Ticketing App is a big problem

Ticketing App is a big problem - Printable Version

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Ticketing App is a big problem - Row80Critic - 09-19-2021

Are you kidding me!! Everyone needs a digital ticket, yet the app is beyond convoluted if not outright buggy. When you get the app, it tries to get you to register an account. That's clever trick #1. THAT kind of account isn't for tickets. Instead, get out your microscope and click the 8-pixel ticket icon and register a special ticketing account. Then, when someone tries to transfer tickets to you, clever trick #2 is that they send you a link to log into the non-ticketing account that is of no use to you. Clever trick #3 is that if you are logged into your ticketing account when you try to accept a ticket transfer, you get stuck in an endless loop where the system asks you to log into the non-ticketing account you don't have. So, somehow, people are supposed to figure out they have to LOG OUT of their ticketing account in order to accept tickets; then ignore the log in in the hyperlink; then log in via the 8-pizel ticketing icon.

So, yeah, this is going to work just swell with people from all walks of life. Good grief!

And you kids get off my lawn!!!

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - CompSci87 - 09-19-2021

I haven't needed to use Stanford's app so far. (I've attended the Spring Game and volleyball.) I just clicked on the links in the emails and the tickets were added to my Google Pay wallet.

I don't know about transferring tickets, though. You used to be able to do that from the web with an ordinary browser. Doesn't that still work?

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - oldalum - 09-19-2021

Yes it does

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - 82lsju - 09-19-2021

I did a ticket transfer with someone in our tailgate group today who will miss the ucla game.

We are both STHs so had accounts with the AD and had both downloaded the Stanford Athletics app to our phones (mine an iPhone, his an Android phone). He was able to initiate the transfer of the tix and I got an email to accept them, which I did, initially they showed up in the app but not in my account at gostanford but they eventually did show up there as well, this might be some sort of sync issue, but if it was why does it not show up first at gostanford which I would think is the master copy.

Between the new ticket process, the COVID check-in process, and the reduced number of gates where you can enter the stadium (although they say there will be more entry points at those fewer gate) I'm willing to bet getting into the stadium on Saturday will be a mess.

And I still believe that at the end of the day this new ticket process is all about getting the contact info of more attendees to bombard them with "marketing offers"....

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Row80Critic - 09-19-2021

I can't speak to the non-phone browser. I understood you need to bring a phone with the tickets, so assumed you need the app.... Is there a way to get tickets on your phone without the app? If so, I think you'd be helping quite a few folks if you explained how to do that. Too late for me, but I'm guessing my scenario will be playing out over and over this week....

The app process is going to confuse the bajesus out of plenty (at least for groups/families trying to distribute season tickets). In addition to being counter-intuitive, it also just misdirects you to the wrong log-in account, and inexplicably won't accept transferred tickets if you are already logged in to the correct account. Come ON people.... Sure, maybe I'm app-impaired, but as a reasonably tech-enabled boomer, I'm the canary in the coal mine....

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - akiddoc - 09-19-2021

Remember to bring your proof of vaccination and go to the Covid processing tent before you go to the gate. Just to add to the confusion.

https://gostanford.com/news/2021/8/27/athletics-2021-22-fan-attendance-policies.aspx

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Phogge - 09-19-2021

I called the ticket office when they announced through email that everyone needed a digital ticket. I said, “Have you considered that not everyone has a smart phone?” Especially older folks. The nice agent paused for about 10 seconds. Then, “We haven’t thought of that.” Just another reason not to reup.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - CompSci87 - 09-20-2021

(09-19-2021, 07:54 PM)Row80Critic Wrote: I can't speak to the non-phone browser. I understood you need to bring a phone with the tickets, so assumed you need the app.... Is there a way to get tickets on your phone without the app? If so, I think you'd be helping quite a few folks if you explained how to do that.

I thought I did above. In slightly more detail: You get an email with links to your tickets. Open the email on your phone and tap on each link. That should give you the option to add it to Google Pay (if you have an Android phone). It may take a couple of clicks to confirm.

