Los Angeles Kings season ticket holders will be begin receiving their annual renewal notices in the mail this weekend and should expect to see a two percent to five percent increase in the cost of individual seats.
According to the Team Marketing Fan Cost Index (pdf required), the Kings’ 2012-13 average ticket price is $61.36, which ranks 15th among the 30 National Hockey League teams. The average price across the league for one ticket is $61.01.
When the overall cost of bringing a family of four to a game in 2012-13 is considered – a formula that relies upon the price of four average-cost tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular hot dogs, parking, two game programs and two adjustable caps – the Kings’ $362.44 total cost again tends towards the middle of the road, ranking 13th in the NHL despite a higher cost of living in Southern California than most of the markets of the teams above them.
The average price of a non-premium Kings seat was raised by 18.2% between 2011-12 and 2012-13. Entering this season, 20 teams raised their ticket prices, seven teams either had no change or a 0.1 percent change in ticket prices, and three teams lowered their prices.
Season ticket renewals began hitting mailboxes on Thursday and will continue to be sent out from the Kings’ offices through Monday.
would love to hear DS’s take on the price increase…..
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ike Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:51 am
@Neil, Price of feed has gone up to. Inflation, ya know? Jeez.
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He Shoots, He Scores Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:31 am
@Neil, You want to save money? Park and ride, right? This isn’t baseball.
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mash-ola Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:52 am
@Neil, “That’s none of my business to be quite honest with you. That’s an accounting question and I’m hockey, right?”
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Amazing that it’s right in the middle because everything in So Cal is so damn expensive here…
Still, $360/game is a lot. But it’s interesting that Kings have been selling out all their games up until last night
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LB Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:32 am
@shiny,
You can often buy a ticket on Stubhub for under $50 and under $30 for many games. If you’re willing to walk for 10 minutes you can park for $5 or $7. You don’t need to buy beers or souveniers either. So if somebody is budget concious and just wants to see the Kings play, they can do it for $30 to $40 for many games.
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:41 am
@LB, true. For $1.50, I take the train and walk a block since Pico lets out right in front of Staples. If I’m budget conscious, I can get away with $10-$12 for a meal.
And Stub Hub are second hand tickets (IOW, prev. purchased tix) so if prices keep rising, stub hub won’t be much use lol
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:48 am
@shiny,
I’ve been to four or five games this year with tix from Stubhub. I don’t think I’ve paid more than $12.00 per ticket-out the door. I definitely shop, but with my wife and I both back in school we don’t have much of a choice.
Jeff Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:49 am
@shiny,
YOu are right. You can get some really good tickets for $40 a pop, $1.50 for train, then eat and drink at home, or if you drive, my buddy buys MoDonalds and eats like a “King” in the parking lot with his 6 pack of beer he brings himself.
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:22 am
@LB, I bring our own food and drinks in my wife’s purse. That should save you anywhere from $50to $500 per game!
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bluedon23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
When I forget to sneak in my soda drinks I just walk into the employee lounge and buy a soda for a doaller out of the vending machine. As long as you act like your supposed to be there and get in and out rather quick no one cares. Better then spending five doallers on a soda.
YoBro Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:53 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, If I tried that, I would hope my gals purse had wheels!
Go Kings
I won’t be renewing this year. When they only give you playoff priority for one game per round and change the rules after you renew, its time to go to StubHub. GKG -AGAIN!
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:36 am
@DesertKing,
I’m wondering why they don’t include a round of nachos in that stupid formula for the “price of a game”? Maybe they should include two rounds of nachos… I read somewhere on the internet that if you did order two rounds of nachos that the total cost of attending games actually goes down.
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u4yk Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:18 pm
I remember a buddy doing nachos at the Colorado game and just getting a small dab of cheese with his chips. It was a sad sight to see. You would have been better off getting nachos as ESPN Zone across the street after the game.
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MF
This is getting obnoxious. It costs me 400+ to go to a game each time. (Even if we eat elsewhere)
Man I miss the Ice Dogs. I could go to a game there for under a hundgred with the same ammount of people (5)
Even worse I havent seen any family night packages this year.
Hey Jon, tell them more to run more family packages!
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vplaza Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:13 am
@Mars,
I wasn’t hopeful that there would be any family packages this year because of the high demand for tickets due to the team winning the Cup last year and possibly, the shortened season.
