Lock out notice to the STH?

[IntenseFan]

I would encourage all STHs to avail themselves of any possible opportunity offered to obtain their money back (without giving up your seats of course as that would be unfortunate).

The one way fans can express their dissatisfaction is by getting their money back and ensuring that the Flames don't make any interest off of it during the lockout. It might not be much, but it's something to ensure the Flames feel it. Even if you just put the money aside in an ordinary savings account yourself for however long the lockout lasts, at least you will be making some interest and not the ownership group that is not delivering you a product.

EDIT: BTW, I think it is safe to assume that the 3% interest the Flames are offering the STHs is less than what they are making on it, so they still come out ahead.

SECOND EDIT: I also suspect that if we lose a whole season, the average raise in ticket prices might still exceed 3%. Another way they could ensure they come out ahead. (I must be getting very cynical because of all of this).

[Smartcar]

Also in the email (I would expect most STH pay monthly):

3) What if I am on a payment plan?

Payment plans will continue to be charged for the duration of a work stoppage on the pre-scheduled payment dates. Refunds will be calculated for cancelled games and applied to your account each month, provided that your formal payment plan is maintained and in good standing. Interest will be calculated as per above. A cheque may be issued with a written request.
The Flames will calculate interest by reference to games formally cancelled.

Great. So we continue to get charged for games that aren't being played.

[MrCallahan]

I was a bit taken back by this question:

8) How do I ensure I keep my rights to my seats for future seasons?

Refunds will be offered for any cancelled games. Requesting a refund of your entire payment will result in the loss of your ticket allotment and seniority?

Is it just me, or is that an ass move?

[ThisYear]

Cheap Flames, they only give 3% interest on the full paid accounts where the Oilers give 4%!

[ThisYear]

Originally Posted by MrCallahan

I was a bit taken back by this question:

8) How do I ensure I keep my rights to my seats for future seasons?

Refunds will be offered for any cancelled games. Requesting a refund of your entire payment will result in the loss of your ticket allotment and seniority.



Is it just me, or does that seem like a ###### move?

Easy solution. Keep your 10% minimum deposit in and take the rest of the 90% out.

[Jbo]

[QUOTE=J-bo09;3865647]
I would be willing to bet STHs will see something tomorrow.

QUOTE]

So the Flames had an e-mail out an hour into the first normal business day, so basically right away.

[IntenseFan]

Originally Posted by MrCallahan

Is it just me, or is that an ass move?

You bet it is. But the Flames ownership is of the mind that it has a cushion because of the long waiting list for season's tickets. They are likely correct (unhappily). That's why I will be pursuing refunds as much as possible without letting the seats go.

From their side of things, I suppose it would really suck if the lockout ended quickly and they had a whole bunch of full-season refunds, but from my perspective, they are the ones not delivering the product here.

I also am very pessimistic about the lockout ending anytime soon.

[Regular_John]

It's 9:45 on the first official "business day" of the lock out. Give them some time.

[MrCallahan]

Originally Posted by IntenseFan

You bet it is. But the Flames ownership is of the mind that it has a cushion because of the long waiting list for season's tickets. They are likely correct (unhappily). That's why I will be pursuing refunds as much as possible without letting the seats go.

From their side of things, I suppose it would really suck if the lockout ended quickly and they had a whole bunch of full-season refunds, but from my perspective, they are the ones not delivering the product here.

I also am very pessimistic about the lockout ending anytime soon.

I'm not in a huge rush to get a refund, I may hold off until a full season cancellation has been announced. I can definitely put that money to use! but I'll take the same approach, try to get as much of a refund without losing my seats.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MrCallahan

I was a bit taken back by this question:

Is it just me, or is that an ass move?

I don't see anything wrong with it. If you ask for a full refund of all money paid, you're canceling your account. Why would you have any expectations of your account and seniority remaining after you've cancelled?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by getbak

I don't see anything wrong with it. If you ask for a full refund of all money paid, you're canceling your account. Why would you have any expectations of your account and seniority remaining after you've cancelled?

Precisely. You've committed to being a season ticket holder - knowing full well this was a possibility. The Flames have given you the choice of breaking your commitment even if part or all of the season does get played. If you break your commitment to them, why should they be forced to remain committed to you?

[Rhettzky]

I don't get why they are still taking payments. Maybe just put things on hold until you know what is going on instead of collecting more money? Seems odd to me.

[renny]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I don't get why they are still taking payments. Maybe just put things on hold until you know what is going on instead of collecting more money? Seems odd to me.

It's simpler for them to continue collecting money and refunding for games not played at the end of the month. This way they simply refund the exact payment that you made no need for any additional calculations.

If you stop collecting and the season starts mid month, they would have to calculate for each account, how much of the month to prorate the payment, then request that particular amount from the account holders.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by renny

It's simpler for them to continue collecting money and refunding for games not played at the end of the month. This way they simply refund the exact payment that you made no need for any additional calculations.

If you stop collecting and the season starts mid month, they would have to calculate for each account, how much of the month to prorate the payment, then request that particular amount from the account holders.

I'm sure it's simpler but can't say I agree with it. I like the Kings method. All payments are now stopped and the money in your account is paid at 5% interest. I would be very interested to see what all the other teams are doing.

[IntenseFan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

You've committed to being a season ticket holder - knowing full well this was a possibility. The Flames have given you the choice of breaking your commitment even if part or all of the season does get played. If you break your commitment to them, why should they be forced to remain committed to you?

While I agree with you that we all knew this was a possibility, and thus went into this with eyes open, I think it was the Flames who first broke their committment to us by being amongst the 30 teams enforcing the lockout and not delivering the full 41 games plus 4 exhibitions. Now they want to keep as much of the money as possible for as long as possible despite their breach, even though they can't deliver what the contract with STHs states they should be.

But the fact is that they have the hammer (a huge wait list) and thus can get away with this. Sucks, but we have to live with it. That is why I'll be taking as much back as possible as games are cancelled while keeping the seats.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Precisely. You've committed to being a season ticket holder - knowing full well this was a possibility. The Flames have given you the choice of breaking your commitment even if part or all of the season does get played. If you break your commitment to them, why should they be forced to remain committed to you?

Their commitment to us was to play 41 hockey games, and allow us to watch in exchange for money. If they're going to break their commitment to us, why should they force us to remain committed to them?

[JayP]

Originally Posted by ThisYear

Cheap Flames, they only give 3% interest on the full paid accounts where the Oilers give 4%!

It's funny how crap like this gets brushed under the rug. It might not make a big difference (although that's debatable considering the price of season tickets for lower bowl seats), but someone explain to me why the Flames interest rate is 1% below the Oilers and 2% below the Kings?

[IntenseFan]

^ I believe it is all based on what investments each team has that can still pay out above whatever interest rate they are giving to their respective fans coupled with how much they think they can get away with given the logistics of the fan base.

[MissTeeks]

The Wild are offering 10% interest on theirs:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/170035286.html

1. If a season-ticket holder is willing to keep their money in their account during the lockout, they will receive 10% APR interest (so annualized interest computed over 360 days; not 365) on their money for the games canceled and not rescheduled.
That interest can be used as a credit in their account.
When a game is at least postponed or canceled, from that moment, if a season-ticket holder keeps their money in their account, the STH would receive 10% APR interest for each day it remains canceled or postponed and last until the NHL announces a new schedule.
So obviously that's better than putting your money in the bank. The last lockout, the Wild offered 5%.

[IntenseFan]

^ Just a guess, but apparently the Wild are more worried about replacing lost season seats than the Flames are.