Tweet
In response to a letter I penned to him and Ali Russell a couple or so weeks ago. Received in the post today.
18th March 2009
Dear Tracy
Re: QPR Season Tickets
Many thanks for your recent email about QPR season ticket prices; the club is very appreciative for your valuable feedback. You have made some valid comments which I intend to relay to the rest of the Board at our forthcoming meeting. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude for your ongoing communication with the club on all matters that affect the welfare of the supporter. It shows much dedication and is fundamental for the club’s progression.
I agree, QPR is one of the more expensive Championship clubs to follow and this issue has caused difficulty with supporters. The decision to increase the ticket prices for the 2008-2009 season was not an easy one to make; whilst the Board knew that increasing prices would have adverse effects for our customers, the club’s long term sustainability had to be considered. Now with the severe recession affecting all businesses (including those football related), it is even more crucial that QPR preserves its rebuilt finances. I am sure no supporter would like the club to regress into the position it was in before the Board through unwise decisions. Unfortunately this has meant QPR is unable to offer a discount on season tickets for the coming season. As the club grows bigger and the economy recovers, discounts will become viable and the Board intends to reward its loyal supporters.
The club is delighted to be able to provide a price freeze with the Early Bird Promotion, VAT on this promotion and other tickets sales will be reviewed shortly. One of the reasons why the club did not pass down the VAT cut was because it is only guaranteed until December 2009 which is a 1/3 of the way through our 2009-2010 season. I fully appreciate that for some supporters obtaining the amount of money required for a season ticket by the 17th April is not feasible which is why the club has put in place a finance scheme, Zebra Finance. Using Zebra Finance supporters are still able to renew their season ticket and take advantage of the Early Bird. I too have learnt that some FC’s are offering 0% interest finance schemes but they require the individual to make the last payment by May 2009. Indeed Birmingham is offering finance of 0% interest but this is based upon a 4 month repayment plan ending in May thus resulting in steep repayments. The club is happy to reconsider different finance plans if this is what supporters would like to be offered. I will be asking Heads of Department to review this. Certainly from a business perspective QPR would like to encourage as many supporters as possible to purchase season tickets.
On behalf of QPR I would like to apologise for not releasing the full ticket prices when the Early Bird Promotion was launched in March. It was never the intention of the club to make supporters feel that they were being blackmailed into using the Early Bird for fear of not knowing the full ticket prices. When buying any product a customer should be able to compare it to different versions and this also applies to buying football season tickets. We hope to rectify the situation as soon as possible. QPR has not yet issued full ticket pricing because the Board are having more discussions on the matter with particular reference to how the recession affecting its supporters and the club. QPR wants to ensure the balance is right for both parties.
Lastly the club is fully aware that a few other Championship clubs are set to offer free season tickets for under 8’s and are pleased that they are doing so. When the club did the advertising for this campaign the team simply wanted to make a positive point about it nothing more. It was not meant to be false advertising, I hope you will accept our apology on the matter.
Once again thank you for your email.
Yours Sincerely
Amit Bhatia
Vice-Chairman Queens Park Rangers FC
18th March 2009
Dear Tracy
Re: QPR Season Tickets
Many thanks for your recent email about QPR season ticket prices; the club is very appreciative for your valuable feedback. You have made some valid comments which I intend to relay to the rest of the Board at our forthcoming meeting. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude for your ongoing communication with the club on all matters that affect the welfare of the supporter. It shows much dedication and is fundamental for the club’s progression.
I agree, QPR is one of the more expensive Championship clubs to follow and this issue has caused difficulty with supporters. The decision to increase the ticket prices for the 2008-2009 season was not an easy one to make; whilst the Board knew that increasing prices would have adverse effects for our customers, the club’s long term sustainability had to be considered. Now with the severe recession affecting all businesses (including those football related), it is even more crucial that QPR preserves its rebuilt finances. I am sure no supporter would like the club to regress into the position it was in before the Board through unwise decisions. Unfortunately this has meant QPR is unable to offer a discount on season tickets for the coming season. As the club grows bigger and the economy recovers, discounts will become viable and the Board intends to reward its loyal supporters.
The club is delighted to be able to provide a price freeze with the Early Bird Promotion, VAT on this promotion and other tickets sales will be reviewed shortly. One of the reasons why the club did not pass down the VAT cut was because it is only guaranteed until December 2009 which is a 1/3 of the way through our 2009-2010 season. I fully appreciate that for some supporters obtaining the amount of money required for a season ticket by the 17th April is not feasible which is why the club has put in place a finance scheme, Zebra Finance. Using Zebra Finance supporters are still able to renew their season ticket and take advantage of the Early Bird. I too have learnt that some FC’s are offering 0% interest finance schemes but they require the individual to make the last payment by May 2009. Indeed Birmingham is offering finance of 0% interest but this is based upon a 4 month repayment plan ending in May thus resulting in steep repayments. The club is happy to reconsider different finance plans if this is what supporters would like to be offered. I will be asking Heads of Department to review this. Certainly from a business perspective QPR would like to encourage as many supporters as possible to purchase season tickets.
On behalf of QPR I would like to apologise for not releasing the full ticket prices when the Early Bird Promotion was launched in March. It was never the intention of the club to make supporters feel that they were being blackmailed into using the Early Bird for fear of not knowing the full ticket prices. When buying any product a customer should be able to compare it to different versions and this also applies to buying football season tickets. We hope to rectify the situation as soon as possible. QPR has not yet issued full ticket pricing because the Board are having more discussions on the matter with particular reference to how the recession affecting its supporters and the club. QPR wants to ensure the balance is right for both parties.
Lastly the club is fully aware that a few other Championship clubs are set to offer free season tickets for under 8’s and are pleased that they are doing so. When the club did the advertising for this campaign the team simply wanted to make a positive point about it nothing more. It was not meant to be false advertising, I hope you will accept our apology on the matter.
Once again thank you for your email.
Yours Sincerely
Amit Bhatia
Vice-Chairman Queens Park Rangers FC
Comment