283 replies to this topic

[PsnowConeLawliet]

DavidB, on Jul 21 2010, 01:37 PM, said:

Group shots haven't been included in the tickets for a while now. You'd get one OF the guests, but not WITH.

We knew it was OF the guests... but if the people staying at the Park Inn get one with the guests, don't you think it's only fair to let the Gold/Silver people get one too? It wouldn't be that many more people anyway, really.

[DavidB]

I was just making it clear so no one misunderstood what you were saying. We've had plenty of unsure people in the past

[fanggirl]

PsnowConeLawliet, on Jul 21 2010, 01:42 PM, said:

DavidB, on Jul 21 2010, 01:37 PM, said:

Group shots haven't been included in the tickets for a while now. You'd get one OF the guests, but not WITH.

We knew it was OF the guests... but if the people staying at the Park Inn get one with the guests, don't you think it's only fair to let the Gold/Silver people get one too? It wouldn't be that many more people anyway, really.

I think this is being as an incentive to make sure the hotel is sold out for the weekend of the convention. They've already stated in another thread that the convention may lose money... I'm guessing they may have some deal with the hotel that all the rooms aren't sold out then they'll lose more!?!* If this is the case then the photos are a little extra to the people to staying there as a thankyou for helping THEM out.


*this is only my guess, I may be wrong.

[PsnowConeLawliet]

DavidB, on Jul 21 2010, 01:44 PM, said:

I was just making it clear so no one misunderstood what you were saying. We've had plenty of unsure people in the past

Fair do's. I think it's something the organisers should consider, that Gold/Silver people who aren't at the Park Inn should get a group shot with them. It saves getting just a group shot of the guests printed off like 30 times or whatever.

[Charmer]

I think it should just be made available to buy a group shot for people not at the hotel personally. But the Park in people get it for free. Since they are doing one for them it cant be that hard to sort it out so we can all get one if we want. Plus it'd be more money coming in and help out budget wise so it's a win/win situation.
Just my opinion though.

[jcAngel]

It still seems exceptionally unfair that those of us that can not stay in the Park Inn for valid reasons are being discriminated against.  IF there were rooms available to suit everyone, and IF we made an active choice not to stay there, then fair enough, but that really isn't the case.

I would love to help them out and stay at the event hotel, and I really want the event to be a success because I love True Blood and hope for another event and the chance to meet more guests from the show in the future.  However this has rather soured my anticipation for the event.

[TeamQuil]

Well I'm sorry Massive Events but I'm absolutely disgusted! At everyone of your events I stay at the con hotel but Northampton ones make it difficult as I can't afford to pay upfront AND buy a ticket for the con! Especially when I do more than one of your events a year. This year in fact iv done/will be doing four! Brilliant way of showing your appreciation to loyal customers!

[LisaMarie]

Although I have no idea... I'd say it would make sense that the group photoshoots would be available to purchase for those not staying in the Park Inn.

Whilst the guests are assembled for the shoot with people wanting to pay for the photo I can't see why not. /

[DavidB]

I'm sure feedback will be taken on board where possible, but I would suggest there's not much point in anyone getting angry.

ME have said on a number of occasions that the con hotel does need to be filled as much as possible. This is a good incentive to get those few remaining rooms filled, as well as something nice for those who are already staying there.

Obviously there are some circumstances surrounding those who aren't staying there, so perhaps they will be taken on board, but we'll see. I certainly find it difficult paying up front myself, so I do understand.

[conqueen]

I'm also annoyed at this, as the only reason I bought a silver ticket was because it also included a group shot, but now that the group shot is being given free it makes the purchase of a silver ticket seem pretty pointless as once you add up the cost of all the photo sessions bought separately we are essentially paying an extra £12 just for seating a few rows in front of normal seating, which maybe in a packed con would be handy, but for what appears to be a small con will make little difference. Next time I will definitely just be getting a standard entry ticket.

Edited by conqueen, 21 July 2010 - 02:21 PM.

[fanggirl]

conqueen, on Jul 21 2010, 03:19 PM, said:

I bought a silver ticket was because it also included a group shot, but now that the group shot is being given free

er, no - the group shot with a silver ticket is OF the guests not you WITH them!!!

