Gamecock Club Donation Increase

[SC Sandlapper]

Originally Posted by bryarx

I hate this dang donor level, yes fee, ticket price crap. Aside from the fact that as a married 31 year old with a baby, I can't afford (by afford, I mean the fight with my wife) the price of decent season tickets, why make it as complicated as it is? Don't get me wrong, it isn't OVERLY complicated to understand the way all the levels work, but why make it anymore than just putting a price for tickets?

Why not just have:
30 yard line -> 30 yard line (lower) = $700 per seat
30 yard line -> end zones (lower) = $550 per seat

Those are just examples of a structure, but you could easily assimilate the real values pulled from donor levels, yes fees, etc. Consumers aren't as dumb as they are making us out to be. If we just keep milking $200 there and $300 there, they won't realize they are spending thousands to see football games!

I grew up going to games with my family. Sitting with my dad, watching the gamecocks, having him teach me the finer points of the game from inside Willy B. I remember seeing face value on the tickets, hell, I still have all the stubs from every game I've attended $20, $25 for big SEC games. I understand prices can't be that low for tickets these days, but there weren't all the fees then either!

What else was happening when the pricing structure was straight forward? Sell outs, every year. 0-11 I was a student, so I didn't have to buy tickets, but I was at the Russell House every Friday standing in line.

My contempt for the cost of a decent pair of season tickets is only calmed by the fact that because we don't sell out, I can buy the 3 game mini packs for less than donors pay. I was contemplating getting season tickets this next year, because if USC is gonna have 'that season' its gonna be next year, given our Georgia-esque easy route to the SEC. I guess I will go ahead and do it, cause with price increases coming the next year, it might be my blue-collar last chance to do it.

The seats for the mini-packs are terrible, at least they were every time I was going to get them, so I just passed on the mini-packs and got tickets from other sources. I agree with you that the whole thing seems overly complicated.

[treykkpsi]

I saw on my gamecockclub login that those selecting 1-2 tickets will automatically be upgraded (another $110 bucks) to the century club level (if you are Roost).

[cockywill09]

Originally Posted by treykkpsi

I saw on my gamecockclub login that those selecting 1-2 tickets will automatically be upgraded (another $110 bucks) to the century club level (if you are Roost).

Im calling tomorrow to check on this....Im thinking about doing the 11 month payment plan this year. Has anyone tried that yet?

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Originally Posted by cockywill09

Im calling tomorrow to check on this....Im thinking about doing the 11 month payment plan this year. Has anyone tried that yet?

Yep ! Did it last season, my last payment was this past month. Worked out fine for me

[cockywill09]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

Yep ! Did it last season, my last payment was this past month. Worked out fine for me

How did the payments (how much high or low) go per month? Now depends on your giving level mine is roost.

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Originally Posted by cockywill09

How did the payments (how much high or low) go per month? Now depends on your giving level mine is roost.

Mine were Century, 165 giving level, payments were 110 per month

[ColaCock]

I just logged in and they have updated to where they show your donation level, cost to increase to the next level, and then your total points. My points are definitely wrong and so is my donation history.

Anyone else?

[JAYBEZ]

I heard a proposal that they may rescind the dues increase and instead raise ticket prices by 4-5 dollars. That way it isn't just the gamecock club members that have to pay the increase.

You basically have 80,000 pay for a small increase, rather than have 17,000 pay a large amount.

[Lonnie]

Success is expensive. Maintaining that success is even more expensive...

[bryarx]

I just wish the prices were reasonable for the every man. I love the Gamecocks, but I have to pay my mortgage. I understand big donors get big benefits, but geez. I'm not going to be able to do for my children what my parents did for me, with the same or better household income my parents had vs my wife and I. I guess these aren't my childhood Gamecocks though.

[gamecocks36]

I just paid $385.00 for the round house level, All I know is I can buy 4 season tickets, pick of available seating for season, Pick bowl tickets, Not really sure what else comes with this package,other than I still have $1280.00 more dollars to spend just for tickets, does not include parking. with parking + membership + tickets and traveling and tailgating = about $ 5000.00, Im ready for some GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL. Looking foreword to kicking orange butts, gator butts, bulldog butts, I believe we will have another great season,because we are better than we get credit for. GO COCKS.

