Silly question but are people genuinely shocked that they can't buy a ticket for our first game or that there's a lot of demand?
I would be more shocked at people going in and seeing lots of tickets available...
no, I don't think anyone's shocked. what's disappointing, though, is being able to go to the websites of a dozen, or so, 'authorized sellers' and seeing plenty of tickets available from around 350 quid.
it couldn't be more transparent, could it? why should the club have to sell its tickets to longstanding members who've paid for the privilege of first opportunity to buy when they can bring 8-or-more-times the face value in a secondary market? answer: they don't. 'eff off, pook … there's money to be made (in addition to what we've already taken off you).'
if I can't get a ticket because there are 'X' tickets available and 'Xx10' members seeking them, well, I know there's a 90% chance I'm not getting in. no problem. but if the number of available seats is 'X' instead of 'Xx2' because the club wants those tickets' added secondary market value and my membership fee … well, my frustrations are based on more than just demand being higher than supply.
what's the difference between having to pay 350 quid to an authorized re-seller and the universally-recognized-as-unethical charging of the same marked up price from a tout? just one: the club gets its cut of the rip-off. so why not just price them at 350 pounds sterling and leave it at that? I suppose it's because it would look like the club is grotesquely fleecing it's own life-blood - the established fan. well, guess what …