41 replies to this topic

[AustinF1]

COTA is taking a beating on their Facebook page over USGP ticket delays, apparently deleting posts by angry customers. 

 

In a KVUE article today they said that: 

 

- all the tickets have been sent (customers are saying otherwise)

- they're only a week late (bull****. they're a month late according to COTA's own website), and 

- the only remaining problems are with customers who moved or changed addresses. That prompted a flood of responses on our page from people saying they're using the same addresses as last year and haven't heard a thing about the tickets.

 

9 days out from FP1. This is crazy.

 

In this story, just as we're seeing elsewhere, COTA's story about the ticket delays seems to contradict customer accounts of emails they've received.

 

In some customer emails, COTA says they've "mailed our last batch of tickets this past Monday, Nov. 4th". In others as late as today, they're saying that tickets "will be mailed out shortly via USPS".

 

So far COTA has blamed address updates, a printing problem, Ticketmaster, and FOM. Who's next?

 

https://www.google.c...-B3U74aBZk92TUg

[OfficeLinebacker]

You.  It's partially your fault, too, AustinF1.

[repete]

I still havent recieved tickets or parking pass. If they dont show up, i guess i will just have to hope my reciepts get me in, cause i am going to this race.

[BulletTooth]

I got mine about 3 weeks ago.  Another guy at the office that ordered tickets without a PSL got his a couple of days before me.

[AustinF1]

You.  It's partially your fault, too, AustinF1.

It is?

 

(I'm assuming you're joking)

[AustinF1]

I still havent recieved tickets or parking pass. If they dont show up, i guess i will just have to hope my reciepts get me in, cause i am going to this race.

This is a problem COTA doesn't seem to be addressing. They're telling people to go to Will Call and pick up their tickets. The problem is that for those arriving by car without their parking passes that failed to reach them on time, there's nowhere to park. The whole facility has no free-access parking, and there's no dedicated parking area near the ticket office. I don't know what they expect you to do.

Edited by AustinF1, 07 November 2013 - 17:11.

[AustinF1]

Following V8 Supercars' lead, Pirelli World Challenge drops COTA from their 2014 calendar:

 

http://www.racer.com...article/319933/

 

Add them to the list of V8SC, SCCA, ALMS (due to merger), and almost FIAWEC.

[bourbon]

This is a problem COTA doesn't seem to be addressing. They're telling people to go to Will Call and pick up their tickets. The problem is that for those arriving by car without their parking passes that failed to reach them on time, there's nowhere to park. The whole facility has no free-access parking, and there's no dedicated parking area near the ticket office. I don't know what they expect you to do.

 

Tell the security guard your story and arrive a bit early.  When he says "sorry, I can't let you in without a pass", ask to speak to the supervisor.  They will direct you into the lot to wait for the supervisor.  The supervisor will likely let you park in a special location while you go to will call.  But generally it takes time for the supervisor to show up and well - you are parked in the lot already, so ... I will leave the creative bits up to you.

[AustinF1]

So, apparently some folks got this email today:

 

 

Thank you for your patience. Circuit of the Americas mailed our last batch of tickets this past Monday, Nov. 4th, so your tickets should arrive by Friday, Nov. 8th. I cannot provide a tracking number at this time as we are still waiting on that list from Fedex. However, TicketMaster apparently mailed tickets themselves (which was not planned) via USPS Regular Mail, in which case your tickets might not arrive until next week.In the case that their arrival is too late for you to receive them, you will need to pick up your tickets at will call. Please contact us with your order # so that we can process a will call request for you, so you will be able to pick up your tickets at the General Plaza at the track beginning Monday, Nov. 11th. Please see our will call policies below, and thank you for your patience

 

 

 

...and this statement was released 2 hours ago on their FB page:

 

 

Official Statement from Circuit of The Americas Regarding Tickets:"COTA's F1 USGP tickets have been shipped. They went out a week later than we originally anticipated due to some design and informational updates that Formula One Management required us to make to the ticket stock. We apologize for the delay, but guests should be receiving their tickets via FedEx or through the U.S. Postal Service, depending on whether they purchased them from COTA or ordered them online through Ticketmaster. We are currently working to identify updated addresses for some patrons who may have moved since they placed their orders, and will get those fans their tickets as soon as possible. We know everyone is eager to have their tickets, and we’re working to make that happen.">> If you have not received your tickets and would like us to look up how and when they shipped, please send us a private message with your order number and when you plan on leaving for/arriving in Austin.

