[Jules Winfield]

The VISA thing is really annoying. Guess who has two Mastercard credits cards (useless for this) and one Visa debit card that expires at the end of July? Despite them taking the money in May, the blurb says that your card needs to be valid up to the end of August, else your application is void. So that leaves me the choice of (a) not going at all; (b) using a pre-paid Visa; or (c) trying to remember how to write a cheque.

I'm looking to apply for basketball, tennis and athletics.

[Mr_Wistles]

The massive flaw which I have found is an "either" option. There are lots of events where I would be happy seeing any session but due to the ordering system you can't apply for one, see if you are successful and then reapply for the next. This has led me to provisionally spending this: -

Hopefully I won't be successfully but knowing my reverse bad pseudo luck I will get all of them. I will then have to wait 6 months until I can potentially sell them on. The whole time of which they will have had my money and millions of others on a nice money market deposit.

[7ofnine]

Originally Posted by nheather

I presume it is sponsored by VISA.

Correct. Which Coe admitted this morning. Apparently the Olympic games relies on private sector funding. Visa are obviously a big sponsor.

[Solomon Grundy]

Football World Cup was Mastercard only as far as I can remember...could be wrong though.

[Steven]

Originally Posted by RED_

Was really ****** off when i found out that applying early doesn't help you at all. It should be first come first serve fgs! I was up at 5am applying to this (not up specifically for this but still!).

Cannot agree with that sentiment at all. Despite the perceived pricing, clearly an Olympics on British soil for what is likely the only occasion in this current lifetime was clearly going to be oversubscribed in any-case. A draw from a hat is fair. The only real criticism is that they are taking that to such an extent a family might not sit together. Also the silly pandering of Visa as the credit card partner, but then they are employing the same tactics as with when they out-bid Mastercard for Fifa WC rights. Also to be fair to the organisers they have been reminding for the last few months that ticket sales would not be first come first serve. With so many millions registering early interest it is reasonable to presume most would have received that message

[nheather]

Also, admission today, that for the ceremonies and the big events, less than half the tickets will be available to the public (not just UK public, any public).

Cheers,

Nigel

[Philly112]

I guess its damned if they do, damned if they don't...

Many people think the Olympics are a complete waste of money. It would be interesting to see if they support the pricing policy, Visa's involvement etc.
All of which are designed to recoup as much money as posssible.
I support getting private companies to sponsor the games. If that means that Visa get sole credit and debit card rights, so be it. I presume that they are paying handsomely for this.

Phil

[everett_psycho]

Originally Posted by Philly112

I support getting private companies to sponsor the games. If that means that Visa get sole credit and debit card rights, so be it. I presume that they are paying handsomely for this.

Phil

I don't mind that visa thing if i knew what i was getting. They've clearly thought about it and prepaid visa cards are a means that makes tickets available to everyone, it's a rule that can be got around by almost anyone. But it's this whole not knowing what i'm getting, I have a visa debit card and there should be enough money in my account to cover any tickets i want but even in this fortunate situation i'd like to know whats going and when. Why can't they operate a draw to give you the chance to buy tickets, so the first 10,000 drawn for the 100metres final can go to ticketmaster with a code and buy 4 tickets guaranteed, whatevers left a week later can be redrawn and the same done. The pricing structure shows that they clearly know what events are going to be popular in all of this.

[Mr_Wistles]

That is what I would like also. The tickets I want come to around £1,200 but I have had to provisionally spend 3 times that just so that I am in with a chance.

[ducattigezzer]

i was excited about the Olympics until this ticket scam came about it just stupid.

6 weeks to order your tickets then no guarantee that you will get them and you can only use visa card total rubbish

then when you watch them on the telly the stadiums will be half empty cause of corporate block booking (look at wembly at bit events)

they should do what they do with the tennis any spare seats on the day sell them cheap and get the stadiums full

[Boostrail]

I really dont get the ballot/lottery for oversubscribed events

How intelligent/sophisticated is the selection process?

On many popular events the ticket allocation is restricted to 4 per application. Do I stand a better chance by only applying for 2? Does someone applying for 4 have even an equal chance as one applying for 2?

i.e. one can simplistically see the first ballot being per application raher than size.

If I apply for 4 and get 4 can I give 2 of these to friends and family?

