PSL Pricing/Seat Selection Discussion

[mrags]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

This circles back to missteps in PR strategy by the Bills management regarding the new stadium.

 

The team's decision to keep the stadium's drawings, virtual reality walkthroughs, and detailed plans under wraps, opting instead for presenting them through timeshare-like meetings in a nondescript location in Williamsville, far from the stadium, effectively deflated any excitement that could have been generated. A better approach would have harnessed the initial enthusiasm with a community-focused event designed to amplify stadium anticipation.

For instance, a strategic move could have involved:

1) Hosting a grand unveiling event open to the media, season ticket holders, and fans, ideally timed around the NFL draft. This would allow fans to experience the draft in a unique way, intertwined with the excitement of the stadium reveal. Featuring appearances by Bills legends from various eras, such as Josh Allen, Jim Kelly, Fred Jackson, and Kyle Williams, alongside performances by bands, offering 50/50raffles, and giveaways, etc, to enrich the experience.

 

2) Broadcast the event both online and in-person to display the stadium’s architecture, amenities, and technological features through detailed presentations, testimonials from the designers, endorsements by players, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

 

3) Gifting attendees miniature replicas of the stadium upon departure, akin to the distribution of bobbleheads. This would leave a lasting, tangible memory of the event.

 

4) I would have avoided  any discussion of pricing at the event to focus purely on building excitement and allowing guests to marvel at the stadium’s offerings without the immediate concern of cost. Such an event would far surpass the current approach of individual appointments in a locale far removed from the stadium.

This concept would undoubtedly generate buzz—in workplaces, online, and during family gatherings like Easter, which would have laid the groundwork for widespread anticipation.

 

After allowing the excitement to reach its peak over a few weeks, the team could then introduce the pricing details. And yes, this idea of mine is completely off the cuff and likely has a few holes. That's how all good ideas start. You come up with something then you refine it, fix it, and make it great.

But as it stands, the current strategy has arguably been the least effective approach possible.

 

So you’re upset that they didn’t provide a big reveal to everyone at once. When they are doing a personal reveal to everyone individually over the course of months. You’re upset they didn’t give our free trinkets and personal meet and greats with Bills greats. You’re upset they didn’t provide pricing to everyone in a way to throw it all out there at once. That’s a you problem. They are however doing as fair as possible by being fans in section by section by seniority to provide them with options at the closest seats as possible to what they currently have. There really isn’t anymore fair way to do it. If for example the top 3000 people in seniority all happened to be in the corners of the 300s but in the new stadium they decided they all wanted 50 yard line seats, it would push everyone else out of the section. This would piss people off just as much or more. There’s really no 100% fan friendly way for everyone involved. 
 

now, should they have provided more renderings? Yes. Should they have provided a virtual fly through of the stadium? Yes. Could they have provided all the prices to everyone, sure. But they are apparently successful in our what they are doing and how they are doing it. Based on reports they have a 75% renewal rate. Doesn’t get much better than that for them. 

[Einstein]

13 minutes ago, mrags said:

So you’re upset that they didn’t provide a big reveal to everyone at once. You’re upset they didn’t give our free trinkets and personal meet and greats with Bills greats. You’re upset they didn’t provide pricing to everyone in a way to throw it all out there at once.

 

You really should get that reading comprehension problem checked out.

 

Im not upset or angry about any of this. Nor have I ever claimed to be.

 

I do think it’s incredibly stupid and nonsensical the way they are going about this. But i’m not upset about it. I just laugh at their stupidity.

16 minutes ago, mrags said:

 Based on reports they have a 75% renewal rate. Doesn’t get much better than that for them. 

 

1) Never trust non-regulated numbers that come directly from the benefiting party.

 

2) 75% is successful? Yikes. I wish my board thought losing 1 out of every 4 customers is successful. We would be smashing KPI records with those low standards.

 

 

[papazoid]

friend of mine who sits in LOWER  BOWL  goes for his experience tomorrow (tues)

 

1965 seniority, 50 yard line

 

should have some good info in 24 hours

 

P.S. of the 25% who didn't agree to new club level  seats immediately on first offer....i bet more than half of them get seats in a less expensive area on their second chance meeting. so that initial 75% will likely go to 85-90%

Edited April 2 by papazoid

[mrags]

25 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

You really should get that reading comprehension problem checked out.