 

 

 

First off..."General" Plaza? WTF is that? I know what they meant, but it's called the Grand Plaza. COTA can't even get their own terminology right in emails to people who may not be familiar enough with the place to know on their own what to ask directions to.

- USPS...that means tickets sent that way can arrive no sooner next week than Tuesday. Monday is Veteran's Day.

- A week late? No. Try a month late according to your own website. Better off not using this blatant lie as an excuse when it's so easy to shoot down. It just makes you look like even bigger arrogant idiots, if that's possible.

- Ticket changes forced by FOM? Ha! Yeah right COTA. The only reason FOM would have them make last minute changes causing late delivery would be if they ****ed it up in the first place...and a WEEK late? They're so full of ****. These tickets are already a month late according to their own site. So in these two statements they blame FOM, Ticketmaster, and address changes. They have also blamed printing problems. So it's everyone's fault but theirs!

 

What a clusterf*** of epic proportions.

Edited by AustinF1, 07 November 2013 - 19:34.

[FerrariFanInTexas]

So I've been waiting patiently since March 21 to get my 7 tickets.  Last Friday, I contacted the track and was told that they were sending the local tickets out last (which makes so little sense I did not even argue), but that my tickets would be send by 2-day FedEx on Monday, 11-4.  I told him it was pretty unaccaptble and honestly my six friends are accusing me of stealing 2 grand from them.

 

On Saturday, I received an email from Ticketmaster, telling me my tickets had been printed and were being shipped to me by USPS. 

 

As of today's mail delivery, nothing.

 

So I called the track again today, and was told that COTA did not know TM was going to mail tickets.  I asked how things changed so much from 3:30 on Friday afternoon to sometime Saturday when TM mailed (mailed!) me my tickets.  The helpful but flustered gentleman did not know and could not explain.  He did give me the "we had a printing problem that delayed mailings by a week" which is irrelevant to me and doesn't really explain why they and TM seem to have no clue about thousands of dollars worth of tickets.  He finally said I could pick up the tickets at Will Call, but not until Monday. 

 

So it seems I'll be driving over the track at lunch on Monday and getting my tickets to distribute to my friends less than a week before FP1.

 

Bush league indeed.  I've been a big supporter of the track, but things like this are really trying my patience. 

[Cool Beans]

I don't get the fuss, seems like everything is an outrage these days. Are you planning to frame the tickets and display them on your wall or why is a week not enough time to spend alone with your tickets?

[AustinF1]

I don't get the fuss, seems like everything is an outrage these days. Are you planning to frame the tickets and display them on your wall or why is a week not enough time to spend alone with your tickets?

The issue is that many people will be traveling here for the race and already have confirmed travel arrangements. Many will either have to leave home without their tickets or postpone their departure. I've personally heard from many people choosing either of those options. Many of these people paid for their tickets months ago. I'm not sure why it's hard to see the issue here. FP1 is in 8 days & many of these tickets were just sent today....via USPS no less. These tickets should have gone out long ago and timely delivery should never be in question. Tickets for other events are typically are sent within hours or a day of when they're ordered. I've heard from people who haven't yet received their 2013 USGP tickets but who already have been notified that their tickets for other  2014 races have been sent.

Edited by AustinF1, 07 November 2013 - 21:50.

[ScuderiaSV1]

I received my parking pass (lot near the circuit) a few weeks ago.  But I haven't received an email or my tickets yet..

