Here are some random email complaints from the past few weeks, the Top 10. We are listening but what do you think? We have many passionate fans and I appreciate your concerns.
"I hated the fleece helmet. Shame on you!" "Please figure out a way to have the parachutes with the t-shirts land in the 400 section. You are discriminating against us." "The music at the arena is awful. What are you guys smoking?" "The new HD screens are too high. I can’t see them." "Unleash the Fury. Are you kidding me? You guys suck – get a clue!" "The Backstrom jersey for season tickets holders is the worst gift idea I have ever seen. What were you thinking?" "The ushers at Verizon Center are MIA. Tell these people to make sure people don’t get seated until the play stops." "Arrest the scalpers. Why do you allow them to re-sell tickets outside of Verizon Center?" "The wireless connectivity in your arena is slow and messy. The connectivity issues are why I don’t buy season tickets." "The new secondary mark logo looks like a Nazi war symbol. You must change it ASAP."
Hi Ted,
This is written after the playoffs have ended. I have
read Daniel Briere’s comments about the poor quality
of the ice. I attended all four home playoff games
wearing shorts and was quite comfortable.
Please do something about the ice. Players are getting
hurt and it is erasing our speed and skill advantage.
For the Caps “home ice advantage” is not such an
advantage..
Sincerely,
An avid fan
I have to take issue with “Mike” (second or third post) saying that those in the 100 section get a “great gift – sweet seats.” We pay a lot of money for those seats; they are not given to us. I have nothing against anyone sitting in 400; everyone does what they can. But don’t act as if we get some sweet deal for no reason – I don’t control the freebies given out at games. It also makes me a bit upset that people feel a sense of entitlement to get more free stuff when they pay less – this attitude is the same attitude that contributes to ridiculous e-mails to Ted.
Thank you Mr. Leonsis!
Seats in the 100 level are not “gifts” – we pay a lot of money for them, and it’s frustrating when people who buy the cheap seats move down at their leisure. If you want the good seats, pay for them. If you don’t want to pay or can’t afford them, deal with the seats you have.
Come on, people.
re: 1995hoo
Hey I’m one of the people leaning over blocking your view because the stupid railing where our seats are, are so high. On top of that, they have a plexiglass piece to the right of my seat blocking that side, which could have gone where the railing is.
The other reason why I lean forward is because the people behind me have their legs and shoes up to my head, and often times put their shoes on the back of my seat and I don’t want my head or shirt anywhere near that. Either that or their shins are tapping my head if I lean back in my seat.
So you can thank the lovely designers of the Verizon Center for creating a domino effect on people leaning forward.
The people should know better anyways, I know I wait until stoppage if the usher isn’t there. That’s why it’s easy to sneak down if you know the time to do it. I don’t sneak down to the 100 sections that much, just a couple times, when it wasn’t as packed… but it’d definitely doable. I’m not endorsing it, but just to point out that the ushers don’t really care much, nor do the concession people either for the most part.
I’ve walked into the 100 sections before just pretending to talk on my phone and ignored the usher and got right on in.
Valid Complaints:
Ushers – they are either there (in which case they are usually holding people until the break in play, but then trying to check tickets and direct them to their seats during the break, thus holding up the patient guests) or they’re not (meaning you get to your seats to find the loud, obnoxious folks sitting in them don’t actually have tickets for them). A happy medium would be for them to check tickets and give people directions during play and expedite the flow during the break.
DC’s Fault
Scalpers – that’s DC Metro PD’s problem. They stand there and watch them buy/sell tickets without doing anything. It’s on the sidewalk, and that’s public property and their issue, not Ted’s.
Minor Quibbles
Backstrom mini-jersey – a lot of work making them up for a somewhat ehh gift. I could do without it and don’t really know what to do with it (I don’t have a huge wall of sports memorabilia).
Parachuting T-shirts – I can understand why they don’t do them for the upper deck. There’s not a lot of catwalk space above the upper level, meaning a lot of them would fall close to the edge and people are stupid enough to lunge for them and risk falling over the top level.
