2010 Tales From The Cubs VWR
by Al Yellon on Feb 19, 2010 6:00 AM CST
in News
791 comments
The winning wristband number is 03300.
If you have a wristband that's within a few hundred numbers of that one (going upward -- if you're just behind it in sequence, you may as well head to your keyboard and telephone, starting at 10 am CT), you should go to Wrigley Field NOW -- you'll be one of the first in line to get tickets when the box office opens at 8 am CT.
Based on the lack of lines to get ticket wristbands this year, demand may be down and it may be easier to get tickets than at any time in the last several years.
For the rest of the day, this thread will serve as your point for complaints, compliments, success stories, abject failure, blowing off steam, whatever you experience on Ticket On-Sale Day. Please don't start dozens of posts on ticket topics; let's consolidate everything here.
Good luck!
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01385
Oh well…hopefully the VWR isn’t too terrible….. (HOPEFULLY)
1554.
I just did the math. If there were 20,000 wristbands, i’d be number 18,254 in line.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 19, 2010 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
But, it appears only about 1/3 of the wristbands were handed out.
So you might be able to cut that number down by 2/3.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
probably less than 1500
Bet you can get in by noon. Should be a good deal left when you get in, depends what you need.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 6:24 AM CST up reply actions
I am screwed
My friend’s numbers are WAY off. Al has another year of not getting within 5,000.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
Note from me.
Jessica has season tickets in section 209. (My dad sat in them last year and liked them a lot.)
She also likes to sit in the bleachers with us from time to time. Thus, needs to buy tickets this way.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yep I need some bleachers
I also help a lot of folks with my season tickets and have helped bleacher folks over the years when I did get a good #
I only need about 12 tickets and only half would be high demand games which is why I HATE the idea of trying to get them on line. I only want ONE ticket but if I get through to one big game I wil buy 6 and use the others for trade.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
11616
and i thought i had a nice number, oh well i wasnt thinking of actually going….i guess ill try the VWR if i can wake up
Ramlee Zamfukusoridero
00055 - Bah humbug!
Woke up, saw my shadow and now going back to bed.
Six more weeks of spring training….
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
02273
Close number, but in the wrong direction. Back to my old days of the VWR. Let’s get lucky!
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded." -Jim Frey
They are calling the first 1500 numbers ( up to 4800)
I am almost certain this is MUCH higher than previous years which probably indicates they gave out far fewer wristbands.
I think if you are within 5,000 of the winning number you might have a shot of some OK seats and I would not be at all surprised to see them get well past number 10,000 ( Al that means you can get me my less than high demand games and
hopefully get through on VWR for my high demand ones).
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
It is much higher.
In previous years they have called only 500 numbers in the first group.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i think you're right Al about the lack of demand = easier to get tix
I’m betting the line moves up at about 1,000 numbers an hour – so that up to about #13,300 will be able to get to the windows by 6 tonight. My sister-in-law was about 7,000 off a few years ago – went in around 5 p.m. and still got most of what we were looking for – and avoided VWR and related service charges. I’m planning on going around noon – maybe the Ricketts will be handing out lunch items by then!
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 6:28 AM CST reply actions
didn't get lunch from the Ricketts
but did get all the tickets I was looking for except for the last weekend Saturday game – made it there by one – if I had been there at noon I might have had those too – wristband system rocks!
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
It worked great
IF you knew about it. I don’t think there is any question that the massive decline if people trying it was the Cubs decision to downplay it in favore of presale plans. The irony is that in pushing for folks to pay more to buy early, they scared off a far larger group of buyers who go to the park to buy.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 8:11 AM CST up reply actions
Im guessing
a combination of both. I think more of the lack of demand since there isn’t a lot of hope this season. Which for real fans that don’t want to pay 2xface value is a good thing. Maybe they surprise us this season.
A combination of a sort
Part of it was people getting tickets through presale, but I think a bigger part was the Cubs dramatically downplaying wristbands
and the first “regular” day of ticket buying. Because of the pre-sale, information on the wristbands was basicaly hidden on the web site. I had several friend and friends of friends who do this every year and they either completely forgot, or were certain there were no wristbands this year. As I said info on the wristbands was buried on the web site. It was pretty much the press release. It was NOT there when you just clicked on tickets, because that was busy promoting first the Marquees Club and later the MC pre-sale. I think if the Cubs had put wristband info front and center and promoted in the standard emails, far more people would have shown up.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 6:54 AM CST up reply actions
from the WGN report at 5:55 a.m. it also appears that no one showed up for the drawing
all they talked about pre-drawing was the one guy they interviewed to (but didn’t play over the radio) who was ‘smoking something that wasn’t a cigarette and just talked about the phish the whole time’. classic
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 7:10 AM CST up reply actions
This is my First Time
Doing the wristband system. My number is about 6800 does anyone have any idea of when I should get to Wrigley? I think in the past they made 20000 wristbands, was that the case this year too? Thanks and good luck to all!
That is not a bad number
Watch either here or the Cubs web site for what number they are calling but as noted above they are calling the first 1500.
My guess is you get by noon or 1pm The thing with the wristbands is that really good numbers have a huge advantage because they get you in before 10AM when the online sale starts. Not sure what games or ticket type you want but that is a decent number.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 7:20 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks!
I’m hoping to get 2 tickets to any White S*X game because my dad is a huge fan (sad I know) but other than that I just want a bunch of tickets to summer games, I’m even willing to see the Pirates!
FYI
The player projection series will resume tomorrow.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Does anyone know the official policy on standing room only tickets?
Are they ever sold in advance or only on day of game? Thanks and good luck today!
I wish the Hawks did that
Then I would have a better shot at games lol
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
IIRC, Hawks SRO tickets are still generally available, even now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
cool
Yeah I saw that. Not usually available for the big games but more could become available.
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
I am pretty sure they are day of game only.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 7:41 AM CST up reply actions
SRO is definitely day of game only,
And they don’t release them until maybe 1/2 an hour before game time usually. The line forms at the the ticket windows on Waveland. They control it pretty well. You have to buy your tickets and go directly into the park. You can’t buy them and then, say, head to Murphy’s. This controls scalping.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:03 AM CST up reply actions
It's more than 1/2 hour before game time.
Usually, two hours before game time.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's been as close as 1/2 an hour for us
for games that didn’t sell out ahead of time.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
Depends on the game, I suppose.
My seat is within view of the day of game windows on Waveland. I have seen them selling tickets there two hours before game time, but maybe some of those are seats, not SRO.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I've bought seats there, too
when a game didn’t sell out. Obstructed views and 500 levels mostly. On cheap days those seats are less than standing room, unless they change SRO prices, too, depending on the precious metal of the game. But we never experienced any price change. Always $15. So for the cheap games 500 level is $8 vs. $15 for SRO.
A couple of times the line for SRO got pretty long, but there’s never been a problem getting in.
One time a ticket guy was very helpful to us. They didn’t release standing room and he didn’t have 4 500 seats together. So he sold us 500’s that were scattered around the park so we got in cheap and then stood together in our usual spot. He wasn’t supposed to do this. He was supposed to try to upsell us to 4 together “best available.”
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
This happened to my friends and I when Boston was in town
My friends and I got there at 6 am and waited in line for four hours. Scalpers started coming in and cutting us in line. We didn’t do anything because they were bigger guys and we just wanted to get into the game. We get to the front of the line when one person would buy tickets, hand it off to one of his buddies, and would walk back to the front of the line without Cubs personnel. After four trips we told on him and after he called us a few racial terms and asked us “if we were working for the man,” we got up to the window just to find out SRO was sold out." Obstructed view seats were still available and after a process that had taken us 6 hours, we just wanted to get in. I’m sure there may’ve been better seats available, but it was pretty obvious we didn’t have a lot of money.
Needless to say, the new policy of going into the park right away. Those scalpers had about 50-70 SRO seats (at a 2 per person, yeah they had a lot of people show up for their plan) and were trying to extort $50 from people.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
Now I think you understand...
… why the Cubs had the 20% markup presale.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
What year was the Boston experience?
I was living out of town, but came in for the Sox series in 2008 and had a similar standing room experience. Last year, though, they were pretty strict about ushering you right into the park when you bought your tickets.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
Correct it was 2005.
The Red Sox had just won the World series so their fans were all downing Old Style and saying they’d cheer for us. Since then…. puts face in hands.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
I have always had a lot of success
with the VWR on my work computer here. It’s too bad I can’t help any of you guys out with it because I’m only looking for tickets to a few games this year compared to usual.
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
Report from inside ...
My son has a number in the 3400’s. He says he should be about 140 back in line but there are only 30 people ahead of him at 8:00. And Ricketts is there.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:00 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
This may mean that only about 1/3 of the 20,000 wristbands were distributed.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Update
My son just got his tickets. Only took him 30 minutes.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
and his address and where he will be keeping them?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:38 AM CST up reply actions
You lucky devil
How was the free coffee?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:10 AM CST up reply actions
My son says it was about as good
as Wrigley Field food is usually. Meaning …
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 8:42 AM CST up reply actions
Sitting my office at work near Munich and feeling very jealous...
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
by eths on Feb 19, 2010 8:05 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
awww...poor eths, I'm right here and feeling jealous too
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
Further notes for today.
- I will post an overflow thread if necessary.
- I will make a post on the Theriot arbitration hearing result when it is announced.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Oh, is that today?
What time? Do you know?
Man… VWR, Tiger’s statement, Theriot’s arb hearing… glad I took the day off work!
How much production...
is lost on Virtual Waiting Room Day? I’d like to see a study done on that. Students of Northwestern…get on this one!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Last year, I lost an entire morning to it,
but got a number of good tickets. In prior years, I literally never made it through the VWR.
This year, I bought the tickets I needed in the presale, so I feel strangely left out today, but much calmer also.
What a difference from some past years.
IIRC, in 2004, many people spent all day in the VWR and never got through.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Production was gonna suffer at 10am anyway...
the second Tiger takes to the microphone
Eh...he'll probably just give a McGwire type apology anyway
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
How can it be called a press conference
if Tiger isn’t taking any questions? Isn’t answering questions the whole point of a press conference?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Feb 19, 2010 9:52 AM CST up reply actions
Of course it is.
Either he doesn’t have anyone to advise him on proper PR, or he is ignoring those people. He has handled this wrong since day 1.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm kinda surprised...
that ESPN didn’t have a countdown clock for this train wreck.
What a joke...
even all the broadcast nets are covering this…. sad.
Al I think you're wrong here
With all due respect, I don’t think Tiger needs to come out and say much….now. Unlike Michael Vick or Donte Stallworth or Mark McGwire, Tiger did not break any laws, serve jail time, physically hurt anyone other than himself, or cheat the game. This is really a private matter for him and personally, it’s a shame this had to happen to the biggest athlete on the planet and seemingly a nice guy.
Eventually, yes I think he should have an interview with Oprah or someone of that caliber and come clean. But in my eye, he messed up and he knows it. He doesn’t need to apologize to me. He needs to apologize to the people involved. The only reason he needs to hold a press conference is to say he’s coming back to play
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Feb 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
You said
it’s a shame this had to happen to the biggest athlete on the planet and seemingly a nice guy.
No, it didn’t “happen” to him. He did it to himself.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I meant all the bad publicity
But yeah, his fault
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Feb 19, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
I think its all a big bore...who cares?
its all about getting his sponsors back. IMHO
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
I'm glad to see
that Tiger decided to be a golfer and not an actor. This is awful.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
by cubbieblue86 on Feb 19, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
I listened to a part of it on the news....
did he say he was into Booty-ism? ;)
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
Roommate has number in the 3800 range
Just got a text that he’s about 20 minutes from getting tix.
Just cut mine off
I had 6660… figure I’d rather save the vacation day for an actual cubs game and go the hell known as VWR
You may regret that
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:48 AM CST up reply actions
Yea
But the games I wan’t are mostly weekday or off peak games. Sox/Cards games to me aren’t worth the hassle
agree...I dont care where I sit (sort of) or who I see them play,
my off days are Mon and Tues and I just go when I can. I usually dont have a problem getting tx
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
Well I like saving on the awful fees
Not going to happen this year. You really should not have cut it off. If you want low demand games, you could wait till just after they pass the number and go down, you get to go the head of the line and could probably have done it on a lunch hour. Too late now.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
That means...
… that by 10 am, when tickets go on sale online, they’ll probably have served about 1800 numbers.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I am SO jealous
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 9:00 AM CST up reply actions
Also, he met Tom Ricketts...said he seemed like a pretty nice guy.
However, my roommate is a Reds fan and told him he hopes this investment doesn’t work out for him…
Ricketts laughed, and said, “That’s okay, I grew up a Reds fan”
by bdub7989 on Feb 19, 2010 9:13 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That's sorta cool...
that Ricketts would be out there greeting the wristband fans. I do like how mgmt. makes themselves available from time to time.. Last year’s Opening Day I was leaning on a metal beam in the concourse behind home plate waiting out the rain delay to start the game, when I saw Crane Kenney walking amongst the fans in the concourse. When he walked right by me, I kinda pointed at him and asked if they were gonna get the game in, and he just nodded and said “Oh yeah, we’re going to play today”.
It's a very nice gesture.
Bo Ryan used to come give out pizza to us when we were in line for hoops tickets. Although it’s not much, just knowing that they’re taking their time out to show some appreciation to the fans is really awesome.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
I Met Jim Hendry...
last year as we were walking out of Minute Maid on Opening Day. I shook his hand and thanked him for getting the Tribune to open up the purse strings after all of these years. He was with some other executive looking guys. He laughed…they didn’t. :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
In the Hoosier basketball band last year
And was playing for a women’s game. Not a big crowd (probably under 2,000), and Tom Crean was sitting a section over. I was blown away that a men’s coach, in his first year in the middle of the season, was out supporting the university and the women’s team. He’s yelled go band, etc before but my friend started talking to him. She was saying her parents were coming in from Columbus, OH (where Ohio State is, for those who don’t know) and she’d love to convince them to become Hoosier fans. He says hold on a minute and disappears for a few minutes. He comes back with a signed team picture and two signed IU hats. I was furious, all I had with me was my trumpet. Shook his hand though. Cool experience
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Feb 19, 2010 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
I've met JH a couple of times at the Cubs Convention.
Once adjacent to each other at the men’s urinals. (We didn’t shake hands)
He’s a nice man. I like him and wish more people could appreciate the good things he’s accomplished for the Cubs over the years (at the expense of his own health). He loves the Cubs as much as we do.
Not everything works out (MB, cough), but it’s not like he wants things to crash and burn. Quite the opposite in fact.
Good luck this season Jim. I hope this year is the charm.
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
So what's everyone shooting for?
I’m going for:
6/12 vs. Sox (bleachers, fingers are firmly crossed on this game)
8/2 – 8/3 vs. Brewers
9/26 vs. Cards
I figure if I aim for 2 really tough games (Sox/Cards) I might be able to snag tickets to one of ’em. Who knows.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
VWR.
2 windows, ~30 tabs in each (I have two monitors). I’m feeling confident this year, for some odd reason.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Here's the rapid fire way:
1) Copy the address from your original VWR window
2) Cntrl + T
3) Cntrl +V
4) Enter
5) Repeat
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
on each tab
it says “Virtual Waiting Room”, will that change if we are lucky enough to get selected to buy tickets?
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
You should see the title change to...
“Chicago Cubs Ticketing” (or something like that)
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Oh good, I was wondering about that.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Feb 19, 2010 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
Also, since you're for sure gonna get in ahead of me now...
you can buy me some Cubs/Sox bleachers for 6/12. Thanks a bunch.
/kinda sarcasm
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My needs are smallish
Just one bleacher for about 12 games, many of which are NOT high demand so I won’t bother for them now.