[riceatusc]

This will be my third year as a member and getting tickets. I've sat in the same seats, which I love, every year and am debating changing from Half-Scholarship to Roundhouse but am unsure as to how that would affect my seats. I get to keep the same seats now, but would I lose them and have to pick others if I drop down a level? or is that where the YES fee comes into play?

[SirBigSpur]

I'll enjoy my lower deck student section free ticket for the next 3 years! I made it to 11 games last year (7 home + Vandy + UF + Clemson + Michigan). Hoping to make it to more next season!!

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

I just logged in and they have updated to where they show your donation level, cost to increase to the next level, and then your total points. My points are definitely wrong and so is my donation history.

Anyone else?

My points are wrong too. I called the Gamecock Club and emailed them. They are looking into it.

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Originally Posted by bryarx

I just wish the prices were reasonable for the every man. I love the Gamecocks, but I have to pay my mortgage. I understand big donors get big benefits, but geez. I'm not going to be able to do for my children what my parents did for me, with the same or better household income my parents had vs my wife and I. I guess these aren't my childhood Gamecocks though.

I'm an "every man". I don't make that much money, but I'm a half scholarship donor. I just don't spend much on other entertainment expenses.

Buying 2 season tickets costs less then $800 a year. That's only about $75 a month. Unless you are making minimum wage, I think most people can find $75 to cut from their monthly expenses to pay for tickets. It may mean no more nights out of eating out or maybe you reduce the cable bill, but it easily can be done.

[bryarx]

Originally Posted by LakeMonticelloCock

I'm an "every man". I don't make that much money, but I'm a half scholarship donor. I just don't spend much on other entertainment expenses.

Buying 2 season tickets costs less then $800 a year. That's only about $75 a month. Unless you are making minimum wage, I think most people can find $75 to cut from their monthly expenses to pay for tickets. It may mean no more nights out of eating out or maybe you reduce the cable bill, but it easily can be done.

A half scholarship is $725 + $800 for season tickets = $1,525 (or $127/month).

That's $1,525 to see 6 or 7 football games. 2 of which will be noon-nobodys.

Lets say it's 7 games and you get Clemson, that's $217 per game.

Is that worth it for 2 people to see USC vs UF or Clemson? DEF! Is it worth it for Coastal Carolina at noon? How about KY at noon?

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Originally Posted by bryarx

A half scholarship is $725 + $800 for season tickets = $1,525 (or $127/month).

That's $1,525 to see 6 or 7 football games. 2 of which will be noon-nobodys.

Lets say it's 7 games and you get Clemson, that's $217 per game.

Is that worth it for 2 people to see USC vs UF or Clemson? DEF! Is it worth it for Coastal Carolina at noon? How about KY at noon?

For me it is. I may value football more than you and that's ok. You may value going out and spending $50 on a good meal, to me that's a waste of money. Or you may feel like watching the games on a $1500 TV and spending well over a $100 a month on cable is worth it.

Everyone has their own opinion on how much to spend on entertainment options.

No one is wrong on spending money on their chosen entertainment option. My point is that the every man can afford USC season tickets. Now if they don't feel like it is worth it, then that's fine, but it is certainly something you can do.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by LakeMonticelloCock

For me it is. I may value football more than you and that's ok. You may value going out and spending $50 on a good meal, to me that's a waste of money. Or you may feel like watching the games on a $1500 TV and spending well over a $100 a month on cable is worth it.

Everyone has their own opinion on how much to spend on entertainment options.

No one is wrong on spending money on their chosen entertainment option. My point is that the every man can afford USC season tickets. Now if they don't feel like it is worth it, then that's fine, but it is certainly something you can do.

I agree. I can't even use most of my tickets and I still think it is priced for any working man to afford. With the right donation package and 2 tickets, you are looking at less than $70 a month.

Besides, they do have payment plans and that is how they are really affordable to most.

[Cheezy]

Originally Posted by LakeMonticelloCock

For me it is. I may value football more than you and that's ok. You may value going out and spending $50 on a good meal, to me that's a waste of money. Or you may feel like watching the games on a $1500 TV and spending well over a $100 a month on cable is worth it.

Everyone has their own opinion on how much to spend on entertainment options.

No one is wrong on spending money on their chosen entertainment option. My point is that the every man can afford USC season tickets. Now if they don't feel like it is worth it, then that's fine, but it is certainly something you can do.

Agreed 100%.