Bills give STHers option to opt-out for 2020 while maintaining seniority and seat location

[Lv-Bills]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

Okay, they really want to piss me off, make me eat two home preseason games..looks like games 1 nd 4 cancelled, both road games for Bills.

 

PR says make the preseson games fanless no matter what..or free

It's been stated that each team will play one home game and one away game in the preseason.  That is NFL wide.  They are reshuffling the schedule.

[plenzmd1]

4 minutes ago, StHustle said:

Welp, its the LAW now. No fans allowed. https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/new-y

this was for baseball!

 

Quote

The guidelines exist "at the time of publication" right now, but are subject to change

 

Edited July 1, 2020 by plenzmd1

[StHustle]

26 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

this was for baseball!

 

 

Really?

 

Look again...

[Justin C]

39 minutes ago, StHustle said:

Welp, its the LAW now. No fans allowed. https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/new-york-state-says-no-fans-allowed-for-professional-sports

 

 

[plenzmd1]

6 minutes ago, StHustle said:

Really?

 

Look again...

not saying it says specifically baseball, but read what i posted , this is right at the top of the announcment

 

this document is predicated on the tenet that no live audience, fans, or spectators will be authorized to attend any professional sporting competition or training program at the time of publication."

 

 

[Punching Bag]

If NYS is only state with this rule Bills will play elsewhere.

[JMF2006]

16 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

Yea surveillance has become big business now. 

 

Also keeps Al quaida from rowing into the USA from Canada

[Mango]

14 hours ago, Limeaid said:

If NYS is only state with this rule Bills will play elsewhere.

 

With Cuomo's coalition of states, it won't be in the north east. Maybe they could go to Ohio.

 

The Pegulas are probably going to be asking NYS for money in the next few years for a new stadium. Based on the economics/budget of the pandemic in NYS and the way the Pegulas have been managing their business (outside of football). Pegula will need NYS to help with that. Not sure pissing off the government to skirt pandemic safety rules is the best course of action long term. 

[DrDawkinstein]

22 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Funny, i have always said that was one of the most fun games i have ever been too! 4PM start, was at Weichecks till like 3:30, in seats in time for kickoff...think i sat in about 8 different sections that day..the game was the game...but man i had fun!

 

I don't remember anything about the Colts game..and i mean not one thing..but know i went!

 

21 hours ago, Gordio said:

 

 

My dad took me to the Colts game.  I remember when we went to our section the usher looked at us & said "any seat you want, you got the whole stadium to yourselves today boys."  

 

Holy cow.

 

One of the earliest football memories I have was going to that Colts game with my dad. Same thing, we moved around to probably 8 different parts of the stadium just to see the different perspectives. We were on the news that night because we were down in the front row of the end zone for one of the touchdowns and we were easy to spot as we were the only fans in the shot! ?

 

I also remember, on our way into the stadium, Fred Smerlas and Darryl Talley pulled their bikes in front of our car and was giving my dad crap about going to the game saying "You're paying to watch bad football!". And my dad rolling down the window and saying "You guys were 4-12 last year, how much worse can it be? Come on, I got a kid in the car."

 

They moved their bikes.

[Punching Bag]

52 minutes ago, Mango said:

 

With Cuomo's coalition of states, it won't be in the north east. Maybe they could go to Ohio.

 

The Pegulas are probably going to be asking NYS for money in the next few years for a new stadium. Based on the economics/budget of the pandemic in NYS and the way the Pegulas have been managing their business (outside of football). Pegula will need NYS to help with that. Not sure pissing off the government to skirt pandemic safety rules is the best course of action long term. 

 

It is not skirting rules if other states including other states in Cuomo's coalition of states (New England, New Jersey) allow it.  Bills will just need to tell state they have to or will forfeit games but will pay annual assessment.

[Gordio]

On 7/2/2020 at 10:59 AM, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

Holy cow.

 

One of the earliest football memories I have was going to that Colts game with my dad. Same thing, we moved around to probably 8 different parts of the stadium just to see the different perspectives. We were on the news that night because we were down in the front row of the end zone for one of the touchdowns and we were easy to spot as we were the only fans in the shot! ?

 

I also remember, on our way into the stadium, Fred Smerlas and Darryl Talley pulled their bikes in front of our car and was giving my dad crap about going to the game saying "You're paying to watch bad football!". And my dad rolling down the window and saying "You guys were 4-12 last year, how much worse can it be? Come on, I got a kid in the car."

 

They moved their bikes.

 

 

Great story, I love it!

On 7/1/2020 at 8:02 PM, Limeaid said:

If NYS is only state with this rule Bills will play elsewhere.

 

 

Kind of interesting because WNY probably has the lowest hospitalizations & lowest % of cases in the entire country.  I believe by last night we were down to 6 COVID hospitalizations and have been hitting right 1% of positive cases with the testing.  If they don't let fans around here, they shouldn't allow fan attendance anywhere else either.