Hard ones are 5/28 7/16. 7/23, 8/20 & 9/24. If anyone is going for those and can get an extra bleacher you can email me at
Maddux2014 at gmail dot com. But only ONE ticket per game needed.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:50 AM CST up reply actions
On it...
I’m only going for about one or two series this year because I’m going to be traveling to Seattle and Houston plus the Cubs are coming down to Arlington this year. I can only afford two Summer trips to Chicago and one of those is reserved for the Buffet concert. But I love the hunt of the VWR so if I get in there and can get one ticket, I’ll follow up with ya…and I won’t even charge you the 20% scalpers fee…err…Cubs Master Card Promotion fee. :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
I know that Al...
but I also know how much Doggie Stalker is a fan of that program. :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Thanks but though I only want one ticket
I don’t want to buy just one because of the stupid fees. I would rather latch on to someone getting them to add one to an order or maybe get six ( the max ) for one game and trade down.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 9:01 AM CST up reply actions
send me an email of games you are looking for
I have two tix and if the dates are not major games I may have them available. I have no problem splitting.
gocubsgo22 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I need 4 tickets
to the White Sox Saturday game, will accept anything. Anybody in the Memphis area or ever travel to the Memphis area I can offer you and a buddy a round of golf at Southwind, or Spring Creek Ranch.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 8:46 AM CST reply actions
Southwind is the tour stop
but Spring Creek Ranch is about 5-6 years old and considered by many to be the best in Memphis and will probably take the tour stop in a few years if they don’t get a PGA championship there in the next 5 which they are lobbying for.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 8:58 AM CST up reply actions
Interesting.
So are you offering the round of golf for two plus paying for the Cubs/Sox tickets?
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
VWR
I think that in years past the VWR opened up a half hour or so in advance. That’s not happening today for me. Is anyone in the VWR yet?
Unless you are living in the future...
… you will have to wait another 30 minutes. It should open at 9:30 am CST. It’s not quite 9:00 here yet.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Crap...
I thought it was sale time @ 9. My bad. To excited I guess…
Now I don't know what to do...
Watch Tiger or buy tickets….
Just sayin’…
buy tickets
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:11 AM CST up reply actions
Future HoSs. just wrote me...
He said that the VWR is hell. Don’t bother going in.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
OT...is that a pic of you at the Cell on your avatar?
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:05 AM CST up reply actions
His profile says he lives in Dallas.
So I’m guessing that’s the ballpark at Arlington.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Oh....I was gonna say, he's one brave guy!
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:16 AM CST up reply actions
Nope...
Although I’ve been on TV there too. When Sammy hit his 600th HR, the game before that I had a sign that said “Our Sammy 545 HR’s. Your Sammy 12 HR’s. Still Our Sammy.” The next day when we got the game the people collecting our tickets said they saw us on TV multiple times during the game.
2 weeks later, The Ticket, a Sports Radio station down here talked about the sign when Craig Biggio hit his 3000th hit. They were talking about the Rangers not having any milestones. The one guy brought up Sammy. The other guy said “Yeah, but like that sign said 545 of them were with the Cubs.” My friends all had to call me up to tell me about it.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
that's a cool story
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:32 AM CST up reply actions
If Only...
It’s at Minute Maid in the Crawford Boxes in 2008. Dempster started that game and the Cubs demolished them in the final game of the series. The “local” behind me kept yelling (in a really bad twang) “Let’s hear it for ‘Frickin-Dummy’” which was his play on Fukudome’s name. Fukudome then proceeded to hit a double. It was a magical moment.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
by HoSs. on Feb 19, 2010 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
sweet revenge!
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:18 AM CST up reply actions
OT Cont...
Did you assume it was at The Cell because there is a rather large lady behind me? :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
LOL...no, just cuz of the South Side reference
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:25 AM CST up reply actions
I am going out for coffee
I need fortification for the VWR. See you guys later
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
Cubs website now says....
… wristbands up to “0700” should go to Wrigley. I think they mean “07000”. That actually gets my number (09160) close to being called in an hour or so. Maybe I can avoid the VWR ths year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I have 6800
Do you really think I should be there in the next hour?
I wish they'd get their numbers right.
I have no idea, really. It’s fairly nice out, if you are close by, I’d say go for it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think they do - it says to 'make your way to Wrigley' for up to 7000
and ‘now serving’ for 3300-4800 -
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
Right, but the "now serving" should match the other number...
… because it did at 6 am.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
semantics
at 6 a.m. they want everyone within 3300-4800 to start ‘making their way to Wrigley’ so they could start serving the same group at 8 – now that they’ve got an idea of the ‘pacing’ they can update the ‘make your way’ but they are still serving up to 4800 is how I read it. I appreciate the update as it is a two hour trip in
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 9:30 AM CST up reply actions
Phone Number?
I don’t see a phone number on the Cubs ticket info page. In previous years the “in Illinois” number has been 800-843-2827. Can anyone confirm?
Ya gotta love a team with a shortstop named TheRiot ...
You must have...
used some serious investigative process to determine that. :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Angels game on 6/20
Any way to determine what the starting time will be for this Sunday game? TBD for the start b/c it might be on ESPN night game?
Can I get into the VWR at 9:30 like prior years?
by jerry morales rules on Feb 19, 2010 9:27 AM CST reply actions
Guess you'll find out in about three minutes.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
True
I have a 9:30 meeting though. I figure I’ll be late, but by how much?
by jerry morales rules on Feb 19, 2010 9:29 AM CST up reply actions
Questions:
This is the URL:
http://frontline.purchasenow2.tickets.com/buy/MLBEventInfo?agency=MLB&pid=6676378&roomid=5
Any idea what the number at the end is (roomid)?
Do you think changing that could make a difference?
Just have multiple tabs/windows of that exact same address?
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You can give it a shot.
Let us know how it goes.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
SURE.
Make ME the guinea pig…
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OK, I just did it.
Putting 3, 4, or 6 instead of 5 puts you in the same VWR.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I did too.
I’m just going to leave a couple random ones up with different room id’s. Who knows. If I get in on one of those I’ll let you all know.
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Just do it manually
They’ve disabled Cntrl N but you can just go up to File and do it.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Before Windows...
started using “Grouping” on the Task Bar, this process was pure hell!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
The Circles of Hell according to Dante Alighieri's 14th century poem, Divine Comedy:
First Circle (Limbo)
Second Circle (Lust)
Third Circle (Gluttony)
Fourth Circle (Avarice or Greed)
Fifth Circle (Wrath and Sullenness)
Sixth Circle (Heresy)
Seventh Circle (Violence)
Eighth Circle (Fraud)
Ninth Circle (Betrayal)
Tenth Circle (Cubs VWR)
I think we'd qualify for some of those other circles, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
LOL....In all reality I think most of us manage to
find a way to get the games we want. VWR is just one of the many things that makes being a cub fan fun.
If this is fun for you, I can't imagine how good of a time you have when you're actually at a game.
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That's a good point Neifi
It feels like I’ve accomplished something when I buy tickets from the Cubs…not just spend money.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Haha...
Isn’t that the truth? Getting through and making a purchase does feel awfully rewarding, doesn’t it?
“YES!! I just spent 400 dollars! AWESOME!”
...we definitly Lust for the WS!
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 9:36 AM CST up reply actions
Reminder: If you don't have a cubs.com account,
set one up right NOW! (That is if you’re trying to get tickets in the VWR.)
Hey, it's a new century!
FWIW: New Cubs owner greets fans waiting to buy tickets
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
When you get in to buy tickets, how can I tell?
Does the name change of the window? I’ve got multiple windows open and am wondering how to moniter than without going nuts.
Hey, it's a new century!
If you see the words: "Chicago Cubs Ticketing"
buy your tickets and start celebrating.
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If you have multiple tabs open in one window...
… depending on your browser, it will only show “V” or “Vir” or something like that. Watch for the first letter to change to “C”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Man I am so excited at the opportunity to spend a bunch of money I don't have.
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This is the reason...
why I visit the Tax man early..give me my Cubs Depost/Refund!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
We maxed out the card
on season tickets, so we had to get a second credit card to be able to but the extra tickets we want for big games.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
by cubbieblue86 on Feb 19, 2010 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
Another year....
the same sights…..
"Cubs Win!" "Yes, Sir!" - Pat and Ron, June 12, 2008, Walk off HBP, bottom of the 11th
#8719 on the Cubs Season Ticket waiting list.
Good Hunting to one and all!!!
RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!!!!!
According to my windows
tickets are officially on sale. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
And don’t steal the games I want ;)
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 9:59 AM CST reply actions
you're funny
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
Anyone watching the press conference
on the Golf channel? I love their countdown “we’ve got about 30 seconds” “he should be out any time now” “we’re about 45 seconds late”
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
hah.
just can’t help myself.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
by cubbieblue86 on Feb 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
The waiting has begun!
The only question remains, when will it end?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Feb 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST reply actions
Anyone else feel like
the longer they stare at “virtual”, the less it looks like a real word?
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST reply actions
Roooaaddss... Roooooooddds.
That’s another funny word. Limit. Limit. Limit
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yes
what does virtual mean? and why does it torture me so
by chicagodave on Feb 19, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
You can pretend to buy tickets to pretend to go to a ballgame?
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
IN!
I’M IN
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
In!
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Only singles for 6/12 Sox!
F***
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I wonder if the pre-sale...
is a reason for this?
yes.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
by cubbieblue86 on Feb 19, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
Or if the wristbands sales...
are having this effect.
I'm in.
Got about 60 VWR windows and tabs open on two computers here. That is combined, not per each computer.
Of course, I had to go to my parents’ house to do this after my Mac’s hard drive imploded on me a few days ago.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:08 AM CST reply actions
I am so f****** jealous
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
IM IN!
But you can only get 1 ticket to the Cubs Sox on Saturday game…
I had pretty good luck last year
which means this year I’m probably not going to.
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:09 AM CST reply actions
BULL CRAP!
Just saw that Kevin…such garbage!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
I'm through!
Got to make my ticket selections!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:09 AM CST reply actions
I've got 40 windows open
and nothing yet. Last year I did this at work with dual monitors and about 200 windows and was in within 2 minutes. Wish I had done that this year too.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
I opened up around 60 tabs.
Had to wait only around 5 minutes.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
Presale.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
I'm In!
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:12 AM CST reply actions
In again!
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
What a bunch of garbage!
The VWR is specific to games this year. In the past you would wait in a general one and then purchase the game you wanted. I got in, for the White Sox Saturday game, and there was only 1 seat available in any section and no bleachers.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
click on 'schedule' near the top
then you can choose another
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
by cubbieblue86 on Feb 19, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
wow selection sucks
in at 1005 and cant get 4 together anywhere in front of the posts.
we're unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes.
then why did I have to wait?
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
Keep hitting continue.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Go to the top and click schedule
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
what game?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
And I'm stcuk in "unable to process" hell
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:14 AM CST reply actions
Humph.
“We’re sorry, but we are unable to process your request due to high transaction volume. Please try your request again.”
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:15 AM CST reply actions
I suppose this is what I get for trying to get tickets to a Cubs-Cardinals game.
Is it possible to click “schedule” and select tickets for other games once I’m done here?
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
Can I hit "refresh" at all?
Mine is not fully loading anymore, and I’ve lost the ability to click “continue.”
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
That's like playing Russian Roulette...
and you’ve already heard 5 clicks.
Keep hitting continue.
You’ll get in.
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Got in again.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Here it is...
See, this is a perfect game plan. Now, you’ll remember this and next year you’ll pay the money at the 20% fee. Smart plan by the Cubs.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Question for those who stood in line this morning at Wrigley:
Did anyone get to meet Ricketts? Did you ask him anything?
Same. Frustrating as hell.
Most anything worth buying in advance is gone at this point anyways. I’m giving up.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 19, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
I'm in in 4 tabs. Just stay patient, you'll all get through.
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First time in VWR
Coming from Dallas for 7/15 & 7/16. I only have one window on two computers. What are my odds?
She said, "I know a town where real life's a game
Baseball's all that's real
At night all the faces light up
As the players take the field"
-Widespread Panic
by DallasCub on Feb 19, 2010 10:22 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I quit
I got in to a lot of windows, but every single one doesn’t go anywhere. I got to the “type in these words” thing a few times, and each time I did it and hit enter it kicked me back out to VWR. Last year I only got in twice, but got tickets both times. This time I got in 7 times and am going to end up with none.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein
Yup - this is what i saw.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 19, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
For those who have gotten through the VWR,
Is the ticketing page not fully loading anymore?
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:22 AM CST reply actions
"We're sorry, we were unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes. Please try to submit your request again"
WHAT THE FUCK!!!
We Got This!
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on Feb 19, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
Got two tickets against Oakland
$20 seats ended up being almost $30 with fees and amusement tax. Ugh.
Now I’m stuck hitting continue while being stuck in “unable to process” hell for another game.
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:23 AM CST reply actions
To be fair
The amusement tax was always there, they just tried to make the l tickets LOOK cheaper.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:24 AM CST up reply actions
Oh I know all about the amusement tax
I’m just ughing that it is there.
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
To be fair
The Cubs were quite clear in what they were doing, you just tried to make them look like slime.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
No most people see the low price and think they are getting a bargain
till the 21% plus of fees ( including amusement tax) kicks in. They should list prices with tax like EVERY OTHER team
and not have 20% shock
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
There you go again with the EVERY OTHER team argument
never knew you were such a conformist.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Got in and got 6 bleachers for 7/23
Will trade the other 5 for games I need.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:23 AM CST reply actions
What I don't get...
is that I got all the way through to the purchase page. I picked my shipping method (I’m not paying someone else $2.50 to print something using my own ink and paper) and clicked “Buy Tickets” and nothing happened. I’m 100000% positive I clicked it and I waited for nearly a minute and tried clicking it again. Still nothing.
Got in on another window and now there are no bleachers left for opening day!?!?!
Opening Day bleachers
are still available and are only $12 bucks less than on Monday.
Please help!
I’m stuck in the “high transaction volume” loop.
Now I can’t even click “continue” anymore, as it is not fully loading.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:25 AM CST reply actions
going for the 8/6 - 8/8 Reds games
coming into town for the 40th bday. im ready for a few Old Styles!
"Life is good....life is good...life is good..life is good" jch
I got tix for 8-7
looking to trade for 7-17.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
FYI it is clear presales had effect
The 6/12 game was sold in 5 minutes. Took about an hour last year.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:26 AM CST reply actions
Not only was it sold out very quickly,
but there were 0 bleachers available and only scattered singles. Such a crock.
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I can get multiple
windows open of the VWR , why why why.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 10:26 AM CST reply actions
Ridiculous!!
Got in 7 times in 10 minutes and the best seats were upper deck…definitely paying the 20% extra next year!
And somewhere, in a dark office high up above Chicago...
some Mr. Burns-style executive is twiddling his thumbs saying ’Exxxxcellent!"
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by Schwa on Feb 19, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This is a fucking joke.
Seriously. I’ve been getting the “high transaction volume” message for the past 15 minutes. On two different windows. Embarrassing preparation by the Cubs IT department. Again.
Annnnnd finally it lets me pass...
Only to tell me that those seats are no longer available. No, asshole, I don’t want one 100 dollar seat. I want two bleachers.
Pathetic.
Same here.
Absolutely ridiculous.
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
They know they're going to get hammered
It’d be nice if they prepared
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on Feb 19, 2010 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
I mean, really.
The lack of preparation truly is pathetic. It’s not like this is the first year they’ve tried this either. They’ve had the same problem every single year. It’s ridiculous that they haven’t found a solution yet.
I was getting that.
I also got all the way to the final purchase page, only to have the page not load correctly and then not let me click on the “Buy Tickets” button. That was fun.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
I got that as well....
and ending up with nothing. The process has always been frustrating but I also always somehow managed to at least get the 2 tickets I wanted. This year, ironically, seemed like the worst it’s been in a while.
June 12, 13 against White Sox sold out.
