Ticket Rep departure [Archive]

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Flanman

01-18-2010, 11:19 AM

Just saw the email and had a conversation with Kyle regarding ticket rep departure. Poor sales and lackluster attendance has led to job cuts and tough decisions. Not sure who all was let go, but I know my rep, Brooke Baragona, ONE OF THE BEST, is no longer there. My heartfelt thoughts go out to those who lost their job...

Now... time to move on to those behind the bench...

livinthedream

01-18-2010, 11:26 AM

Flanman, I'm not even sure I know who our ticket rep is anymore, we typiclaly float from rep to rep each year, but I just checked email and we got the same notification that ours is no longer there. It could very well have been Brooke too.

I know the RBCC staff has been cut back quite a lot this year too, not sure if anyone has been let go but I know the hours for a lot of the staffers has been cut back and they are staffing fewer folks at some of the events.

Hard times.

:(

SoCalcaniac

01-18-2010, 11:27 AM

OH NO! Thanks for posting this Mike, I've not received that email from Kyle Prairie as of 5 minutes ago. I've had several interactions with Brooke, she wasn't our rep, but helped us on some ticketing stuff when we had company come down, and she was SO thorough. Very upsetting to hear this news.

I guess we "should not " be surprised at this news given the horrid situation with the team, the gate has clearly suffered --- those of us that are at all the games know that just by looking. Geez section 114 is now the new 107, with the bazillion rows of empty seats over there, WTH.

I'm off to check on my own ticket rep to make sure he's still there. :crazy:

Very sad for all affected, best of luck in their search.

moml111

01-18-2010, 11:46 AM

Greensboro Hurricanes

01-18-2010, 11:52 AM

Brooke was my ticket rep too, but I had never dealt with or even spoken to her. I wouldn't have even known what she looked like if I hadn't looked her up in the media guide.

It sucks that people are losing their jobs over at 1400. Sales jobs are always volatile even in good times.

And these ain't good times.

caniac97

01-18-2010, 12:21 PM

Sales jobs are quota based and when you don't meet quota then it is what it is but you couple that with a down economy and a team that just ain't playing and I don't think the "sham wow" guy could help.

nccanes

01-18-2010, 12:41 PM

We have been STH's since Greensboro. I hope they come up with some sort of incentive to renew as it will be hard to convince my husband to sign up again. I am hoping for some sort of percentage off if we renew by a certain day. It is going to take something special as a reward for the thousands of dollars we paid this year for such a poor product.

I'm not sure how they would manage that. We were offered the "ice your price" deal last year, so I don't know how they could offer deeper discounts that would undercut those of use that did "ice our price" for 3 years (this is year 1).

As far as reps, I'm certain mine is still there, but I wouldn't be sad to see him go. My best rep was Kristen who got the axe with the big slash after the '02 SCFs. Never since that time, have I rec'd an unsolicited call to buy tickets for a particular game or for any reason whatsoever.

caniac97

01-18-2010, 12:47 PM

I don't disagree but as a STH'er what incentive do I have to give them money in March instead of July? If they try to say "playoff discounts" I might blow a gasket! They will have to come up with some major perk.

nccanes

01-18-2010, 12:49 PM

I agree - it just gets trickier with them having done a locked-in price just last spring.

Speaking of which -- last monthly draft is done! (Which further points out how they will need an injection of revenue soon.)

Deke

01-18-2010, 01:09 PM

My rep was Will Tomlinson and I received an e-mail that he was let go.

Greensboro Hurricanes

01-18-2010, 01:14 PM

They will have to come up with some major perk.

You know what would personally get me excited?

Ice time.

It could be on the 4th line or I could dress as an odd d-man, but I'd fork over the cash in March if I could log a shift in the season finale.

It doesn't have to be long. In fact, I'd rather it not be since I don't think I could even stand still on skates for 10 seconds before falling over.

caniac97

01-18-2010, 01:24 PM

You know what would personally get me excited?

Ice time.

It could be on the 4th line or I could dress as an odd d-man, but I'd fork over the cash in March if I could log a shift in the season finale.

It doesn't have to be long. In fact, I'd rather it not be since I don't think I could even stand still on skates for 10 seconds before falling over.

might work for me too, me in goal with stormy!! with those two big butts in the way if anyone scores then they deserve too!!

SoCalcaniac

01-18-2010, 02:54 PM

I did hear from our rep. He's safe (for now) & I was happy to hear it, but he sounded a bit weary. Gotta feel for the front office (staff level) types, they're doing jobs that aren't too much fun right now. I remember the big 02 cut as well, and there were alot of people in that group that were ON THE BALL. As a unit, that sales team has never recovered from the levels of service that we got from that group.

