Hi All, A mate of mine suggested I posted this here. Maybe someone might have some advice for me. I recently attended the Kilkenny V Tipp All Ireland Final (First one) and had a dreadful view from our seats. We were in the Upper Davin Stand, section 722, row Z, seats 23 and 24- The very back row, behind the big screen at the Davin End. From our seats we had no view of either of the big screens, or any score board. We also could not hear announcements clearly. Thus, for the whole of the two games we had no idea what the score was or how long was left. I tried marking the scores but I was unsure if it was correct or not. Also, as many of the scores were determined by hawk eye (especially the very last deciding free) we had no idea what was happening on the screens. We were also unable to see any of the half time/pre-match entertainment- so much of which was happening on screens. I mailed the GAA. Asking why, as a customer who paid €80 for my ticket, I was not entitled to the same entertainment, information and experience as other customers who paid the same price? Their initial response was to question where I purchased my tickets, to which I responded 'my county board'. They then suggested that I take this matter up with the county board as they were the vendor. When I contacted the county board they were bewildered as to why the GAA would have pointed me to them. The Secretary said he would forward my issue to the GAA. He was also surprised by the quality of the view and that the ticket didn't state it was a restricted view. A day or so later the same person from the GAA came back to me again saying "We can't offer any form of compensation for this seat. Restricted view only applies to when the view of the pitch is inhibited which people are advised of at the time of purchase." I'm just wondering what I should do, or what peoples take on the matter is. What was an amazing game was ruined for my mother and I by the location of the seats. I have a picture of the view but don't seem to be able to post it here. I just don't understand why I should have had to pay the same price for tickets as other spectators who could see the screens, scoreboards etc. Should I not have gotten the same value for money as everyone else?
"We can't offer any form of compensation for this seat. Restricted view only applies to when the view of the pitch is inhibited which people are advised of at the time of purchase."
So that is all they are interested in? They actually thought you where only looking for your money back, when what you are entitled to is an explanation (as well as some money back). You can always judge the quality of any organisation by how it deals with its customers, I think the response is both shocking and laughable and very revealing what this beast at HQ has become. You make some very valid points for which you are entitled to an explanation. Why they referred you to the county is even funnier.
There's a lot right with the GAA but HQ needs reeling in. If they focused on getting things like pricing the restricted view tickets properly rather than getting Hector or some similar eejit running around trying to create an "atmosphere" they might actually sell out All Ireland replays...
The recent incident involving the charity match in Knockmore and moving Kerry and Mayo to Limerick are more examples of how we've become customers in the eyes of some people at Croke Park. And even their customer service is crap...
Thanks for the replies folks. I just feel spectators shouldn't be expected to pay full whack for those seats considering the quality of the experience. ESPECIALLY with the introduction of hawk eye. €80! I would have had a better view from the back of packed bar with only one TV. At least I'd know what was going on! As an organisation I really believe the GAA is failing it's members and their loyalty by doing this, and as a business they are treating customer unfairly. Surely this can't be right?
Interesting point you make Squidgey. I had a similar experience during our Q-final win against Galway. Got tickets from the CB for the very back row of the lower Hogan. Sitting back there you also couldn't see any of the big screens, while you could see the clock and scoreboard on the Davin you were missing out on replays of points. I know they have TV's, relaying what's on the screens but unless your sitting directly below them they are no use. Also, like you said you couldn't hear any of the announcements from back there so you would have little clue who was coming on and off.
Defo think they could be gracious and give you a few quid back considering you paid as much for a final as myself and many others who had no issues on the day.