 

Im not upset or angry about any of this. Nor have I ever claimed to be.

 

I do think it’s incredibly stupid and nonsensical the way they are going about this. But i’m not upset about it. I just laugh at their stupidity.

 

1) Never trust non-regulated numbers that come directly from the benefiting party.

 

2) 75% is successful? Yikes. I wish my board thought losing 1 out of every 4 customers is successful. We would be smashing KPI records with those low standards.

 

 

[Einstein]

57 minutes ago, papazoid said:

 

1965 seniority, 50 yard line

Impressive seniority. His Bills fan career will now span 3 home stadiums..

[Boatdrinks]

9 hours ago, DrBob806 said:

So over priced seats are ok? Rhetorical question obviously.

 

Here's the thing. You've got a family who's been a loyal Bills customer since the 60s, and the Bills are telling that family they may potentially lose out on their seats, because they didn't splurge for the pricier seats over time? It's wrong. 

 

 

Are they telling them that ? Your loyal customer will be offered comparable seats in the new stadium. As was pointed out in this thread , they’ve only brought in 1.6% of STHs at this point. We are talking about pricier seats at this point because that is the customer the Bills have started with. Is it wrong for the Bills to begin with their highest paying customers? 

7 hours ago, CodeMonkey said:

 

Agree about the bolded 100%.  It's great that you can afford it, and that you and your son enjoy the experience enough to take the price increase in stride. It's not financially hard on me. Like you I could afford it as well.  But the experience for me is not worth anywhere near the cost of the day at the Ralph.  We stopped going in person several years ago.  Now for the 1pm starts I record the game, and I have software that skips the commercials automatically on playback. So my family spends Sunday afternoons doing what we like, then we get pizza and all meet up to watch the game in 90 minutes or so while eating dinner. 

 

What I feel bad about are the fans that have managed to afford seasons for their families for years, now needing to find or get a loan for a pretty large lump sum payment that does nothing but help finance the Biils new stadium rather than the NFL, which as you say is the "biggest  sport in the world revenue wise" (it's actually 2nd behind soccer, but close), financing it.   That just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.      

Why does it? They could DVR and go out for pizza like you do. Perhaps they will prefer it to going to the stadium as well. 

[PBF81]

4 hours ago, mrags said:

now, should they have provided more renderings? Yes. Should they have provided a virtual fly through of the stadium? Yes. Could they have provided all the prices to everyone, sure. But they are apparently successful in our what they are doing and how they are doing it. Based on reports they have a 75% renewal rate. Doesn’t get much better than that for them. 

 

Not taking sides here, but official reports had only several hundred people coming through to date.  Obviously they're the high-level moneybags. 

 

It's certainly curious whether the next level of tix shares the same level of success as their stated 75%, if that's even true. 

 

What we do know is that even here many fans have expressed that they're not going to renew, many with the simple price increases but most with the PSLs and clearly notably higher prices. 

 

Here's the thing, many of the non-moneybags buy STs because they're a good deal here in Buffalo, soon to be not so good a deal. 

 

I hear what you're saying, and frankly, I don't understand all the derision and strife here among posters for what should be a simple honest discussion, that they'll sell out easily.  But more fans here even have said that they're not going to be paying PSLs and notably higher prices in the new stadium, also elsewhere.  And again, of the handful of STHs that I know, few are planning on paying those PSLs and prices, whatever they are, understanding that they'll be significantly higher than they are now.  Maybe they weren't telling the truth, who knows.  But taking them at face value ... 

 

So while I understand what you're saying, if all of those people are telling the truth, what are the odds that there are so many ready to backfill behind them that don't hold similar views?  Otherwise, where are the people that will sell the place out in STs going to come from?  

 

Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I'm seriously asking here, rhetorically apparently, but maybe you know from experience.  I'm going by the prevailing winds however, which seemingly strongly suggest that they're going to have difficulties selling once they get out of the high-fallutin' moneybag sections and clubs.  

 

Many will "downgrade," I understand that, but many have also said that they're not going to downgrade (sections) if there's no heat/coverage.  