E, I thought of you when hub and I were discussing this- he asked me "do you know if E's "wonderful" ticket rep is one of the cuts? has she heard anything?" I said, with her luck he survived. :lol:;)

I have no idea what they'll be doing to give incentives to people who renew early or renew at all for that matter, but they probably need to figure something out- but like E said, many of us have already taken advantage of the "lock in" option, they can't possible under cut that. Unless they do a bigger lock -in thing and grandfather it. Just not sure what they'd do.

livinthedream

01-18-2010, 02:58 PM

Canesluver

01-18-2010, 03:03 PM

Drop a note to Karen Prince. She'll be able to tell you.

moml111

01-18-2010, 03:47 PM

I don't understand why you think they can't give a perk on top of the "ice your price". I can't possibly believe they are stupid enough to raise prices after this year. Therefore, that perk would be not relevant next year.The discount would be on top of the current ticket price/iced price.

They have in the past given a discount (usually 10 percent) if you paid a deposit for playoff tickets OR season tickets by a certain date. I am sure I could dig up the paperwork from previous years.

Of course, I would not give them money early if there was no incentive. I am not sure if we will resign if there is no incentive.

SoCalcaniac

01-18-2010, 04:12 PM

Dumb question, but how do you know who your ticket rep is? All the ticket emails I get are from P.J. Mr. LTD is the account holder, and he may have it on paper somewhere, but I don't see it in any of my stuff. I really don't have a need to call mine so I have no idea who it is... was.

It's changed over the years, mostly post lockout- We had PJ as our rep, and when he got promoted, we got our current guy,who became a fixture at our tailgate parties as he was friends with people in our tailgate group; and he's been ours ever since. Back in the day, it was "common" for the reps to be in regular contact with the STHers/Mini planers and everyone knew who everyone was. Then the lockout came, the layoff that E mentioned happened, and it was a bare bones group that stayed on, they let go of the guy that used to be in Kyle Prairies role, and then they came back from the lockout and they hired a bunch of new people, but the dynamic of how reps did their jobs changed. For example: you used to be able to call your rep if you needed extra tix for a game, and they'd tell you what they had available, pay by credit card, and your tix would be ready for you at will call. No standing in line, etc. It was a little more "personalized"; like E mentioned, they would often call about upcoming games, and tickets available and "check in". For a long while after all the changes, Karen Prince became the go to person, that's why you hear many people refer to her to take care of problems and issues. She was and still is for many, the voice/face/go to person of the org.

mom- we're not Greensboro people, but we've had a mini plan since the Inaugural year, then ST's since 2000. While I feel your frustration; it's definitely going to be a personal decision for those who have invested a ton of $$$$ (we own four seats) with the team. For me, while this year has been nearly as horrid as the now infamous 02-03 season, we're ultimately Hurricanes fans regardless. Call it paying blindly for mediocrity, call it stupid, but this is what it is to support a franchise and a professionals sports team. While an incentive would be "nice"--- I personally loved the original "lock out" % off deal that they offered when there was no hockey, I'm not holding my breath for another scenario to come our way. I believe they will have to do "something" to keep those who are borderline or need convincing, but I think for some in the org, they'll hope for many of us to just continue to renew.

Deke

01-18-2010, 04:41 PM

Personally speaking my incentive is the prospect of Taylor Hall playing in a Canes sweater next season! So no more three game winning streaks! ;)

livinthedream

01-18-2010, 04:48 PM

I think the home wins are okay though. ;)

Yeah, I know Karen, and I can contact her, just probably won't since I'm sure she's swamped with queries and I have no real need to know other than a general curiosity about who else may no longer be with them. I thought at one time I had our ticket rep documented but damned if I can find it now.

andyt

01-18-2010, 10:28 PM

I got the email too and my rep was Brooke. When I first signed up after the 99-00 season, Kyle was my ticket rep. I assumed he stayed my rep through his first promotion, demotion and another promotion. Last year, I got an email from Brooke telling me she was my rep. I called her a couple of times, but when Kyle was my rep, all but one of my dealings with the ticket office were with Karen. The exception was when I moved from 117 to 328 during the lockout. I asked for a refund, Kyle talked me into keeping what I had paid on the payment plan and moving to cheaper seats.