One thing I have to say, is that Ted is very responsive to fan complaints, even when there’s not much he can do about them. That’s the sign of an owner who cares.
“Can we have our rock and Roll part 2 song back? as you saw yesterday, we will find another way to get ‘you suck’ over the air.”
Please, NO! Those are not the words and you look like a bunch of MORONS yelling that after the CAPS score a goal, which is a time when you’re supposed to be cheering FOR YOUR TEAM. What are you, ten years old?
Regarding the issue on the ushers, perhaps the announcement about “When the puck is in play, make sure you’re out of the way” should be played DURING the game. Right now it’s only played some 15 minutes before game time and a lot of people–especially the people at whom this announcement is aimed–are not in the stands yet.
I have to say that I think the ushers downstairs, which is where I sit, do a pretty good job of enforcing this. The ones upstairs did NOT when I sat there, and it’s one reason why I moved downstairs (the other major reason being the people who sit leaning forward blocking everyone else’s view).
Isn’t it fun to read all of these messages with such passion….wow have the CAPS come along way and as a 25+ STH it makes my heart so happy. Yes, I agree, a no scalp zone for selling tickets to the game is a great idea!!!…it makes me remember when the ORIOLES were the htotest ticket in town and all of those games that were SOLD OUT! Have we finally come to this..if so I am glad I am on this CAPS bandwagon!
As a season ticket holder, I got the framed Backstrom mini-jersey. It was pretty cool. It’s a nice gesture towards the ticket holders for sure.
I usually show up right before game time so I usually miss out on all the cool freebies. The fleece helmets cracked me up. I personally wouldn’t wear it but it is fun, and I’m glad you guys gave them away.
Every time there is a giveaway, I just sit back and guess which 100 section will get the freebies. I’ve seen giveaways maybe twice in the 400 sections and that’s about it.
And last game I noticed some people were bringing back the old capitals cheer. THANK YOU.
Ushers in our section are there half the time in the 400 section. We’ve snuck into the 100 sections a couple times.
As for the giveaways during the game again… people, we’re in the 400 section. The people that paid more money for their tickets in the 100 section are going to get rewarded with freebies obviously. Get over it.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with the Backstrom STH gift, I see it as a missed opportunity. I love it when I see someone in town wearing something with a Caps logo, and particularly enjoy being in a sea of red at the game. A red jersey, a red fleece jacket or vest, a red polo shirt, anything that is red, with a Caps logo and is wearable would have been a great gift, since it would have helped further establish the Caps mark.
Some of these poeple are crazy. The people sitting in the lower level pay for their seats you idiots!! Sweet seats are there for anyone willing to pay, just because you sit upstairs doesn’t give you the right for all of the free stuff. No pitty here for you….Just more dumb comments from more dumb people (must be sitting upstairs and that is why there is no connectivity)…
There was this time when the vendors up in the 400s ran out of blue cotton candy…
People will complain about anything. Geniuses.
Ted, first of all, thanks for asking and for listening to the fans! That makes a huge difference to us to know that you’re interested in our opinion. Can we get some feedback from you after you get some comments from us?
1. I’m a new season ticket holder (went to 12 games last year), and I think the way you treat us is great! I do not understand why more people don’t sign up. There are SO many advantages, and we really appreciate the many goodies we have gotten, especially the January party and the New Years skate.
2. The best new thing for STHs is the two ticket exchange programs, especially the online sales. That is really great, and it’s the best defense against the scalpers, and it REALLY helps for families that can’t make all the week-night (school-night) games. I really like the idea of a fan exchange area, like they have at Camden Yards, but please leave the scalpers on the street alone; we don’t need the police to get involved in regulating this sort of thing. They aren’t hurting anyone, and people are free to ignor them if they want to. Let’s keep America a free country.
3. I’m not complaining about the Backstrom gift, but I would have MUCH preferred a signed REAL jersey, especially a rookie Backstrom one for my 12-year old to wear.