Please hold on July 23 vs. St. Louis!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:27 AM CST reply actions
Vermont if you want BLEACHERS for 7/23
and they sell out. Go for 7/16 and I will trade you . I got 6 and do not need all.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
Virtual Waiting Room ....unable to process your request AGAIn
dammit.
"Life is good....life is good...life is good..life is good" jch
The Saturday Sox game..
Bleachers were sold out at 10:05. They’ve NEVER sold out that early. Seems like the Cubs sold a lot more tix with the presale than some of you thought.
Got 6 Bleachers on 9/25 Against the Cardinals...
That’s my birthday! :)
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
This is worse than its ever been
unreal. thankfully i got two games for the 20%. ill save my money for blackhawks playoffs.
Still stuck in "high transaction volume" Hell.
And I’m doing it on three different tabs, no less.
Trying to get terrace reserved infield on July 23.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:35 AM CST reply actions
Got 6 outfield terrace on 7/23 against the Cardinals...
…by phone. Got through by 10:15, our fastest ever. Maybe demand is down a bit…
Cublius
"No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session."
– Mark Twain
Kept getting the high transaction message...
and it kept freezing my screen. Was SO afraid it was going to lock up and I’d lose my screen. Grrrrrrr
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
I obviously have some sort of condition
cause every year I forget how frustrating this day can be.
I’m considering just going down to wrigley tomorrow. I question whether the games i’m looking at will be gone by then.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
Demand is almost certainly down.
I got in at least 8-10 tabs. I wish I were rich. Final haul:
3 Bleachers 6/19 vs. Angels
3 Bleachers 8/2 vs. Brewers
Looking to buy/trade for Sox tickets (bleachers) 6/12. Please email me if you can help: brandonrifkin (at) gmail . com
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
I LOATHE the way that they're conducting it this year.
In years past, you would wait in a general waiting room. If you got in, you would select your game. If there weren’t tickets available you could choose a different game. I got in the White Sox game at 10:04am and there was one ticket available for any setion but bleachers. I had no choice but to close the window and get back in line.
That blows!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Really?
I thought I was able to click ‘Schedule’ at the top of that page and pick a different game (I was looking for those Sox tickets as well).
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Didn't see that option.
Usually there is a “pick a different game” green button at the bottom. I’m trying to get in again so if I do, I’ll look for that option. Damn, could have been in twice already. :)
Oh well, I got my bleacher tickets to a Cubs/Cards series in September. They better freaking still be in it!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
It’s such a joke that the site won’t even load decently once you get past the VWR.
What an embarrassment.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
whew, made it
Reds
at Cubs
Sunday, 8/8/10
1:20PM CDT
102 3 107 ADULT $70.00
102 3 108 ADULT $70.00
102 3 109 ADULT $70.00
"Life is good....life is good...life is good..life is good" jch
by far worse than the last couple of years
very slow once past the VWR, and there were no field level seats in front of the posts available for my game.. at 10:05. they sold a LOT in the presale.
E-mail confirmation?
I’ve got tickets for two games, but only one e-mail confirmation. I have the confirmation number, but should I be concerned yet?
No.
The email system is typically very slow on the first day. You might not even get it till tomorrow.
Always print out your confirmation page. Then you have a printed record of your transaction.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So did I.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
I got confirmations now for the games I bought, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just got my second confirmation.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
I am an IDIOT
I forgot to click schedule after my first game to get another game. Back in the VWR
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:43 AM CST reply actions
Multiple tabs.
You should be able to get in real quick. I had about 60 tabs open, once I got in once the floodgates were open.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
I suck at that too
I can get maybe 4 up
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:46 AM CST up reply actions
Oh yeah - that "secret" hacker trick that Fox News exposed
They touted a story a few years ago about hacking into the VWR. It was some kid with multiple browsers open. That’s all.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Feb 19, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Like this:
Thats 70 tabs, and i had it going on two computers.
Worked really well for me last year… i got tickets to everything i wanted, and was able to snag 6 bleachers to all of the major highlight games. I think i averaged a game a week last year.
This year? I gave up after an hour. Closed out of all of my windows, including four tabs i had gotten through with but was stuck in a “too much volume” loop.
If they are having volume problems, they should let less people through the VWR. Just annoying. Don’t let me through and then give me trouble.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 19, 2010 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
I had to refresh at LEAST 50 times
but I finally got in for a game against the Angels. I’m done until I go to the box office tomorrow.
"That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until you get that final out." –Lou Piniella
by cubbiebluekdawg on Feb 19, 2010 10:44 AM CST reply actions
Got in about 20 times in the first half hour, but yet to buy a single ticket
I just started closing “Cubs Ticketing” windows because I was waiting on the one I had open. Sucks big time.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Just got in again...
The Continue Button is My Friend!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
I'm getting picked more than usual
but it doesn’t FREAKING MATTER because of all the high transaction volumes. i’ve been selected at least 5 or 6 times, only been able to get through once. after i waste upwards of 10min clicking “continue” close to 20 times unsuccessfully i give up on that window. ugh.
i got through on the 4th "try"
best available was the only way i could get available seats.
"Life is good....life is good...life is good..life is good" jch
Two and out
Got my 3 bleachers for the Cubs-Cards game Sept. 25, and my 5 bleachers for “Boys Day Out 2010” on May 15. Quickest I’ve ever been able to get in, I’m guessing they sold a lot of pre-sale seats and that (plus the economy) cut into today’s demand. Thank you one and all, continued good hunting, and I’M OUT!!!!!
congratulations
ive tried for bleachers all morning so far….
"Life is good....life is good...life is good..life is good" jch
Ha! Your boys day out
is me taking my daughter and her grandpa’s to the game…kinda like boys day out!
So I was able to get 2 tickets in the front row behind home plate on opening day...
But they were over $350 a ticket and I couldn’t afford it… I think I made a mistake :(
NEVER HIT BEST AVAILABLE
It always takes you to the INSANELY expensive seats. Just pick something you think might be available
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
Well, it never hurts to put it out there so...
I’m looking for 2 bleacher tickets to Opening Day. If anyone has any extra just send me an email. CubFan81 at aol dot com.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
after an hour of high transaction volume i just got kicked back into the VWR. double fist palm
SCORE!
Two tickets to St. Louis at Chicago Cubs, on July 23!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:50 AM CST reply actions
Now for the "high transaction volume" again as I try to get tickets
To Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs on July 17.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
Three of my "Chicago Cubs Ticketing" tabs
Reverted to VWR tabs.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I've still got one open to "Chicago Cubs Ticketing."
I’m hoping it doesn’t become a VWR.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Did you but TWO bleacher?
For a game like that , buy the max of 6 and trade /sell what you don’t want
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Demand, and supply, down
Sure demand is down, but that has as much to do with so much supply being taken out before today. I went in today for a couple of games I did not pick up on Monday, but did not get the type of seats I wanted, so I am giving up. I for one regret not one bit paying the 20% markup for the handful of White Sox and Cardinals game I purchased. Beats paying double or so markup to a broker.
It was VERY slow when I got through
It was like my screen was frozen for each step but I eventually got through.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 10:55 AM CST reply actions
Ticked! I had 2 tickets to one of the June Sox games.
Was already at the final window where they have my credit card info and I needed to push one last button to order. It froze and by the time it unfroze, it said my tickets were no longer on hold and game was sold out. Bah. Humbug.
Half way home
Got 2 bleachers for 7/15. Now I need 5 for 7/16. Fingers double crossed
She said, "I know a town where real life's a game
Baseball's all that's real
At night all the faces light up
As the players take the field"
-Widespread Panic
by DallasCub on Feb 19, 2010 10:57 AM CST via mobile reply actions
12 Bleacher Seats
6 on 7/25 Against the Cardinals – $398
6 on 9/25 Against the Cardinals – $398
I’m spent!
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
I love this:
We’re sorry, we were unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes. Please try to submit your request again.
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
extra window open
guys i have an extra window open, already bought the tix i need. might be tricky, but does anyone want me to buy for them? i don’t know if that would even work…
email is ar_hawkins (at) yahoo.com
crap, nevermind.
the window timed out anyways. good luck all!
4 bleachers
on July 3rd, don’t know why I didn’t buy 6. So stupid!
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 11:06 AM CST reply actions
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THERIOT'S ARBITRATION HEARING:
“We’re sorry, the arbitration judge was unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes. Please try to submit your request again.”
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
by hip2bsquare on Feb 19, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 7 recs
HA HA!!!
Rec’d.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
outstanding!
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 19, 2010 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
SCORE!
1 ticket, Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs, Saturday, July 17!!!!!!!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:12 AM CST reply actions
And this was from the one tab of "Chicago Cubs ticketing" that didn't revert to a VWR.
I knew there was a reason that tab stayed the way it was.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
Come along on July 23 against St. Louis.
I’ve got two tickets to that one.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
Or July 21 against Houston.
Two tickets to that one (courtesy of our own Jessica).
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
A single?
You could have come and sat with me. I will be in town for that homestand.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
What exactly are the Bleachr Boxes?
Non-alcoholic?
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
No but they have seats with backs and they cost more
In the RF corner
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
I think so
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
by hip2bsquare on Feb 19, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
Yes. Actually they are good seats and worth the $.
Just get seats closer to the foul pole. The closer you get the the well, your OF vision is partially obscured.
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
I DON'T reccomend the Bleacher Boxes...
It’s not the same experience. We were asked to “keep it down” because we were yelling and cheering too loud there. No obscenities whatsoever. Pretty snobby out there.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Hmm. You certainly had a different experience that ours. That's too bad. We enjoyed our seats.
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
However....
If you get Bleacher Boxes tickets, that does give you access to the rest of the outfield seating area, i.e. the real bleachers. So you could go raise hell with the riff-raff, then come back to the snobs when you need a break.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Why are you calling Al "riff-raff?" ;)
And I am not a snob, thank you very much. Now go fetch my pipe and slippers…
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
????
This morning I’ve learned that one of my computers counts down from 15 faster than the other. Also, what’s the point of saving credit card info on my profile if I have to retype it at check out? Thus causing panic and havoc as I search for my wallet which sits right in front of me. :)
She said, "I know a town where real life's a game
Baseball's all that's real
At night all the faces light up
As the players take the field"
-Widespread Panic
by DallasCub on Feb 19, 2010 11:16 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I was 04431
Got my tix just before 10am so i would think theyre probably around #06000 if you have a wristband in that neighborhood
Do you know if there were any pairs/bleachers to the 6/12 Sox game when you got there?
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Depends - is it your regular doctor or the one with the flashlight...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You can't watch porn to kill time while you are in the Doc's waiting room.
Point VWR.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 19, 2010 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
The whole series against the White Sox is sold out.
Man, I remember that well from 2008 … that series sold out SO quickly!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:26 AM CST reply actions
WOW
So I got in like previous years but that presale messed it up for me. Only single seats available to the main games I wanted and I got through right away. In past years this did not happen. Oh well, Im not gonna lose any sleep over it. Not going to as many games anyway, cant do that anymore.
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
Done and done
Got 5 for 7/16 bleachers and 2 for 7/15 bleachers. My second log in words were “hired” and “Taliban”…creepy. Good luck out there. I guess I better get to work now.
She said, "I know a town where real life's a game
Baseball's all that's real
At night all the faces light up
As the players take the field"
-Widespread Panic
by DallasCub on Feb 19, 2010 11:27 AM CST via mobile reply actions
meh
I keep getting through but it’s always coming up with the dreaded red message at the top. Got one game though!
Start Sean Marshall!!
I give up
What a shitty system
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on Feb 19, 2010 11:31 AM CST reply actions
Purchase Could not be Proccessed
How can they not have enough space/strength on their servers to handle the expected high volume of transactions today.
I got through countless times to only see the Could Not Process your order due to a high volume of Transactions message. And when I did get through with ‘Best Available’ selected, I would be offered Dugout box seats at $300+ a ticket.
Oh well, I got 2 tickets to Opening Day in the NA section. I guess this will save us a little on beer.
I am getting
the same message…it is so annoying
by desmoCubbie on Feb 19, 2010 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
I just called my Aunt..
one of the biggest Cub fans I know. Had so many windows open I acted as her ticket agent and got her 4 Bleacher Tickets for 7/25 against the Cardinals.
That’s a count of 16 Cardinal weekend Bleacher tickets so far. That’s a heck of a lot easier than years past for Cards tickets.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
For the first time, I am NOT doing the VWR.
We’re going to less games this year and I’m going to throw myself on the mercy of BCBers who want to sell their tickets for the games we want to go to. Maybe only a couple (or ONE!; maybe NONE) this season. Too expensive and I didn’t have the time to do the VWR hell today.
Best of luck everyone and I hope you get the games you really want to see.
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
If you want a M-Thursday game let me know
Weekends I have to save for my regulars ( and I make them take weekdays when they want weekends)
Jessica
Maddux2014 at gmail dot com
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks DS! We normally DO come in from Michigan for mid-week games.
It won’t be until July or August. We won’t be able to get into Chicago until then due to other family commitments. Mrs. Zeke and I will take a peek at the schedule and see what looks good. I really appreciate it :)
I’ll email you as soon as we know.
Tim
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
Hope you'll sit in the bleachers with us, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Don't forget to bring your glove...
…you’ve got a complimentary how-to-be-a-ballhawk session coming.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
lol. I'd make an ass of myself.
Which isn’t hard if you ask Mrs. Zeke… ;)
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
All right, I'm off.
Got the tickets I came here for.
July 17 vs. Philadelphia – 1 ticket
July 23 vs. St. Louis – 2 tickets
And for July 21 vs. Houston, hopefully 2 tickets there. When I buy those tickets, I will know more (they are coming from a season ticket holder).
The extra ticket on July 23 against St. Louis is already taken.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:32 AM CST reply actions
I'm surprised that there is still a "Buy T" icon next to that July 23 St. Louis Cardinals game.
The way I got stuck in the “heavy transaction volume” loops for that game, I thought it must already be sold out by now.
It probably will sell out soon.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
4 More Windows Just Opened For me
Ned to call more of my friends…
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Meh...
I feel like they probably are letting too many people in after a short time in the waiting room thus causing the red message to frequently appear
Start Sean Marshall!!
Not as many people in the VWR this year
I would say 75% of my 250+ windows eventually got through and i closed most of them.
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
w00t got 2 tix to a bronze game behind home plate row C
vs marlins
Ramlee Zamfukusoridero
I'm so glad I got my tix through the presale this year
I’m not going to any of the “big” games that are selling out fast (4/29 vs ARI, 8/21 vs ATL) but I think the 15% markup was worth avoiding all this crap.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
Should have gone the pre-sale route
Got in at 10:10 – tried from 10:10 to 11:10 – nothing. Could not get anything for opening day, etc…
just left wrigley
it appears that as long as you have a wristband on they will let u buy tix. in and out in 8 minutes and got all the games i wanted including pairs to cards and phillies games
by munale on Feb 19, 2010 11:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I just returned from there, too.
Field report: when I got there, there were four people in the room where they were double checking wristband #’s with the order form and ID.
They told me around 3000 wristbands were issued. There was no line whatsoever at the ticket windows. I would suggest if anyone has a wristband, go to Wrigley now — you’ll get whatever tickets are left with no aggravation.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
what time was that?
when I was there (around 1) they said at around noon they started letting all wristbands in because there hadn’t been anyone (in the 3300-7000 range I presume) for the last 20 minutes – they just had us line up outside and sent a group of about five us in – the woman behind me was upset because she was in the 7000’s and I was over 10,000 but was ahead of her – it was apparently a big deal to her so I didn’t let on that the guy in front of me was in the 2000’s
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
I was there at 11:30 am.