 

My friend going with me received an e-mail on Nov. 2nd saying his tickets were shipping (also purchased via Ticketmaster)

[Cynic2]

I understand from a VERY reliable source that their Media/PR operation makes their ticketing operation look like a precision Swiss watch . . . .

 

Cynic

[AustinF1]

I understand from a VERY reliable source that their Media/PR operation makes their ticketing operation look like a precision Swiss watch . . . .

 

Cynic

Yep. Your friend is correct.

[FerrariFanInTexas]

I don't get the fuss, seems like everything is an outrage these days. Are you planning to frame the tickets and display them on your wall or why is a week not enough time to spend alone with your tickets?

Well, maybe if they could actually tell me with certainty (you know, like a guarantee) that my tickets would be here a week out, I'd not worry too much.  But if they were put in the US Mail, with no tracking option, I have no certainty when they will arrive.  I have friends coming from out of town, and they'd like some affirmation they will get into the race when they get here.  And since we paid them thousands of dollars, including a goodly amount to Ticketmaster as "Service Fees", we'd sure like to have the benefit of our bargain.  We've been out the thousands of dollars for 8 months.  We'd like to see a little ROI on that investment.  You know, like knowing for certain we're going to get into the race.

 

I wonder what the Ticketmaster service fees bought me, anyway?  Certainly not timely delivery.

[AustinF1]

Cars & gear are now showing up at the track & people don't have their tickets.

 

Awesome.

 

[OfficeLinebacker]

It is?

 

(I'm assuming you're joking)

Yes, joking.  Just trying to get the thread started.

 

I think COTA is going to give way for NJ/NY GP.  Pretty soon it will be a lost, shuttered place like so many others before it.

 

And from all the stories I've heard about how it's run, good riddance.

[AustinF1]

Yes, joking.  Just trying to get the thread started.

 

I think COTA is going to give way for NJ/NY GP.  Pretty soon it will be a lost, shuttered place like so many others before it.

 

And from all the stories I've heard about how it's run, good riddance.

Cool. Thought so. Hey, now I remember, don't you post over on F1Technical? How ya been?

[fastlegs]

I'm getting a little concerned that my tickets may not arrive in time. I'm flying to Texas next Friday, Nov 15th.

 

Here is the email I received from Ticketmaster yesterday.

 

"The ticket(s) you ordered on September 22, 2013 for FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX have been printed! They will be shipped to you shortly via US Mail."

 

Hopefully they get here in time, otherwise I'll be using my receipt to get into the track.
 

[jonpollak]

oh dear..looks like a Sophomore slump.

Hope it all works out for y'all.

If not, tell them Jp sent you.. while throwing rocks at the Longhorn wannabe security staff preventing you from entering the facility
Jp

[AustinF1]

Jalopnik: What The Hell Is Going On With Tickets For The US Grand Prix? 

http://jalopnik.com/...dium=socialflow

 

Statesman: MIA F1 tickets have some fans angry

http://www.statesman...ome-fans-angry/

 

Autoweek: Ticket distribution for Formula One's Austin race has turned into a fiasco for COTA

http://www.autoweek....07/F1/131109847

[szym3k]

I'm getting a little concerned that my tickets may not arrive in time. I'm flying to Texas next Friday, Nov 15th.

 

 

 

I received noticed that tickets were being printed on Nov 5gh, and received them in the mail on the 7th. Be optimistic! 

[AustinF1]

Didn't they say yesterday that the last of the tickets had been shipped?

 

 

American-StatesmanGP @StatesmanGP: @dawilson @circuitamericas I was told they'd all be shipped by tomorrow. We'll see.3:32pm · 8 Nov 13 · TweetDeck

 

Edited by AustinF1, 08 November 2013 - 23:31.

[repete]

i am more worried about my parking tickets not being in. Thx to Veteran's day, they have 2 more work days to get to me. I am pretty sure I can get tickets through will call with some form of proof of purchase, but I need to be able to park my truck and get on the shuttle to get to the track.

[AustinF1]

Just in case you want to do both, the time for the Texas vs Oklahoma State Football game has been set at 2:30. 