I hope they bring them back last year because they’re perfect for me and my family to be able to enjoy a game at Staples without costing a fortune.
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Mars Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:35 am
@vplaza, AGREE
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Goring 19 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:46 am
@vplaza, can’t have family packages with all the bandwagon errrrrrrrrrr new fans coming onboard
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vplaza Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:51 am
@Goring 19,
LOL
I guess I wont be renewing, the last increase was pushing it. I’ve been a season seat holder for 10 years, I’ll have to let them go, it’s disheartening… : (
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Mars Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:10 am
@JT, That is what sucks, they should be trying a lil bit harder to keep people that have had them sooo long.
I used to do the 10 game packs, but last year the jump was too much. I had done it for 4 years too.
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:25 am
@JT, I know what you mean, but then again AEG could spend like the Islanders owners do, and we’ll have a team like the Islanders.
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Huh? O yeah, it is a business, after all. Glad I don’t drink beer; talk about a high-price rental!
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Mars Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:09 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, I dont drink much, but enjoy one now and then, but rarely ever drink at games.
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u4yk Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I can’t remember ever drinking beer at a game. I’ve gotten hard liquor, but never beer. I stopped drinking at games altogether not due to the cost, but because it’s bad luck. Every time I do drink at Kings games, they’ve lost with a record of 0-4-0. When I stay sober at the game, the Kings are 20-3-1 in those games.
You can keep your beer, thank you, regardless of its price.
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nothing to see here. move along. not unexpected.
not like we can see the best team in the NHL for free right? friggin kiddin me, right?
driving up to Staples center from lake forest sucks, 110 not having carpool lanes makes the trip even worse.
The drive that Michael J and I took was pretty sweet – 60 Fwy to 10 Fwy.
Nice watching the game from home
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:39 am
@Lake Forest,
Trust me -any drive to any Kings game is sweet, it’s all part of the deal.
I lived near Spokant WA for four years. There was never any traffic on the way to Spokant Chiefs games. Didn’t matter, it all sucked. Having lived both realities I can assure you that it is better to have to deal with traffic and see the Kings.
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:47 am
@Lake Forest, is metro completely out of the question? Not sure exactly where you live but it’s better than driving. I drive a half hour to the train station then it’s about a 20-25 minute ride to Staples. So all in all, I spend about $12 round trip (including driving to the station, train fare and driving home. It’d cost less but my car gets bad gas mileage lol)
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:49 am
@shiny,
I don’t know why, but for some unknown reason I think he lives in Lake Forest.
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JonRosen Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:52 am
@Lake Forest, So excited to be putting FastTrak in my car today. Take that, 110 freeway!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:53 am
@JonRosen, yeah it must have been a pain up until today!
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:00 am
@JonRosen,
What, you read these? I thought you posted these things and took naps in between.
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gailweb Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:00 am
@JonRosen, Hi Jon thanks already had my pass for seven years now and just exchanged the old one had no numbers on it so it cost 1.55 to go down town, but that even worth it for sure not to stay in traffic with gas prices the way it is for the new one with 1, 2 or 3 numbers on it because if you put the 2 like I have when I go to my season tik seats, then it is free on the 110 for me each game so correct take that 110 freeway and believe me I can tell you its a joy and wonderful present to drive on fasttrac
Nothing to do about tik prices, as each year everything goes up, only thing to be afraid of is death and taxes.
Go Kings Go!
Thanks Jon
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Unfortuneately I too will not be renewing my full season package. Even though it’s fairly cheap up in the diehards, it’s just becoming too much.
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Jon, it’s a good thing that you decided to post this news this morning, giving some time for both the rage of the loss and the breathalyzer numbers to decrease. Maybe they ear somehow interrelated…
After reading through last night’s postings it is apparent that we have some very short-sighted contributors here. The facts are:
1) Dallas played a great game.
2) The Kings did not score when they had opportunity to do so.
3) Lehtonen didn’t let-one-in.
4) Jagr’s goal was headed for the corner, not the net, before the puck hit Doughty.
5) Dallas has guys on their team that are good at hockey too-just like the Kings do.
It seems like so many people think the Kings should be invincible. I just don’t get it. The Kings played well. Dallas played a little better. I think Tippet is starting to infect the minds of some Kings fans.
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Mars Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:41 am
@Michael J., I’m not mad, just bummed.
