VIP Tickets! What do you think? (NA Fan Fest)

[Nullo]

When I did my upgrade, I did it in 2 separate windows, and I had auto fill set up to make it faster, I remember all the problems people had when they bought tickets the first time, and remembered for this time. I didn't want my 2 tickets to not be upgraded together. Would be nice for a multiple ticket option next time, to prevent people from being separated, but that's just imo.

[Yurimi]

You're just telling people to not use what they paid for? That's a solution alright. : /

Nope. Warning also came on the forum, not via the FAQ nor the e-mail and repeated questions on how to ensure parties weren't split were flat out ignored.

it was stated that each ticket would need to be upgraded separately. it really isnt asking much to use common sense and come to the conclusion that you may not all get upgrades. I am not defending the system they used I was against it if you look at my post history, i thought it was rather stupid, but noone MADE anyone upgrade their ticket and so the fact that your party is split lays solely on the person who upgraded without thinking of the fact that the party could be split up. Like I said its common sense. You can blame the system and cry that your the victim here but at the end of the day you knew the risks yet chose to try and upgrade anyway.

[Eldaena]

it really isnt asking much to use common sense...

What does this solve? What does you pushing the blame onto the users solve or improve? Us complaining about it now I would like to hope changes things, even if not now, then in the future. Common sense was pretty much thrown out the window with this entire event, so asking for it now is kind of a moot point as well. Are you saying the solution was nobody upgrade? Or only people that had 1 or 2 guests attending? I'm pretty sure Freyar and I have been asking for all or nothing, and I think that's what we expected. The opportunity to either upgrade all tickets or not make it in and have no upgrades. (Just like if you managed to get in to purchase tickets, you could buy ?/4 that you needed.) You might not think of it as common sense, but that is what came naturally to us. So what is your point? We made our bed, now sleep in it? Isn't that the same as saying nothing? You said you're not defending the system, then what are you defending?

[Yurimi]

What does this solve? What does you pushing the blame onto the users solve or improve? Us complaining about it now I would like to hope changes things, even if not now, then in the future. Common sense was pretty much thrown out the window with this entire event, so asking for it now is kind of a moot point as well. Are you saying the solution was nobody upgrade? Or only people that had 1 or 2 guests attending? I'm pretty sure Freyar and I have been asking for all or nothing, and I think that's what we expected. The opportunity to either upgrade all tickets or not make it in and have no upgrades. (Just like if you managed to get in to purchase tickets, you could buy ?/4 that you needed.) You might not think of it as common sense, but that is what came naturally to us. So what is your point? We made our bed, now sleep in it? Isn't that the same as saying nothing? You said you're not defending the system, then what are you defending?

Like I said earlier I think the way it was done was stupid, I voiced my opinion on their system, and it wasn't a positive one. However SE isn't eventbrite and as that was the merchant they used for the initial batch of tickets they were confined to their system for the upgrades. No amount of your whining is going to change that. They stated the limitations and users proceeded at their own risk. That's not SE's fault. What you can do is leave feedback on the system for future changes and possibly make them use a different merchant in the future. You however seem to want them to wave a magical wand and fix everything for you exactly how YOU want it to be which is unrealistic. You did indeed make your bed and now you must lie in it. You can't change what's been done you can however direct what will be done in the future.

[Freyar]

it really isnt asking much to use common sense and come to the conclusion that you may not all get upgrades [...]so the fact that your party is split lays solely on the person who upgraded without thinking of the fact that the party could be split up.

You can stop with the insults now. They don't help your position at all. It's pretty stupid, it's unacceptable to split parties like this. We knew it was a possibility to happen, this is just the reaction (planned reaction, mind you) with regards to what happens when our party is split.


I'm frustrated that this whole thing has been a mess, I'm frustrated that the person I'm going with will be in a separate thing all together, I'm frustrated that despite having the money ready, we had no real opportunity or chance to do this. Instead, they just open the floodgates and cross fingers. I'm not happy with it, and it should have been done much better.

As far as fixes now? There's a couple ways to do it. First: Allow VIP +1 for events. Second: Allow those who are in parties an opportunity to properly reserve a second batch of upgrade tickets in order to make the parties whole. Third: Allow for a cancellation of the VIP upgrade in order to make the parties whole again.

I'm pretty sure Freyar and I have been asking for all or nothing, and I think that's what we expected. The opportunity to either upgrade all tickets or not make it in and have no upgrades. (Just like if you managed to get in to purchase tickets, you could buy ?/4 that you needed.) You might not think of it as common sense, but that is what came naturally to us. So what is your point?

I expected the failures, but I was hoping it would work out regardless. Either way, it's still poor form as a host.

They stated the limitations and users proceeded at their own risk.

Not in the e-mails they sent, nor did they answer any of the questions I asked about what happens if a party is split or otherwise. They've ignored those questions.