By that time, they were not taking wristband numbers — anyone with a wristband was allowed in, regardless of place in line. As you note, there were never more than a handful of people there at any one time.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
the line got longer
I waited on Waveland for maybe ten minutes. Then they let us in, 10 or 20 at a time, and walked us through the ballpark to the Addison/Clark gate. We waited there for another 10 minutes, then outside next to the ticket windows for another 5 or more, so all in all it took maybe 30 minutes. But when I looked into the ballpark after buying the tickets, the line looked much longer again.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 1:26 PM CST up reply actions
On the high volume message
Do I have to close the window and rejoin the VWR or does continually pressing continue eventually get me through?
Keep hitting "continue"
Eventually, you’ll get through.
I spent over 30 minutes doing that for one game I was trying to get tickets to. I eventually did get the tickets.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
I would keep hitting continue.
I got through within a few minutes twice doing that. You don’t want to go back to the VWR.
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
crap i forgot about the tickets going on sale today
i really really want Angels tickets :( Lucky I have an employee whose family has season tickets. I am just crossing my fingers they are willing to sell me them for the saturday game
Good luck!
I hope they will sell you tickets to that game!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
thanks
i am trying to buy for me a friend and his fiancee
by truthaddict11 on Feb 19, 2010 11:54 AM CST up reply actions
If at any point between now and then I get my hands on some Sox tickets,
I would probably sell my 6/19 Angels Bleachers. If I do that, I’ll get rid of them through the ticket exchange here.
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I'm not really sure how I feel about today.
I definitely dominated the VWR, but the one game I really, really wanted was sold out for the most part. I guess the 6/19 Angels game is sold out and I have 3 bleachers for that. Maybe I can sell/trade those to get those 6/12 Sox tickets.
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Stuck in the VWR
Anyone else feel like they should have some kind of music playing? That final scene from Blues Brothers where they’re riding up the elevator with muzak in the background, as the cops charge up the stairs, comes to mind for some reason.
Much nicer song.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 12:01 PM CST up reply actions
All my waiting rooms have gone through
its just getting the red message. I think they allowed too many into the room
Start Sean Marshall!!
same here
i actually make it to the next page to enter the words before getting booted
by truthaddict11 on Feb 19, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
There is NO line at the park
and anyone with a band can probably buy a ticket. A friend was just in an out in minutes and I got some of what I needed.
I kind BCB person is getting the others.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 11:56 AM CST reply actions
Suckers
I bought all my tickets during the presale. With my Mastercard, I figured it was worth the extra $15-$25 to get seats next to the Cubs’ dugout. Hell, that’s about what Ticketmaster adds on anyways ….
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Feb 19, 2010 11:57 AM CST reply actions
Yep
For a variety of reasons discussed in this thread VERY few wristbands given out. I think Al will have more info later.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 11:57 AM CST reply actions
See above.
About 3000 wristbands were issued. If you have one, go to Wrigley now — you’ll get to the windows in less than 10 minutes.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
After 2 hours, I'm done
But not before I picked up bleacher tix for:
4/17 – HOU
5/25 – LAD
5/30 – STL
6/15 – OAK
7/18 – PHI
9/4 – NYM
I’m pretty pleased with my haul, especially when combined with the 9-game pack I got last month. And I did it without blowing my budget! Of course my self-allotment for Cubs tickets takes up an absurdly large portion of my income, but that’s a discussion for another day.
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
I am concerned, though
I haven’t received ANY confirmation e-mails…
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
by mykalmorgan on Feb 19, 2010 12:04 PM CST up reply actions
I got one for my first transaction
and that’s all. The Cub’s Commordore 64 must’ve crashed.
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
by Itchy on Feb 19, 2010 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
They must have been able to re-boot it
…before it crashed again.
I’ve now gotten ONE confirmation.
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
by mykalmorgan on Feb 19, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
You're not the only one
I think a lot of people here spend absurdly large portions of their income on Cubs tickets. It’s a common affliction… I myself would’ve spent a lot more than I did, but part of my “Cubs tickets” budget turned into a “Symphony subscription” budget this year on an experimental basis.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
by hip2bsquare on Feb 19, 2010 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
We're sorry, we were unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes. Please try to submit your request again.
then why let me in…….damn tease
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
I just wanted one ticket...
Trying desparately to get one good seat to 5/17. I got to Cubs Ticketing on like 12 windows, got seats assigned on two, eventually EVERY SINGLE WINDOW reverted back to VWR. If you feel like helping, it’s theweisisright at gmail dot commmmmm. Thanks!
I have a bleacher ticket to 5/17
I already KNOW I’m not going to be able to use it (bought it in the pre-sale before I knew my spring schedule). Would gladly sell it to you face value.
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
by mykalmorgan on Feb 19, 2010 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
Good Day
5/15 Pirates 4 tix in Section 438 (taking Daughter’s Grandpas + Wife)
7/2 Red 4 tix in Section 203
8/18 Padres 4 tix in Section 4 (Daughter’s birthday, she’ll be 2!)
Good luck to everyone else!
Question
I got bleacher seats. Do the numbers mean anything (1487-1492) or are they just sequence numbers?
by CubbieFaninOhio on Feb 19, 2010 12:17 PM CST reply actions
My 56kb modem is too slow
I just can’t get through the VWR. Oh the agony…
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
You forgot the /sarcasm tag.
I refuse to believe that you have a 56k modem.
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Yeah, I did forget it. Thought that was self-evident.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Feb 19, 2010 12:47 PM CST up reply actions
BAM
Got the two games I wanted.
Pirates at Cubs 6/29 – 2 Bleachers
Pirates at Cubs 6/30 – First row, home plate, top deck
Start Sean Marshall!!
Wooo
Phillies @ Cubs 7/18 – 4 bleachers!
still waiting on my brewers cubs tickets to go through…been getting the high volume msg for close to an hr on this one…the phillies game took like 15 mins.
Also I don;t know why but my VWR in Internet Explorer is going REALLY fast, I basically don’t have to wait to get to the ticket selection window.
And speaking of Wooo
Ronnie Woo Woo was at the ballpark, in uniform, but no hat.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
Before people jump on you,
please note that in this here Web site, that is a naughty proper noun. We refer to that character as “He Who Shall Remain Nameless” and its acronym.
Ah. Thanks.
Why is that — because he can be so annoying? I remember when we first started hearing him, years ago in the bleachers. He didn’t have a uniform then. Drove us nuts.
He didn’t get into any of his mantras today, at least not while I was there.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 1:12 PM CST up reply actions
judging from the pictures
He was too busy speaking with Todd Ricketts… Can you imagine? Smile. Keep smiling. Nod head..
Its on some espn blog.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Feb 20, 2010 8:37 AM CST up reply actions
You're new here, so I'll cut you a break... just for today.
Be warned – we don’t exactly take kindly to Mr. Woo-Woo in these parts.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
You'll never change me...
I LOVE Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers and have since I was a kid. He’s such a nice man to people and never expects anything back but a Coke. Say what you want about him…it won’t change my opinion.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Try sitting somewhere...
… and have him stand next to you and yell that idiot noise he makes in your ear for an hour and not respond to either polite or not-so-polite requests to stop.
This has happened to me on multiple occasions. He has touched women without their permission and poked people and hurt them. That’s assault.
He’s a reprehensible self-promoter. Nice? No, he’s not nice. He’s always out to mooch tickets or something for free. The fact that tickets are so expensive now means that few people give him free tickets to the bleachers, which means I don’t have to listen to him shouting near me.
Enough already. Go away, He Who Shall Not Be Named.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Feb 19, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I remember him driving us crazy
back when the bleachers were the cheap seats — a couple of bucks. Two and a half to three hours of it was awful. But I always thought him to be harmless, just crazy. Never heard of any of the creepy stuff before.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 19, 2010 2:19 PM CST up reply actions
It's very creepy.
I find it disgusting that he spends half his time out there groping college-age women, and most of the rest of it screaming in people’s ears.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Try being a FEMALE
and being near him.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Just as I said above.
All it would take is one woman who had unwanted touching from him to file a complaint, and he’d be finished.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Or an angry husband/boyfriend
With that kind of behavior, I’m suprised he hasn’t gotten his nose broken by another fan yet.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
I remember him and his buddy Dennis groping 14 yr. old girls and trying to hustle people to buy him beer
Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is no way to go through life son.
Yes, I'm well familiar with that idiot noise.
He was in the same row as us once. It was horrid. No he does not respond to repeated requests to stop.
Once he showed up at an art show I was at. Talk about driving a person nuts. It’s bad enough at a game, but try to sell an oil painting with that nails across a chalkboad wheeze in the backround.
What I don’t understand are the people out there that encourage him by wanting to have their picture taken with him and treating him like a celebrity. What are they thinking?!?!?
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
i agree
he is what he is – and has been going to cubs games for as long as Al! Dude has put in his time – and now that his voice is going I think he should be treated as the crazy old uncle rather than some pariah.
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
Crazy old uncle is one thing.
When he starts annoying people or touching them without permission, he needs to stop when told. If he won’t do that, he needs to be ejected from the park.
Let’s say you started yelling in someone’s ear at Wrigley for an hour, and refused to stop when asked politely. You’d expect to be thrown out, right?
Or if you started touching women without their permission? You’d get arrested and probably charged with sexual assault (you should see where he touches some of these women).
I don’t see why this idiot gets a pass when doing these things.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
When someone seriously presses the issue, his act is done.
Just ask Tiger. No one is immune. (I know it’s not the same thing, but when push comes to shove, the 7 irons will come out…)
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
Really?
Because I’ve tried pressing the issue and security usually throws up their hands and says, “Can’t do anything.” They need to be empowered to do something.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think the aisle security is reluctant for exactly that reason. Lack of any real authority.
If it were pressed with the police, it might be a different story. Then again, what do I know…
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
The Phillies game on 7/17 also took me about 15 minutes.
The St. Louis Cardinals game on 7/23, not so much. I spent nearly an hour stuck in neverending loops until I could finally get those tickets.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 4:24 PM CST up reply actions
Just got a call from BCB friend at park
Anyone with a wristband can go buy tickets. They aren’t even paying atttention to the numbers as long a you have one you can get in line.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 12:36 PM CST reply actions
What a mess
I had no trouble getting in with over 60 windows open. Got my first two games right away. Then on next games I had to hit continue for almost a half hour just to get through and once I got through and paid, the page went blank. I started all over and did not get another game I wanted.
If anyone wants to trade 4 Saturday bleachers, I need the Phillies on July 17 and I have 4 Saturday bleachers for Saturday, August 7 with Reds.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Got in - found a small cheat
my experience …
1. you wait in VRW – took about 20 mins
2. Then you get in – but need to pick # of seats and location
3. You get a lots of “unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes” until you get to the security screen
4. You type in the secure pswd and get sent back to #2 with another “unable to process your request due to high transaction volumes”
5. Eventually the secure pswd works and you are really in.
The Cheat. You can completely skip the looping around step 3, and immediately get to step 4 if you first select a location that is sold out (usually infield box is a good choice). Then you get a different error message. Now pick the location you really want (in my case bleachers) and you immediately go to the secure pswd screen. Worked reliably several times in a row.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
I think that was just luck
When I try that, I still get looped back to the “high transaction volume” message.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
Agreed.
That may have worked once or twice for me, but the majority of the time it was the same.
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
VWR Gone
Got right in because I wanted to see if my games were sold out. The one was and it directed me to another game. Gave me this message when I tried to get 6 bleacher tickets…
You have requested too many tickets for this level/section.
Either there is a restriction for the requested level/section or this level/section is nearly soldout and doesn’t have 6 contiguous seats.
The current maximum tickets for this level/section is 1.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Correct.
A lot of games are either sold out or getting close to being sold out. Since there’s no VWR, there’s no specific place to see ticket availability, but it appears the following games are sold out:
4/12
5/29
5/30
6/11
6/12
6/13
6/19
7/17
7/23
7/24
7/25
8/21
Let me poke around for a while and I’ll post again about bleacher availability.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Both games I got tickets to are in that list.
Man, am I lucky.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
was frustrating because of the "high transaction" issues, but
basically got what I wanted. Had a hard time getting more than 2 tix to most games, but was able to score at least 2 each for the following:
6/17 OAK
5/16 PIT
4/18 HOU
8/22 ATL
9/25 STL
8/2 MIL
6/12 SOX
9/3 NYM
9/22 SF
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded." -Jim Frey
How did you possibly get 2 for the 6/12 Sox game?
2 singles?
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Al -
Are there any plans for a BCB day?
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Haven't planned on one.
But we could, I suppose.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If I see Ronny Wickers on tv one more time I’m gonna vomit.
Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is no way to go through life son.
Woo hoo! I am Mr. Irrelevant Cub Fan!!!
Based on several “no waiting” comments here, I decide to walk on over and try my luck. I go around to Gate K and to my surprise, I see a line of about 20 people outside. WTF? So I get closer and I find out those folks do NOT have wristbands – they’re just waiting for the Cubs to lower the drawbridge for the peasants.
So I tug my sleeve, show my wristband, and they walk me right in. All the way through the concourse (lots of construction/cleanup stuff going on) and up to the main gate area where there is a short line of about 10 people inside, another 5 or so outside and then the ticket windows. About 5 minutes later, I look back and the floodgates are open! All the non-wristband folks are rushing in! Well, if you want to call 20 people a rush…
Evidently I was the last wristband person they let in before opening the doors to anyone. So I proudly claim the title of Mr. Irrelevant Cubs Fan and I will do my best to live up to the great responsibility of such an honor. Of course, I will not let this interfere with my duties of being Mr. Irreverent Cubs Fan – rest assured, I take that role seriously as well.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
A banquet is being held in your honor in the Virtual Waiting Room.
There will be cake.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
ASCII is my favorite flavor.
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mmm... chocolate with luminescent green icing... my favorite!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
What games did you buy?
I thought you liked it on the outside,
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
I do, but the wife likes it inside so I bought a few games
Mostly bronze level – $22 seems about right to watch a ball game. Plus I’m still betting on the 5/12 day game against the Marlins to be some sort of Tribute to Andre day. Even if they don’t retire his number, I still think they’ll do something.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Where in the park do you like to sit?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 8:33 PM CST up reply actions
if my back is not acting up, I'm partial to down in the LF well with the regulars...
…in section 303, right where the wall curves back in. But I can’t sit still for long so I’ll usually roam – especially when the sluggers are up. The walkway behind the bleacher boxes in RF is pretty open so it’s easier to catch a homer should a lefty hit one.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
congratulations
what was the time though? 2 o’clock?
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
probably right around 1pm
Some woman with a wristband came in after me but she was in with the non-wristband folks – and she was none too pleased about it. She was bitching the whole time, which was funny enough, but even funnier was listening to the workers mimic her bitching after she had walked by.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
i think the same woman ended up in the ticket line right behind me
she had nothing nice to say about the new owners and the whole process – and me for being in front of her with a higher number – the cubs security and ticket staff were great to deal with – and dealt with her pretty well too
I've given up on trying to get tickets
I tried last year and was completely frustrated. I’m going to just show up some day in the summer without tickets and either buy from a scalper or from someone on this site selling tickets.
I love that our Cubs are so popular that they’re going to be sold out almost every game, but it makes it very difficult. Oh well, at least I’ve can count on MLB not to black out any games this year, right?
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Eh, it doesn't matter really...
My work schedule is pretty flexible, so I can take off whenever. Likely a day game during the week.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
I was under the assumption that those weekday day games were the easiest ones to get.
Were you just stuck in VWR hell?
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
No weekday afternoons Mon-Thurs are sold out yet...
… except Opening Day.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This is good to know...
I’ll keep trying later.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Yeah... can't stay on the computer any longer...
I’ll just wait a day or two and take what I can get.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
VWR
8 windows open, 3 different games selected, hundreds of continues….finally got 6 tix in a row for the 4th of July game against the Reds.
by Bud Man Cub Fan on Feb 19, 2010 1:58 PM CST reply actions
As of 2:05 pm CT, bleachers are sold out for the following dates.