4. It does seem like the 400s sections don’t get nearly as many of the hand-outs as down below. We’d especially like more T-shirts to come our way. Don’t you WANT my kids to be wearing Caps T-shirts around for the free advertizing???
5. It would be nice to have more opportunities to get our jerseys signed by the players. The January party was great, but the lines were too long to get to more than a couple of the “name” players.
6. I agree that the ushers are NOT enforcing the policy on not allowing people to go up during game play. Fans also need more reminders to be considerate on the scoreboard and announcements during the game itself!
7. I strongly agree with the need to do something about the ice. The puck is bouncing all over the place.
8. The scoreboard is fine where it is (in fact, it’s great).
9. The eagle logo is great–don’t even think about changing again. I would have much preferred that to be the MAIN logo, vice the Capitals logo, but don’t change now.
10. We love “unleash the fury.”
11. If we want to make the playoffs, you will need to pay the refs more, like the Bruins obviously are. The diving call on OV was hard to explain on any other basis!
Again, thanks for asking. You are a great owner and are doing a great job for the fans.
As for number 10, I guess it is something that has bothered me, at least in the back of my mind. I do like the look of the new eagle logo, but it reminded me of the same thing. Check it out->>> http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Nazi_eagle_swastika.png
I still wouldn’t change it, but it is eerie.
I agree with those who commented about the issues with the ushers. Not only do they not stop people from walking down during the play, they do not regularly check tickets of those who sit in the first two rows. They allow (because they are too lazy to walk down) people to ‘take’ the vip seats in the first two rows if their owner hasn’t arrived. Most ushers do not check those tickets or seat occupants unless someone in my section complains. We should not have to do that. And what’s worse- sometimes those who are being checked by the usher will argue with the usher about why he/she should keep the vip seat rather than the seat he/she paid for! That’s my definition of chutzpah!
I personally wouldn’t agree with any of those based on the games that i’ve gone to this season. The one about the ushers might be the only one I could see being an issue. I laughed when I read the one about wireless connectivity, who goes to a sports game to talk on the phone? If everything goes as planned, it’ll be too loud to hear anything any way. They’re better off not paying for a ticket.
The only complaint I would have is the same as one that someone else listed earlier about the drunk students. I went to a game earlier this year and ran into a group of very drunk students headed to the game on the metro. They were kicked off the metro for drinking while on board. They were already too drunk to be coherent. I felt bad for whoever had to sit near those people because I could tell they wouldn’t have a fun time. I think very drunk people take away from the experience for other fans who are there to enjoy the game rather then the drinks. Social drinking is fine I believe, just as long as it doesn’t ruin games for the other fans. Then again, I don’t know if they eventually made it to the game, but I don’t think they’re the only ones.
Wow! A lot of comments! Here’s a one!
I got an email from the Washington Caps at 1:35pm about the street closings on Sunday. Great, except the game was at 3pm, I was long gone and sat forever in traffic I might have avoided. Didn’t spoil my afternoon though since I got my fleece helmet anyhow.
The ushers need better training, plain and simple. They let people run all over the 400s section while the puck is in play, but yell at me when I go in the “wrong side” of my section (I’m in 406 F, if that makes more sense). I hate them.
Since you posted the e-mail from a person complaining about the season ticket holder gift, I don’t know what reason they gave for their opinion but I can see why they may have said it. When I heard it was a mini-jersey signed by Nicklas, I thought it was so nice of him to be willing to do this. When I picked it up on Friday and carried it home on Metro, it was bigger and heavier than I had thought it would be. But when I opened it, I was a little disappointed. I am perplexed as to why no picture wire was attached to the frame so that it could just be hung up on the wall. My choices are 1) let it sit in the closet in the box, 2) pay a frame shop to attach picture wire, or 3)find a store that sells picture wire and hope I attach it right so that the min-jersey doesn’t fall on the floor and break after it is hung on the wall. I’m going for option three as I am not too bad at arts and crafts and I work across the street from an art supply store. I guess those who posted that they have already hung it on the wall are good at arts and crafts. Also, if I had paid a store to frame the mini-jersey for me, I would have been not have been extremely happy with the quality of the blocking of the mini-jersey as it has a bunch of wrinkles in it. I thought it was supposed to be completely flat. But since I didn’t pay for it, it’s fine.
