October 18, 2013 8:39 am
This week I finally opened the Arsenal Members pack that all Gold, Silver & Red members get from the club as part of the membership scheme. And what a disappointment it was;
My first thought was ‘what a load of crap.’ My second thought was ‘where is the bin.’
Now I know why the packs are relevant. It is to make it look as if the club is giving something back to the fans. To appear as if the membership cost is not just a tax on buying tickets. But at the end of the day, I pay £1000+ for my season ticket. This year I will spend around £4000 on tickets (home and away), transport (over land and sea), booze and hotels following The Arsenal. A pack which cost less than a fiver to put together is not exactly the club giving back.
Now sending me a pack is a waste of money, as I am sure it is for many fan of a similar age who does not buy programmes, shirt or any other of the crap merchandise the club pedals. The club could save money by having an ‘opt out of members pack’ box that you can tick when renewing your membership.
I would not even ask for money off my season ticket or membership. The pack costs sweet FA so it would be a saving of a fiver. Not much of a saving when I am willing to spend £4000 following The Arsenal.
And the club would not exactly make an earner from it. The money saved from the packs would probably be less than the cost of a weeks wages for Nicklas Bendtner.
So my theory is this. On your season ticket renewal form, there should be a ‘donate to charity’ box that one can tick. Then, rather than me getting the pack ,it go’s to someone who would potentially appreciate it more. Add to the Christmas gifts the players take to a local hospital. Send them to Great Ormond Street. Distribute it to those living abroad who a little bit of Arsenal would brighten their day.
It would cost me nothing. It would cost the club nothing. But it could make the day of someone less fortunate.
So Arsenal, if you are reading this, allow me to donate my membership pack to someone who would actually like it, rather than send it to me to chuck in the bin.
Keenos
Follow @KeenosAFC
Posted by keenosafc
Categories: Arsenal
Tags: Arsenal, Arsenal FC, Christmas, Keenos, Nicklas Bendtner, Premier League, Season ticket, Television
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.
This years was a disappointing effort. They have produced much better packs in the past.
LikeLike
By Amos on October 18, 2013 at 9:05 am
quite liked the scarf as all of my scarves are grubby with bits pulled out of them due to stress whilst watching Arsenal. Have given the badges away to a six year old lad (I don’t think a 52 year old female maintains any dignity wearing badges like that!) and agree with your idea of donating to charity option. But, really, did we actually expect anything of great value for the membership fee? I don’t think so!
LikeLike
By Deb on October 18, 2013 at 9:08 am
I am living overseas and I do have a basic membership. All I can say is, oh rats. I look forward to receiving the garbage and binning it. They shouldn’t have bothered sending it all the way here. Just a membership card would do. At least I can flaunt it around the folks here like I am so connected to Arsenal.
LikeLike
By Black Hei on October 18, 2013 at 9:11 am
I give mine straight to my little ones, they think it’s “cool” and take it to show and tell.
LikeLike
By Ben Bryder on October 18, 2013 at 9:26 am
Why do you just drop it off at a charity shop yourself instead of putting it in the bin?
LikeLike
By Tommygun1886 on October 18, 2013 at 9:27 am
Sorry, “why don’t you” that should say?
LikeLike
By Tommygun1886 on October 18, 2013 at 9:28 am
Its the scarf that gets me… every year a bloody scarf. I have like 5 red and white scarfs now when 1 would be enough!
LikeLike
By Gooner on October 18, 2013 at 1:00 pm