4/12
5/28
5/29
5/30
6/11
6/12
6/13
6/18
6/19
7/3
7/17
7/23
7/24
7/25
8/7
8/21
9/25
(17 games)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Nice!
6 for 7/25 and 6 for 9/25. Plus I was able to score 4 more for my Aunt with her credit card for 7/25.
I couldn’t believe that Cardinal bleachers on the weekends were available. In years past by the time I got past the VWR (and usually within the first 15 minutes) all of the Sox and weekend Cardinal games were completely sold out…let alone have bleachers available.
I’m guessing that the $54 per ticket and $398 after taxes for 6 of them scared people away and left them available for us idiots willing to shell out that kind of money.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Yeah, I thought that was odd, too.
Sometimes, holidays sell fewer tickets than weekends. But July 4 is a Sunday, and the Reds — whose fans travel well — are the opponent.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Saturdays seem to be selling out much faster than Sundays
For example – 7/17 vs Phillies sold out 4 hours ago, but there are still good seats for 7/18.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
That's been a pattern for many years.
Saturday games are always the most popular of any week. Believe it or not, Friday games usually sell out faster than Sundays, for the most popular opponents (White Sox, Cardinals, etc).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That explains a lot.
Now I know why I spent so long in the “heavy transaction volume” loop.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 4:28 PM CST up reply actions
Saturday ALWAYS sells out before Sunday
Sometimes Fridays sell out before Sundays.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
That is especially the case
In Friday home games against the White Sox and Cardinals. Those are among the most sought-after tickets in Wrigley Field during the season.
I consider myself lucky I got into there for the games I am going to. Both of my first-choice games.
Both 7/17 and 7/23 are now completely sold out.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
Demand seems to be really down
Considering the recession and slight decline in overall team play last season, It’s not really a shocker. It will be a great steal for people who hoarded tickets today if the Cubs can play up to our expectations
Start Sean Marshall!!
7/3 is Sat
7/4 is Sun
Sat >> Sun in demand. To boot, 7/3 is the fireworks at the taste so that’s a great double-play day. Cubs early, taste later.
Just win the next game...!
No fireworks at the taste this year
The city cancelled it because it’s too expensive. There will still be some smaller fireworks displays on the 4th, but the big one on the 3rd is off.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
The expense was not the only concern.
We can also thank the ignorant MF’s who take the oportunity of the fireworks to go around shooting people.
"There's more to life than profits...like, you know, slurpees and stuff." ~Randy Marsh
Unfortunately, that may not stop.
Just because there’s no big fireworks show doesn’t mean people won’t stand around shooting them off in the neighborhoods, leading to the inevitable story about some idiot who blew his hand off.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm talking about guns.
Who wants to go to the Taste to watch fireworks when there’s a possibility some half-wit with a beef might catch you with a stray bullet?
"There's more to life than profits...like, you know, slurpees and stuff." ~Randy Marsh
And there in lies the problem
I get punished with laws because some morons blew off their effin’ digits.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Glad I got my tix for the 6/19 game.
Wasn’t on my original list, but once the Sox game was sold out I figured that would be a fun game to go to.
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
Suprised! Harder than previous years.
Don’t know what the deal was this year… but I had no shot. I got in quickly, went for my game and only singles were available in the cheap seats I like to sit in.
I spend the next 45 minutes trying to get past the high transaction notice (which is still kicking in as I look at other games) to get a pair or singles. No luck.
Very different from last year and the year before. Last year, it took me a bit to get through VWR and a few trys to get past high transaction notice but I was able to get tickets to opening day and one of the other big games, plus a few minor ones.
I think a lot of tickets were sold during the presales and at the box office before folks on the internets and phone had a shot.
I think there should have been a limit for both the presale and regular on sale by person/household. My concern is that a lot brokers bought a ton during the presale and double dipped today, especially since there was no limit during the presale.
I hope opening day is cold and rainy like last year so face value/cheap tickets can be had so that I can get my group in.
I’ll know better for next year.
Not supper disappointed, since I bought during the presale, but surprised at how difficult it was today and how few tickets were left for the big games.
The biggest effect of the presale was clearly in the marquee games.
I guess it’s not surprising, and looking back, maybe I should have just pulled the trigger and bought my Sox tickets with the 15% mark up. It’s just kind of sad that if you wanted to go to one of those games for face value, your only chance was a scattered single. And those didn’t last very long.
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
Wristbands
Just speculating about wristbands…
I wonder if the Cubs downplayed the wrisband this year with the idea that fans in the know would be on top of that…
This way fans get quick, early access to tickets before everyone else. Sort of like a fan presale between 8-10 am. No mark up and no fees either. I wish I could have been there to walk in an buy my tickets that way.
Or it could have just been a broker bonanza.
Eh..
I wouldn’t give them that credit. I’d be willing to bet that it was more of a ploy to get people’s minds on the pre-sale at 20%.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Yeah
I really have no idea. Just wondering.
Seems weird. This may be a function of lower demand this year… as mentioned below.
They did bury the wristband story on the website.
After announcing it by press release, that was the only place on the Cubs website you could find the info. Clicking on the “single game ticket info” page did not get you that information.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That won't stop the brokers or others looking to capitalize on the secondary market
Just win the next game...!
shhhh!!!
i hope they still have it next year – if only 3,000 (as Al said) were distributed that could be a good excuse to cancel it and just go all phone/internet – i hope not -
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 19, 2010 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
No they would never stop selling at the box office
and while it is a lot of work it probably beats going back to people sleeping out overnight in terms of security.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 9:40 PM CST up reply actions
Despite
the difficulty that some seemed to have in getting tickets, it seems that fewer games are sold out than in years past. Is my impression right?
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
Oh absolutely!
The fact that you are still able to get tickets to any Cards games is remarkable compared to years past.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Yep
Last year, weekend games (for all months) sold out the first day I believe. This year there are plenty of tickets still available, even for the Angels series and some other summer weekend games. The Saturday games went quickly, obviously, but there are still a lot of Sunday opportunities left.
Ticket Exchange Board
Al-assume you are going to do a ticket exchange board? Wife and I have 6 tickets to the Mets on both 9/4 and 9/5-doubt we will go to both games. 9/4 are Bleachers, 9/5 are Bud Light Bleachers.
Do you mean one of them is Bleacher Box?
Aren’t all Bleachers the ‘Bud Lite Bleachers’?
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
All bleachers are being promoted as "Bud Light Bleachers" this year.
Bleacher Box is different.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
There already is a ticket exchange.
There’s also one for spring training. Here. (Shameless plug: I have two lawn seats for 3/4, 3/7, 3/10 and 3/13. Email if interested.)
I’ll be posting ticket exchanges by homestand, starting soon.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How good is the view from the second deck of the grandstand?
I have second row home plate, so I’m thinking their good
Start Sean Marshall!!
Great seats
Nice view from the Upper Deck Box. and you might catch a foul ball.
And for the 7th inning stretch. You’re right below the singer.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Feb 19, 2010 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
excellent
Last time I went to Wrigley, I was sitting in the 1st grandstand but it was covered; I could not see Ron Santo. I hope he’s singing in that game
Start Sean Marshall!!
419 is a very good seat...
… right behind the plate. You’ll like the view.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
thanks!
I’m also probably going to sit in the LF bleachers for one game too. Can’t wait!
Start Sean Marshall!!
Hey, I'll let you know where I am sitting on 7/17 and 7/23.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 19, 2010 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
Hey Al
I’ve got 7/25 and 9/25 tickets against the Cardinals in the Bleachers. Not sure which game I’m flying up for and which I’m selling. I’d love to sit with ya and my fam if that’s cool.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Absolutely.
Email me and remind me and we’ll save you some seats.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's one of the places I really want to sit. I can only imagine that it's a great view.
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
400 level
I prefer to look for seats there first. Most people think that is way up there, but even row 10 of the 400’s is a better view then most 200 level seats.
400 level is a great view
I’d love to get the first row there sometime.
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
IMHO those are the best seats for the money in Wrigley
Great view, very close to the field (relative to the upper deck at other parks), reasonable prices. There’s also a little roof deck behind the press box where you can get some good import beers for cheaper than the crap the vendors sell.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
so just for the hell of it
I go and take a look at the 9/24 game. 19 bleacher tix can be ordered!
I don’t ever remember seeing that quantity available the 1st weekend.
Just win the next game...!
if it is, so be it. Look at this
Bud Light Bleachers
Section Row/Box Seat Type Price
BLCHR GA 301 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 302 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 303 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 304 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 305 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 306 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 307 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 308 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 309 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 310 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 311 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 312 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 313 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 314 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 315 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 316 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 317 ADULT $54.00
BLCHR GA 318 ADULT $54.00
Total Convenience Fee for 18 seats (includes 12% amusement tax and 9% sales tax): $205.02
Price for 18 seats : $1,177.02
Just win the next game...!
Well, it's still cheaper than renting a mezzanine suite
And it fits more people, too
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
+1177.02
That makes my $173.25 seem small that I spent on tickets today.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Actually didn't get these BTW
Was pointing out that >6 could be had on the first day of sales. And multiple games on the same order too to boot.
Previous years, 6 IIRC was the max one could purchase on-line during the entire 1st weekend. And each order was limited to that 6 max. You then went back into the VWR.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
I checked a couple dates.
Looks like you can do it for any game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Alright, who's gonna take one for the team and go through with the purchase so we can see if it works...
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
Did it with 2 Fri Aug games yesterday evening...
…while I was catching some Olympic action.
Once the screen came up with the tkts available and I hit “continue”, I was able to click on “select another game”.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Pretty Easy This Season
I got a field box outfield ticket for both the 4/28 and 4/29 games. I got a bleacher ticket for the 4/27 and 4/30 games. I hope I don’t freeze to death during those games. I’m glad I was able to put multiple games on the same order. I look forward to printing those tickets at home off of the computer. I’ll just make sure to put my tickets in a folder inside of a watertight bag, if it rains.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
that's good
multi games on one order in previous years wasn’t available until after the 1st weekend.
Just win the next game...!
Multi games on one order wasn't available earlier today, either.
I wonder if they shut off the first weekend rules after the wristbands were done.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wristbands
are done and you can buy tickets in large quatities now. The Cubs don’t care if brokers start picking them up they just want the tickets sold.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
You can buy 19 bleacher tickets for
June 20 against the Angels.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 19, 2010 4:06 PM CST reply actions
Not like before
Here is link from 2008 sales ( could not find 09)
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/2/22/7338/93029
By 5 o’clock the Cubs had sold out 23 games and bleachers were sold out at about 40. I really believe the premium pre-sales and lack of focus, to put it kindly on adverage fans bit them in the ass. It worked to sell out the Sox Saturday game after 5 minutes of online sales but so many folks were discourged from going to the park or just did not know they could , that far fewer tickets sold at least up to this point in the process.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
I think the new season ticket sales cut into this, too.
Those are people who would have been buying today.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How much were ST qty's upped
above and beyond the 300 I understood were turned in by TribCo folks?
Just win the next game...!
Tribco tix totalled 700.
Plus I think they added several hundred on top of that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
A friend of a friend
invited us to buy 1/8 th of her nights and weekends season tickets. They are nice seats in the upper deck. We get together in a few weeks to divvy them up. Since we don’t know what dates we have yet, I was hesitant to buy any today. I’m so thrilled to be included that I don’t really care what dates they are for or who they are playing.
So the only tickets I ended up getting today were for my son’s high school musical and there was no line or virtual waiting for them.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
So GREASE goes to Wrigley?
Trying to imagine a HS musical going to Wrigley
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe somebody could do a production of "Bleacher Bums" in the actual bleachers
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
They are doing "Annie."
If you absolutely need a tie in-the Cubs were called the Orphans at one point. But that was long before “Year 1.”
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
That's a good show for high schoolers
Right now I’m in a community theatre production of “Beauty and the Beast” – it’s a lot of fun, but good Lord are the costumes uncomfortable.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
They did Beast a few years ago.
My neighbor did the a lot of the work making the costumes for it. It drove her crazy. Said she’d never do costumes for inanimate objects again.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I hope you are not the candelabra or the clock.
Those would be nasty costumes to wear. I always think of the candelabra when watching the endless airings of Law & Order reruns. I was also luck enough to have seen Jerry Orbach in his Tony winning performance in
42nd Street. Too bad most people know him only from the TV show. He was a great actor and a charming singer.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
Now I ask you.
On what other baseball blog could you learn stuff like this?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
very cultural that BCB
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 19, 2010 5:17 PM CST up reply actions
Another cultural tip
See PRINCE OF THE CITY which has one of Jerry Orbach’s great performances and is one of the most neglected films of the last 30 years. It is a LONG movie, but a great film.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions
Well if it is cloudy or raining
You can get them to sing " THE SUNE WILL COME OUT TOMORROW" and annoy everyone.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
Ticket restrictions have been raised on the website
It’s a free for all now, essentially, though no one seems to be biting, apparently..
Start Sean Marshall!!
This will be a very interesting year.
If the Cubs get off to a good start, tickets will start selling quickly.
If not — watch for them to start discounting them to try to fill the park.
I knew it was a mistake for them to raise prices this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
They will NEVER discount them during the season.
However perhaps they could have the American Express post sale 20% off sale. Just like the “pre-sale” they would not actually change the price on the printed ticket so it would not really be an official price change.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 5:12 PM CST up reply actions
Wrong, my friend.
At some point, they will have “college discounts” for several early season weekday games. They have been doing this, quietly, for several years. They put ads in the Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern student papers with the codes. It’s not too hard to find one, or even guess the code.
Usually this is ONLY for bleacher tickets. But this year? If they can’t sell out? I’ll bet they try discounting. Better to sell a ticket for half price than to not sell it at all, right?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Half-Price Mondays
I doubt the Cubs will resort to that. However, the White Sox have done that in the past. There were a lot of Monday games in St. Louis last season in which tickets were half off. That’s from a team that draws well in the Gateway City.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Ladies Days would be nice again.
That’s what made my husband a fan. His mom took him to lots of games when he was little.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I still have some ladies day ticket stubs.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
Targeted special offers yes
but never any across the board discounts. Too much damage to the brand.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 19, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
i'd say what would be more likely
is mini-game packages at attractive prices where you get a few prime games bundled with weaker opponents…
by BeltwayCubsFan on Feb 19, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
Like old man Wirtz (Arthur) used to say
“an empty seat doesn’t buy any beer”
Just win the next game...!
I was always mad about the college discounts when I was in college
It should be for all students who can produce a college ID.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
I can still produce a college ID and I've been out of college for almost 4 years now
I guess I should probably clean out my wallet one of these days.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
agreed
If someone wanted to get into the scalping business, this would be the perfect season to do so. Not a lot of tickets have been sold; and so if you wanted to take a risk, a person could easily hoard up tickets today and hope that the Cubs perform well so that they could sell their tickets. You definitely couldn’t do this last year.
Start Sean Marshall!!
That may be because the sales hit a certain level
I don’t think any of us know how many tickets were sold already by all means.
There’s the Cubs club, the 9-gamer, the pre-sales and as I understand an increase in full ST’s too. All of those add up.
What I did see commensurate with previous seasons is the higher demand games completely sold out (or really close as is scattered singles) at about the same time into the feeding frenzy. Also of note, since I always buy bleacher tix, it seemed those starting selling out for the same type of games as quickly as in years past.
Just win the next game...!
But not as many games.
In past years, all summer weekend games were completely sold out of bleachers by this time. That’s not the case today.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Speaking of the increase in season tix...
Does anybody know when the Cubs will update the season ticket wait list? I’m a LONG way away but it would be nice to know that I’m making a little progress.
No idea.