 

That's why this is so interesting and fascinating as to how it plays out.  

 

 

[BillsPride12]

8 hours ago, papazoid said:

friend of mine who sits in LOWER  BOWL  goes for his experience tomorrow (tues)

 

1965 seniority, 50 yard line

 

should have some good info in 24 hours

 

P.S. of the 25% who didn't agree to new club level  seats immediately on first offer....i bet more than half of them get seats in a less expensive area on their second chance meeting. so that initial 75% will likely go to 85-90%

Now this is an interesting piece of info.  They must be going through the process much quicker than originally anticipated as the early reports were saying it would take them this entire year just to get through people in the club seats and wouldn't get to people in the lower bowl until 2025.  I'm also very curious to see what the PSL is going to be for 50 yard line seats.  My guess is $10K 

[Kirby Jackson]

I apparently got my invite last Thursday. I didn’t see it in my email (that email address has so much spam and apparently I can’t change it with the Bills). At any rate, I’m registered for next Tuesday. I’ll report back. 

[DrBob806]

7 hours ago, Boatdrinks said:

 Is it wrong for the Bills to begin with their highest paying customers? 

 

Yes. Squatters rights.

 

I'm going to be pissed if my seats get taken by someone else. My seats go back to the 70s, so maybe that enlightens you.

[richNjoisy]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I apparently got my invite last Thursday. I didn’t see it in my email (that email address has so much spam and apparently I can’t change it with the Bills). At any rate, I’m registered for next Tuesday. I’ll report back. 

Kirby could you remind us where your current seats are?

[Mr Info]

1 hour ago, DrBob806 said:

Yes. Squatters rights.

 

I'm going to be pissed if my seats get taken by someone else. My seats go back to the 70s, so maybe that enlightens you.

Just FYI. I took my time in deciding on seats and the result was my seats in the new stadium are not as good as my seats in Highmark. I was shown similar view seats but those were gone by the time I decided. That’s the way it goes when you delay.

[mrags]

6 hours ago, PBF81 said:

 

Not taking sides here, but official reports had only several hundred people coming through to date.  Obviously they're the high-level moneybags. 

 

It's certainly curious whether the next level of tix shares the same level of success as their stated 75%, if that's even true. 

 

What we do know is that even here many fans have expressed that they're not going to renew, many with the simple price increases but most with the PSLs and clearly notably higher prices. 

 

Here's the thing, many of the non-moneybags buy STs because they're a good deal here in Buffalo, soon to be not so good a deal. 

 

I hear what you're saying, and frankly, I don't understand all the derision and strife here among posters for what should be a simple honest discussion, that they'll sell out easily.  But more fans here even have said that they're not going to be paying PSLs and notably higher prices in the new stadium, also elsewhere.  And again, of the handful of STHs that I know, few are planning on paying those PSLs and prices, whatever they are, understanding that they'll be significantly higher than they are now.  Maybe they weren't telling the truth, who knows.  But taking them at face value ... 

 

So while I understand what you're saying, if all of those people are telling the truth, what are the odds that there are so many ready to backfill behind them that don't hold similar views?  Otherwise, where are the people that will sell the place out in STs going to come from?  

 

Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I'm seriously asking here, rhetorically apparently, but maybe you know from experience.  I'm going by the prevailing winds however, which seemingly strongly suggest that they're going to have difficulties selling once they get out of the high-fallutin' moneybag sections and clubs.  

 

Many will "downgrade," I understand that, but many have also said that they're not going to downgrade (sections) if there's no heat/coverage.  

 

That's why this is so interesting and fascinating as to how it plays out.  

 

 

Well. The new stadium holds 10k less seats. That’s 86% smaller. It’s also pretty close to the number of current season ticket holders. Then on top of it there’s currently a 7k person waiting list. So even if some of the fans back out, there’s a list in waiting. Let’s say only 50% of that list is legit with new PSLs. You’re still looking at pretty close to the same numbers of STHs as the current stadium. Let’s say more than 75% don’t opt in. Which is the number that you’re claiming based on people you know to be true. There will definitely be more people that didn’t want tickets before because they didn’t enjoy the crowds at the current stadium because they thought they were too rowdy and chaotic. I know multiple people that have told me that. It goes both ways really. 
 

