It took me one whole week till I can laugh about this. Well, I am still not really laughing about it. I was fumed. Still makes me mad thinking about it.
Exactly one week ago today, on December 8th, 2007, I sat in front of my work computer at 9:45 am. The Boston Red Sox Christmas at Fenway event was on, and that also meant that the online ticket sales was about start at 10 am. I had to start working at 1 pm, figured in three hours, I can get tickets and then start working. As I have done the last three or four years, (or more? I am not sure…) I had my credit card out, and accessed redsox.com and opened up few windows like this (click to enlarge):
I was listening to my iPod. I might as well listen to Fugazi’s “13 songs” album… You know, the one that goes…
I am a patient boy
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait
My time, the water down a drain …more…
Anyway, one hour passes. One and half hour passes, and I start to think, ” Mmmm, I was able to get in by now last year…” Then two hour passes, I’m nervous that I won’t get any tickets, and three hours passes and I had to go to a work meeting. I just sat in front of computer for three pathetic hours, even had my credit card ready to spend like $1,000, Welcome to virtual waiting room hell. What other business would do that? This is crazy, and it is really bad business practice. I finally gave up. I had to start working.
And what do I get as I close my window? The following message is what I got.
Fine, Boston Red Sox. I will keep my $1,000 to myself.
One Comment
just came across your blog from go-redsox.com — it’s great because i can practice reading my japanese! thank you for your posts. my comment is that i have been in the virtual waiting room for hours – two years ago, i waited 6.5 hours for tickets and last year, i called the ticket office as well as try online. it’s a true test of patience but once you get in, you try to get whatever tickets you can! i agree they need a better system for ticket sales, though – but i’m crazy enough to do whatever i can to get my tickets.
lastly, do you still have some bumper stickers left? i read in the red sox magazine you had made some and were giving them away! if so, i would love one and would be more than happy to pay for it.
thank you again for your posts, i enjoy reading them.