I have 3 Visa cards and 3 e-mail addresses as far as I can see I can thus make 3 applications for the same event. However I could easily apply for and get 10 more Visa cards and set up 10 more email addresses in the next 35 or so days?

I also agree some of the sessions are very short. I am using as a benchmark what one might pay for a normal seat at a top 4 Premiership game that may last approx 2 hours. I look to pay no more than 2-3 times this benchmark on the basis that it is a one off lifetime experience.

[Citizen J]

Originally Posted by Boostrail

I really dont get the ballot/lottery for oversubscribed events

On many popular events the ticket allocation is restricted to 4 per application. Do I stand a better chance by only applying for 2?

If I apply for 4 and get 4 can I give 2 of these to friends and family?

I have 3 Visa cards and 3 e-mail addresses as far as I can see I can thus make 3 applications for the same event. However I could easily apply for and get 10 more Visa cards and set up 10 more email addresses in the next 35 or so days?

As Orpheus said on the previous page the problem is Seb Coe has stated that there is no guarantee that if you order multiple tickets for a particular event that you will sitting together.

Oh dear.

[Boostrail]

Originally Posted by Citizen J

As Orpheus said on the previous page the problem is Seb Coe has stated that there is no guarantee that if you order multiple tickets for a particular event that you will sitting together.

Oh dear.

TBH given the best events my wife and I would not mind sitting on opposie sides of the stadium (Nothing to do with our relationship) - just to be there. My concern is as to the fairness of the allocation process. As far as I can see i could make as many applications as i like as long as I have enough Visa cards and e-mail addresses.

[RuddyRoad]

Originally Posted by RED_

Was really ****** off when i found out that applying early doesn't help you at all. It should be first come first serve fgs! I was up at 5am applying to this (not up specifically for this but still!).

Put myself down for 4 tickets to the mens football final at Wembley stadium. £60 a go and frankly i live in London and travel past Wembley stadium every week so it's hardly once in a lifetime either. Didn't know that after i had submitted i couldn't pick anymore at a later time so im stuck with just one application for tickets. It's fair enough but i screwed that up and mostly because of prices. Thought i could wait a bit and try and justify spending it. If it's not first come first serve it's down to blind luck which is annoying. Thankfully i only live 5 minutes away from the Olympic park/village so i can just pop along whenever to have a look around. Plus the athletes are training in my local sports centre. Frankly i could just go to the gym and watch them

I've been called to the Excel centre for an interview because of the volunteer thing i signed up for so here's hoping i don't pay for anything and watch everything!

Apparently you can "stop the application" and then submit another one. I read this on the "Easy Read" information pdf downloadable from the website

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by everett_psycho

as for point 2, i agree their lottery is a good idea and a fair method, but people want to see it so will apply to every night, they should tell you what you've been allocated before they take the cash and let you opt out if you want to or at least give you advanced notice of how much money they will be takign from your account to let you get it right

Just a warning on the 2nd point really, don't want all you guys going overdrawn because you lucked out and won £10000 worth of tickets you don't actually want

But then if they didn't do this, people would just be sticking their name down for all and sundry knowing they don't actually have to commit to anything. They'd have most of the country just applying for the hell of it.

[Greg]

Quite a bizarre system this.

So, if I am understanding this correctly and feel free to correct me, you basically put yourself down for whatever tickets you want, you then pay for these tickets in May BEFORE knowing which you have actually got, then in June you find out which ones you have been successful with.

So potentially millions and millions of pounds have been paid over only to have to be refunded back. A great idea whoever thought this up, nice interest earner for visa and the Government for the time they keep your money until refunding it. I bet you won't get it back straight away either.

Shameful really, I was really looking forward to this, but due to having to pay up front, will have to restrict what I can go for.

[Desmo]

I didn't understand it as that. When you pay your money over, they only take money for the tickets you've actually been allocated, although you don't find out until a little later what they're for. Unless of course I've got it wrong

[Mr_Wistles]

Yes but to increase your chances of being successful you are forced to apply for multiple sessions of the same event.

For example I want to see 1 gymnastics session but to increase my chances of getting one I have applied for 5. Anymore I get than one I will need to sell on.

As I said earlier they should of had an "either" option.