The only valid one I see on there is the usher issue. Seriously, I have missed a lot just because people were coming up the aisle way during play with the usher showing them to their seats. It sucks majorly to have to look around people just to watch the game I’m paying to see. I understand if the people don’t know any better and get up in the middle of play. What I don’t understand is when the usher tells me to go ahead when I stop in the middle of play at the entrance. The sign is right next to their head!
In addition to the ushers who are psycho and unfriendly at best is the crazy security at the entrance of the arena which force people to open jackets (don’t sneak in the bottled water) and lay their hands on people repeatedly. I do not understand the rudeness or aggressiveness of the door staff, it seems they are most concerned with keeping food out rather then increasing safety. Do you all really need the extra money that much? Ushers are psycho about checking tickets…note to ushers NO ONE ever sneaks into the lousy seats.
I agree with usher issue. Last year I missed Mike Green’s first NHL goal because someone standing in the way. Someone mentioned the way Carolina handles fans when the game is going on.
Agree with #7
Ted, have you ever considered a “no scalp zone”, like the one at Camden Yards, where fans could sell tix (at face value or less) without having to deal with the illegals? -JW
Can we have our rock and Roll part 2 song back? as you saw yesterday, we will find another way to get “you suck” over the air. and just wait till Nashville scores tomorrow night ( I hope they don’t) but if they do, they do it louder then we ever did, and the home team channel (FSN) I think, has no problem letting it over the air….stupid CSN
What’s with these people? Get a life! I’m a STH and the only comment with any validity is the ushers. I missed a goal last week because of people standing in the aisle. Oh well. Maybe the ushers could have made a difference, but maybe people need to have a clue. All in all, Caps games are fun which is why I’ll be renewing for next year.
This is off subject but what about the ice at VC? Kettler is a wonderful facility but if the surface conditions where the games are actually played isn’t meeting expectations, something should be done about it. The investment in new HD screens was nice for the fans but we’re not down there trying to score goals in less than optimum conditions…
The most relevant hockey comment was about the ice. We sat way up in Section 432 yesterday instead of our STH Section 100 seats (really see the plays develop upstairs)and got a good bird’s-eye view of the huge puddles that remained well into the beginning of each period. Plus, just about everyone in the NHL agrees Verizon has the worst ice. I realize it could cost millions, but in addition to more places at which to sell beer, Verizon Center needs to spend $$$ to rip up the floor and put in a state-of-the art ice-making system.
Once again these people are totally crazy! I swear people have nothing better to complain about.
1.I think the fleece helmet was a good idea..I liked them even if they are a little dorky! I love getting fun stuff with the caps logo!
2.Everyone complaining about section 400 obviously doesn’t go to very many games b/c the giveaways are pretty evenly spaced out at about every other game so go to more games and you’ll have a better chance of getting a t-shirt. Or better yet quit being cheap and buy your own t-shirt.
3. The music is perfect..so much better then at other arenas.
4. As far as the HD screen goes I sit 5 rows from the glass and can see it perfectly fine if I look up!
5. The Backstrom jersey was totally cool. I gave mine to a little kid sitting near me who was really into hockey since his dad couldn’t afford season tickets so if you don’t like it (which I did) give it to a little kid…they’ll appreciate it!
6. Scalpers will always be there..get over it!
7.The ushers are a problem…and people are rude and try to get to their seats without waiting for play to stop. I don’t think the ushers are aware of that “rule”.
8. Unleash the fury is the best!!! Don’t get rid of that…the crowd loves it! The boys seem to respond to the crowd getting into it so it’s a win win situation!
