayed games…sometime.

]]> By: jason http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131547 jason Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:27:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131547 If anything, I would like to bitch about the "convenience charges". I got two tickets the day they went on sale. The total face value was $120. The charges came to a total of $28.10. ($148.10 total) What!?! 23% of the face value in charges?!? REALLY? I am so angry with these charges these days... It has stopped me from buying tickets in the past. I decided to go ahead this time, but I am not sure about trying for future rounds. Someone needs to do something about this problem. If anything, I would like to bitch about the “convenience charges”. I got two tickets the day they went on sale. The total face value was $120. The charges came to a total of $28.10. ($148.10 total)

What!?! 23% of the face value in charges?!? REALLY?

I am so angry with these charges these days… It has stopped me from buying tickets in the past. I decided to go ahead this time, but I am not sure about trying for future rounds.

Someone needs to do something about this problem.

]]> By: Jeff Molby http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131545 Jeff Molby Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:08:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131545 I understand the season ticket holder's sentiment. I bought strips in 2006 that easily cost more than my 27 game pack. It was worth every penny, though. I had no trouble swapping tix for games I didn't want. The problem with this year is that everyone knows we're major underdogs all the way. What's the point of locking up thousands of dollars for three months when there's a very big chance that we'll be out after one or two home games? I understand the season ticket holder’s sentiment. I bought strips in 2006 that easily cost more than my 27 game pack. It was worth every penny, though. I had no trouble swapping tix for games I didn’t want. The problem with this year is that everyone knows we’re major underdogs all the way. What’s the point of locking up thousands of dollars for three months when there’s a very big chance that we’ll be out after one or two home games?

]]> By: T Smith http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131542 T Smith Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:02:29 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131542 I hear what you're saying... but on the other hand, if Illich is finally making back some of his investment, after doubling down and committing to do what was necessary to maintain a winning team when many other owners would have scaled back, I have no real problem with it. I hear what you’re saying… but on the other hand, if Illich is finally making back some of his investment, after doubling down and committing to do what was necessary to maintain a winning team when many other owners would have scaled back, I have no real problem with it.

]]> By: Mat http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/09/the-price-of-the-playoffs/#comment-131536 Mat Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:30:15 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/?p=5258#comment-131536 I find it hard to criticize ticket pricing until the seats don't get sold. The market drives the ticket price, obviously. I'd value (and pay) more than twice as much for playoff games. I find it hard to criticize ticket pricing until the seats don’t get sold. The market drives the ticket price, obviously. I’d value (and pay) more than twice as much for playoff games.

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