The team took considerable heat from the media last summer because of profits reaped on the online secondary market by industrious fans(?). Admission tickets fetched two, to three times the face value and opened the debate of whether it is ethical to profit from a charitable event. It seems like this new, phone-only sales approach may be aimed at eliminating the "dealers".
I am really disappointed in this direction. As a full-time working man, I will be at the office on Monday morning when phone sales are initiated. Online sales provided someone like me an opportunity to discreetly purchase tickets - this new policy is convenient only for those who are not teachers, office workers or labors (i.e. - memorabilia dealers). I would encourage the Phillies to take a hardline on stopping those people who openly scalp tickets on Ashburn Alley during the event instead of punishing the fans who would like a night out to allow their kids a chance to see and collect autographs from their favorite players.
(Stepping off soapbox) I like most of you will TRY to bust through the busy signals next Monday. If you succeed, here are your purchasing options:
2012 Phillies Phestival Admission Packages*:
Admission Package $25
Admission Only Ticket (autographs not included) $15
Children's Admission Ticket (ages 3-10, no autographs) $5
Hunter Pence Photo Booth* (4-6 p.m.) $45
Vance Worley Photo Booth* (4-6 p.m.) $45
Shane Victorino Photo Booth* (4-6 p.m.) $45
Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski Photo Booth* (4-6 p.m.) $50
Auction Only Ticket (no autographs) $20
Live Auction Ticket (no autographs; begins at 6:15 p.m.) $10
* All Photo Booths are subject to change without notice.
Admission Details*
$25 per person (non-refundable) admission includes:- one admission ticket
- two pre-selected autograph booth tickets (non-exchangeable)
Additional Information*
- Games - Fun for all ages including Wheel of Chance, Games of Baseball, the Phanatic Phun Zone, Every Roll's a Winner, Grab Bags with a variety of memorabilia
- Event starts at 4 p.m., with fans entering through the Left Field Gate
- Parking is available in Lots R, S and V
- The Phestival takes place rain or shine!
*All details from Phillies.com
Visit the Phillies Community link for more details.
it says two pre-selected autographs...does that mean as a fan I cannot choose who I want to receive an autograph from and it is random luck what ticket I receive? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExactly! You will receive two tickets in the mail with a number from 1-20. When you show up at CBP a list of signers for each booth will be posted. You will not know who is assigned to sign at your pre-determined booth (and the Phillies won't tell you beforehand, so don't waste time calling).
DeleteYou may still get an opportunity to purchase additional booths (for $10) at the event as the night goes on. This is typically where I have gotten some of the bigger players: Utley, Howard, Hamels, Ruiz and last year 3 Cliff Lee's for $30!!
I hope you had luck with getting tickets. My wife, my son, and I all tried, and never even got through. It said all circuits are busy, and never connected. My son was devastated, as he had the best experience last season at the event. I would agree with you that the online is a much better way to go. they should also limit tickets. It is unfortunate the prices that people are asking for the admission tickets to get into the event.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame. I consider myself lucky to have gotten through eventually. I limited myself to two tickets, and got two more for my brother. In my opinion a limit of 4 or 5 per person would make more sense than taking away the online sales option.
DeleteMaking a profit from a charitable contribution isn't my style, but it is free enterprise and as long as there is a demand for the tickets someone will be making money. My main complaint in this whole thing is the fact that the team allows people to openly scalp the tickets for double or triple the face value AT the stadium, during the event. If they are serious about cracking down on the secondary market I would hope they do something about this practice this year.
Well, the phillies phestival turned out to be a big success for my son and 2 daughters. We only had entry tickets, but did 4 grab bags, and made donations to get Juan Pierre (class act), John Mayberry Jr., and Wigginton(son wanted it, so we got it). Grab bags were Papelbon, Pence, Mackanin signed balls and Contreras signed hat. Overall, it was a great time, and the kids had fun. Will do it again next year. Son, 7, already has quite a collection.
DeleteMatt, thanks for the tips about the $10 autographs. I knew about them but never really tried to get in line at the end for the big names. Last year I spent 45 precious minutes in Utley's line. This year I know that if the line is long, go somewhere else and try to get back before the end. At least it was Utley's line where I wasted all that time and not, say, Dom Brown's!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see lesser names in the photo booths--they were strict about photo booth people not signing--except for Pat Gillick, and even then they would only let you get one signature of either Gillick or Amaro and not both. Chooch actually looked like he was going to sign an SI cover for me when the Phillies staffer told me that I couldn't do it.
I agree...pretty much salivating at the chance to get Halladay, though I still need Victorino on my '08 and '09 balls so I might need to wait to get those signed at this point
DeleteMatt - luckily I was able to get through. I am taking my daughter this year as she is now getting into the phillies. I personally have an extra 08 Victorino I would be willing to swap. Maybe when you get your booth #s we could make a swap. Let me know in a comment and we could chat.
ReplyDelete