Stunned

Agreed, MIke was the first person I emailed when I was planning my trip. I didn't have any problems with the on-sale date, and Nicola even offered to get us more seats if we needed them since I was limited to 4. They went out of their way to help me by being a FulhamUSA member and club member.

 

Yeah, silly me, thinking I could actually buy a ticket on the club website, or from their authorized reseller's. The only trouble I had on Norwich's site was only being able to buy one away ticket per account. So I created one for my spouse, and they approved both. So now we seem to be all set...in the away fans section.

 

Yes, I saw your post, but not in time. I ordered the tickets from the Canaries website last night.

 

I don't know if there's a chance to cancel or get a refund at this point, but I'm not inclined to. Here's my reply to Nicola's e-mail informing of their decision to sell tickets to only home supporters with a booking history for the last three matches.

Hi Nicola,

I understand the importance of these games as they relate to the potential
for relegation. I also understand why you're doing away with the
Mixed/Neutral Zone sections for these matches. I'm not a mixed/neutral fan.
I'm a Fulham fan. And even though my purchase history doesn't reflect it, I
HAVE purchased a Kappa home jersey from your online store in the past.

What I don't understand is why you are not allowing for exceptions for
overseas fans of the club. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

I've been wanting to visit London most of my life. I've talked my wife into
coming over, in part, to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary on the 14th
(She wanted to go to California). I've never been out of the country, and
my spouse has been only once, on a mission trip with our church choir to the
Dominican Republic. I became a Fulham fan after watching the World Cup in
2010 and deciding to pick a Premier League team to support. I picked the
Whites.

Now you're telling me I can't buy tickets to a home match on what's likely
to be the only chance I'll ever have to do it?

That's not disappointing. That's cruel.

I DO need your help. I need you and the club to make an exception here.
Quickly.

Thanks,

James Thomas
Louisville, KY, USA

I sent this on the 20th. Today is the 24th. I have yet to hear back from her or the club. Nothing. Zip. Nada. And since the window was closing on safely getting the tickets delivered to us before our departure date, I acted. So now, we're at least assured that we'll be able to go and get in.

Quite frankly, this entire episode has left a sour taste in my mouth. Does the club really think this policy is going to help them avoid relelgation? Highly doubtful. And at what cost? Ostracizing their newest fans? No wonder this club's in danger of relegation. The only way they can make this right with me is to provide us two free tickets to this match and compensate us for the cost of the away tickets, and that just ain't gonna happen. I hate it, but it's left me questioning my decision to become a Fulham supporter. Depending upon how the day goes at the Cottage on the 12th, my short love affair with them may well be over.

 

Wow, I don't know what to say beyond contacting her supervisor.

Also, don't aim all your ire at the club as this isn't entirely Fulham's fault.

The fact there are even set designations for sale dates (beyond X-game is available one date for ST holders; rest for gen pop), and this "only selling to members" thing all stem from the Taylor Report, which came out nearly a quarter-century ago.

It's a total anachronism that may have had good intentions but is woefully out of touch with modern dynamics (say, kind of like the sport in general...), and really only serves to screw fans that might not be 110% involved, because I dunno they live in a different continent.

 

Jump, I'm sure if you had posted that you were thinking about going through Norwich everyone would of said 'Noooo!!' I understand you wanting the tickets in your hand, but I'm sure there is a will call service. I would still attempt to go through Mike, even though you're beyond frustrated and spending an inordinate amount of time on this issue when you should be getting ready for your dream vacation.

You do not want to be sitting in the visitor section, think of wearing Louiville gear while seating in the middle of student section at Kentucky :shock: The Canaries' fans seem like a friendly lot, but they might not want someone celebrating a Fulham goal amongst them.

 

Unless something extraordinary happens, this will be my last post on this topic.

I finally received a response from Ms. Walworth today. She says that, after a chat with the Ticket Office Manager, they've agreed that they are "happy" to sell me a ticket for the game and accept my retail order as purchase history. She asked me to forward my preferred credit card option that they have on file (meaning they found my previous purchase), and asked me to give them an idea of where I would like to sit.

I responded that I needed TWO tickets, as I said in my original message, that I already had purchased tickets from Norwich City, and that my credit card had already been charged for them. I told her that unless they were willing to sell me two tickets and convince me it was worth my time to cancel my order with the Canaries and attempt to go through the hassle of obtaining a refund, that her kind offer was too little, too late.

I don't expect either to happen.

 

Jump, I know it's been a nightmare (kind of symbolic of our season), but put everything else aside and get seats w/the home supporters where you belong.