Gotta lose a few in the final stretch.
Dont want to be like the Sucks and Hawks, 1st round exiters.
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:51 am
@Mars,
I doubt the Kings will be first round exiters-especially if Greene comes back. Going beyond the second round is another thing.
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:50 am
@Michael J., I agree Dallas played better. But this was a game Kings *should’ve* had because of the schedule. It’s a bummer that the schedule has screwed Kings over but somehow benefits the Stars in this situation
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Michael J. Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:56 am
@shiny,
It wasn’t the schedule, or the refs, or the media, or Bettman who made the saves and scored the goals. It was the players.
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mash-ola Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 pm
@shiny, Dallas played at Colorado the night before playing the Kings. Kari Lehtonen was in goal and lost. Kings had an extra day of rest and lost.
There are no ‘should’ve’s in life. Otherwise, Marty Brodeur wouldn’t have been credited for scoring a goal last night, Columbus wouldn’t be playing well and the Kings would’ve won because the schedule or Karma dictates that they should win all of their games.
It don’t work like dat!
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“Slight”
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Dont worry about these ticket prices fellow Kings fans. I know just the guy that can help you out, his name is Frank Robledo of @EASportsManagement. Frank has always been a standup, honest, and forthright person that you can count on in a crisis like this.
Remember, if you have any questions or complaints on this matter, just call Frank! He accepts cash, credit card or check, and he will take care of all your ticket needs.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:43 am
@puck73, Careful, some may not get the sarcasm.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:36 am
@LA_1968,
What sarcasm?
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Price increase ? Right it’s not like they just had a lock out or anything. This is just the beginning, because of the lockout they only increased it 2% next year they will get the increase they REALLY wanted for this year.
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puck73 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:56 am
@Oldkingfan, Agreed. Tell ya what though, with me paying 200 dollars a month for HD Cable, I just assume stay home and watch it on my 55 inch Samsumg A950 Backlit LCD and my Macintosh stereo and enjoy the crisp sound and picture. Plus replays, no lines in the restroom, cheap beer, and pizza delivery!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:37 am
@puck73, I hear ya, I went last night with my buddies,I paid $60 for my seat but I paid more for my beer,$12 for a Heiniken! good thing I only go a couple of times a year.I like seeing it on TV esp with Bob and Jim and my twelve dollar 12 pack of XX’s lager.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:50 am
@puck73,
Me too on my Samsung 6050 55″ HD tv from Costco ($870) thru Directv HD and Yamaha surround. Its exceptionally crisp, and the commentary of Bob & Jim is unmatched!
I don’t mind staying home either!
When we do go to Staples, FastTrak in the expresslane is great! Hint: don’t stick it to the windshield. Just set it on the dash, in whichever car you go in, even a friend’s. Just saying. Then put it in the glovebox after.
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Remember the old “we’re raising prices now so we don’t have to raise them when we get good” line a few years back? Good times.
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This past season, the person I share tickets with found that they might have to give them up because of the price increase. We found a third person to come in to share tickets and that worked really well. The Kings used to allow you to find seat partners but they took that off their website.
So I asked on Facebook and found someone that way.
It has worked out really well but is still hard this year with so many games in one week.
I always eat outside the Staples Center or any other arena as they want WAY TOO MUCH for even a hot dog.
And the Staples Center is the only arena that I know of that allows you to bring in your own water, up to a 1 liter bottle. So you can save money that way too.
As far as the parking, it’s totally up to each individual how much they want to pay. For a little bit of a walk, you can find cheap parking.