You could call the office next week, when they are less busy, and ask.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Listening to you people is making me want to cry
{/joke}
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
The problem is, Bayern München are the New York Yankees of the Bundesliga
When I go to Football (Soccer) games, then I usually go to TSV 1860 München or the SpVgg Unterhaching.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
I bought ALL my tix during the presale. I go to every Sunday game, and got all the tix I needed. For the hell of it I tried today to see what was out there. I was one of the people who DEFINITELY thought the Cubs were selling as much of their tix inventory during the presale as possible. So many people here bought into the PR of “limited quantities” available during the presale. BULL! I opened 100 browsers today. I got in at appox 10:05 and went for the Sat Sox game. NADA! Only singles. Saturday Cards game..NADA! Went to a lesser game sun 5/16 vs pirates. JUNK! Not even upper box! This confirmed what I already knew about the presale. Sell as much as you can and the rest will be moved on Friday. Last year it took me an hour to get into the purchase tix area and I still got sox and cards tix for the Saturday summer games. The presale was a clever ploy. I knew NOTHING good would be available today that’s why I paid the premium. Sorry for those who got screwed! The demand does seem down this year, because you can still get Sunday bleacher tix in the summer online right now. I can’t ever remember weekend summer games not selling all there bleachers. GO CUBS!
I also
got in at 1005 and found available ticket quality quite lower than past years. last season I got in at 1025 and got sec 216 row 2 for a Friday cards game (not in April) this year, same target, only singles available at 1005 unless I want a post in my view.
I agree that they sold as much as they could in the presale and dumped the remainder today. if they held back at all, it wasn’t very much and primarily for lower priced seats.
I dont condem the want to make money, and I bought in the presale. I just wish they be more open with all the increased expenses. we’re adults, we can take it.
The pre-sale was a HUGE mistake...
… as a way to raise revenue, versus just raising the prices on certain guaranteed sellout games. They killed all the momentum for today that’s need to sell the other games.
Baseball is the most insular of all the professional sports leagues — when they start hiring their marketing folks from top companies and MBA programs, instead of from within, they’ll stop making these kinds of mistakes.
If I called this (which of course, I did — sorry, just had to say that) and I’m only tangentially a marketer, I assume anybody who thinks about these things professionally would have done so and more — at least those that didn’t get their big league job via a call-up from some promotions job in the minor leagues.
In fact, that's exactly where they did hire their new marketing chief from.
I presume Wally Hayward was the guy who came up with these ideas.
And, in fact, they did already raise the prices on “guaranteed sellout games” — the platinum games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
They raised prices especially in all the upper and lower deck box areas but
they also doubled the number of games in the platinum category. It is one thing to say a White Sox game is Platinum but, when Dodger MIDWEEK games in MAY are now Platinum they are pushing the envelope on pricing.
I might post something more detailed later but, their biggest mistake regarding pricing, pre-sales & day of game sales was messing up bleacher sales which are really the Cubs biggest ticket asset. Cubs are get $50-$60 per game for the majority of bleacher tickets when even the Red Sox & Yankees get half that. The Bleachers have been carefully cultivated by the Cubs and they also contain by far the highest percentage of any section of available seats to sell for games. This year for reasons I and others have mentioned, the Cubs badly mishandled the sales. Allowing anyone with a wristband to buy tickets by 11.30 says far more about what the Cubs did in promoting sales than lack of demand.
At this point last year the majority of games were sold out for bleachers. What remained was mostly weekdays in April,
May & Sept. Now you can still get Friday & Sunday tickets to many of the summer WEEKEND series.
I expect there is a lot of angst and second guessing among the marketing and ticket people now and there should be. Sure they got either an extra $20 or 15% with some pre-sale programs but in leaving the impression this was the only way to get good seats and failing to properly market day of game sales, they now have hundreds of thousands of tickets available that probably would have been sold. Sometimes catering to rich yuppies and forgetting your regular base has consequences.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 8:49 AM CST up reply actions
Like I told you yesterday.
I would NOT be surprised to see them starting discounts on selected games, particularly some of the early season weekday games, because they do NOT want those seats empty.
Better to sell them at half price than not at all. This won’t happen right away — but a month from now? If those tickets aren’t sold? Count on it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This is pretty clear.
When they send out an email saying Cubs.com is still open this weekend to remind people that tickets are on sale. I.e. “we didn’t sell as many tickets as would have liked to, so please buy them”
Does anyone know how late the box office at Wrigley is open until today? Right now there is actually a line…you can see by checking the webcam on cubworld.com – it’s on the left hand side of the page navigation a little ways down.
Ok, nevermind
There are like two people now….
Box office is open from 9 to 4 today and tomorrow.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well, at least this time you were willing to let the dust settle and some time pass...
…before you passed judgment here. Yep, taking your time to assess the situation, review and analyze all the information and make a qualified, informed decision sure beats shooting from the hip, doesn’t it?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Oh, come now.
Being reasonable? When did that ever work?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
????
It is clear the Cubs messed up on the presale and it is also clear they allowed a virtually unlimited amount of tickets in them but that it backfired leading to the Sat Sox game selling out FIVE minutes after tickets went on sale via the internet but now they have hundreds of thousands more tickets left for less popular games..
Sorry that I was right.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
How is that messed up
Messed up because you could not get a ticket? If that’s your only perspective then they messed up.
But I have a sneaky feeling the Cubs were trying to maximize their revenue stream.
The only people who [will] know this are the ones that have the privilege to see the books after all the tickets have been sold.
Anything said on this site is someones’ hypothesis and generally with the tone based upon how well they have done the last couple weeks acquiring tickets.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
Oh heck no I did fine
After being VERY nervous , I had NO problem getting what I wanted. They messed up BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOLD MANY, MANY Fewer tickets. It is astounding that you can still get bleacher seats for many summer weekends. At this time last year all ot fhem were sold out along with most of the weekday game. Same thing with non bleacher seats.
Look personally NOTHING would make me happier than if they do it EXACTLY the same next year. I slacked off this year and got only two wristband friends who I though had horrible numbers but in the end I did not need either of them as other friends with what also would normally have been horrible numbers got me what I needed. I should point out, that I don’t ever need the hardest games ( Opening day, Saturdays etc) I go for a few hard ones ( Friday Cardinals) and other medium ones. I am not screwed in the slightest, but the Cubs as of now have a whole lot of empty seats .
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
It's not just the presale.
Demand is down because the team wasn’t as good last year.
If the Cubs get off to a good start, you can bet that games will quickly sell out.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
They sucked worse in 06
but they sold out more games earlier in 07
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Two reasons.
Lower ticket prices, and…
the signing of Soriano, Lilly, and other moves which presaged a better 2007.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You crack me up...
It is clear the Cubs messed up on the presale
Let’s see – they took in 15-20% more $ on an undisclosed but finite # of tickets than they would have otherwise. In other words, “found money”. Yep, that’s messing up.
it is also clear they allowed a virtually unlimited amount of tickets in them
Virtually unlimited? Really? And you know this how? And even if it was a large # of tickets, seeing as how they took in a 15-20% bonus per my above point, this hurts them how?
it backfired leading to the Sat Sox game selling out FIVE minutes after tickets went on sale via the internet
Selling out a game is considered a backfire? Seeing as how this game was going to sell out regardless, does it really make a difference if it was in 5 minutes or 5 hours?
now they have hundreds of thousands more tickets left for less popular games..
and they still have several months to sell them. btw, how does the Sox game selling out faster impact the less popular games?
Now based on the # of games that are not sold out AT THIS POINT IN TIME compared to last year, yes, one could probably safely draw the conclusion that they have sold less tickets, again AT THIS POINT IN TIME than last year. But an unsold ticket really doesn’t matter until that game has been played.
Of course, if you want to get out your HP-12C and quibble about NPV and cash flow AT THIS POINT IN TIME compared to last year, you may have a point. Then again, considering how they took in a 15-20% bonus on a sizable # of tickets, not to mention the higher ticket prices and increase in # of premium games, you may not.
Now if you want to rip them on their technology issues with the online sales, that’s fair game. But you really can’t judge whether or not they “messed up” until the games have been played and the tickets sold are all tallied up. Of course seeing as how the Cubs are now privately owned, I doubt we’ll ever know exact numbers, but it is amusing that you somehow already know that they “messed up”.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 20, 2010 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
They have clearly sold FAR less tickets AT this point
They are now reliant on the Cubs play and the weather. In past years they sold those tickets REGARDLESS of those factors. How you cannot see this as a failure is beyond me.
Yes, selling out the White Sox game in five minutes was a failure because it showed two things, they allowed nearly all of the tickets to go in pre-sales and folks who thought they were not going to get seats gave up or bought less overall. I can’t tell you how many people I know who have bought tickets on the first day of sales every year that did not even know they were selling them yesterday. Most of them had heard about the premium pre-sale and were upset. I should probably get a commission from the Cubs for alerting some people to buy tickets yesterday. I also know folks who normally by 10 games , they used the pre-sale and got 5. They sold out the Sox game in five minutes but I can’t remember the last time they had summer bleacher weekend tickets available after the first day.
They got 15% to 20% more money on the biggest, hottest games that would have sold out anyway, but they are not selling AT THIS POINT probably 100,000 or more tickets they have in the past. So what would you rather have 15% more on what they sold in pre sale or the $70 PER ticket they are NOT selling. Math on that is easy. As I keep trying to say, the problem is not so much they want to get the most for the tickets but how they are doing it. You really don’t think they made a mistake leaving the impression that the only way to assure yourself of good tickets was to pay more and neglecting the regular day of game sales? They would have done much better adding a "diamond " category for the White Sox & Cardinal games and charging 15% more of them. It would have been upfront and understood. It would not have lead people to either give up or buy less. Last year I bought 3 times as many bleacher tickets as I did this year. Some of the decline is economic and scheduling issues, but a large part of it has to do with how they did sales In the past I would just grab all SIX tickets to ANY Friday, Sat, Sunday game I could get to trade to friends. This year it was clear by 11AM that my friends could get me what I needed at the park and demand was way down. Except for the Cardinals game on the 23rd , I bought ONLY singles ( or that is what folks bought for me) There is admittedly a lemming like attitude in this. If I THINK a game will sell out , I will buy the max even though I KNOW I don’t want them, in order to help friends. The Cubs have lost that for all but 12-14 games. It was their ace in the whole, and if not gone for good, it is in trouble.
As I said previously with any luck we may never know the effect if the Cubs come out strong but just crappy weather of which there was a lot last year is going to cost them more now because of the sluggish sales. I am pretty sure even the Cubs know they made a mistake in how the pre-sale was perceived and how the main day of sales were handled. It is easy to get 15-20% more for a Cubs/White Sox game, it takes actual marketing skills to sell tickets to weekday games in April against the Nats. This was something the Cubs have been very good at in the past, and they need to get back their mojo fast or the extra $800,000 the Cubs saved in Theriot arbitration is going to be eaten by empty seats in April and May just for starters.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This is exactly right
Ticket marketing clearly was horribly mismanaged — and in a way that not only sapped demand this year, but may have an effect for years to come.
Part of your comment absolutely nailed it on the Cubs perspective
…they are pushing the envelope on pricing.
If the Cubs overall [ticket] revenue does not increase as they expect or worse yet, drops then they pushed the envelop beyond the market’s capability.
Let’s just see what happens.
Hey I see you’re in need of bleacher tickets. Will it always be just one for you or would you have someone with you? If the answer is 2, I can hook you up for a game or 2 you want. Reason is all my tix go in pairs since it’s either husband/wives I get tix for or families who for what ever odd reason (pun) are always even number of people.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
See above
I got everything I needed. Thanks for the offer.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
Interesting re: Wally Hayward
and I didn’t know that. I see he was only hired a couple months ago, but better late than never.
Unfortunately, the people who would have informed his decision are the same old folks, so I’m not willing to pin this blunder on him.
They did not raise prices to market value on Opening Day or the White Sox series – this is why they nearly, if not technically, sold them out in the pre-sale with a 20% markup. Of course by choosing to de-facto raise prices this way, they killed momentum for Day 1, as has already been pointed out.
We cannot say that it was a mistake
Mistake from who’s perspective? The fans that could not get a Sat summer game in the bleachers or the Cubs increased overall revenue?
I understand many folks frustration and I can certainly agree with many of the comments here. But the Cubs are trying to maximize their revenue. If they garnered a few more million bucks from the presale then it was not a mistake on their behalf.
The proof is in the pudding (how much addl revenue was generated with the presales; which we do not know, not even Al). The Cubs will sell north of 3 million tickets this season. If say 300,000 of them (~10% which is just may ass-pull for the sake of discussion) generated an additional $10-$15 each, that’s $3M-$4.5M more; not exactly peanuts.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
As of now ticket sales are clearly WAY down.
Lower then they have been at this time for YEARS. If you generate an additional revenue of $10-$15 per ticket but sell
a hundred thousand or more LESS tickets, you lose.
A lot of this is the WAY they did the pre-sales. They over hyped the “buy early, pay a little more and get those really hard to get games” aspect while virtually hiding the day of game sales and leaving the impression ( partly true) that you would not be able to get good tickets if you did NOT use the pre-sale). As someone pointed out yesterday, the “thrill” of getting
in on the VWR or a good wristband # often lead people (myself included) to buy more than you planned. The main issue though was that they spent far too much time on the premium sales and not enough on the bread and butter larger sale
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
Let's see what happens
You’ll right on if they only draw say 2.7M or so. That is barring a complete and early collapse which would affect closer-to-game-date sales anyway.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
If they draw 3 million they messed up
My guess is each unsold seat costs them around $70 between ticket price and average spent at games.
Obviously if the Cubs are hot from the start, tickets will sell but for decades the genius of the Cubs is selling the tickets regardless. This is basically BLou’s dream and the Cubs’ nightmare. If they don’t win early and often, they will have empty seats and also bad weather is going to have a greater efffect on ticket sales than usual.
I think we can all agree that we would like never to know the answer as to proof of how these plans efffect Cubs ticket sales. If they play great, we can only guess what would have happened otherwise.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
I'm not convinced that ticket sales are WAY down or that we'll never know..
the answer as to proof of the plan’s effect as at some point PRIOR to the start of the season I think they will announce how many tickets have been sold – at that time it could be compared to prior year’s
Bleacher ticket sales are clearly down.
Only 19 games have no bleacher tickets today. At the same time last year, 40 games were sold out in the bleachers.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
down - but WAY down?
I doubt it – and it is still to early to tell -
Half as many sellouts...
… strikes me as “way down”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
They often have announced sales righ after the day they go on sale
They are not doing it this year and I rather doubt they will do it any time soon. The proof will be in actual
attendance, especially in April games compared to last year and if they in fact adopt any actual discount
selling plan even if they call it something else.
Remember that because of the high number of season ticket holders, the Cubs don’t sell as many tickets to the general public . My guess is that only the Red Sox might have a higher percentage of tickets held by season ticket holders. The Red Sox are the only team that routinely sells a higher percentage of their tickets then the Cubs. In 2008 the Cubs sold OVER 99%( this includes standing room), last year it was down to 96.3. Basically the Cubs rely on selling around 90% of the tickets by the end of the first day of sales. They understandably prefer to get the money up front and not subject to how the team is doing or the weather. Those “discretionary” tickets which are sold to the public are the deciding factor in success or failure.
It is crystal clear sales are down significantly. Obviously there are a number of factors, but I am convinced they made a major strategic mistake in emphasizing premium pre-sales at the cost of the “regular” ticket sales yesterday.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
What sales have they announced right after the sale date?
None, to my recollection.
Watch for some to be done.
Remember, there were also more season tickets sold this year. We don’t know how close some of these games are to being sold out, only that they are not sold out.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
What is the over/under # on 'way down'?
If they announce that ‘X’ amount of tickets have been sold by ‘X’ date (prior to the season) what would the maximum number that could be considered as ‘way down’? Not trying to argue but think some context is needed – would 2.7 million be 90%? If so, how far below that would it have to be -
It is all about percentage of seats sold.