They are only getting through the wealthier fans, and business as this point. The PSLs and ticket prices are definitely much higher. Let’s wait and see what the rest of the ticket prices and PSLs are for the common areas of the stadium before people who claim they will never pay for the PSL, actually see the numbers and decide from there. As some have mentioned before, and based on the survey, there were plenty of seats with 1-2k PSLs and 1-2k per ticket. Those numbers are not bad at all and easily affordable to just about anyone that doesn’t flip burgers for a living. 

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I apparently got my invite last Thursday. I didn’t see it in my email (that email address has so much spam and apparently I can’t change it with the Bills). At any rate, I’m registered for next Tuesday. I’ll report back. 

What section are you in again?

17 minutes ago, richNjoisy said:

Kirby could you remind us where your current seats are?

Damn 

[Virgil]

12 hours ago, papazoid said:

friend of mine who sits in LOWER  BOWL  goes for his experience tomorrow (tues)

 

1965 seniority, 50 yard line

 

should have some good info in 24 hours

 

P.S. of the 25% who didn't agree to new club level  seats immediately on first offer....i bet more than half of them get seats in a less expensive area on their second chance meeting. so that initial 75% will likely go to 85-90%

Interesting.  I thought I read a few times on here that non-club seats weren’t getting the presentation until next year. 
 

Or is this because his current seats are going to be considered club in the new stadium?

[mrags]

11 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Interesting.  I thought I read a few times on here that non-club seats weren’t getting the presentation until next year. 
 

Or is this because his current seats are going to be considered club in the new stadium?

That could be it. They are giving them the option at clubs. We’ll see what the prices are and the options he gets 

[Kirby Jackson]

56 minutes ago, mrags said:

What section are you in again?

I’m in 237. 

1 hour ago, richNjoisy said:

Kirby could you remind us where your current seats are?

237

[Griecoa10]

16 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Interesting.  I thought I read a few times on here that non-club seats weren’t getting the presentation until next year. 
 

Or is this because his current seats are going to be considered club in the new stadium?

That's what I'm guessing.  I'm in 215 (pepsi club towards the goal line) and haven't gotten invite yet.  Assuming they're including the 40-40 yard line 100 folks as their current seats will be clubs in the new stadium.  So they'll give everyone in those spots first right of refusal (which I bet there will be a lot!)

[mrags]

11 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I’m in 237. 

237

Hmmm. I just moved to 237. I should be getting the call soon then. Interested to see your options and prices and if they are too rich for my blood I’ll just wait until they were going to call me for being in 229

Edited April 2 by mrags

[PBF81]

4 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

Now this is an interesting piece of info.  They must be going through the process much quicker than originally anticipated as the early reports were saying it would take them this entire year just to get through people in the club seats and wouldn't get to people in the lower bowl until 2025.  I'm also very curious to see what the PSL is going to be for 50 yard line seats.  My guess is $10K 

 

According to their survey, they had the Lower Bowl between the '40s, no heat or coverage obviously, at $9k and the seat prices at $2,280, or just under $300/game.  It seems as if there's been price inflation since they released their survey about two years ago, so $10k sounds about right.  It's a good guess that the tix are up over $300/game now too.  

 

 

[PBF81]

1 hour ago, mrags said:

They are only getting through the wealthier fans, and business as this point. The PSLs and ticket prices are definitely much higher. Let’s wait and see what the rest of the ticket prices and PSLs are for the common areas of the stadium before people who claim they will never pay for the PSL, actually see the numbers and decide from there. As some have mentioned before, and based on the survey, there were plenty of seats with 1-2k PSLs and 1-2k per ticket. Those numbers are not bad at all and easily affordable to just about anyone that doesn’t flip burgers for a living. 

What section are you in again?

Damn 

 

Yeah, and it seems to be getting more interesting now.  

 

As to people downgrading, there have been a ton of comments about people saying that they're not downgrading for more money.  Again, simply sharing what we're reading, who knows, could all be smoke, but I'm not as convinced as you are that they'll sell out so easily.  

 

Good thing they're doing this now while Allen's at the top of his game.  LOL