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Was at the game last night,218,row 12,great seat,I had a pretty good look at Letonen,he definitely had our number,I kept yelling “let one in”. I thought JQ played great,I didn’t see the goals scored cuz he was on the other side but I did see the big glove save. I noticed that a lot of our shots were high and wide,it was like the whole team had Stollies disease,Muzz was shooting like Stoll tonight. I also noticed that the passing was not very crisp and there definitely was not enough traffic in front of their goalie.In the second period I looked up at the shot total and was blown away,27 to 8 and we hadn’t scored a goal,I had a bad feeling about that, it’s like PUCK73 wrote, you let the other team hang around and they’re going to get some kinda goal.I also don’t like the fact that DS changed lines around again,Penner did not look good playing with JC and MR,sheesh how many times has he been moved up and down on that line? he does not belong there, Penner has been playing great on the fourth and it gives this team four even lines.I would’ve much rather had TT out on the second line,I understand that he’s young and he didn’t play that great the last part of the game against the yotes but I would much rather have a kid who is hungry and hustling with a goal and an assist than Penner who only shows up when he wants to,the players on the 4th line make Penner hustle.I would put TT back on the second,Penner on 4th and King and Nolly would be a toss up. I thought Nolly looked good for about half the game and Kinger I noticed once, so who knows.One more thing I have to gripe about,the Reffing and the linesmen,they SUCK this year!! why the hell did they not call a roughing penalty on the player who went after Brownie after the goalie interference? the call on Brown was a bit ticky tacky but I can see the call,why wasn’t the rough called,same as the last game with Doan,come on! and the linesmen are effing up on the face-offs and off-sides.
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puck73 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:53 am
@LVKINGS88, Great post.
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@puck73, Long winded but thanks.I agree with you when it comes to Toffoli,some people are jumping off his bandwagon,hah how soon people forget,even though we didn’t see Toff the final 10 minutes in the game against the yotes,he was out there for DD’s goal,heck it even looked like he tipped it in.I, like you think with Tt in the lineup it makes us more balanced,kids gonna make mistakes but how many mistakes have we seen Scuds,DD or Pens make?.I like this kid,he’s hungry, I wish DS would quit screwing with the lines.
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@LVKINGS88,
Went last night got 2 tickets On Stubhub for $12 each section 304 row 15( I like back row seats so I can stand) parked on pico and broadway for $5. Took no more then 5 mins to walk it. It can be done on the cheap. We’ve gone to 5 games so far.
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Noah Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:31 am
@JayC, absolutely, but it also depends who the opponent is. Weekdays against mediocre teams or non-rivals can be done on the cheap.
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JayC Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:37 am
@Noah, agreed!! I went the Detroit game for te same tickets last row in the 300′s was $25ish still a steal vs TM, box office etc.
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Here is my problem with the tkt. increase: the lack of customer service after the Kings won the cup. Other teams after the lockout offered specials like no extra fees, etc; the Kings? No such thing. I have not heard from my ticket rep all season, it’s like I don’t even exist; in the past I would get at least two or more calls a season even if just to check in from my rep; When I went to the Kings – Ducks game at the Honda I brought my seats through the Ducks (with no additional fees) and within a week a Ducks tkt rep called me to see if I was interested in more seats to more Ducks games so that means I have heard from a Ducks rep this season more than my own Kings rep.
And no one at the Kings front office can answer about the “loyality” interest funds we we’re supposed to have credited to our accounts by not withdrawing our fees.
I really think management is taking advantage of the situation and have forgotten customer service or rewarding fan loyality; I guess they figure if you don’t want the seats there’s a line behind you to take ‘em but after reading some posts on this blog with this latest price increase they just might not see that line next season and maybe have to come back to being complelled to providing a little customer care to their fans.
But like the dogs who comes back for more abuse I’ll be there Saturday rooting the team on and in the end renewing next season because I love the team. Go Kings Go!
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mash-ola Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
@Maury, The customer service does suck this year. I have had season tix since they moved to The Stapler, and my old rep, Kyle Steeves was THE BEST. During the lockout, he left (maybe with Chris McGowan to Portland?) and I was assigned some chick named Callan McCollom (or something like that).
I have not heard from her all season and in the five or six times I have called with questions, she has not returned a single call. Ever.
I am requesting a new ticket rep next year and on any and all survey’s I do, I continue to berate her and the customer service department.
The Kings won the Cup, so I expected higher prices and fewer incentives (that’s for losing teams unable to get fans to the games). Now that they have that credibility on the ice, there should be no reason for the diminished quality of service from the ticketing department.
But it has truly diminished. The Customer Service is deplorable for the Kings and they should be ashamed of themselves.
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Maury Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:11 pm
@mash-ola, my rep left during the lock-out as well and it’s been downhill ever since.
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gailweb Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@mash-ola, Hello and I have to agree, as when we pay as season tik holders before the Kings won the cup, first we gave money to hold our seats, (deposit) its call, way before they were even in the 8th seed, back then we were promised if we pay with a Amex card during the year for our tickets, we would get a King Quick signed picture (non given), and a coin from Luc, (non given), my rep quit too, so now that there is a line who care’s?
