FB ticket prices

[clonedude]

I know I'll be ripped for this, but I think ticket prices for ISU football games are ridiculous.

I remember when you could get a hillside ticket very inexpensively... and it was a great deal for many families. My kids loved it. They could run around, and if we sat in the NE corner, they would run down and give the players high fives and everything. And as a family, it didn't break the bank.

I see that hillside seats for NDSU and Army are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. That's $60 for my family of four. Add in the gas, etc for the two hour drive from CR, tailgating, and any treats at the game... you are talking well over $120 for one game against a bad opponent.

Now... I have absolutely no problem with the free market driving prices.... however.... if there are any empty seats or open grass on the hillsides for the NDSU or Army game... then by the definition of the market-the prices are set too high.

JP should not want one single empty seat or any bare grass for any home game IMO. If you can get $5 for a seat instead of that seat remaining empty... then you should get $5 for it. I will not be taking my family to a game this year. I might go by myself to a game... maybe. And I bet, especially in these economic times, that there will be a LOT of families in the same boat. It is not a lack of school support that drives the decision, it's the fact that it would be irresponsible for many families to spend that kind of money on a college football game instead of necessary things.

So I will be waiting to see on that Thursday night if we get a full house of around 55,000 people? If not, then JP is throwing money away that he could be getting. A family of four paying $30 total for hillside tickets ($10 adult, $5 kids) is much better than them staying home and not coming at all. You not only miss out on the $30 in ticket sales, but you miss out on parking fees, consessions, and any ISU gear that they might purchase as well?

I know it's difficult to know where to set that perfect price point, but I think it's too high for the product that we've seen since JP's arrival. I'm done with my rant.... go ahead and rip me apart.

P.S. I also want to mention that I have no problem with JP charging $90 a seat for Iowa or Nebraska on the other side of the coin. If he can fill the stadium at that price point, then more power to him and ISU.

 

[IcSyU]

Guess what? Our budget is still ridiculously low compared to our competition. Prices are a must. We're sitting right in the middle of the conference, and taking a huge risk that we're hoping pays off.

And prices aren't set for free market. They're generally set to maximize profit. If he can sell 3,000 hillsides at $20 and $1,000 at $10, that's better than selling 10,000 at $5.

 

[ahaselhu]

Now... I have absolutely no problem with the free market driving prices.... however.... if there are any empty seats or open grass on the hillsides for the NDSU or Army game... then by the definition of the market-the prices are set too high.

This is assuming that we would be selling out if the prices were lower. I don't think that's a valid assumption.

 

[Incyte]

You do realize that if you cut the prices in half you have to have twice as many people show up right?

Will twice as many people buy Hillsides if you cut the price in half? No. Your argument fails.

 

[Cyclone29]

I know I'll be ripped for this, but I think ticket prices for ISU football games are ridiculous.

I remember when you could get a hillside ticket very inexpensively... and it was a great deal for many families. My kids loved it. They could run around, and if we sat in the NE corner, they would run down and give the players high fives and everything. And as a family, it didn't break the bank.

I see that hillside seats for NDSU and Army are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. That's $60 for my family of four. Add in the gas, etc for the two hour drive from CR, tailgating, and any treats at the game... you are talking well over $120 for one game against a bad opponent.

Now... I have absolutely no problem with the free market driving prices.... however.... if there are any empty seats or open grass on the hillsides for the NDSU or Army game... then by the definition of the market-the prices are set too high.

JP should not want one single empty seat or any bare grass for any home game IMO. If you can get $5 for a seat instead of that seat remaining empty... then you should get $5 for it. I will not be taking my family to a game this year. I might go by myself to a game... maybe. And I bet, especially in these economic times, that there will be a LOT of families in the same boat. It is not a lack of school support that drives the decision, it's the fact that it would be irresponsible for many families to spend that kind of money on a college football game instead of necessary things.