That's not SE's fault. What you can do is leave feedback on the system for future changes and possibly make them use a different merchant in the future.

It is SE's fault as they chose the vendor. Not only did they choose the vendor, they chose to add a VIP ticket AFTER the first sale! How is this not SE's fault/issue?

You however seem to want them to wave a magical wand and fix everything for you exactly how YOU want it to be which is unrealistic.

It's not unrealistic to say "Oi, cancel the upgrade then."

[CalamityXI]

Personally I ran into problems because I was trying to upgrade 2 tickets. I put in the code, it accepted it, and then it proceeded to tell me that the demand exceeded the quantity when I tried to pay for them. I think it's ridiculous that the system gave them to people but then when they tried to pay it was like LOLNOPE

[Yurimi]

You can stop with the insults now. They don't help your position at all. It's pretty stupid, it's unacceptable to split parties like this. We knew it was a possibility to happen, this is just the reaction (planned reaction, mind you) with regards to what happens when our party is split.

I am not insulting anyone here. I dont recall putting anyone down but I am going to place blame where blame is due.

I'm frustrated that this whole thing has been a mess, I'm frustrated that the person I'm going with will be in a separate thing all together, I'm frustrated that despite having the money ready, we had no real opportunity or chance to do this. Instead, they just open the floodgates and cross fingers. I'm not happy with it, and it should have been done much better.

You have every right to be frustrated and you have every right to criticize the way this went and suggest for the future, I would suggest making it clear you want them in the future to use a different vendor and do your own research to suggest a specific vendor you feel would be more appropriate. Again however if you did not want to risk being split neither of you should have attempted to upgrade. YOU read the forums YOU knew the risk YOU went ahead with it and I know YOU read the post because YOU replied to it so YOU have no excuse.

As far as fixes now? There's a couple ways to do it. First: Allow VIP +1 for events. Second: Allow those who are in parties an opportunity to properly reserve a second batch of upgrade tickets in order to make the parties whole. Third: Allow for a cancellation of the VIP upgrade in order to make the parties whole again.

The first 2 are not an option for a very simple reason, do you not think they have something of an itinerary planned? VIP+1 now your 1hr signing session just became 2hrs so I guess that means 1-2 of the panels are going to have to go and just sacrifice the non VIP experience? Is that an expectation of yours? Or did you consider the fact that now 500 front row seats would be VIP (and how would non VIP people feel being stuck even if they are the first ones there way back in the nosebleed section)? Is that so VIP anymore when your still 10+ rows back? Now the short registration line is twice as long, now the early access so you can get in and get comfortable is now a crowded noisy experience. Essentially VIP would be the new regular ticket and the regular ticket would be the "I found this in the alley dumpster can I use it" ticket. Which I think would be unfair to those who were happy with the regular ticket as this would create a subpar experience for them.

As for Option 3... I assume you didnt read the print on the eventbrite website, the warnings given on the fanfest site, or the posts here on the forums. All sales are final. That I believe is out of SE's hands since the sales are done by the vendor.

I expected the failures, but I was hoping it would work out regardless. Either way, it's still poor form as a host.

You made an assumption and it didnt work out, it happens, but unfortunately that is not their fault. They did state and you specifically knew what was said because you replied to the posts. Yes they didnt answer your specific question regarding parties but knowing what they said previously you could have erred on the side of caution.

Not in the e-mails they sent, nor did they answer any of the questions I asked about what happens if a party is split or otherwise. They've ignored those questions.

This really is the only fair statement you have, we all know SE is very lacking in communication and transparency. They have been for years and its something they really do need to work on.

It is SE's fault as they chose the vendor. Not only did they choose the vendor, they chose to add a VIP ticket AFTER the first sale! How is this not SE's fault/issue?

I doubt they just decided to randomly do a fanfest and throw it together in 4-5 months. They also have done stuff liek this in the past, to give you an idea, in 2006 the event took weeks to sell out, in 2007 the tickets for FFXI fanfest took 2 weeks to sell out. In 2008 even with less than 20% of the number of tickets available than this event it still took 12hrs to sell out. I doubt they expected the volume of interest this received when they looked at vendors. As for why the VIP upgrade happened, that I am willing to bet was a money grab considering the perks. Free drinks are given at the casino itself just sit at a slot machine and when a server comes around get as many free as you like, separate line for registration, 10% off merchandise that is probably marked up already by 50% over buying it online isnt really much, the signing session is probably going to be DURING early access. My guess was they saw a way to make $20,000 quick and easy and went with it.

It's not unrealistic to say "Oi, cancel the upgrade then."

Again eventbrite itself states all sales are final. It was also said on the fanfest site and the forums here.

