Bit of a worry that an A League club of less than 10 years is providing members with a more innovative service than we do.

DLC's story is also a little disheartening.

I must admit, I also got some correspondence by mail in November/December about membership renewals, a few weeks after I had already renewed.

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I haven't yet renewed (I typically renew just as the season starts) but I've had two calls asking me to buy $200 raffle tickets. It makes you feel like a cash cow.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

Do not try to see us raffle tickets.
Who has $200 lying around for that?

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dane's trolling again

Yeah the regular $200 raffle ticket thing is annoying. At the very least they should ask "do you want to be removed from future raffle offers?" when they call, because honestly I'd just rather not get the call and go through a 3 minute spiel to some irish backpacker (sadly, not Z.Tuohy) just so I can say no.

I buy a membership to support the club and because it's value for money.

Here is what I would like

- Customisable membership packs. I don't really want or need most of the stuff that's included, but obviously it appeals to some. So an option to select what items you want would appeal.

- Carlton only GA bays at both Etihad and MCG. There used to be one on Level 3 at Etihad for home games but it seems to have disappeared.

- If you are going to call me to try and sell me stuff, don't make it something that's $200. Most ppl don't have $200 for a raffle ticket.

Have been a member for 12 years, Gold Reserve Seat for the past 7.

Been really happy with our seats for this time, attended lots, even when the team really weren't worth the price of admission.

End of last year I get a letter saying our reserved seats are now classified Gold Social and that if I'd like to keep sitting where I have for the past 7 years, I can pay an additional $300 or so (can't remember the exact number but it was in the hundreds). Oh and cough up right before Christmas or you lose the seats. Thought the club would have known Christmas was expensive with the two Captain Carlton junior members we have.

Thought this was extremely poor and was so disappointed, I've gone back to silver and won't be changing.

I thought a better way to handle this would have been to give the impacted members one years notice, advising that this change was going to take place for the 2014 season.

The clubs whole approach demonstrated that there was no consideration given to the years of paying for my reserve seat and there certainly wasn't any appreciation.

So for myself and the two mates I sat with, you've gone from 3 committed paid up gold members to 3 occasionally attending silver members who instead of braving the freezing nights and overpriced beers at Etihad will be at home watching the game on Foxtel.

Look, I know that the club needs to maximise the value from the seats it has, but you could have gone about it in so many better ways.

Just make us feel like you care for us a little bit. Or at least pretend better than you do at the moment.

Just in case it's not clear enough:

THE RAFFLE TICKETS SUCK!

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I wouldn't mind the $200 raffle if I thought my membership was valued, they called once a year and left you alone after the first 6 times you said no.

I dont feel my membership was valued, they phone 4-5 times a year and keep calling after you've said no. The last couple if times I've requested they remove me from the call list and that seems to have worked.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Similar experience for me. I was majorly pissed off when I got this letter last year. I coughed up the extra $$$ because I really enjoyed the seats. This year my son has just turned 6 and no longer gets in for free. Obviously he needs to sit with me, so when I rang the club to ask about joining him up I am informed that to sit in the premium seats where we have sat for the last 5 years there is a waiting list which he will have to go on before he can get a premium seat.

So my choice was stick him on a waiting list until he gets a spot in the premium seating section and leave him out of going to the football until this happens. Not a great option given the chances of a 6 year old understanding why he can't go to the football with his Dad anymore are diddly squat.

Or option 2, move out of premium seats so we can sit together.

I'd probably understand this better if it wasn't for the fact that every bloody week there are either multiple empty seats around us or worse a bunch of opposition supporters sitting in among us all, holding tickets they have obtained from ticketmaster in the section that is apparently a dedicated Carlton premium reserved seating section that is so popular there is a waiting list to get into it!!

If you can explain how that happens I'd be most interested.

Long story short I haven't yet renewed membership (meaning I've lost my seats anyway) nor have my Father and mate who come to the footy with my son and I every week.

3 adult members all paying $700+ lost at this point in time. Like Motts, silver membership with far less frequent attendance to games is looking the likely outcome.

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Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

its all about money and the faceless society we live in.
the problems listed here reflect society as a whole and how far we have come or more to the point gone backwards
basically people are treated like shit
your a statistic not a person
ironically the thing I am using now has further caused problems in this area.

the other ironic thing is because of the way some of the membership drives are handled it has the opposite effect on what they want.
more members.
The gold seat thing is a case in point. So you pay more for a gold seat and enjoy the footy there and then get asked to pay 300 smackers more all of a sudden what are you going to do.
Stephen you need to come on here and tell us who is at fault.

Is it the club or the AFL that is doing this.

the other thing is its obvious we arnt innovative enough when it comes to memberships.
again is this because of the controls the AFL sets.
t

Many thanks to all of you who have contributed thus far. I will compile a list of the issues that have been raised and make an appointment to sit down with Clinton Bown with what has been posted so far and then report back to you.

Please keep making your comments.

Cheers

Stephen M

Great points raised by everyone.
Agree with most of the negs, and have often felt the same way.
some great positive ideas for change there too.
I'm a long term CC member. I just like going to see Carlton play. I like seeing my family and friends. I can get guest passes if needed.
Main reason for me is access to finals tickets, and a dedicated Carlton section. I like the energy around that when we are winning.
Honestly, I've had some shocking customer service experiences over the years..mostly by incredibly rude and disinterested young shopgirls you used to have in the old PP shop. Hopefully that has changed.
The phone people are generally lovely, and do try their best. i always feel you are a long way from having knowledgeable and reliable people across the board there though.
Not feeling valued as a long term supporter. yep. that is a big one, and pretty much death by a thousand cuts..many of the reasons have been listed already.
If you are a member, then you should be rewarded with free on line bonuses, and not paying more for that.
Treat us like you can't have a club without us. I get the feeling we are a pain in the ass, you'd rather never have to deal with.

