Until footy is officially cancelled, I think it is. The season is on hiatus, it hasn’t been cancelled. Clubs aren’t going to run around dishing out full refunds for a season that could still be in the cards.
Should I have the right to a club membership refund?
- Thread starter The Bear
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- Moderator
- #327
Yep.
Tony Jones straightforward question:
"If a member comes to you and says they want their money back, will you give their money back?"
Why not just say
"Yes we would [answers the question], but we would hope they would continue tp fnancially support the club in 2020 in what are very difficult times for the club. And there is still the possibility of games to be played this year " [nuance].
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Yes he did; he said if they need help the club will help them.
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- #329
The fee is a transaction for a service. Admiittance into home games for that club and depending on the level of membership perhaps with other benefits such as voting rights in club elections.
Wayne Swan
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Won't be going to the snow this winter?
What does that mean exactly?
There is no full season possible this year. We are already down to a maximim of 16 games with attendance this year. That's the limit.
I'm not expecting them to dish out automatic refunds. What I am expecting of the clubs, if they are to call them community based clubs, to offer something more than an expection of members already facing hardship to come begging, cap in hand on bended knee.
JezzasOnTheAsphalt
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Even with an answer like that I think the membership department could still expect hundreds of calls tomorrow with people saying that “Ed said you would give me a refund, Ed said yes.” I can understand why he doesn’t want to give a straightforward answer when the plans for the year aren’t in place yet from the AFL’s end or the club’s end.
However, for what was just meant to be a simple channel 9 cross promotion on the evening news, there was a tad too much theatre.
People are buying into that WWE nonsense between Eddie and Chompers?
AFL media are currently 100 times more demented and desperate than they are during trade week when nothing happens.
Kane Cornes is even having fake fights with that rock ape from the NRL to keep the news ticking over.
AFL media are currently 100 times more demented and desperate than they are during trade week when nothing happens.
Kane Cornes is even having fake fights with that rock ape from the NRL to keep the news ticking over.
- Moderator
- #336
So, if they want them are club members entitled to refunds or not? Even if the AFL is able to eventually play matches, its almost certain it won't be in front of crowds.
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It will be a bit like cancelling Foxtel or other subscriptions at the moment.
If you make it through to the end of the process, you can cancel and be refunded, but they'll do everything possible to not make it happen.
If you make it through to the end of the process, you can cancel and be refunded, but they'll do everything possible to not make it happen.
They won’t offer a refund right now - they can argue it is undetermined what they are able to provide based on the circumstances.
Consider that money spent and hope for either refund down the line or a credit towards next season.
I expect clubs to do something like this:
* For the Love of the Club Package * - Full Payment of 2020 Membership is retained by your club because you’re a proper supporter and a bloody good bloke - comes with a thumbs up from CEO and a thank you text message from your club captain.
* But I paid last year and got nothing Package * - Partial Credit of 2020 Membership towards your 2021 Membership - to be calculated based on football played. Stern email of disapproval from beloved club great included.
* Dude, Where’s My Cash? package * - Refund, less the cost of membership pack and administration fees and matches played (to be calculated). Considered to be a cancelled membership for 2020, so member will forfeit longevity programs and receive a ‘I GOT A REFUND’ Membership Sticker for 2021 should they choose to rejoin.
Consider that money spent and hope for either refund down the line or a credit towards next season.
I expect clubs to do something like this:
* For the Love of the Club Package * - Full Payment of 2020 Membership is retained by your club because you’re a proper supporter and a bloody good bloke - comes with a thumbs up from CEO and a thank you text message from your club captain.
* But I paid last year and got nothing Package * - Partial Credit of 2020 Membership towards your 2021 Membership - to be calculated based on football played. Stern email of disapproval from beloved club great included.
* Dude, Where’s My Cash? package * - Refund, less the cost of membership pack and administration fees and matches played (to be calculated). Considered to be a cancelled membership for 2020, so member will forfeit longevity programs and receive a ‘I GOT A REFUND’ Membership Sticker for 2021 should they choose to rejoin.