KaniacFever

01-18-2010, 10:37 PM

We didn't get an email, so guess PJ is safe. ThankS God. We love PJ.

caniac97

01-18-2010, 10:42 PM

We didn't get an email, so guess PJ is safe. ThankS God. We love PJ.
PJ is the manager of that department, if he goes it is because he is the last one out to turn out the lights!! lol

superdave

01-18-2010, 11:38 PM

might work for me too, me in goal with stormy!! with those two big butts in the way if anyone scores then they deserve too!!

I think I'd look good in a Storm Squad girl uniform for a night. I'm not sure if they are that stretchy or not. Wonder what the load rating is on those things?

caniac97

01-19-2010, 10:18 AM

I think I'd look good in a Storm Squad girl uniform for a night. I'm not sure if they are that stretchy or not. Wonder what the load rating is on those things?

Your too tall, you can't be over 5'2" to be in the storm squad. Mean Gene is the ONLY exception.

andyt

01-19-2010, 11:36 AM

PJ is the manager of that department, if he goes it is because he is the last one out to turn out the lights!! lol

My letter came from PJ.

nccanes

01-19-2010, 08:07 PM

As a footnote to this "corporate action", "rif", "downsize", "rightsize" (what others did I miss?), today I tried to forward tickets to someone for Sundays game and after the final "submit" it waited and waited and then gave me an error. So I go back in and the tickets are listed as sent to the person. Except the person didn't get an email notifying them.

So I called the number listed on the help page and left a message. AND I filled out the little thing you are supposed to use if you have a problem. And I got no response. Glad they can offer a high level of service with the remaining staff!:lol:

So tomorrow I'll reach out to Karen P so that chc can get the tickets that are in limbo! :lol:

SoCalcaniac

01-19-2010, 08:43 PM

As a footnote to this "corporate action", "rif", "downsize", "rightsize" (what others did I miss?)

Unfortunately the worst term ever Resource Action is a pretty hot phrase in my world.

Same thing happened to hub when he tried to forward our 304's to a friend. It was resolved easily by our rep on the phone; but this whole lack of response deal is concerning. Ugh.

caneshockeychick

01-20-2010, 08:43 AM

NCCaniac42

01-20-2010, 01:01 PM

OH NO, Brooke and Will were both great people to deal with and this saddens me. I take it upon myself to get to know all the ticket reps because you never know when you might need something. PJ is my rep but Will had been very helpful to me in the past. I will miss seeing him. Brooke is one of the few WOMEN on the tix rep staff and she always was helpful and knowledgeable. I will miss them BOTH. This sucks...

ultrablue55

01-25-2010, 06:16 PM

A story here about Brooke if I might...

First, she wasn't my ticket rep, never was. However, several years back we were at the beach on SAS night. I had a couple of proxys lined up but then they couldn't make it so I had a problem with only a day or so to solve it. I knew what seats we wanted and knew we could get them with our tenure as ticket holders....if we could be there. Well, we couldn't. I called the RBC and Brooke answered. I told her my situation and told her the exact seats we wanted. She was extrememly helpful. She said she would proxy for me if I was O.K. with that. I told her to go for it and call me after the SAS that evening to let me know how things went. She called me that evening and I had my seats! I never met her but I am personally saddened to hear that she is no longer there.

The last several times I needed something my rep wasn't there. The other day I called and some guy (can't remember his name) helped me because my rep wasn't there. A couple of my emails have gone unanswered on occasion but I let it go.

Has anyone here ever requested a rep change?

SouthernHockeyChick

01-25-2010, 06:29 PM

I just don't bother with my rep anymore. No request I've ever made has been fulfilled by my actual rep. You get better service from some anonymous person you get when you call.

Seems they always fire those with the best customer service skills first. Guess I shouldn't be surprised at that based on who heads that department.

puckin_A

01-25-2010, 07:05 PM

We didn't get an email, so guess PJ is safe. ThankS God. We love PJ.

yep PJ is mine and has been awesome for 10 (or is it 11) years now. I was one of his first......we always joke about that. lol I know he got promoted but must have kept some clients.?

c-girl

01-25-2010, 07:06 PM

I have no idea who our rep is. Last year going into the playoffs, we decided we wanted to move our seats. I got Will by default when I called and he was extremely helpful. Although we already had printed tickets, he let me return those and had new tickets for new seats printed while I waited. I couldn't have asked for better service. I'm sorry to hear he's gone.

IceSun

01-26-2010, 10:28 AM

yep PJ is mine and has been awesome for 10 (or is it 11) years now. I was one of his first......we always joke about that. lol I know he got promoted but must have kept some clients.?

PJ is mine as well - and he has always done a great job of taking care of anything I needed