West Ham co chairman David Gold agrees with the fans that the club’s website is “terrible.”
Fans have been battling to book tickets for key matches on the site throughout the season and have been suffering awful delays.
ClaretandHugh published a story last night (Mon) when some fans revealed they had been waiting for up to three hours to book tickets for the Manchester United replay on April 6.
Others – in fairness – had found it a simple operation but that hasn’t stopped a flood of complaints across social media.
DG had warned fans via CandH not to use their mobiles as that would inflate their bills but has admitted he will be happier when the new booking facility is in place.
Responding to a follower who had complained bitterly on Twitter he said: “I agree, our website is terrible I’m told the new one will be great. Let’s hope so. dg”
These charges for mobile phones are a disgrace, and an utter stain on the otherwise brilliant 2 Davids + Karren. It is practically theft, and they must take responsibility. They should immediately stop using a premium rate number.
Also, it was only thanks to C+H that I discovered that the tickets were now on offer, and the priority dates etc. This should have been stated on the main WHU website (I couldn’t find it!). Also, the FA Cup replay STILL doesn’t appear in the fixture list…and accordingly, I don’t know if it is a 7pm kick off as my receipt states or the usual 7.45pm…Come on WHU/Karren, you can do better!
The public have responsibility too: I am a season ticket holder and buying my FA Cup reply ticket was simpicity and ease itself:
SO, for season ticket holders, ONLINE is very good (at least at less busy times).
For people waiting hours on the phone, it seems a bit silly when they could put in some effort and buy online.
For non-season ticket holders, well, it is not going to be so easy; the tickets have to be rationed somehow. But it should NOT be through a war of attrition at the expense of obscene phone bill costs…and still no guarantee of purchase!
There’s a problem with the date of the FA CUP replay with Man United because it coincides with the Champions League – Wolfsburg/Real Madrid and PSG/Man City are also on the 6th April – the Champions League is being shown on BT Sport and UEFA are already concerned about the size of the television audiences that BT are getting, it’s currently about a third of that which SKY/ITV were getting last year. This would have a knock-on effect on the sponsors, advertising revenues etc.
The English FA stands to be fined by UEFA for the fixture problem.
The FA Cup Replay is expected to be shown on the BBC at 7.00pm, another controversial decision that will not please BT.
All these stupid International Friendlies are only adding to the confusion.
Personally I didn’t have to wait long online before getting a ticket. While clearly many have not had the same experience, I really can’t feel that sorry for those who have hung on for ages on the phone and run up huge phone bills. True perhaps premium numbers should not be used but am I the only person who takes note of phone charges? People do have to take some responsibly for their actions.