So I will be waiting to see on that Thursday night if we get a full house of around 55,000 people? If not, then JP is throwing money away that he could be getting. A family of four paying $30 total for hillside tickets ($10 adult, $5 kids) is much better than them staying home and not coming at all. You not only miss out on the $30 in ticket sales, but you miss out on parking fees, consessions, and any ISU gear that they might purchase as well?

I know it's difficult to know where to set that perfect price point, but I think it's too high for the product that we've seen since JP's arrival. I'm done with my rant.... go ahead and rip me apart.

P.S. I also want to mention that I have no problem with JP charging $90 a seat for Iowa or Nebraska on the other side of the coin. If he can fill the stadium at that price point, then more power to him and ISU.

"I remember when ice cream cones were a dime"

Mini-packs look pretty good now........ironic:wink:

Gonna be a great season Id be buying mini packs now and get a taste of good seats cuz It may not happen again. I was amazed when I changed locations how much more I enjoyed the game. Instead of standing on tip toes only to miss a great play I can see it all now. LOVE IT. Just me thou.

 

[clonedude]

Guess what? Our budget is still ridiculously low compared to our competition. Prices are a must. We're sitting right in the middle of the conference, and taking a huge risk that we're hoping pays off.

And prices aren't set for free market. They're generally set to maximize profit. If he can sell 3,000 hillsides at $20 and $1,000 at $10, that's better than selling 10,000 at $5.

I remember a few years ago when the CR golf courses were concerned because the number of golfers had dropped and so their income had gone down. And I remember they were considering raising the green fees to make up for this. Does that sound like a way to bring more golfers to the course?? It will probably drive more away. So what are you to do?

 

[isuno1fan]

I can't believe you would gripe about spending $120 to entertain a family of 4 for an entire Saturday.

That's fairly cheap if you ask me.

 

[IcSyU]

I remember a few years ago when the CR golf courses were concerned because the number of golfers had dropped and so their income had gone down. And I remember they were considering raising the green fees to make up for this. Does that sound like a way to bring more golfers to the course?? It will probably drive more away. So what are you to do?

You're failing to see butts in seats does NOT mean a higher profit. We could have 60,000 people in Ames every weekend trying to get in the game if we offered every ticket for $10, but that'll never happen. More people doesn't mean bigger profit.

 

[clonedude]

You do realize that if you cut the prices in half you have to have twice as many people show up right?

Will twice as many people buy Hillsides if you cut the price in half? No. Your argument fails.

WRONG. What if JP sells 400 hillside seats for the NDSU game and 3/4 of the hillsides are empty that night? However, the tickets are half the price they are now and he puts 8-10,000 on the hillsides? PLUS... add to that all the concessions, parking fees, and any gear you might sell to this many more people?

Like I said... I will wait and see how full the stadium, including the hillsides, is for the NDSU and Army games. If it is full... then I have no complaints whatsoever. But if the hillsides are half full or less... then JP is losing money IMO.

 

[Cyclone29]

You're failing to see butts in seats does NOT mean a higher profit. We could have 60,000 people in Ames every weekend trying to get in the game if we offered every ticket for $10, but that'll never happen. More people doesn't mean bigger profit.

Im with you but its hard to make a tight *** not complain about something. In a nice way Suck it up and pay the price....its not like we have every game on TV, unfortunitly. Double the price and I'll work more hours. Wouldnt miss Jack Trice in the fall for anything!!!

 

[bellzisu]

This is a no win situation in my opinion. I remember a couple years ago when Jamie cut ticket prices for the last couple games... Everyone and their mother complained because "we are season ticket holders and it's not fair that they cut the prices when we already had to pay a set amount"

Now with the mini packs.... You have people cry unfair because of the great seats they give you, even though it varies game to game, and the low prices.

Sorry you can't afford the tickets... It is a tough time and I barely could afford our renewal. But if Jamie is going to cut your ticket prices in half... I want the same damn handout. A couple years ago I never would of said that, but with the way things are now... I truely feel that way.

 

[Incyte]

I know it's difficult to know where to set that perfect price point, but I think it's too high for the product that we've seen since JP's arrival. I'm done with my rant.... go ahead and rip me apart.