I am not trying to pick a fight, I am disappointed that they handled it this way just like you are, I am disappointed the way the entire fanfest tickets in general were handled, but demanding they make changes for you that are unlikely and bordering unrealistic are not going to help. All you can really do is leave feedback (both here and through their online feedback form) and like posts that suggest things like using a different vendor or including VIP sales in the initial selling (or even going back to the original sales making ALL tickets sold to the event reserved for current account holders). Complaining and demanding usually just gets your post at best skimmed over, leaving constructive and useful feedback will get your post looked at not just by others but by people who can actually do something.

EDIT: Or perhaps starting a CONSTRUCTIVE feedback post here on this fanfest forum so that the community team and event organizers have a specific thread to look at in reference to the next fanfest. and I will stress that CONSTRUCTIVE (negative feedback can be put constructively too) in order to maximize the likelyhood of it being taken seriously.

[Freyar]

I am not insulting anyone here. I dont recall putting anyone down but I am going to place blame where blame is due.

Arguing the common sense route is an insult. Implying people are stupid and that they shouldn't have even bothered trying to participate. It isn't my fault in any respect. SE failed to provide an avenue for purchase that's fair for parties and also made the availability absurdly low. (Granted I'm aware there's limited space and time.)

I would suggest making it clear you want them in the future to use a different vendor and do your own research to suggest a specific vendor you feel would be more appropriate.

Not my job really. I'm already paying them $120+ a head plus the $80 they managed to get by splitting our party. Even then, what would have worked out better, is simply not doing a volatile upgrade offer like this and instead have offered it when tickets first went on sale.

Again however if you did not want to risk being split neither of you should have attempted to upgrade.

It was a risk, I lost, but I'm still blaming SE's methods for this. I had the money, we were there in the process to get all these upgraded, but due to SE's process we were split and that is where the problem lies. There's no IF here.

It would be very different if we were asking for say.. a layaway option, or something else like that. Again, we were ready, SE's system (be it by proxy or directly) failed.

The first 2 are not an option for a very simple reason, do you not think they have something of an itinerary planned?

I'm sure, but they're options that would be acceptable from my perspective. I am aware of the difficulties there are with just adding more people, which is why there is more than one choice.

As for Option 3... I assume you didnt read the print on the eventbrite website, the warnings given on the fanfest site, or the posts here on the forums. All sales are final. That I believe is out of SE's hands since the sales are done by the vendor.

It can be done in some form or another.

You made an assumption and it didnt work out, it happens, but unfortunately that is not their fault. They did state and you specifically knew what was said because you replied to the posts. Yes they didnt answer your specific question regarding parties but knowing what they said previously you could have erred on the side of caution.

Again, trying to blame end-users for SE's decision on how to handle these things. Are you just going to repeat yourself here over and over? "You knew the risks, so therefore it's your fault?" No, sorry. That's not how it works, especially since their promotions have been trying to get people to stick together anyway.

I doubt they just decided to randomly do a fanfest and throw it together in 4-5 months.

This is all very beside the point. Especially if they've had as long as you're claiming they've been working on it, then there is no reason this should have gone so badly, especially with how quickly XIV's tickets went.

I am not trying to pick a fight

Probably shouldn't use charged words like telling people it's common sense.

I am disappointed that they handled it this way just like you are, I am disappointed the way the entire fanfest tickets in general were handled, but demanding they make changes for you that are unlikely and bordering unrealistic are not going to help.

They changed up how they handled general tickets as a result of feedback. Even then, feedback is feedback and they can choose to use it one way or another. We have a problem, here is the problem, here is what would need to happen in order for me, and individual, to be satisfied. Will it happen? Maybe, I have no idea.

Turning around and essentially arguing that people are stupid for trying to get a VIP upgrade for their party is just an insult, no matter how you try and coat it.

[Eldaena]

...

Again. Who are you defending? SE? They chose the site, it's their responsibility that things turned out poorly, not just the consumer. I think you're forgetting we paid hard earned money for our tickets and for our upgrades. It wasn't just handed to us. I think your stance is doing nothing for anyone, SE or those hurt by this outcome. You're helping no one and defending the people that won't even give us a single response, positive or negative. They gave many in this thread to others, but none to our concerns.

[Yurimi]

Again. Who are you defending? SE? They chose the site, it's their responsibility that things turned out poorly, not just the consumer. I think you're forgetting we paid hard earned money for our tickets and for our upgrades. It wasn't just handed to us. I think your stance is doing nothing for anyone, SE or those hurt by this outcome. You're helping no one and defending the people that won't even give us a single response, positive or negative. They gave many in this thread to others, but none to our concerns.

I am not defending SE, I am however, definitely not agreeing with your stance. I have stated in nearly every post in this topic that I am disappointed how they handled it. Unlike you however I am not under the mindset that a "give me what I want now because you ruined our lives" attitude is going to solve anything in this case.