I don't have an iPhone but would assume the process is similar for Apple Pay on iPhone.

On game day, you use Google Pay or Apple Pay to display your tickets and let them be scanned for entry.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - GK3 - 09-20-2021

(09-19-2021, 07:26 PM)82lsju Wrote: I did a ticket transfer with someone in our tailgate group today who will miss the ucla game.

We are both STHs so had accounts with the AD and had both downloaded the Stanford Athletics app to our phones (mine an iPhone, his an Android phone). He was able to initiate the transfer of the tix and I got an email to accept them, which I did, initially they showed up in the app but not in my account at gostanford but they eventually did show up there as well, this might be some sort of sync issue, but if it was why does it not show up first at gostanford which I would think is the master copy.

Between the new ticket process, the COVID check-in process, and the reduced number of gates where you can enter the stadium (although they say there will be more entry points at those fewer gate) I'm willing to bet getting into the stadium on Saturday will be a mess.

And I still believe that at the end of the day this new ticket process is all about getting the contact info of more attendees to bombard them with "marketing offers"....

Why else would they bother creating the system, the old one worked well enough.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - winflop - 09-20-2021

I agree that if you don't have a smartphone, the new system is very problematic. However, I'm not in that group and so far the system has worked seamlessly for me. I was able to download my tickets to my Apple Wallet, and I was able to easily transfer them via the tickets website.

Does the new system bother me in terms of its data collection? Sure it does, but I'm not gonna get butthurt over it. I consider it part of the terms of service, and if Stanford is able to monetize that information, well that just narrows the AD's budget gap. And I have an option to completely opt out of the system by not buying any tickets.

Digital Ticket Failed at Vanderbilt - tcufrog - 09-20-2021

When I presented my digital ticket at the entry gate at Vanderbilt, it failed to register, as did the tickets I had transferred through the App to friends and family. Apparently this was a problem for many people. Had to trudge to the ticket office on the other side of the stadium where VU had set up a special mobile ticket problem table. VU folks were quite nice and just let us in the gate by the table.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Row80Critic - 09-20-2021

I'm guessing if you buy your own ticket and download it to your computer or phone, it may work better... My family gets a block of season tickets, so one person has to 'transfer' them to others. It's the transfer process that is needlessly convoluted, arguably broken, and guaranteed to confound a meaningful portion of the target audience, imho.

And some portion of those people won't realize the magnitude of the challenge that awaits them until in or near the ticket line. And what about 'processing' maybe 30k people for covid in 4 tents over couple of hours (when most arrive). 7500 per tent over 2 hours or so, means less than 1 second per person. Someone tell me how that's not going to be a fiasco.... I know everyone is struggling to deal with covid as best they can, God bless them, but this plan seems doomed unless it's just theater to get untested/unvaccinated not to show up (or maybe 50-100 competent people per tent)? How hard would it be to confirm vaccine status in advance, and not create yet another last-minute obstacle between fans and their seats.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Phogge - 09-20-2021

What a mess. Trying to save money by not having printing costs. Especially at Stanford with scores of empty seats every year. I love the game day experience and the ability to focus on individual line play with binocs. The school should make getting a ticket seamless. But nobody hassles me in my living room. Why add more pain in the ass to the process? Especially to older fans who may have to wait in line getting it straightened out.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - McKenwood - 09-20-2021

Just transferred two tickets and a parking pass to a friend. Could do it using cell# or email. Choose his cell and it worked seamlessly.

What am I missing?

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - terry - 09-20-2021

I used the Stanford mobile app to transfer 4 of my tickets to a friend who already had a Stanford ticketing account. I also transferred 2 tickets to another friend who didn't have a Stanford ticketing account previously, but opened one. Both of my friends received the tickets and were able to add the tickets to their Apple Wallet.