Price points aren't set by previous quality they are set by demand.

You do realize a round of gold costs about $75 on a saturday right?

 

[Incyte]

WRONG. What if JP sells 400 hillside seats for the NDSU game and 3/4 of the hillsides are empty that night? However, the tickets are half the price they are now and he puts 8-10,000 on the hillsides? PLUS... add to that all the concessions, parking fees, and any gear you might sell to this many more people?

Like I said... I will wait and see how full the stadium, including the hillsides, is for the NDSU and Army games. If it is full... then I have no complaints whatsoever. But if the hillsides are half full or less... then JP is losing money IMO.

How many of the extra hillsides are from people that would have gotton full priced tickets but decided not to.

Do you really think that JP and the athletic department aren't aware of how ticket sales work. Geesh.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Price points aren't set by previous quality they are set by demand.

You do realize a round of gold costs about $75 on a saturday right?

Gold? or Golf?

And your point is?

 

[Incyte]

WRONG. What if JP sells 400 hillside seats for the NDSU game and 3/4 of the hillsides are empty that night? However, the tickets are half the price they are now and he puts 8-10,000 on the hillsides? PLUS... add to that all the concessions, parking fees, and any gear you might sell to this many more people?

Like I said... I will wait and see how full the stadium, including the hillsides, is for the NDSU and Army games. If it is full... then I have no complaints whatsoever. But if the hillsides are half full or less... then JP is losing money IMO.

How many of the extra hillsides are from people that would have gotton full priced tickets but decided to get cheap hillsides?

Do you really think that JP and the athletic department aren't aware of how ticket sales work? Geesh.

 

[clonedude]

You're failing to see butts in seats does NOT mean a higher profit. We could have 60,000 people in Ames every weekend trying to get in the game if we offered every ticket for $10, but that'll never happen. More people doesn't mean bigger profit.

To a certain extent, you are correct that more people doesn't mean bigger profit. Like you said... we could sell out every game if we charged $5 a seat. But that's not what I'm saying.

To maximize profit, JP needs to find the price levels to just barely get enough people to fill the place if possible, but nobody more. If thousands of fans want tickets, but can't get them, then you're prices aren't set high enough.

So... as I've said from the beginning... I will wait to see how full it is. Empty seats do not make you any money whatsoever.... period! In fact, every single empty seat COSTS you money that you could have potentially made.

As I've said... I will be the first one on here that Friday morning after our first game admitting I was wrong if the place is packed.

 

[Cyclone29]

If you want cheap seats I believe the CIML plays on fridays.......Bang for buck I'll be at the trice.

My guess is the same frugal people on the hillsides arent spending $60 on concessions. Just a guess.

Doesnt Rhoads have a masters in Economics......maybe JP should ask him hehe.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I sympathize and empathize with the OP. If I had two kids and lived a couple hours away, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't make a practice of coming to Ames for FB either.

$120 doesn't seem like a lot?? Maybe if you've got it, it doesn't.

Good thing there isn't a loyalty threshold posters and ISU fans have to meet to express their opinions.

Hopefully, OP, all things related to ISU FB will get better for you.

 

[DaddyMac]

CloneDude - give it up. It's not like donors or fans should have input or voice an opinion in the program, or how it's run, or how policies individually affect them.

You're just expected to hand over disposable income and feel fortunate you're allowed to ... or something like that.

Get with the program, man.

If you want a good peek into the inner-workings of the the ticket arguement, I suggest going back to last week (maybe the week before) and checking out the 3-4 game mini-pack thread where a main contention in support was how more butts=more concessions=more income.

Apparently THIS WEEK, that idea is no longer valid.

 

[Cyclone29]

CloneDude - give it up. It's not like donors or fans should have input or voice an opinion in the program, or how it's run, or how policies individually affect them.

He's allowed his opinion but its our job to explain how much its worth it to go. Never looked in my wallet after a game and wanted my money back........well maybe kansas last year.

In the end this forum isnt gonna change ticket costs.