[Greg S]

On ‎7‎/‎1‎/‎2020 at 8:02 PM, Limeaid said:

If NYS is only state with this rule Bills will play elsewhere.

 

MetLife? They are very comfortable playing there. Won their last 3 games in that stadium including opening last season 2-0 with wins over the Jets and Giants.

[Punching Bag]

50 minutes ago, Greg S said:

 

MetLife? They are very comfortable playing there. Won their last 3 games in that stadium including opening last season 2-0 with wins over the Jets and Giants.

 

Doubt it. 

Cleveland maybe since close enough to Buffalo for fans to drive to. 3 h 2 min (189.4 mi)

Maybe Pittsburgh.  3 h 16 min (214.7 mi)

 

Bills would probably have to play at multiple stadiums to accommodate other teams' home schedules.

[Watkins101]

2 hours ago, Greg S said:

 

MetLife? They are very comfortable playing there. Won their last 3 games in that stadium including opening last season 2-0 with wins over the Jets and Giants.

MetLife needs all 16 games as they support both the jets and the giants home schedule.

[Just Jack]

On 7/3/2020 at 1:28 PM, Greg S said:

 

MetLife? They are very comfortable playing there. Won their last 3 games in that stadium including opening last season 2-0 with wins over the Jets and Giants.

 

Toronto?

 

[runs and ducks]

[Jpsredemption]

I still believe there will be no season. Just cannot see how this is all possible. 

[billsfan_34]

On 7/1/2020 at 8:02 PM, Limeaid said:

If NYS is only state with this rule Bills will play elsewhere.

Where would they play?

[Augie]

7 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

Where would they play?

 

In the future.

 

That’s the best I can offer. 

[billsfan_34]

10 hours ago, Augie said:

 

In the future.

 

That’s the best I can offer. 

I can take that, for now lol. Hope your well pal ?

[RiotAct]

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-offer-options-for-2020-season-to-season-ticket-members-in-latest-letter

[Captain Hindsight]

28 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-offer-options-for-2020-season-to-season-ticket-members-in-latest-letter

Leaning towards to opt out refund for me.

 

Limited fans, I would expect no tailgating. Maybe my whole group cant go to a game together. No thanks, I'd rather use that money myself this year and come back in 2021 

[BillnutinHouston]

8 minutes ago, Captain Hindsight said:

Leaning towards to opt out refund for me.

 

Limited fans, I would expect no tailgating. Maybe my whole group cant go to a game together. No thanks, I'd rather use that money myself this year and come back in 2021 

I'll be doing the same.  

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

I think I’m gonna go with the account credit. I’m 3/4 paid up anyways, I’m luckily not in dire need of the funds elsewhere and I’d kick myself all the way down the road If by some miracle we were playing a home playoff game this year with some fans in the stands and I wasn’t one of them. Plus, when next year rolls around I’ll be almost fully paid up and it will be like finding a bunch of money in the couch! 

[PromoTheRobot]

20 minutes ago, billsfanmiami(oh) said:

I think I’m gonna go with the account credit. I’m 3/4 paid up anyways, I’m luckily not in dire need of the funds elsewhere and I’d kick myself all the way down the road If by some miracle we were playing a home playoff game this year with some fans in the stands and I wasn’t one of them. Plus, when next year rolls around I’ll be almost fully paid up and it will be like finding a bunch of money in the couch! 

 

Ditto. I'm all paid up so I'm going to let it roll and hope there's a chance to see one game live.

[plenzmd1]

Just clicked Option A...if they letting me in, i am going.Of course this was on Twitter yesterday.

 

 

[Curt]

I asked for a refund. I prefer my money in my pocket rather than in someone else's pocket. Here in Canada, airline companies offered only a credit, no refund. They now owe me thousands on $'s. I lost my deposit on a vacation rental. It was 2 grand. I trust no business right now. Until Covid-19 is over, I'm not interested in credits. Give me back my cash. I'll handle it myself. Bankruptcies are just starting.

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Opted for credit.  If I can get into games I will.  And my #BillsFamily will find a way to safely mingle pre-game.

[Rockpile233]

Options stink, but I figured they’d do something like this.

 

The thought of them holding my money interest free for a year is very annoying to me if we wind up getting zero or limited games. At least offer an opt in option with a refund in the event NO fans are allowed in all season. 
 

I’ll have to kick it around for a few days, but in general no thanks to the NFL franchise holding my money.

[vanhalen26]

I’m leaving on account.  I’m Canadian and pat exchange fees on both purchases and returns.  I’m 5% poorer if I refund (2.5% fee each way).

[Curt]

35 minutes ago, vanhalen26 said:

I’m leaving on account.  I’m Canadian and pat exchange fees on both purchases and returns.  I’m 5% poorer if I refund (2.5% fee each way).

What I did, to avoid that, several years ago, I got a USD credit card. Most if not all of the Canadian banks are offering one.

58 minutes ago, Rockpile233 said:

Options stink, but I figured they’d do something like this.

