Exeter Chiefs PR victory

[canta_brian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-51784075

Honestly, what a bunch of c*nts.

[Puja]

Wow. Even leaving aside the morality of it, a five year old could see that that decision was a PR disaster that'd cost much more than the price of the tickets to fix.

That is so incompetent that it's actually looped back around to being sort of impressive.

Puja

[Digby]

On wonders how much they'll now end up paying to try and resolve a problem they didn't remotely need in the first place

[Adam_P]

I see that to make up for it Cheifs have offered free entry to a Monday night A league fixture... Bit of a slap in the face if you ask me.

[Oakboy]

Just to throw in one bit of devil's advocacy, might Exeter be testing the individual's genuine love of rugby with the A invite? I only offer that having suffered in the past from being near sponsor's hospitality invites' behaviour - less than avid attention on the game, shall we say.

[Puja]

Rowe doubling down with, "We're not a charity." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-51803164

Might not be a charity, but they do need the goodwill of the public and support of the local area to function. If he'd come out saying, "We cancelled the tickets cause they were part of the sponsorship; we had no idea that Flybe had given them to staff as an incentive and there was no way for the person on the gate to know the situation. We're very sorry for the upset caused and would like to offer those affected a ticket to our next game," then it would've cost them maybe 20 free tickets and earned them positive PR and general goodwill. And apart from the general good press, they would have earned customers for life - dedicated supporters who would have promoted them and spent more money on them in the future.

Instead, they have come out firing with, "It's not our problem, it's not our fault, we're not a charity, but I suppose we can give you tickets to an A team game that no-one cares about if that'll stop you complaining." Which I suspect will get a hearty "F*ck off!" from the affected parties.

Puja

[Adam_P]

I don't get the 'we didn't know they'd be given to staff as rewards' line either. Who did they think would be getting them. Just seems so stupid to turn them away / not offer them tickets for a future prem game to say sorry and loose out on pittance from the ticket sales but then gain much goodwill and like you say, committed supporters who feel valued by the club. Plus I dare say they'd be spending on food and bevs in the ground.

[Puja]

I don't get the 'we didn't know they'd be given to staff as rewards' line either. Who did they think would be getting them. Just seems so stupid to turn them away / not offer them tickets for a future prem game to say sorry and loose out on pittance from the ticket sales but then gain much goodwill and like you say, committed supporters who feel valued by the club. Plus I dare say they'd be spending on food and bevs in the ground.

I can understand not knowing they'd be given to staff - Flybe probably used them mostly for schmoozing contacts and potential business partners, as well as the board of directors giving them as gifts. It was probably quite rare that staff got to have some, so I can absolutely see why Exeter stopped the sponsorship benefit when the sponsorship ended. The initial mistake was completely understandable - the failures afterwards slightly less so.

Puja

[Doorzetbornandbred]

I don't get the 'we didn't know they'd be given to staff as rewards' line either. Who did they think would be getting them. Just seems so stupid to turn them away / not offer them tickets for a future prem game to say sorry and loose out on pittance from the ticket sales but then gain much goodwill and like you say, committed supporters who feel valued by the club. Plus I dare say they'd be spending on food and bevs in the ground.

I can understand not knowing they'd be given to staff - Flybe probably used them mostly for schmoozing contacts and potential business partners, as well as the board of directors giving them as gifts. It was probably quite rare that staff got to have some, so I can absolutely see why Exeter stopped the sponsorship benefit when the sponsorship ended. The initial mistake was completely understandable - the failures afterwards slightly less so.

Puja

Vast majority of the tickets were used by staff not BoDs, I know several staff members and one who has a ticket for the Tigers game which is obviously now null and void. Tony Rowe really is a horrible prick and doesn't give a shit about who he walks over to get what he wants. For all the crap thrown at Nigel Wray Sarries have done far more for their community than Chiefs have. Chiefs treatment of academy lads is appalling. No communication with them, lads in the dark not knowing whats happening. Several lads have had mental health issues brought on by worry and too much stress. Rowe is a nasty piece of work to deal with business wise.

[Banquo]

I don't get the 'we didn't know they'd be given to staff as rewards' line either. Who did they think would be getting them. Just seems so stupid to turn them away / not offer them tickets for a future prem game to say sorry and loose out on pittance from the ticket sales but then gain much goodwill and like you say, committed supporters who feel valued by the club. Plus I dare say they'd be spending on food and bevs in the ground.

I can understand not knowing they'd be given to staff - Flybe probably used them mostly for schmoozing contacts and potential business partners, as well as the board of directors giving them as gifts. It was probably quite rare that staff got to have some, so I can absolutely see why Exeter stopped the sponsorship benefit when the sponsorship ended. The initial mistake was completely understandable - the failures afterwards slightly less so.

Puja

Vast majority of the tickets were used by staff not BoDs, I know several staff members and one who has a ticket for the Tigers game which is obviously now null and void. Tony Rowe really is a horrible prick and doesn't give a shit about who he walks over to get what he wants. For all the crap thrown at Nigel Wray Sarries have done far more for their community than Chiefs have. Chiefs treatment of academy lads is appalling. No communication with them, lads in the dark not knowing whats happening. Several lads have had mental health issues brought on by worry and too much stress. Rowe is a nasty piece of work to deal with business wise.

Glad someone who actually knows the Chiefs has said this. I've long thought Rowe was a nasty bit of work.

[Mellsblue]

I can understand not knowing they'd be given to staff - Flybe probably used them mostly for schmoozing contacts and potential business partners, as well as the board of directors giving them as gifts. It was probably quite rare that staff got to have some, so I can absolutely see why Exeter stopped the sponsorship benefit when the sponsorship ended. The initial mistake was completely understandable - the failures afterwards slightly less so.

Puja

Vast majority of the tickets were used by staff not BoDs, I know several staff members and one who has a ticket for the Tigers game which is obviously now null and void. Tony Rowe really is a horrible prick and doesn't give a shit about who he walks over to get what he wants. For all the crap thrown at Nigel Wray Sarries have done far more for their community than Chiefs have. Chiefs treatment of academy lads is appalling. No communication with them, lads in the dark not knowing whats happening. Several lads have had mental health issues brought on by worry and too much stress. Rowe is a nasty piece of work to deal with business wise.

Glad someone who actually knows the Chiefs has said this. I've long thought Rowe was a nasty bit of work.

I’ve no idea of Rowe’s personality but rumours of their handling of their Plymouth, erm, expansion tally with the anecdotes above.
The opprobrium he heaped on Wray over the salary cap now looks like a man who refuses to look in the metaphorical mirror. As I said at the time of the salary cap furore, Chiefs built a conference centre whilst Sarries built a school......

[Digby]

Chiefs built a conference centre whilst Sarries built a school......

So Chiefs like money and Sarries like young children, one of these is likely to draw more opprobrium