For a club that says it's big on being green...sending caps each year kind of sucks. We don't need annual supplies of caps and scarves do we? Maybe people collect them with the years on them, I don't know, but it seems so wasteful.

Most importantly.....
My favorite handiest membership thing is the fridge magnet FIXTURE!!!!
I looked everywhere in my membership pack, but nope! Will you still be sending them out this year?
They are fabulous.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for passing on our thoughts Stephen.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Maybe they should introduce the "Father / Son" package...

It could be a Carlton only area of unreseved seats, but allows you to expand your family commitment each week.

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"...that's the thing about opinion - you don't have to know anything to have one..." Andre Agassi commenting on Pat Cash 2004
"...the less you know - the more you believe..." - Bono 2006

Stephen,

It is all about the Home Ground - what flows from that is seating, social clubs, club functions and physical connection (and not Internet connection).

People and money will then flow to the Club.

You should be telling the Board to get us a new Home Ground.

Kind regards

Mosquito Fleet

That would be fantastic...

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Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

Not a membership comment per se but a player sponsorship comment. If we want people to become player partner/sponsors, lets show a bit of imagination. Giving a jumper signed by your player every year becomes a bit ridiculous when people have been sponsoring a player for several years.
Perhaps the theory is that the sponsorships are filled most years so why fix it but IMO, we're possibly turning over/replacing a lot of sponsors instead of retaining them. The preferred theory for me would be to retain existing player partners and direct potential new sponsors/partners into other sponsorship opportunities.

Congratulations to the club for finally getting serious about looking after members. Lets see now whether their actions follow their intent.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Along those lines, I was thinking recently that providing caps and scarves in alternate years could provide a greener option. Most people are going to sign up for more than a year, and it might at least encourage them to hang around for two - make it three for some other item that's mildly useful on an infrequent basis, e.g. a kid-size Blues footy (easy to give away to young future Blues supporters).

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Soren Kierkegaard

Hi Stephen

It is great that supporters have this genuine opportunity to give direct feedback. The fact that it has taken so many years for such an opportunity probably says a bit about why our membership is not what we would want it to be.

Since 2002, when we were destitute I have purchased a club support through the AFL and a CFC members ticket and also bought various $200 raffle tickets. This year I will keep my AFL membership but will not be renewing my CFC membership or buying raffle tickets. This is because the committee over the last decade has seen fit to throw away my membership money and that of thousands of other memberships with poorly thought out appointments, contract extensions and in-contract sackings. Sacking one coach in contract is regrettable, but our last three have gone that way which suggests a committee that is careless at appointments, and careless with members money.

The latest appointment screeches of desperation and I don't feel like supporting a committee that has traditionally taken supporters loyalty for granted and throws away our money to poor decisions. The president, very closely involved in the appointment and sackings of the last three coaches, tried to avoid any responsibility for his past decisions. After the GC game he publicly stated that no decision would be made on coaching matters until the end of the season. The next day the coach was sacked and we left ourselves with only one possible appointee who interviewed us. None of this makes me confident that we can make wise, long term decisions. It sounds like desperation and panic. When my money is spent wisely I'll give it to the club, when it is consistently thrown away, I won't.

If you want more members, make good decisions and when you don't, then publicly communicate why instead of treating us like infants. And don't let the president make any public comments, especially if they are contradicted the next day.

How about a specific email when you join advising what number member you are. Could also run a contest where the 50,000th member wins something.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Membership milestones...

Churn is a massive issue across the AFL. Whilst it is recognised by a pin I don't think it cuts it at all, in fact it's just another piece of rubbish I get with the membership pack I have no use for..

I read regularly on here and other places about members being shafted for seats I.e forced to pay more money. If you've been a longtime member this just shouldn't happen, like the MCC you should be forced to wait to get access to good seats and make it feel special when you're offered them.

You've been a member for 3 years, get a free tour of PP in groups of no more than 5 or 10 and make it a personable experience.

Been a member for 5 years, get a footy jumper or something (better minds than mine out there)

Been a member for 10 years, go into a draw to win access to the coaches box during the season proper with multiple people sitting in the box in the NAB cup or practice matches or even a table or two at the presidents lunch at every round.

Been a member for 15 years, $200 bar tab at Victory room (or social club room overlooking the ground.....please make this possible) for you and your mates to celebrate the milestone with personal touches from listed players not playing.

Been a member for 20+ years, go into a draw for a night with Juddy's Missus....

That last bit was a joke.....but I think you get the idea.

The club won't make as much money from these events because they won't get the overall numbers paying for those events now but you will increase loyalty...

One other thing, make the membership process fully automated...no paper forms to fill in just all online. Takes out the human error factor.

But what I really want is a social club bar overlooking the ground, please make that a priority....please, pretty please.

Oh, and what the hell happened to the fridge magnet with the fixture on it.....I now have about 10 scarves that ill never use but you take out the only thing (besides the hat) that i have a use for. The fridge magnet is my message to the Missus to work out the footy days and times for herself so I can never be accused of not telling her when ill be out.......

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"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!