 

The thought of them holding my money interest free for a year is very annoying to me if we wind up getting zero or limited games. At least offer an opt in option with a refund in the event NO fans are allowed in all season. 
 

I’ll have to kick it around for a few days, but in general no thanks to the NFL franchise holding my money.

I agree. At least they should offer some incentives (small interest or a gift) so we pick the credit instead of the refund. 

[JMF2006]

The link they sent me does not work.

 

Not sure yet on what I do but having the border closed and with having to quarantine for 2 weeks if it ever does open going to games would not be popular with my Boss and he is a Bills fan

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, Curt said:

I asked for a refund. I prefer my money in my pocket rather than in someone else's pocket. Here in Canada, airline companies offered only a credit, no refund. They now owe me thousands on $'s. I lost my deposit on a vacation rental. It was 2 grand. I trust no business right now. Until Covid-19 is over, I'm not interested in credits. Give me back my cash. I'll handle it myself. Bankruptcies are just starting.

 

USAir did same thing to me for Katrina.  I found out later that it was year credit from purchase date not flight date (what would they do if you bought it more than a year in advance) when I tried to use it following year to go to a game.  I have not purchased from then since and I used to be a regular traveler for business and they lost a lot of high priced tickets.

[Shaw66]

Bill's are trying to squeeze season ticket holders with three year deals.  I bought tickets for 2030, 2021 and 2022.  Now they're saying I have to buy tix for 21, 22. 23.  That's not right.  Not my problem if they can't deliver on the first year of a three year deal.  

 

Edit:  I raised this with the Bills and they agreed that my three-year commitment still will end after the 2022 season.  They were quick to respond and were very accommodating.  

 

I was told they're working on multiple socially-distanced seating plans on the assumption that they might be able to have fans sometime this season.  However, they're struggling with how they can enforce it.  Left to their own devices, most of the fans probably will wander down to the front rows of the lower deck.  What are they going to do - have armed police to keep people in their seats?

Edited July 24, 2020 by Shaw66

[Warcodered]

37 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Bill's are trying to squeeze season ticket holders with three year deals.  I bought tickets for 2030, 2021 and 2022.  Now they're saying I have to buy tix for 21, 22. 23.  That's not right.  Not my problem if they can't deliver on the first year of a three year deal.  

2030 is going to be a great year.

[eball]

If I read the article correctly, it seems to me the Bills are effectively “canceling” all season tickets this year but telling current STH that “you’re good” for 2021.  My question is what is the setup if there are fans allowed this year?  Will current STH have priority for purchase or will it simply be a free-for-all when the limited number of seats go on sale?  I see valid arguments for both.

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

15 minutes ago, eball said:

If I read the article correctly, it seems to me the Bills are effectively “canceling” all season tickets this year but telling current STH that “you’re good” for 2021.  My question is what is the setup if there are fans allowed this year?  Will current STH have priority for purchase or will it simply be a free-for-all when the limited number of seats go on sale?  I see valid arguments for both.

If you let the Bills keep your $ already paid, you’ll have “first crack” at some ticket if they allow some fans at some point. Not your seat, but just a seat somewhere in the stadium. 

[eball]

Just now, billsfanmiami(oh) said:

If you let the Bills keep your $ already paid, you’ll have “first crack” at some ticket if they allow some fans at some point. Not your seat, but just a seat somewhere in the stadium. 

 

Did the notice to STH say that specifically?

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

1 minute ago, eball said:

 

Did the notice to STH say that specifically?

Yep

 

“Season Ticket Members that apply money as an account credit will have exclusive access to 2020 single game ticket sales for available seats if spectators are permitted. We will have multiple single game ticket sales throughout the season as capacity is determined. In any limited spectator scenario, seating capacity in the stadium will be reduced, seat locations may change each game, and all members may not be able to purchase tickets for every game they want to attend. Additional ticket purchase limits and other restrictions will apply and be communicated before any ticket sales.“

Edited July 24, 2020 by billsfanmiami(oh)

[Gordio]

I was a longtime season ticket holder who dropped seats 5 years ago.  I bought tickets back in Feb, 4 of them & was pretty excited about going.  I figured my son only has a few years left before he is off to college & wanted to spend the time with him.  1 of my friends jumped in too.  Plus my son was getting his license towards end of summer so I wouldn't have to worry about driving!

 

I chose the refund though, even if they let people in, it probably will be about 15K fans, with no tailgating, at least on the Bills lots.  I don't know that is just not the bills game day experience to me.  I plan on getting them next year but the money I am getting back I am going to get a new TV & surround sound for my basement.  It is what it is, disappointed, I just hope things are better next year.  I think they will be.

[plenzmd1]

2 minutes ago, Gordio said:

 

 

I chose the refund though, even if they let people in, it probably will be about 15K fans, with no tailgating, 

been to plenty of games with 30K and less fans..still a blast! And trust me, we will find a way to tailgate!