[RED_]

The thing is there is going to be HUGE demand for these tickets. So i don't think anyone should be worried about spending more than they need too as they will get that money back if they end up being successful on everything they applied for. Someone will end up wanting them.

[GBDG1]

This system is crap . I thought I would be able to say any tickets between X date and Y date and between X price and Y price. Without having to commit the money in advance to a given event and time.

Why can't I have a list of events in preference order, limit my cost to say £300. Tickets are then drawn and If my preference 1 = Olympic 100m final and I get tickets for that then I get those tickets (2 x £50) and I have £200 left. Next I get my 4th choice tickets which are Boxing semi-finals - they're say £50 x 2 so my budget is now £100. This goes on until I have used my budget.

That way I know my expenditure in advance and I know that I will get to attend a certain number of events - perfect.

Instead of that, the only people who can ensure they can get to events are those who can afford to have £1,000s as a 'deposit' for several months.

[Citizen J]

Well today is the deadline for applications. All needs to be done and dusted by 11:59 PM today.

I did my application yesterday and to be honest given the way the application process has been constructed I am not overaly hopeful. Given less than half of the tickets are available to the public, anyone who manages to get hold of tickets for any of the major events will be very fortunate. I have never bought tickets for an event without being informed of a seating plan, strange to say the least.

[imightbewrong]

I was going to do this yesterday - typical last-minute me - but I think the Visa thing is a showstopper.

At any rate, am really put off by the lack of information on the site about what you get for your money.

[Citizen J]

Originally Posted by imightbewrong

I was going to do this yesterday - typical last-minute me - but I think the Visa thing is a showstopper.

At any rate, am really put off by the lack of information on the site about what you get for your money.

They are being vague deliberately in order to ensure they can make as much money as possible and it's hugely frustrating. What's the difference between a catergory D ticket and category E ticket? Where are you likely to sit if go for catergory D tickets? Where will sit if you go for category A to tickets?

The whole thing is a shambles to be honest. As much as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity I am wondering whether it's better to watch it on the TV.

[imightbewrong]

Exactly - does that £20 get you nearer the action, or is it the same position but with a cup-holder?

[NooBish AbbZ 92]

Can't remember what I've applied for exactly, but think I've applied for Diving events, and cycling events at the velodrome.

Gone for the tickets that were like..£50 each I think. The way I see it is, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't want to miss out despite the prices lol. Might apply for football too as it's at Old Trafford; about 20 minutes down the road :D

[Mr_Wistles]

What I don't like is I now have to keep a large amount in my current account just in case I get lucky.

[nheather]

Would be interesting to know what proportion of the big events are actually available to the public.

Some doom and gloom media have reported that it is 'very little'.

Saw Lord Coe on BBC and he maintained that 75% of tickets across the board are available to the public. But when pushed he admitted that when you looked at the big events the percentage is much lower but wouldn't be drawn into just how much lower.

I've already had an eMail from Thomas Cook guaranteeing best seats to the biggest events if I buy one of there ticket\accomodation packages.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Citizen J]

Well I hate to sound pessimistic but I think there are going to be a lot of folk disappointed as the amount of applications made has increased sharply over the weekend.

BBC News - London 2012: Ticket applications 'hit the roof'

*Sigh*

[Greg]

Just applied for all mine. 31 tickets in total. Maximum cost £4K. Hopefully I will get the cheap seats but if not, it's a once in a lifetime thing and the credit card has interest free period anyway.

[IronGiant]

Originally Posted by GBDG1

This system is crap . I thought I would be able to say any tickets between X date and Y date and between X price and Y price. Without having to commit the money in advance to a given event and time.

Why can't I have a list of events in preference order, limit my cost to say £300. Tickets are then drawn and If my preference 1 = Olympic 100m final and I get tickets for that then I get those tickets (2 x £50) and I have £200 left. Next I get my 4th choice tickets which are Boxing semi-finals - they're say £50 x 2 so my budget is now £100. This goes on until I have used my budget.

That way I know my expenditure in advance and I know that I will get to attend a certain number of events - perfect.

Instead of that, the only people who can ensure they can get to events are those who can afford to have £1,000s as a 'deposit' for several months.

As it stands it is a first past the post system. What you are proposing is an AV system where you can transfer your vote to another event if your first choice doesn't win you a ticket