I don't like this new system. But so far, it seems to be working.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Row80Critic - 09-20-2021

(09-20-2021, 11:57 AM)terry Wrote: I used the Stanford mobile app to transfer 4 of my tickets to a friend who already had a Stanford ticketing account. I also transferred 2 tickets to another friend who didn't have a Stanford ticketing account previously, but opened one. Both of my friends received the tickets and were able to add the tickets to their Apple Wallet.

I don't like this new system. But so far, it seems to be working.

I think it boils down to a few key problems. First, when you first get the app, you need to know not to sign up for a regular account, but rather look for the itty-bitty ticket at the bottom and sign up for a ticketing account. No one is going to know that unless someone warns them. I chalk that one up to user-unfriendly programming. No one searches for obscure documentation (if it exists) for an app. Second, if you click on a link to get tickets someone has sent you, it takes you to the log in for non-ticket accounts. That borders on just being a bug, but unhelpful either way. Third, if you have a ticketing account, you cannot be logged into it when you click to accept tickets someone sent you. You need to log out for the transfer to work -- or at least that's what finally worked for me and my family. I'm sure some might have no problems, especially those who understand there are two different types of accounts on the same app, etc., but it's a mess in my opinion/experience....

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Beeg_Dawg - 09-21-2021

(09-20-2021, 10:44 AM)Phogge Wrote: What a mess. Trying to save money by not having printing costs. Especially at Stanford with scores of empty seats every year. I love the game day experience and the ability to focus on individual line play with binocs. The school should make getting a ticket seamless. But nobody hassles me in my living room. Why add more pain in the ass to the process? Especially to older fans who may have to wait in line getting it straightened out.

Phogge, your post is similar to my email to the AD. Great, so now I have to juggle my cell phone on game day. I don't use it for clearing TSA and boarding flights, I certainly don't want to use an app to go to a football game. AD has made it damn near impossible for me to give tickets to friends, co workers etc.

After 20 years, looks like I'm done. Stanford will have 4 more seats to fill. AD continues to use "improve fan experience", but the problem is they forget to ask fans what works for them.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - Phogge - 09-21-2021

We should have a Bootleg reunion Dave. But I won't be organizing on a smart phone.

RE: Ticketing App is a big problem - pefloresjr - 09-21-2021

Technology changes are really interesting. In my experience, they seem to often push people to their breaking point. In my 35-year career in both private and government jobs, I have seen a surprising number of senior employees choose to retire earlier than they had planned because our employer was introducing new technology. From eliminating dictating machines to changing word processing programs to introducing new document storage programs some employees simply decide to call it quits rather than learn the new system. There are often a list of other complaints that have built up over the years that add to the employee's unhappiness but the change in technology is a common tipping point. It seems to me that something similar is happening here. Maybe something about tech changes triggers something in us.

It took me a while to adjust to and learn how to use the same ticket system for my Giants tickets (20 games a year) but now I like the system and it feels very comfortable for my own tickets and for transferring tickets. I also don't agree that Stanford is making lots of decisions that make the game experience less enjoyable. I still get to tailgate with my friends and Stanford gave us an ongoing right to bring an RV into Master's Grove even though they banned them for new parkers. In recent years, as season ticket members, we have been given special entry gates that worked well after they worked out the kinks, I now have a dedicated staff member in the ticket office to call for any issues, and will get a discount on concessions in the stadium this year. I also like the chance to upgrade to any open seats each year based on my years as a season ticket holder and donations; I have now used it twice. I just tried the food order kiosk at the women's volleyball game and it was very easy and there were people there to help. I intend no political statement by this but I feel much safer going to even an outdoor event if everyone is vaccinated or tested. The system seems like it could cause big delays so we plan to arrive early and get our wristbands during the tailgate. So, I'm not giving up my tickets, I'm actually adding sports. I am very satisfied with the things Stanford is doing when it comes to the venues and am really looking forward to Saturday's tailgate and game. (I still want Coach Shaw to push, push, push on recruiting more players, but that is a different issue!)

Cheers,
Pete F.