9. Finally the wireless..are you serious? Why spend all that money if you’re not really there to watch the game?
I’ve decided not to even address the Nazi thing….Thanks for listening!
Ted,
The ushers are inconsistant to say the least, it is very frustrating. I went to an away game in Carolina and it was refreshing, the ushers carried stop signs and did not play. They wouldnt let you in while play was going or getting ready to start and if you left while play was going you were quickly corrected. I will say that is the most frustrating part of my evening at the Caps games. Part of it I think is education, I am not sure they know when the puck is about to drop and when they should stop people. An example is a face off during a power play in the other teams end. I am waiting for Ovies one timer into the net off the face off but never get to see it because the Usher pushed people down the stairs at the last second.
I just wish I had gotten there early enough for a Fleece Helmet. Stupid Metro delay.
One more about the fleece helmets… I did a quick check of Ebay and there’s a chap selling NHL fleece helmets for $20 a pop. (He’s in Canada and has mostly Canadian teams…)
So the retail value of the helmets (there were 5000 given out if I recall), means that they were worth $100,000 retail.
Ted,
My wife loved the fleece helmet – mostly because it covered her ears. And its warm too. I can guarantee that she’ll be wearing it again.
Ted, can I answer these? Oh please, oh please?
Ok, I’ll answer them here.
1) The flannel helmet is a nifty idea in that it’s unique. While I don’t recommend it for most things, I figure that it’ll make a nice hockey helmet for one fo my wife or daughters stuffed animals (I think my daughter may have already commandeered it!)
2) Hmmm… those things don’t have any guidance system and go the way of the air currents in the building. Since most of the infrastructure (including the blowers) are on the outside, air would tend to go to the middle of the arena, hence the chutes going to the lower level
3) It’s nice that the music is a nice mix of classic artists (Metallica, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, G-and-R) as well as some new artists (The Hives, last year’s using Muse in the between period music). And the opening song (Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender”) was a Grammy nominee…
4) And if they’re lower the Caps might end up accidentally hitting it with pucks. And when the Rockets come to town to play the Wizards, Yao Ming might bump his head!
5) Let’s unleash the fury on that guy! That’s one of the more original crowd motivator videos I’ve ever seen
6) I feel for Nick, having to sign all those things…
7) The usher issue is real in that they don’t seem to enforce the rules about that. But then, they don’t work for the Caps. If it was a Wizards game…
9) Uh… why are you looking for wireless connectivity at the arena. Aren’t you there to WATCH THE GAME???
10) Hmmm… I don’t recall any symbols from any country in WW-II (other than the USA) that feautred a bald eagle or the US Capitol building…certainly not in red, white and blue.
I guess I’m not so good at answering these things. You know, Scott Adams sometimes has Dogbert answer his mail…maybe you can hire Dogbert to answer these too!
My question is…what are these people smoking. The fleece helmet is great..i was there and am proud to have one. T shirts in section 400..okay, that could probably be done but who really cares. The music is okay…better than other arena’s i’ve been too…Carolina is horrible. The HD screens are too high….wow, stop your crying. Unleash the fury…i think that is pretty cool. Season tickets…I’d take a Backstrom jersey any day of the week..what exactly are they expecting? I agree that too many people are moving about while play is going on. Scalpers…I ignore them! If you don’t buy season tix because of the wireless connectivity than maybe you should 1) get a new carrier or 2)well, its obvious you aren’t a true hockey fan. And…the secondary logo was voted as the best secondary logo in the league…it looks nothing like a Nazi war logo. Stop your bleeding heart and just worry about hocky. Ted, don’t listen to these fools…you are the man. Go CAPS.
All the ushers must be in the 400 sections because God forbid you sit in the wrong seat there.
The 400s definitely are left out of most give-aways. Go back to spreading out the pizzas and T-shirts through multiple sections to get lots of people excited at once instead of it just “never being our section”.
The biggest problem at Verizon has got to be the ice. Drop the temp in the building (the Basketball people will just have to bring a sweater) and get some Zambonis (the “I want to drive the Zamboni” song is better anyway).