Last year sales were down 2.5% from 08 which resulted in roughly 130.000 tickets sold. I think it is safe to assume that the Cubs poor play and being out of it by Sept. was the key factor. This is why selling the tickets WAY ahead is crucial to Cubs profits. You basically don’t want to be in a situation where there are that many tickets not sold when it is clear the team is not going to do well.
As for numbers, the Cubs 2.7 million tickets would be a disaster of epic proportions. It would be a little over 80% and they have not been near that for years. Last year the Cubs drew 3,170,000.
averaging 96.3% capacity. If they don’t draw well over 3,000,000 it would be a major problem.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
I'm talking about tickets sold prior to the start of the season
2.7 million by opening day – would that be way down? As for the being out of having a big effect on ticket sales I’m not sure if that is true – there were tons of tickets sold for the September games last year – but there were tons of people who didn’t use those tickets. The announced attendance at the September games was always above 33,000 if I remember -
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 21, 2010 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
I can recall the Cubs bragging about record sales after the first day of sales in past years
I could be imagining it but that is what I recall.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 3:42 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, they did.
I think you are off base in saying the Cubs made a mistake. They clearly made a lot of money on the presales, extra season ticket sales, the clubs, etc. Does that make up for the tickets not sold on the first day? Maybe not, but most of those tickets will eventually be sold. A few games in April may not sell out, but the games later in the summer will.
The bad economy has a lot to do with this, as does the play of last year’s team. If they get off to a good start, watch how fast tickets sell.
I’m still not sure why you are flying this banner.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If they sell a lot fewer tickets in April & May
which I think is possible, they won’t make up for it by selling out summer games they have always sold out. As I keep trying to emphasize , the genius of the Cubs was selling near capacity for nearly all games. It does not take skill to get 15% more on your hottest games, it takes skill to sell 38,000 seats to a Pirates game on a Tuesday in May. I think they made a HUGE mistake in basically treating the main day of ticket sales as an afterthought, to be focused on only after they finished with premium pre-sales. They now have to scramble to play catch up. They tried to have their cake and eat it too. They could simply have said something like the pre-sales would be limited to X percentage of the available tickets, and the rest would be saved for the main sale. They would have made most of the extra money ( they might have actually had to limit the sales a bit for some games) and kept the day when the vast majority of tickets are sold in the forefront of fans minds. They claimed it was only a “limited” number but frankly I doubt anyone believed them and what happened with games selling out in minutes Vs at least an hour last year, would tend to undercut their claim.
Basically they lost sight of the ball and they now need to work extra hard to run it down.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I trust at next year's convention...
…you’ll step up to the mic and explain to Wally and Crane how they made a huge HUGE mistake with this year’s ticket sales strategy. And then you can subtly drop a copy of your resume in front of Tom and quietly mention how he should hire you to handle ticket sales.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Sounds like a plan
except they obviously need to start now to fix it.
If they want some free and good advice, I would “expand” the 9 packs and make them better. The idea behind them ( must buy games we have a really hard time selling out to get the chance at good ones) is what the Cubs need and do best, but the current packs are so unfair as to make them less than enticing. Moreover if fan’s expect a bonus pre-sale next year they will likely drop them in droves. Cubs should move to say a 15 pack with something like 3 bronze 5 silver, 3 gold and 4 Plantinum. It would be a huge boost to selling the tough games and give fans more good ones to compensate. The numbers would be still be greatly in the Cubs favor but not as bad as now.
If Tom or Wally are reading this, they can always send a check for my great idea and more where that came from.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 9:02 AM CST up reply actions
Good luck with all of that.
You’ve completely ignored the real reasons behind the lack of sales and made something up to fit your view of things. The Cubs will make their money, and in the end, I suspect they’ll make more BECAUSE they did the presale.
Just because the first day of ticket sales is down, does not mean those tickets won’t be sold later.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I have made nothing up
Sales are down significantly and the weekday games especialy in April, May & Sept. are going to be the key to the money. They will NEVER be able to get back tickets not sold to those games and a 15% mark up on say 100,000 or more tickets is going to be easily cancelled out by a bunch of games drawing less than 35,000. It is much, much more important to sell out the hard games than to mark up the price of the hot games. In making it “easy” to buy big games for some more money , they will encourage people NOT to get 9 packs which is the best way to sell the Bronze & Silver games. I mean why not just pay the extra 15% and buy 5 great games and you won’t get stuck with all those April & May day games. The system they are moving towards can squeeze another 20% out of say the top 15 games but it is clearly having a domino effect on less popular games and likely a very bad effect on the really hard to sell games.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and selling 100,000 more tickets to the hard games ( which have signicantly more inventory to start with) is worth a whole lot more financially than the 15% ( to be fair it is higher than that with the
Marquees games) more on elite games.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
As noted elsewhere....
…. maybe the Cubs realized sales were going to be down, and thus had the presale, where they sold tickets to games that were going to sell anyway, and got a markup on it.
I suspect they made quite a bit of money off the presale, and for you to say that “weekday games are the key to the money”? How? The games that are the lowest-priced?
You really, REALLY need something to do. This has taken up way too much of your time, and you’ve been wrong about most of it.
All of those not-sold-out games will eventually sell out. They’ll make their money — they just didn’t make it on the first day. To which my response is, “so what?”
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes it was a BRILLIANT plan
Down play the day you sell the VAST majority of non season tickets to sell the hottest games at a mark up.
The day games ARE the key Al. They are the difference between 98-99%capacity and 95-96% capacity. You make a lot more money selling a $40 seat ( and the food& drink sales that go with it) to weekday game in April, May & Sept then you do marking up bleacher tickets $13 for the Cardinal games. You know better than most that the season ticket holders have the lions share of good seats for all premium games.
The Cubs have two large blocks of tickets that they need to sell: tickets
for day games not part of season packages and bleachers. Right now they are way, way behind on both. I honestly don’t understand how you cannot see that having thousands of empty seats in April and May ( and at this point there are still plenty in June, July, August & September but I will think happy thoughts about them) does not wipe out price increases on the hottest games.
The bigger danger is the loss of long term the psychological edge the Cubs have had for years about nearly all games selling out and the bleachers in particular being the hard tickets to get. Once people think that only the Cardinal, White Sox & Saturday games will sell out, they will buy fewer tickets figuring, I will wait and see how they do, what my schedule is, what the weather is , etc. The last thing the Cubs want is even the appearance that tickets are not hard to get. Those who want only the big games can pay the extra but if the other 60 games decline in attendance the Cubs will lose a great deal of money.
The Cubs are failing at marketing 101 in losing their base.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 2:58 PM CST up reply actions
disagree with the part about
the loss of the the food& drink sales that go with the ticket – in September at least because while the ticket may have been sold if it’s like last year (and the year before) then people won’t use the ticket and empty seats don’t buy food and drink. Better to get a 20% mark-up on other higher priced tickets to make up for the loss of the lower value games
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 21, 2010 3:54 PM CST up reply actions
Having empty seats in April and May...
… has nothing to do with the presale. It has EVERYTHING to do with those nine-packs. Why do you think they make you buy the April/May games to get the good ones? I’m guessing they sold quite a few of those, which is why those White Sox and Cardinals games sold out early.
Again, the summer games will sell out. So will the September games, if the Cubs are in contention.
Here are paid attendance numbers for the last six years:
2004: 3,170,184
2005: 3,100,262
2006: 3,123,215
2007: 3,252,462
2008: 3,300,200
2009: 3,168,859
Last year should have been 3,200,000, but for the one game in the season’s final week that was rained out and not made up.
I will bet you another Big Gulp (you wind up buying me quite a few of those!) that 2010 attendance will be OVER 3,200,000 — and possibly close to the 3.3 million record IF the Cubs are in September contention.
There is no “long term psychological edge” lost by having one down year in ticket sales. Get back in the playoffs this year and guess what? People will be lined up again a year from now. I’m not sure why you don’t see that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So much is wrong there Al
My whole point is the pre-sale dampened the entire buying frenzy that takes place on day one. It was a combination of the utter lack of focus on the BIG DAY ( which I think even you admit) . people doing the math and figuring they would get big games for a bit more and they would not have to buy the lesser games and in some cases disgust. I know several friends who just said screw it who had bought tickets for years and they can afford tickets.
The Cubs are KILLING the 9 packs and it was by far their best marketing tool for sales. Even if the MC premium sale was announced last minute, the Marquees clubs is known so again how bout spending that $250 extra for 6 Cardinal, White Sox etc games instead of being forced to buy 5 crappy games to get 1 really good one , 1 good one and two that are OK. My whole point is that it is EASY to charge more for the 10-12 biggest games and they coud just raise the price on those across the board, what the Cubs need is to sell out the 20 very hard ones and another 15 or so tough ones. You and the Cubs are missing the forrest for the trees.
We all hope the Cubs win the WS this year but again my point is the genius of the Cubs in PAST years was selling out games regardless because it was hard to get tickets to ANY game.
You absolutely can never make up the money lost by not selling the April & May games even if it is just weather related. You need ( or needed) to sell them NOW as they have done for every year since 2004. The bleachers in particular are clearly no longer the hot ticket. Most Friday and Sunday games in June, July & August remain available. No series other than Cardinals or Sox is sold out all weekend. Losing the cache of the bleachers being
a very tough ticket is having a devastating effect now.
FYI the White Sox & Cardinal games sold out fast because of the Marquees & MC pre-sale not the 9 pack. The nine pack allowed two games at most, no opening day and few if any Saturdays, the Marquees let you buy six of those games and the MC pre-sale unlimited. Per above the are KILLING the 9 packs which were the best way to sell the games most people did not want.
I ask again how smart to you have to be to get an extra 15% for your 12 hottest games? Why not raise the price. Why should the White Sox games cost the same as a Reds game? If the Cubs don’t sell the TOUGH games , they will lose and lose badly.
I won’t take the bet, because I may bet on a lot of things but I don’t take a bet that I win because the Cubs play bad or the weather sucks.
Note to doofus. Folks who buy the April and May games DO come and eat and drink. The Cubs are not out of it yet.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
You did not answer my question....
… nor did you take me up on my bet. (Which I would win.)
The fact is, you have no numbers to back up what appear to be wild-ass claims. I repeat, by the time the season is done, attendance will be similar to what it was over the last six years — and if the Cubs are contending, toward the high end. They’re not losing money, nor has this been “devastating”.
I repeat again: just because tickets didn’t go like gangbusters on the first day of sales, does not mean the games will not eventually sell out. What difference does it make to the Cubs if they get their money in March instead of on February 19?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Read closer AL
I won’t take the bet though I think I would win. I won’t take it , because it would mean that I would bet against the Cubs playing well and good weather. This is not the kind of bet I make.
I don’t believe they will sell the April & May games in March. Folks now realize they don’t have to buy them. They might buy up those many, many summer games that still have lots of tickets but April and May weekday games are going to be down. I don’t see how the Cubs can afford image wise to do something drastic like a big discount on them.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
P.S Ballhawk
I am pretty sure the Cubs know very well how bad the ticket sales are. I imagine they will blame it on the economy but I expect if they had it do over again, they would no have buried information on the wristband sales that most fans missed it.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
if you're going to be a know-it-all...
…you’d probably be better off sticking to your areas of expertise, like movies/cinema/film and all things Maddux/Fuld.
To sit here and post with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY like you’ve done that the Cubs have made one massive marketing mistake after another is laughable. Having an opinion is one thing, but you have repeatedly passed judgment on something that is nowhere near completion, with little to no factual information to go on.
Now if the subject of this thread was the cinematic impact of D.W. Griffith’s films on the career development of future directors like Huston, Ford, DeMille and Kurosawa, I would bow a thousand times in your general direction and defer to your expertise. But your continued insistence that somehow you seem to know more and better than the Cubs on their ticket sales performance to date and how it’s all going to end up is amusing to say the least.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 21, 2010 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The ticket sales are off by a MASSIVE amount
I know they won’t give you the numbers but there are among others things at least 30 fewer sellouts in the bleachers alone at this point.
I keep asking how hard is the math on this? They got some more money for games THEY COULD HAVE CHARGED MORE FOR ANYWAY. Do you really think that anyone used the Marquees Club or the premium pre-sale for many games besides Opening Day, Cardinals, White Sox & Saturdays? I am sure a few did but it was clear from the speed of the few sell outs that was were the vast majority of tickets had been sold. Getting more money for a very limited number of the very best games is neither hard nor clever. Selling the OTHER games before a pitch has been thrown has been the Cubs great skill and they are losing it.
I told you before that I am exhibit A. Last year I bought over 100 bleacher tickets, this year I bought 18. The economy is a part of it
but not the lack of money up front to buy them. I was obviously upset by the pre-sales usually I just grab six bleachers to ANY summer weekend game ( Fri, sat & Sunday) I can get on line, figuring I will just trade them for the tickets I need and friends need them. This year I got in once early and bought 6 for July 23, I never bought another ticket on line because it became clear my wristband friends could get me what I needed and most games would not sell out. The frenzy was gone.
For the record I ALSO bought a 9 pack last year ( thought it was actually 13 I think) . This year I did not because I no longer saw the point. I considered the Marquees plan to make up for it but in the end I did not do it. As mentioned I have friends who usually buy a bunch of games on the first day of sales and most of them skipped it but luckily for them not for economic reasons. Once you lose the concept of the tickets being something folks plan on buying as soon as they go on sale , it is going to be very hard to get back.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
That I am
However I did buy duracell batteries today. They were on sale.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
I forgot to add this one too...
this thread is too deep to display them side-by side
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
After this exhausting discussion
can we now all agree that it’s still too early to call whether or not the Cubs will sell enough tickets to make this whole thing worth while??
Just win the next game...!
All of us except Jessica apparently agree.
Bottom line: sales are down for a myriad of reasons, 99.99999% of which do NOT have anything to do with Cubs marketing.
If the Cubs return to contention, sales will go right back up.
If the economy improves, sales will improve.
And my final prediction: Jessica will NOT let me have the last word here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Under but I really hate to do this
However the fact that April & May will be down too far for the Cubs to make it up in the summer/fall should NOT be taken to mean I don’t think they will do well.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
A,l if the economy improves
that much by March it would surprise me more than if Sori stopped hopping.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2010 7:33 PM CST up reply actions
I was right.
She wouldn’t let me have the last word.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
NEVER!
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 8:05 AM CST up reply actions
what?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
I could close comments here...
… but I won’t.
LAST WORD.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Feb 22, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Sure?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
really sure?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
think again
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 3:03 PM CST up reply actions
It's too much fun
annoying you.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
You've succeeded in doing that.
But I still get the last word.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You will have to wait
two hours at least. I will be off line for a few hours.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
Eventually, you know...
I’ll shut off comments on this post and win.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
that would also be known as a dirty trick
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Our criticism has nothing to do with personal frustration
The pre-sale is GREAT for me personally — I actually got everything I needed through the Cubs Club pre-sale.
And case in point, if the Cubs haven’t offered me the pre-sale or Cubs Club, I would have gotten caught up in all the hype of Day 1 and bought a bunch more tickets than I actually planned to buy.
Because of the pre-sales, I ignored Friday and only bought what I needed.
I think both of you are wrong.
Hype or no, if the Cubs play well, the tickets will sell. I should point out here that April & May weekday games last year played to 3,000-4,000 short of capacity. (Weekday games in April vs. the Cardinals not included, as those were going to sell regardless.)
And if the Cubs return to the playoffs this year, the hype will be back next year. Book it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
3,000-4000 short is 37 to 38,000
If the average that I will get you a Big Gulp. How is that?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 8:06 AM CST up reply actions
Average that for what?
Be more specific. (And maybe we should do this by email.)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Keep it here
as long as this thread is open, please.
FWIW they’ll average close to 40k, so this is a fairly easy bet.
Just win the next game...!
