Ask Randy B. questions

[NCWEST]

Your turn to ask questions in chat with Randy Bernard at www.friedtwinkies.com/blog/
Please go post your question!!

[cowboy4443]

I reckon that Josh Peters will round file my questions (#3 & #5) to Randy Bernad.
cowboy4443

[CThrash13]

The ticket prices are ridiculous. Sure, Randy said the average ticket price is only $31. But that is nosebleed section at the Ford Center. My eyes are bad enough as it is. For me to get halfway close, it now costs $100 a person. That's $200 for Holly and I both, which is too much when we can watch it at home. My salary isn't high enough to be dropping down $200 just like nothing. The $50 tickets aren't much better than the nosebleeds either.

$100 a person should get you in all rounds with good seats.

Randy's answer wasn't valid at all in my opinion.

That's all I read so far, so I better go read the rest.

[csb]

Agreed. But I get free tickets, so I cant feel any sympathy ;D

His replies were kind of shady, but like I said on the blog, he is a businessman. He is no different than the CEO of any other middle sized business.

[CThrash13]

Free tickets? You sorry sucker!

I agree though, he is a typical CEO.

[twinpinesmt]

kinda sorta sounded like he was talking around the real answers, but could we expect anything better outta him?

tina

[NCWEST]

LOL...I have emailed Randy several times thru the years and have never got a real answer..So the Q&A was what I expected from him..

One time I emailed him and when he emailed me back what he said didnt make ANY sence..I sent him another email and said Did you even read my email?..lol

He bragged in the interview that he answered his email...well, he might but he gives you the run-around..If that is a CEO then I sure dont want to be one.

I asked him about the host hotel being so expense..and he said he didnt think they were and that they were the middle of the road price...well I was checking out the Charleston SC event and the hotel is $149.00+tax per night...that may be middle of the road to him but to the adverage fan that is top end..
So, for two people for two days..Hotel, tix, traveling expense you have paid out 500-600 dollars...IF you can drive to the event..If not, add another $500+dollars..

I guess Ill be watching more events in front of my TV, this year.

[CThrash13]

Yeah NCWEST, you are right there. Holly and I probably aren't going to any this year, unless we get nosebleed seats for OKC at the last minute. :/

I don't mind watching the PBR on TV, but it sure leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when we have to miss events due to outrageous pricing.

I've stood up for the PBR a lot when others didn't, but the ticket pricing is beyond ridiculous. That's one thing I'll definitely bash on the PBR about.

[brianranse]

Why would you e-mail Randy about Hotel Prices for the Host hotel... I would think that was the hotel's Problem or another member of the PBR Staff who could probally answer your question's Better..

Pricing does suck at times...But Randy is like the president he doesn't make policy up he has advisors and a whole party (staff) behind him that look at these issue's.. Randy is a bit of a spokesperson, yeah has other jobs but i think he does a hell of a job...(but i am a biast)...

[cowgirl4life30]

hmmm... have $50 tickets to Minneapolis that are 3rd row... 3 rows from the arena. Had GR tickets for $50 the were 10 rows up one section over from chutes. Had $50 in Indy a couple years back they were awesome too... So you can get good tickets for $50. My total trip to Minneapolis is going to be pretty inexpensive (if you don't include airfare).

My trip to GR in September cost me $200. $50/ticket/night, Terri and I split hotel at $100/night. I spent a lot more because I bought drinks for people and Terri and I bought a lot of alcohol for the room but I could have easily done the trip with $300 if i was on a budget. And if I really wanted to save money I could have just drove the 45 mins to and from and only spent the $100 on tickets.

[CThrash13]

If you can get $50 tickets in the third row at OKC, I'll personally kiss your behind. Holly and I spent $75 each last year at OKC, and we were about 15 or 20 rows up. And I got the tickets the day they went on sale. And that was before they went up to $100.

So I'm not buying that "hmmmm" stuff at all.

But like I said, if you can get me some 3rd row tickets for $50 apiece, I'll kiss your behind and then buy the tickets from you for $60 apiece.

It ain't happening.

[NCWEST]

I didnt email him about the hotel price ...that was my question to him on the Q&A...he does have input as to the hotel that is the host hotel..I know several of the cowboys and they too complain about the host hotel that the PBR chooses...some of them even stay at a cheaper place..
My email was something entirely different..but, why not ask him..he is the CEO and should he not have the answer?
He keep referring to the PBR as a mainstream sport like the NFL and Nascar.. As much as I love bullriding, who is he kidding..I say himself! and this is my opinion..If he can find enough rich people to fill the seats then good for him Im just saying the prices keep alot of average fans from going to a event and that is a shame because they are the ones who truly love the sport!
I will now get off the soap box and say good luck to the PBR.

[csb]

I think ticket prices are set in part by the promoter. The promoter wants a certain amount per seat, and the PBR takes a cut of that. Randy doesnt make the policy, but as the CEO, he plans out how much the PBR is going to take in each year. One way to increase your bottom line is to increase ticket prices and change the way the money is diversified to give more to the PBR. Promoters know they are going to fill 10,000 seats and sell a bunch of merchandise because PBR fans are no different than NASCAR fans; they are loyal to the sponsors. Therfore, they are willing to give up a percentage of the profit. If not, Randy will send the PBR train somewhere else. He will burn bridges if it means increasing profit. Just look at the sponsors that have been cut.

I think the PBR should try to increase value for consumers. Offer family four packs that give either a discount or free beverages to the families of four or more. Hand out coupons for a free small popcorn. Give a free color PBR calendar to the first 5,000 people to enter a venue. Im no marketing/pr whiz, but Ive done a lot of studying on the subject and I know that Americans want value. You can charge them a pretty penny if you make it worth that much.

[HThrash]

I think the family packs would be a great idea...I know that they would sell faster than just an individual ticket. Like Cody said because of the prices there is no way we can go. And we can drive to OKC and Tulsa. But it is ridiculous to pay $200 to go to an event and get good tickets. That doesn't include gas and meals...
But I love the PBR as much as anyone. But my goodness. I can't imagine if we had kids going too..Goodness!!

But I can promise one thing, and that is the PBR will be on our TV every time it is on!!!!!!!!

[WI8SecFan]

Family packs are an excellent idea and I know that a few places do have discounts for youth tickets which helps.

As far as the OKC tickets are concerned...Assuming that the arena starts with row A there are $50.00 tickets on ticketmaster right now in section 117 in row C for Friday night. Is it right next to the bucking chutes? No, but it is lower level and very close to the front so it is possible. I actually booked my last few tickets through ticket master as you can play with how you search for tickets and know the exact tickets you are getting.

For hotels also be sure to look at the hotel web site or call them directly. Usually the PBR rate is a decent discount but if you are a AAA member etc you can occasionally find or negotiate a lower rate.

It is also based on the promoter as to how they set the price levels. No where is this more apparent then the Enterprise tour. In some cases they have a $100 priced ticket and in others the most expensive ticket is $35.00.