- Banned
- #339
the reality is that if everyone asks for a refund, we will lose over half our clubs.
The reality is, those who of us who can do more, will be asked to do more. Those who are able to maintain their membership this year, please do so. It might be the difference between clubs folding and being able to keep their door open. Equally, those who are experiencing difficulty, should be allowed a refund, and we shouldn't shame and make people feel bad about the situation in which they find themselves.
The reality is, those who of us who can do more, will be asked to do more. Those who are able to maintain their membership this year, please do so. It might be the difference between clubs folding and being able to keep their door open. Equally, those who are experiencing difficulty, should be allowed a refund, and we shouldn't shame and make people feel bad about the situation in which they find themselves.
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It’s not a service. It’s a membership. You’re buying into a club. Can’t you as probably ax Fitzroy supporter see the nuance of that?
Wow interviews are supposed to comprised of simple yes or no’s? Thats news to me. That would seem to make for pretty boring viewing.
The way he answered it the first time was a reasonable and honest response. Jones asking the same question again as if to question him and Collingwoods integrity was a cheap shot.
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I don’t think its as simple as just ‘we’ll give anyone refunds’. The club wants to keep their members, and you’d assume despite this hardship, the members want to remain in support of their clubs. Eddies answer indicated to me that they are clearly searching for a middle ground if possible.
‘For whatever reason’... I’d have thought the reason Eddie lost his cool is glaringly obvious given what is going on
So that is a no unless you are desperate. I am fortunate in that I don't need the money so wont be asking for it back but I don't have a problem with anyone that would. If someone contacts the club asking for a refund (as fans wont be going to games even if we play the season) would the club then be obliged to ask my financial position? and if i said its not their business would I still get a refund?
- Moderator
- #345
I'm not an ex-Fitzroy supporter. I'm a 2020 member of the Fitzroy Football Club.
Nevertheless it's still a service. I receive certain benefits in return for paying a membership fee. Like joining a golf club.
It’s early days still, the clubs can’t commit to cutting off every dollar of revenue via membership. If a member is experiencing hardship, they can call the club and ask for a refund, and that’s exactly what Eddie said. It’s a perfectly legitimate answer that requires more than a simple yes or no.
Opens a can of worms.
It has to be one rule for all - it will be - Ed is just pretending like they’d consider handing back money to people right now.
In reality he meant “No Tony, if someone asked for a refund tomorrow we would decline that as we are unclear what amount of ‘product’ we are currently able to deliver in 2020.”
The hardship stuff is hot air - there is no money going back to anyone....yet.
Look I agree with you. But clubs have been taking advantage of the members/fans for a long time now. They talk about how important the fans are but very rarely show that love. It’s been big business for a long time. Club members get 17,000 out of 100,000 tickets for the GF ffs. The fans are treated like s**t but are expected to give give give.
Nah, they're the true blue, passionate supporters that save every penny for a club membership. Not the wealthy, privileged bandwagon members.
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Ok, apologies, i shouldn’t have assumed.
Fair enough. I think the Eddie response was justified given Tony tried to question the integrity if him and his club on live TV.
I just do not think its as simple as stating ‘we will issue refunds to everyone who requests’. For example, someone with a reserved Seat home Membership for $500 or whatever a year, they may not be able to afford that exact amount anymore. They hear this statement and go boom cancelled.
However, with what Eddie is saying, you can call them and we will work with you. So, that person who couldn’t afford the $500 a year... The club says how about $100, as well as a discount/upgraded membership next year. That member could potentially afford that $100 and accept those terms.
Instead of the club receiving 0 from that member, and the supporter not being able to support the club in any way.. the club salvages something, and the supporter is able to support in a way that is manageable for them, as well as getting a nice little upgrade next year.
Just an example. But that is how i interpret his statement. I don’t think Tony had the bandwidth to process that live on air, and took it as the club is not taking refunds.