We made a bet off list but hey average 40K I would love a side bet
I just want to emphasize my belief that attendance will be down significantly in April & May ( and that can’t be made up later) should NOT be taken as any indication that I think the Cubs will not play well.
PS trust me you do NOT want the rest of this discussion between me and Al on the thread. It is pretty mundane issues about where available seats are and how you can figure how well seats are selling by
Pretending or at least starting to buy tickets on line. It is not very scintillating stuff.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 2:16 PM CST up reply actions
More proof that Jessica has WAY too much time on her hands.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Hey some people want to project Gorzo's stats
others feel more comfortable with ticket issues. At least I have some solid evidence on how the 2010 season will start for ticket sales, which is more than I can say for guessing at player performances.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I'm thinking the Gorz projections will be more accurate than your ticket sales projections.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm enjoying it
I was stunned that 19 more comments were posted since mid-day yesterday.
See this: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0222-cubs-bits—20100221,0,1534813.story
Don’t be too hard on Jessica.
Just win the next game...!
Since she has been my friend for more than 10 years...
…. I think she’ll take this in the spirit in which it’s given.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ah yes "brisk"
Funny every other year right after the first day of sales the Cubs report nearly record presales and discuss some numbers and mention all the sellouts. This year sales are “brisk”.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
As much as I love obscure wagers, your bet isn't relevant to the question
The only test of the Cubs’ pre-season pricing strategy (or really, their product launch strategy — the product being 2010 single game tickets) is pre-season ticket sales.
Any sales during the season are highly affected by team performance, and thus a very sloppy measure of the success of the launch.
To think of it another way, if the Cubs got off to an 0-20 start, we would expect sales to suffer, but it wouldn’t be an indictment of the initial on-sale marketing.
Sure I do (discussion between you and Al)
want to see it. I’m totally OK with it. It’s not like anyone is getting nasty and if others don’t want to read it, so be it.
But I do have a feeling that if Al doesn’t shut down the comments, I’d give you the edge on getting the last word in though.
Just win the next game...!
Obviously ANY baseball team that plays well will sell more tickets
But the goal of a good ticket pricing strategy is to not have to cross your fingers and hope the team gets off to a good start. It should maximize revenue without having to rely on factors beyond its control.
No they did not
They clearly sold a chunk tickets to the most popular games at a mark up, but they were left with a huge number of unsold tickets which will more than wipe out the extra money from the presale mark up. We have gone through in posts above whey the presale detracted from the larger sale, leading to a combination of confusion , resentment and lessoned interest. They foused narrowly on the biggest games people were willing to pay more for and forgot the other 60 particularly the hard to sell ones.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 22, 2010 10:45 PM CST up reply actions
Have you looked at a calendar lately?
FYI: Almost two months to go before the home opener.
Is it even in the realm of possibility in the way your mind works to wait until the season starts before you declare that the lost revenue from unsold tickets is greater than revenue generated from the pre-sale? Not that those financial numbers will probably ever see the light of day, but the principle stands.
Your closemindedness on display here is simply off the charts. If I’m ever on trial in New York City, I’ll make sure my lawyer Jackie Chiles weeds you out from the jury pool.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
In the last 8 years or so
Since 2004have sold out the vast majority of games by this point and this year 16 games are sold out. The Cubs have not relied on day of game sales in years. The inability of you and Al to see how
bad the sales are is beyond me. The Cubs do NOT want to rely on weather or how the Cubs are playing to sell out the early games, let alone summer ones. The Cubs have lost the feeding frenzy that has been the key to ticket sales since 2003. I assure this is not personal, I got everything I needed this year WITHOUT having to buy the extra games I usually do. All wristbands could buy tickets by 11.30? I was thrilled. No need to buy all those extra bleacher tickets so I would have something to trade for all the sold out games I needed. It was just great for me , but I suspect the Cubs are not to happy that I bought 100 fewer tickets than last year or that my friend Scott bought none when he bought 25 , or my friend Judy bought none etc. But hey the White Sox game on Saturday sold out in five minutes ( despite assurances that only a “limited” number of tickets would be allowed in the presale) at 15% or more mark up.
Seriously you don’t think the Cubs are not really, really nervous if not freaked out that they have sold so many fewer tickets and have to figure a way to sell them? Unlike you and Al I think they can do the math. The premium mark up on a plantinum game in the bleachers was around $7.20 . The cost of an unsold ticket plus average food drink consumed for an unsold ticket would average AT LEAST five times that and probably far more. I am trying to be conservative since I am for now focusing on April & May which have lower prices, unsold tickets later in the year will cost them even more.
Good luck that the Cub fans will suddenly rush to buy the day games Vs the Nationals in April when they can buy tickets to lots of summer games including weekends and nights.
Want to make a bet on attendence?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 12:55 AM CST up reply actions
I offered to make you a bet.
Several bets. But you declined.
I told you yesterday that the ONE day game (not “day games”) vs. the Nats on 4/28 will probably be the lowest attended of the year. It’ll still break 30,000.
I’ll figure out a bet with you. I assure you the Cubs are not panicking.
I still can’t figure out why you have been obsessing about this.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I thought you guys made a bet already
And I was looking forward to making fun of how ridiculous it was! :)
I reluctantly agreed to bet Al
I just hate the idea of that this is sort of a bet against the Cubs.
Since my main point has been that the Cubs focused too heavily on the limited premium presales and neglected the bread and butter sales of weekday games especially in April & May, lets bet that the the adverage attenence is down in all weekday games in April & May
excluding Opening Day & Cardinals Friday.
Pick a figure
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
Hate to do this, however...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0222-cubs-bits—20100221,0,1534813.story
The Cubs haven’t released sales figures yet, but between the renewal of season tickets, the presale of individual tickets and the ongoing sale of individual tickets that began Friday, they are headed for their seventh consecutive season of drawing 3 million-plus fans at Wrigley Field.
So according to this article, they’re starting off at 37k+ per game and the first ST pitch hasn’t even been thrown yet.
On the positive side for you, there is a nice close-up pic of your boy on the website.
Just win the next game...!
Where is the 37,000 figure?
I see a lot of vague statements about good sales and increased prices and heading past 3 million ( FYI if the don’t do well more than 3 million it would be a failure not a success).
The only thing I see is lots and lots of available tickets that were not there last year and that is NOT speculation.
Al .
When is the last time you could buy bleacher tickets for a Friday & Sunday game in the summer after the first weekend of sales?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
headed for 3M
could be interpreted as a rash assumption, however:
3M / 81 ~ 37k
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 23, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
I saw that link too and wanted to post it until
I read it – it is just speculation the the Trib writer’s part as far as I can tell – so I’ll wait until something more official – but I’m still waiting on the estimates for the total number that needs to be sold by opening day to count as ‘successful’ – or conversely the number that would be considered ‘way’ down. I think 2.7 million by then would be ok – and 3 million would be above expectations. You can go on all you want about the April-May tickets not being sold but until season starts I don’t think that it is a valid argument. Those are always the last to sell out (as well as September I know – but this year’s September is a little light on games (with only two weekday series after Labor Day weekend)). On a related note I would love to see this thread continue until Opening Day!
2.7 Million would be a DISASTER.
It would be a drop of over 450.,000 seats. Three million would be BAD. Cubs were already down 2.5 percent in 09 from 08. They would have been down more but of course the games sold very, very well on the first day. That is why April & May are the key. Sept you at least have a chance to make up or screw up, April & May tickets need to sell early and often.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
2.7 million sold BEFRORE the season starts
is the measure I was using – not the end of the year total. Can’t wait to re-visit this discussion at the end of March -
Heck I will wait till May 15 to revisit
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
Exhibit A for Shanghai's satire post...
You couldn’t wait until the weekend was over, let alone Opening Day to spread doom-n-gloom about ticket sales, and now you’re going to wait until May 15?
I’ll believe this when I don’t see it.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I was just about to post the same thing.
Several hundred comments worth of rant, and now you can wait almost three months to “revisit”?
Maybe I’ll get the last word after all.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Um I think I have made my point
We can REVIST it on or about May 15 at which time I would imagine we can see if there is a decline in ticket sales.
Sorry if that confused you.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
Well, that's kind of been my whole point.
You cannot state on February 23 that ticket sales have been a “disaster”, as you have ranted.
We’ll know a lot more on May 15, absolutely.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And my point was
that in muffing the initial sale with sales way down at this point the Cubs are now reliant on good weather and good play to sell out games. It’s a lot better when you don’t have to rely on that.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
Have you ever heard of this month called "March"?
It usually does not have good weather and the Cubs rarely play regular season games during it, but it does exist.
It comes after February and right before April. It’s 31 days long. Folklore suggests it can come in like a lion or lamb and leave the opposite. There’s this semi-national holiday a little more than halfway through the month where here they dye the Chicago river green and maybe drink a little beer.
It’s also the time of year when baseball teams are playing exhibition games in Arizona and Florida in front of fans who like to take naps out in the grass and miss home run balls.
And for those folks who aren’t fortunate enough or don’t have the means to make the pilgrimage to their respective Spring Training meccas, they just might go visit cubs.com or stop by Wrigley Field and purchase tickets to a game.
Or do you somehow have it on good authority that the Cubs have shut down all ticket operations until the season starts?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 23, 2010 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for this.
Rec’d.
Further, she has absolutely no proof that sales are “way down”, beyond the fact that about 20 games have bleacher tickets available that would have been sold out a year ago. Without specific numbers, her claims are specious.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
No one is going to convince her
she’s wrong by making a statement of disaster (not 3 months early), but SEVEN months early.
Unfortunately some people struggle with this thing called capitalism. The Cubs hedged their bets (and I think they were right) by doing the pre-sale and capturing revenue that would not otherwise be there. This in concert with the increase in number of platinum games, helps cancel out an overall (complete season) drop in sales should it occur.
I do not think anyone here – not even you Al – knows how many total tickets have been sold at this point.
The fact games are not sold out does not tell us how many tickets have been sold for those games.
Just win the next game...!
Exactly correct, and exactly why she's wrong.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Last year, not all Friday/Sunday summer games sold out the first day.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well I sure hope it's not you doing the math
The premium mark up on a plantinum game in the bleachers was around $7.20
Bleacher face for a platinum is $54, and we’ll just ignore the 12% amusement tax. Presale premium had two levels, 15% w/ MC, 20% w/ everything else. So…
If you used Mastercard, the markup was $54 × 15% = $8.10
If you used anything else, the markup was $54 × 20% = $10.80
Both of those numbers are higher than your $7.20 estimate.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
The premium was calculated on the base price before the tax, so your numbers are correct.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes I blew that
I got the 15% and 12% confused ( so many fees so little math ) it should be $8.10.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
Sure, I'll make a bet on attendance.
Whatever you and Al came up with is fine with me – I’ll take Al’s position. Oh, and for higher stakes, too – I drink Super Big Gulps.
But you’re completely missing the point here – this isn’t about attendance, seeing as how attendance really isn’t a fair indicator for the issue at hand due to other factors (weather, team success, opponent, etc.) that have already been discussed.
The point here is how you’ve completely jumped to the conclusion that ticket sales Armageddon is already here. We’re doomed, screwed, HUGE mistakes have been made, blah blou blah… And yet, the season doesn’t start for another seven weeks. That’s seven more weeks of tickets sales opportunity.
Look sweetheart, just because you didn’t buy 100 extra tickets this year, and “Scott” didn’t get his 25, and “Judy” didn’t buy whatever, doesn’t mean it’s Doomsday for the Cubs. Sorry to burst your bubble but you Scott and Judy are just not that significant to the Cubs. All those years you bought a 100 extra tickets on the first day of ticket sales, I bet there were people in March that tried to buy at least 100 but couldn’t because they were gone. Well, this year, they can. And, oh yeah – the Cubs took in a 15-20% premium on a chunk of tickets to boot.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 23, 2010 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you.
This is exactly what I’ve trying to tell Jessica, but you said it better.
Oh, and I take a Super Big Gulp, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It isn't about attendence?
You prefer the 15-20% mark up on a ticket you could have just PRICED higher over empty seats which buy no concessions either. If for example the Cubs attendance drops by 2%, they will be out far more than they get with a 15% premium on a LIMITED number of tickets. They don’t have that many available seats to premium games to begin with so it’s not like the premium price was on all or most or anywhere near a majority of tickets for a game. By letting folks “jump” the line and buy tickets to the hardest games, they left the other games with lots and lots of extra hard to sell tickets. I really do not understand why you find this so hard to understand given the large number of tickets now available. It is about filling seats at hard to sell out games. That is where they can make the money.
I am the speculating nut job when the Cubs are suddenly using phrases like “brisk” and "n target to get to 3,000, 000 when in the past they have bragged about how MANY tickets they have sold and how many SELL outs they have.
You and Al know better on the tickets sold at least. Ticket sales have not been this soft since the start of the 2003 season. Want tickets. Would you like to buy some bleachers for fourth of July , a Sunday Vs the Reds. Plenty available. Those will sell out barring a calamity but the April, May games won’t and I if the Cubs don’t play well neither will summer mid week games.
Figure a bet boys. Attentence down in April and May and it can’t be made up in Sept.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 23, 2010 2:58 PM CST up reply actions
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Feb 23, 2010 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
AND, there’s 7+ months before the season ends. ALL that time to buy more tickets….yikes.
Just win the next game...!
Screwed
I have no patience, time or money. I’ll have to resort to StubHub and overpay for a few tickets, maybe two or three times this year.
You do NOT have go the stubhub route
Unless the ONLY games you want to see are White Sox & Cardinals. Keep an eye on the ticket exchange here and check places like Craig’s list. Many people will sell tickets to a a a variety of games for face.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 20, 2010 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
Right now, I have three ticket exchanges posted.
This one is for general requests or sale posts for the entire season.
This one is for spring training tickets
Soon, I will start posting ticket exchanges by homestand, the first homestand will go up sometime in early March. Reminder, face value only (plus fees/taxes) for any tickets you buy or sell here. Thanks.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Brokers are being careful
Many got stuck with unsaleable “inventory” at the end of the year. I heard their “wrist band” buys were cautious. So far. If the Cubs get hot, they’ll have a good year along with everyone else.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 20, 2010 8:27 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly they
only loaded up on the sure fire revenue makers at this point. I am thinking of picking up a few more games while I can. I don’t mind spending the money now, I just hate the hassle of trying to get rid of the tickets if I can’t go.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Feb 20, 2010 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
Can't help with the money
But if you make the time and try really hard with the patience, you CAN do better.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 20, 2010 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
thats funny
i dont have any trouble getting tampa rays tickets. gotta love the cubs though. when they came here all 3 games were packed.and during the week. the rays usually dont draw during the week.
So long as we have the construction crews on site ...
… have them go ahead and get the long-abandoned auxiliary ticket windows ready. It looks like we’re gonna need them.
by bourbon_and_branch on Feb 20, 2010 12:52 PM CST reply actions
Wow
It’s great to meet a fellow Red Raider out this way! I was class of 1998. I was just back there last year – I was on the Hamilton Fire Department when I went there, so I headed back to go to the annual banquet. It’s always nice to make it back there.
No activity in here for last several days so it's hard to tell who had the last comment.
Just checking in to make sure it wasn’t Jessica…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
It is now
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 27, 2010 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
Oops
Oh, and go U.S.A. today !!
Won’t exactly be a 2/22/80 like reaction if we win but it will be fun watching all the canooks crying in their Molson and Moosehead.
Oh, this just in from the wire: Lou Pineilla declares the 2010 season will be bad since they haven’t had the best practice results yet in Mesa.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Feb 28, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
Really?
Hmm April sales down so they are being discounted. I am shocked, shocked. I mean not like I thought that would happen.
I was just making it all up.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 27, 2010 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
Further intentional reply fail.
I WILL get the last word!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just hurry up and close comments before doggie comes sniffing around here again...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Too late. I'm BAACK
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 9, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
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