A couple of weeks ago, we booked a table in Legends for the Reading game on Saturday. I received a call early this morning from the Club, saying that we were being unilaterally relocated to an alternative area in the stadium which does not overlook the pitch. This is a consequence of the complementary 'Crossbars' offer, which features on another thread
http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/61003/complimentary-crossbars-tickets-for-reading-game#latestWhat is proposed is deeply unsatisfactory for a number of reasons:
- it is an extremely cynical breach of an existing contractual arrangement. Administrative incompetence is one thing but this is of an entirely different order
- whilst I fully understand the Club's wish to try and shore up interest in the ill-conceived and ill-administered 'Crossbars package' for next season, it should not be done at the expense of agreements that are already in place. Why on earth did the Club take the booking two weeks ago (at 'Gold match' prices incidentally) ? Even on a cynical commercial view, this runs a very serious risk of alienating existing users of the facilities (not that this seems to trouble them)
- we are taking some guests who are really looking forward to it and who have been extremely hospitable to us in the past. The Club have now put us in an invidious position
- when you unilaterally take something away, you should look to replace it with something better, not worse
- I've been coming down here since 1968 and my firm and I have made many hospitality bookings over the years, going back to the portacabins after we returned to the Valley in 1992. Suffice it to say that I won't be utilising the facilities again.
In short, this is an incredibly shabby and arrogant way to treat people.
I was told that the Club would call me again once my response had been reported back. I shall be interested to hear what they have to say for themselves, assuming they bother to ring me.
Comments
They should bump you UP - not down.
Amateur hour management.
If its a suite meal in one of the West lounges, i would suggest you've been upgraded not down.
I would get on the phone to Ravi at the commercial centre. He's a good guy and will help you out if you explain all of the above.
Good Luck.
It used to be that every complainant might tell 20 people so best resolve these things pronto.
The stats on the front page will tell CAFC exactly how many have read this thread - it's going to be a tad higher than 20.
The only way for the club to close down the bad news stories on this site is to sort things out on and off the pitch AND communicate that approach through statements, dialogue and action.
At the moment as per Razil's post yesterday it appears that the dialogue has been switched off.
Whats the point of that post? There are a number of here that like do like to right an essay, its just easy enough not to read it rather than be rude.
Sorry!
Maybe make Katrien aware of this, even if she doesn't want to speak at the moment.
Good luck.
One would have thought that the initial outcry over the Crossbars fiasco would have taught them that. Evidently not.
They've made it clear what they think of you so, in your shoes, I would demand my money back and entertain my clients elsewhere.
EDIT: I've used the term "customers" as that is the language of the Asset Sweater.
I know its not the compromise you would want, but would it help in any way if i arranged for all of us freebie invitees to collectively raise our free pint glasses in a toast 'TO BLUTCHER' in Crossbars whilst we gaze out of the glass window onto the Valley of Dreams that day ?
:-)
only joking mucker. Hope they correct the errors of their ways.
Still poor communication though.
Blucher, I hope they do the decent thing for you.
The mistake here was selling a Legends lunch package which didn't exist, in circumstances where the Crossbars initiative was planned two months ago.
Still, all's well that ends well and credit where it's due for a good salvage job.
The place was dark, soulless and we were glad to get out of there.
I cannot remember the name of the suite now but give me Legends any day