 

http://www.statesman...te-kick-230-pm/

[OfficeLinebacker]

So the rumor I heard is that some high end printing shop is commissioned with printing the nice tickets with the logos and everything, and they sent out the first few, but then stopped work because they hadn't been paid by COTA, leading to this snafu.

 

They're the same place that printed them last year.  I can't remember the name, three names, almost sounded like a law firm or something.

 

The rumor I read also said that the printing shop owned the designs/trademarks which doesn't quite make sense.  I guess they designed the tickets also?  

 

Anyone else know about this?  I skimmed the articles in AustinF1's post and didn't see mention of this.

 

Honestly this place is such a cluster.

[AustinF1]

So the rumor I heard is that some high end printing shop is commissioned with printing the nice tickets with the logos and everything, and they sent out the first few, but then stopped work because they hadn't been paid by COTA, leading to this snafu.

 

They're the same place that printed them last year.  I can't remember the name, three names, almost sounded like a law firm or something.

 

The rumor I read also said that the printing shop owned the designs/trademarks which doesn't quite make sense.  I guess they designed the tickets also?  

 

Anyone else know about this?  I skimmed the articles in AustinF1's post and didn't see mention of this.

 

Honestly this place is such a cluster.

I heard that too.  Vance happened to look on his 2012 ticket and found the name of the printer. 3 names, like you said. "PI Vance" (LOL) called them to see if they knew why the tickets were late. "No comment" was the answer.

 

One of our FB followers has been kinda following that end of it. He said it was a printing company in Arkansas that did the 2012 tickets and held the 2013 artwork copyright & didn't get paid. Later when we saw his post we googled the company name that Vance found on his 2012 ticket, and it's in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sooo...  The follower also says the company has removed from their webpage any mentions of COTA and their merchandise, like lanyards. I haven't checked this out. I don't know what was there before. Maybe he's connected to them. I don't know.

 

 

 

It's....not good. We're hearing some other very disturbing things, too, but I'm sure it all come out soon enough if true.

 

Y'all need to check out the COTA Facebook page. They are just getting hammered mercilessly.

 

https://www.facebook...itofTheAmericas

 

It doesn't matter what kinda happy **** they post, people just throw it in their face & hammer away on the tickets, the Fedex Tracking charges for USPS service, etc. Same on our page. We've been posting a lot about the tickets, sure, but also other stuff about the race. No matter what we post, people are hammering away. One guys's telling people to do chargebacks on their credit cards over the Fedex/USPS thing. Vance found their Austin BBB rating. "F". Another guy posted this:

 

 

Like you say, the place is a total cluster. I could definitely see cutting them some slack if this was the first screwup from them, but almost everything they release to the public is a mess which has to be corrected. They often don't even see or correct the mistakes until we or someone else points them out. It would also be easy to cut them slack if they owned up to the mistakes & tried to make things right with the customers, but they don't do that.

Edited by AustinF1, 09 November 2013 - 17:33.

[AustinF1]

Holy **** if the latest rumor is true, well...

 

[dau]

COTA flooded following plumbing malfunction, Fred Thompson engaged as personal tourist guide for Max Mosley?

 

 

Edit: Ah, you mean the duplicate tickets story? Is there any more to that other than a single comment on a news website?

Edited by dau, 09 November 2013 - 18:51.

[AustinF1]

COTA flooded following plumbing malfunction, Fred Thompson engaged as personal tourist guide for Max Mosley?

 

 

Edit: Ah, you mean the duplicate tickets story? Is there any more to that other than a single comment on a news website?

Very nice, but no! That almost looks like Max standing behind Fred in the pic. Remember that sewage backup that greeted fans showing up to the Main Grandstand on Friday morning last year?

 

Here's the deal...***RUMOR*** of possible duplicated ticket numbers. Hope it's not true, because that will truly be a mess. From Reddit & Statesman comments.

Edited by AustinF1, 09 November 2013 - 18:54.