[Rhianydd]

As Heulwen said, it is of you with the guests, gold and silver get a group shot just of the guests, not them with them.

As David mentioned, This hasnt been offered at cons for a while, so it is definitely a good thing to be offered.

This is what showmasters said:

Quote

  free, group photo shoot with all the guests attending!  

[Nixster]

I do feel it discriminates against people who can't fork out nearly £200 upfront, I live on £20 a week (that includes my bus fares to work and food) to be able to afford these things which are the only things in the year I have to look forward to. I have recently had a major operation and am having to pay £22 every 2 weeks for prescriptions, I've only just got enough to pay for the Hotel at Bitten - I'm just glad I managed to get a room mate as I'd be very stuck for any sort of spending money. I'll even be bringing my own food and drink as I won't be able to eat out.

I have to work out my money like a year in advance if I want to go to a convention, say for example I pay for the ticket in March, I pay for the train in April and the Convention is in May so pay for the Hotel then, doing 2 very large payments in one go is just not logical and just not do-able!

Please ME rethink your reasoning on this, it would be better recieved if everyone in the Park Inn and any Gold or Silver not in the Park Inn be given the Photo Shoots and you'll probably be highly praised for it instead of making a lot over people extreaml upset...Thank you

[conqueen]

fanggirl, on Jul 21 2010, 03:25 PM, said:

conqueen, on Jul 21 2010, 03:19 PM, said:

I bought a silver ticket was because it also included a group shot, but now that the group shot is being given free

er, no - the group shot with a silver ticket is OF the guests not you WITH them!!!

The wording "1 exclusive convention photo featuring all of the guests attending" to me certainly made it sound like a photo session with the guests to me, even those I booked with looked at this and thought that is what it meant. I would therefore suggest the wording be clearer. Maybe substituting the word photo with print. Cons are a lot of money these days and you want to make sure you get the best value you can, and for me having a silver ticket I do not feel like I am getting value for money over a standard ticket, but I may be going slightly off topic now.

[Blackviolett]

I agree with Nixster. Isnt that a little unfair ?  We cant stay at the Park Inn as we couldnt afford it so had to book slightly out of town so we could afford it. Yet we still booked for the event and are still coming in full force, we even helped promote where we could to help ticket sales. Its slightly unfair to just let people at the Park Inn have the photo dont you think? Some of us are on budgets and are trying to still attend and support ME/SM.
Yes its ideal to stay at the hotel where the event is but sometimes this is not possible. The events cost us all enough as it is what with travel, drinks, food and photos etc. This is a kick in the teeth for non Park Inn attendees and I shall not book again with SM after this year based on this sadly

Edited by Blackviolett, 21 July 2010 - 03:17 PM.

[amandaa34]

In my opinion the hotel would of been fully booked if they had not done the pay up front,  thats what puts people off, I certainly wouldnt of done it, but i was lucky and booked the rooms last october before massive events block booked all the rooms. Sure I pay a little bit more but it was defiently worth the hassle.

But now I am wondering if  the people I booked the rooms for an myself will still be included in the free group photos as we didnt book the hotel stating massive events.

I do hope we all still get them.

amanda

[conqueen]

Also what if you are staying Saturday and Sunday, which I am. The first post only says if you are staying Friday and Saturday, so why is Friday special and Sunday not.

[scruffy]

I am sure when Mark announced this he had no idea it opened a can of worms so to speak.
The con has lower ticket sales as per an earlier thread ,so this has maybe been seen as a way to both boost sales and get the hotel sold out .
I am not sure if it is actually a photo with the guests and attendee or just the photo already given to gold/silver ticket holders  of the guests only , so guess that may need to be clarified too.
Mark will possibly be sitting with his head in hands now, wondering why he bothered  

[DavidB]

scruffy, on Jul 21 2010, 04:38 PM, said:

I am not sure if it is actually a photo with the guests

It does say 'with' the guests in the first post

But yes it is a shame that ME have tried to do something nice for people and it has ended up like this

Edited by DavidB, 21 July 2010 - 03:46 PM.

[jcAngel]

Interesting way to put it.  They tried to do something nice for just a subset of attendees, surely they must have realised that was going to cause an awful lot of bad feeling from those excluded?