I said this before my section had 10 pak tik holders, so very nice we were a groupies for the LA Kings for sure, and now all corp they gave my section now, and in fact the drunk man from last Saturdays game was there last night, and taking his arm and hitting me, so when he ran down to the party room for more drinking, I switched seats with my son, and when he came back he was mad too bad and then he took his girl partner and put her next to my son later on in the game, and all he did was talk and yell at his buddies in the two rows down from him so I love the Kings so very much for 26 years now, I will just change my section if I even can as it seems that process too, when we were able to go to Staples and choose out seats are out the window now, and we go on line what a joke they give the seats to the big and rich people in the world, even though I sit close and pay lots of money it costs me 200.00 per game just for tiks, if you are not a star, and or work for a corporation you are left to swim alone
Go Kings Go!
Go Kings Go!
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cup4kings Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:40 pm
@mash-ola,
I have Callan too, classic. She’s nice when you get her on the phone but that doesn’t happen very often. And she doesn’t seem to know much. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked her and have sent emails to the Kings on upgrading my seats to Premier Section. I have yet to get an answer. You would think someone would call me back from the Kings. I’m trying to pay more for tickets and I’m getting no love. Go figure. Oh, and I’m still waiting for my Stanley Cup rink water….
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After the almost doubling my prices from $21.50 to $40.50 in 333 r 2, in the last 2 year. I am done unless someone wants to split seats with me. So this will be another $2-4 buck a ticket. Not worth it. It would have been my 30th season.
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pitty Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@dana l, I agree, after the 29% increase last year forced me to split my tickets this year for the first time. Now another increase this year. After 23 years as a season ticket holder this will be my last. I talked to my rep about an issue and was told I will call you back in a couple days, two weeks later, still no response. Prices have gone way up while service has gone way down. The average fan doesn’t mean a thing to this organization anymore, because there is someone ready to take your place. I love the kings team but the marketing and ticketing side of the team is a big fail.
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Wow, I guess I am in the minority but my season ticket rep has always been very good. I never have any complaints about his service and always comes through for me for services that he can provide. If my questions involve other departments such as marketing and promotions not dealing with ticket sales he always gets an answer for me. Scott Servetnick is my rep and very thankful I have him as my rep.
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Cost of Winning. Sign me up again.
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Not much for complaining about prices. If it’s too much, don’t go. Virtually ever game is on TV. I believe in suppy and demand. If you can’t afford it don’t go.
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I AGREE THE SERVICE HAS GONE WAYYYYYYY down. I had Adam Cheever and he was GREAT! He’d call or e-mail a few times a year just to keep in touch- my new rep is so bad. Doesn’t return calls- doesn’t check in- I couldn’t pick him out of a group of one person.Only time the new rep called was after I sent that survey in and gave him low marks. Kind of sad, but we will not be renewing this year either. Not a full season pak anyway. No real advantage- you can get tickets cheaper on websites-there are no real perks-and insult to injury- now they are selling single seats at half off face value- and I still have not received an answer on that loyalty thing- love my Kings, but can love them from the comfort of our den and the 65 inch hdtv just as well.
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Sounds counterintuitive, but we need to miss the playoffs and have the Ducks win the cup.
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I’ve been a full season ticket holder for 7 years now and think tickets have gone up 6 out of those 7 years.
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Mine went from $56.50 per game to $61. Difference of $4.50.
I’m no math genius, but thats more than two to five percent.
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Gailweb Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 11:24 am
@Josh, mine too same thing 4.50 each too
Oh well death and taxes are still the worst
Go Kings Go!
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Gailweb Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 11:24 am
@Josh, mine too same thing 4.50 each too
Oh well death and taxes are still the worst
Go Kings Go!
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“The average price of a non-premium Kings seat was raised by 18.2% between 2011-12 and 2012-13.”
How much did the premium seats go up? Or did the price go up at all? I’m sorry, I’m just already irritated because in the nosebleed seats we get to observe virtually all the giveaways and chances to win stuff occur down below because the 300 level seats seem to be too far for the Ice Crew to go. Maybe that type of thing is built-in to the more expensive seats.
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whatever happened to that major sponsorship by mcdonalds? what that wasn’t enough to offset the cost?
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