[AustinF1]

Picking up USGP Will Call tickets? Go to COTA HQ at 301 Congress, FanFest at 4th & Lavaca Streets, or at COTA's Ticket Office:

 

 

"Should any guest arrive in Austin for next week’s race without receiving their pre-purchased tickets and/or parking passes, we have a number of ways to assist them:

1. Visit Circuit of The Americas’ downtown office location at 301 Congress Avenue, Suite 275, Austin, TX 78701, and a member of our team will provide them with replacement tickets and parking passes.

 

2. The Circuit’s trackside Ticket Office will open Monday, Nov. 11 (Grand Plaza location on Circuit of The Americas Blvd.) Guests may pick up replacement tickets at Will Call throughout the week. The Circuit’s trackside Ticket Office will be open Monday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 17 at these times:

 

Monday (Nov. 11) through Wednesday (Nov. 13): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

Thursday (Nov. 14): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT

Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 15-17): 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Gates open at 7:30 a.m. CT race weekend)

 

3. Should guests arrive in Austin Friday, Nov. 15, without their pre-purchased tickets and parking passes, they can visit two (2) downtown locations for assistance:

 

Circuit of The Americas downtown office at 301 Congress Avenue, Suite 275, Austin, Texas 78701

Circuit of The Americas’ WELCOME CENTER located in Austin Fan Fest at the corner of Lavaca and 4th Streets.

 

This information is available online at Circuit of The Americas - Home of the Formula 1 US Grand Prix | Nov. 15-17 2013 | Austin TX."

Edited by AustinF1, 09 November 2013 - 21:08.

[OfficeLinebacker]

I'm conflicted on this.  On one hand I want there to be massive riots and just a total breakdown of order and COTA left completely holding the bag, losing money, credibility, and whatever else they have to their name.

 

OTOH I don't want my friends from this forum, or earnest race fans in general, to encounter any obstacles to their enjoyment of the race.  So some combination where it's total chaos but totally awesome for the spectators is what I'm looking for, I guess.

[917k]

I'm conflicted on this.  On one hand I want there to be massive riots and just a total breakdown of order and COTA left completely holding the bag, losing money, credibility, and whatever else they have to their name.

 

OTOH I don't want my friends from this forum, or earnest race fans in general, to encounter any obstacles to their enjoyment of the race.  So some combination where it's total chaos but totally awesome for the spectators is what I'm looking for, I guess.

 

What's your beef with COTA?

[anode]

I emailed Ticketmaster asking when I'll get tickets but they told me to call COTA support directly. Luckily I got them yesterday in my mail box 

Edited by anode, 10 November 2013 - 00:58.

[pingu666]

the duplicate ticket thing could befor those picking up at ghe track or other location

3 locations to collect, plus a copy mailed

4 tickets per purchase ;-)

[anode]

Your ticket has number printed on it. I would expect that once you'll use one of your copies the rest will became invalid.

[AustinF1]

Your ticket has number printed on it. I would expect that once you'll use one of your copies the rest will became invalid.

That's great unless someone else ends up with a duplicate of your ticket number and enters the gates before you do. 

[anode]

That's why I think the trick to obtain multiple copies of the same ticket will not work

[OfficeLinebacker]

What's your beef with COTA?

 

Not sure how much I'm supposed to say but F it.  They wanted a ridiculous amount of money to park a tour bus there for a jaunt that would have more than paid off in free, positive publicity.

[OfficeLinebacker]

Can you imagine the scammers who are firing up their laser printers?  Imagine buying tickets secondhand for a princely sum and being turned away at the gate because those numbers had already been used.  You contact the seller and they claim that the tickets are legit, but someone else who must have counterfeited them got to the gates first.  

[AustinF1]

Not sure how much I'm supposed to say but F it.  They wanted a ridiculous amount of money to park a tour bus there for a jaunt that would have more than paid off in free, positive publicity.

JP's bus? Yeah that was crazy.

Edited by AustinF1, 10 November 2013 - 06:32.