Rylan wrote:lol I love the hate on student rushers. Its called investing for the long term business. You give the opportunity for students who don't have the money to buy tickets that often an opportunity to get into the game. Your business theory is so short sighted that it deserves criticism. You are only worried about what's best for you and your fellow STH. Well guess what, by you stating you are withdrawing your season tickets is a huge reason why student rush is important. Because every year there are new people joining the workforce who may or may not be capable of affording those tickets you are passing on. But you know, screw long term investing.
As for the mistakes the team has made are what? They are a for profit organization, if they are barely making it into the black then yes the fans must pay more. Simple as that. But gouging? That is the market for a premium hockey team that is consistently selling out. The Pens do not have the TV markets other teams have to make up revenue. Pittsburgh is a smaller market than other teams, thus have to make their money somehow.
I mean you mention the Rangers and Flyers, two of the biggest markets in the US. Bad comparison.
As for the running off of fans, if people still show up to the arena and the sell out streak continues, then its not a problem. In fact, as long as there are fans in the seats there is no problems until there starts to be a slide. In which case, ticket prices will go down. Supply and demand. Free Market price determination.
The cancels were already commented that many businesses do not take the playoff tickets due to the reasons previously stated.
Again, increases can happen if the market continues purchasing. So its not gouging if that is what the market has determined is a fair price. Just saying.
Omg that as probably the worst reply yet. Itemized responses:
1. Nobody hates student rush and the marketing validity of it. My point is they raised prices so high the demand went down and they had to use it to fill the building. My contention is they sold so many rushers they would have been better off keeping prices lower.
2. I said the rangers and flyers were the only US teams above the pens and I believe they passed them in playoff pricing. We sit ahead of Boston and Chicago which are bigger markets with comparible success and one new building. How you responded to that makes no sense and in fact validates my point. I mentioned them in comparison of oversll prices being the only higher, as being bigger markets and being priced right there with them actually. Comprehend actual words then respond.
3. I have already addressed the bs reasoning of corporations canceling. Why? Because the pens never offered additional packages before ismplayoff season or even any xtra tickets to us. So even if there is some truth to that there was tons more this year so the point makes little sense as the cancels and extra purchases would have been offered the past 4 or 5 years.
4. I know they are for profit. My point is they pushed the envelope this season to the point that too may regular buyers went away, they needed students too much, ticket exchange was a ghost town, and playoffs packages were cancelled in droves and that the wait list isn't the perfect scenario everyone dreams it is. If the cap goes down, we have to trade Staal and cant trade Martin or ZM I think the pens business model will end up being atrocious.
I feel they raised prices past what they promised for the regular season and to insane amounts during the playoffs and cut out things like white out tsirts to make up for too much money they expected to get not coming in.