I guess they want the players to be able to watch the HD screens. Twice this season the puck has just about hit the screen as it is. It must be rough sitting down near the glass where it is hard to see the screen. That is one of the few perks for us 400 level people.
Its hockey, people. Bad music (especially that from an organ) and hockey just go hand and hand. They got rid of the organist at the University of Arizona hockey games (yes, we play hockey in the desert too) and fans went crazy.
And as for the logos, they look awesome!! We are in the nation’s capital and should represent. The eagle and the Capital are symbols of our country. It would have been nice if the season ticket holder gift was made in this country, though, instead of in China.
All in all, I think the caps have a lot to be proud of. If you don’t like it, spend your money elsewhere. If you stay, be loud, be proud and C-A-P-S Caps! Caps! Caps!
The only one of these with any validity is the comment about waiting for a stoppage in play before letting people return to their seats.
Wireless connectivity? Really? You are at a hockey game – put the Blackberry/Treo/iPhone away for a couple hours and enjoy the game.
Don’t have a problem with scalpers or music.
Love the second logo, the HD screens and free stuff.
I like to tell people there are two type of problems in the world… good problems and bad problems. A good problem is that the complaints all look like they are coming from people who are paying customers at games. A bad problem would be that there are no complaints because no one is attending games. I’ll take the good problems every time. I’m a STH and I had a great time yesterday. And I picked up my STH gift which went right on my wall in my game room when I got home. Keep up the great work Ted. My wife and I appreciate your efforts.
I agree about the ushers. I’ve gotten blocked on 2 goals this year by people getting back into their seats during play.
Actually the parachutes were a great idea but they did not go to section 400.
I would way rather have a real jersey than the mini jersey and it would go a long way in the look of a full arena
The music is good but you need some new video clips
The usher comment is right on!
The scalpers and crap vendors block pedestrian traffic and are generally creepy.
What about the B@#ch throwing up all over the ladys room upstairs and freaking out my daughter. do something about that kind of issue.
Being proud of a “sell out” is great except that it is a “sell out” when it is only good for your bank account and Caps fans are surrounded by Pittsburg or Buffalo fans IT SUCKS and the Caps fans are the once who were “Sold out” I would say beat up your marketing people and get some Caps fans in the place!
Ted-
I think only 2 of these complaints have any validity- it would be great if people in the 400 level got more of the “freebies”, as in my opinion, when you sit in the 100-200 level, you already have a great gift- sweet seats. The ushers waiting until a break to seat people is a good one, too.
As for the others, I’ve been to almost 2 dozen home games this year. I love the music (intro is great but not as cool as the “men in black” version last year), the HD screens are only too high for those right on the ice (and it’s hard to feel sorry for those people anyway), whoever says the secondary logo looks like a Nazi war symbol needs a history lesson, and finally, who really decides whether to buy tickets based on wireless connectivity? He’s probably better off at home anyway. And really, good luck arresting the scalpers. They’re in front of every stadium and arena in the country.
I think your arena and business teams have made great improvements over the last year or two, Ted- especially in the promotional area. If I had only one wish, it would be that on Student Rush nights, the students that are too drunk to speak clearly shouldn’t be placed in the same section as the families with young kids. Gotta cater to the families and adults, they’re your major source of income, not the students. Maybe you can make that change in 2 weeks when we’re in the playoffs!
I agree with the usher comment. There hasn’t been a single game that I’ve been to this year that I haven’t asked either people or the usher themselves to step back until play has stopped.
I have to agree about the ushers. It has gotten better in our section but there was a time they were missing during the 2nd and 3rd periods.
I thought the fleece helmets were alright. It would’ve been useful while I was in Germany last week.
You’re doing a great job trying to keep the fans pleased and I’m enjoying my experience as a Caps fan except for the team not playing as well as they should!
who are these people ?
i think its safe to say i dont agree with ANY of those emails. if they think those are problems worth thinking about, i feel sorry for those people.