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My Psl Buying Experience


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My PSL Buying Experience. Fairly Extensive Post.

I had already been to the Preview Center once before. The pictures and review of that visit are below this post.

I had a pessimistic view about keeping my 8 seats. Because 8 seats x PSL costs = A lot of money. Being comfortable, but not wealthy, I had decisions to make. My original seats were in 130 and 111. So I predicted they would allocate me in 123 and 106 in the new stadium.

My visit ran from 6:30 pm - 8:10 pm... But we talked about other stuff and there was no appointment after mine to press us. I would recommend late in the day appointments. They stated that they considered within 5 rows as comparable. I stated that 5 rows higher was not comparable to me. That said, none of my seats was higher. Some were 2 rows lower.

I would STRONGLY recommend appointments as early as possible in the appointment window. Once seats are sold, flexibility to move around will be lost.

We skipped the tour part and went straight to determining seats. They use the flat screen computer for almost all sales activity. But the comparable seats info was written on a legal pad and presented verbally. I predicted my sections exactly. They told me that I was in row 5 in section 123, and I was in row 4 previously. I started to get upset that my seats were worse. My Rep. printed a map of section 123, and we discovered that section 123 starts at Row 3. But there are only 2 seats in Row 3. So my old row 4 seats actually were Row 2 seats. Very happy about that. Plus the PSL's in 123 were only $3500.

My Seats in 111 are very good. So the equivalents seats were offered in 106. (2) each in Rows 1, 2 and 4. Not happy about highest Reserve PSL price of $5500 and highest Reserve ticket price of $175. But I was happy that this was: Falcons sideline, closest section to field and on the side that Lot A bridge will connect to.

I have researched PSL values extensively. In all previous PSL stadium sales, corner/sideline PSL's near Club areas tend to hold value or increase slightly to moderately. Forbes magazine analysis revealed the same thing:

"But some of the cheaper PSLs in San Francisco will be good investments, according to Greg Carl, president of PSL Source, a website that invests in PSLs and processes PSL transactions.

PSLs for lower bowl corner seats are selling for just $6,000 while the licenses at the 10-yard-line, just one section closer to midfield, are going for $20,000.

Teams tend to sell PSLs for seats in the lower bowl corners at below-market prices, Carl said, so those seats are most likely to jump in value over timeeven in stadiums where most PSLs stumble. The only Cowboys PSLs to sell at a profit on STR Marketplace in 2012 were seats in the lower bowl cornersand those 10 PSLs sold at an average of 78% higher than their initial price.

Carl predicted the same will happen in San Francisco. They will sell at a premium over their IPO price once that secondary market starts to take shape, he said. How much of a premium is yet to be seen."

The only other area I have seen that tend to hold value very well is the cheapest PSL's ($500). Of course much of the value equation relates to the Falcons developing a winning tradition. A losing season this year will hurt values. A playoff run this year and sales/values will increase. As is also well known, Falcons fans can be fickle, so sales could max out early due to low demand either way.

So taking all that in to account and the excellent seats that I have. I decided to make the purchase. I am the type of fan who tailgates, arrives early and goes to every game. So I am not a candidate for buying singles off StubHub or waiting 2-5 years for PSL prices to drop off.

Unusual to report. The documents are sent via email, and you sign off on them electronically. Then, an official there signs them electronically, and you are emailed a finished document. I had had 4 documents because I had 4 sets of 2 tickets. I was told that I would be eligible for 2 parking passes (1:4 ratio).

I elected to do the 10% down and finance option. BECAUSE if you pay off in full by 2/28/2017 there is NO interest charged.

The sales center was busy and many were buying. I was told that 250 seats had been sold in section 106 (where my tickets are) just on that day. My Rep. told me that he had sold 2 Clubs and my 8 Reserve Tix that day. I did not see anybody handing out wine bottles, I didn't get any wine. I did give my Rep. a cigar.

As I posted in the original visit thread. My Rep. is a former college football player. Personable and low-key, no issue at all with excessive pressure.

I understand that many can't or won't buy. Due to finance, personal situation or a personal aversion to PSL's. I respect that. But for me, it was the right decision. Even though my decision is made, I will remain objective as moderator of this page.

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This is on page 21, exhibit D:

"Opportunity to purchase one season ticket per PSL for the MLS team expected to play in the

Stadium, before such tickets are sold to the general public, based on availability and subject to

the Terms and Conditions."

So this sounds like Reserve/Non-Club PSL owners could get to buy their seats to MLS. Bumping back the Founders Club even more. I put $ down for Founders Club too, last year. So hopeful that between the two, I can get some decent seats.

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This is on page 21, exhibit D:"Opportunity to purchase one season ticket per PSL for the MLS team expected to play in theStadium, before such tickets are sold to the general public, based on availability and subject tothe Terms and Conditions."So this sounds like Reserve/Non-Club PSL owners could get to buy their seats to MLS. Bumping back the Founders Club even more. I put $ down for Founders Club too, last year. So hopeful that between the two, I can get some decent seats.

At least they are giving PSL buyers first dibs on MLS.

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I own a small business and charge a fair price. That being said I tend to cater to people who can afford my business. I understand capitalism, my objection is the way Arthur went about announcing psl's. I wish he had just gone public about it from day one instead of releasing info bit by bit.

I bet a hundred dollars the mayor and the city council have a box or unwritten invitation to every home game.

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At least they are giving PSL buyers first dibs on MLS.

I would like to see how that turns out..because I put down the $50 deposit for Soccer season tickets back when Arthur stated the team being in Atlanta and said the first 5000 people putting a deposit down will be considered Charter Members and tickets and seating would be based on the order of putting in your deposit. My deposit was on April 17, 2014 ORDER # 1073, that being of 5000! I have not decided on my Falcon PSL's yet, just wonder if I get screwed IF I choose NOT to buy my Falcon's PSL's and the ones that do get PROMISED ((prime)) seating for there EXTRA -- money incentives that pump up the reward of PSL's. IF, IF, IF when time for the Soccer seating comes available and I see that my choice of purchasing seating is not in the top 5000 or better based on my reacting time and is not what came straight from the horses mouth!!! I will show my horses mouth first and then walk away with more in my wallet than I anticipated.

Edited by birdbrain24
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Probably a stupid question, but..... single game tickets will still be available without the Psl's. Right?

Only if PSL"s don't sale 100% out. Thought they originally said that all sections would not be sold as PSL but guess that's not so. Just like in seasons past they would not sale all seats to just season ticket holds and would make sure that seats are left for individual sales.By making that decision to not be a season ticket holder, Just image you can come and go as you like and not have to pay full price for practice preseason games that equal 20% of your total cost of season tickets per year. And IF ( not wishing on my team) they start out the way they did the last couple of years and throw in the towel by week 8.... you DON'T have to pay and go the rest of the season and watch mediocre games for your top dollar. As us season ticket holders have to pays almost half for season tickets in December (before current season is over) and( the rest in June , 3 months before the season starts)! I say this : You have just as much incentives and advantages going game by game as they tell you are getting as a season ticket holder. Let YOUR $$$ work for YOU "not" THEM.

Edited by birdbrain24
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Yeah but tickets will probably be more expensive. They will break that psl price down into single game form lol

and rightfully so, the individual tickets should be a lot higher . I agree and maybe should have more than doubled the cost of the individual games and brought down the cost to the sure supporter season ticket holders.

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yeah almost like paying more to rent a house per month in a lease vs a lower monthly rate being the owner on a mortgage for 30 years. at least thats how i see it.

Dont know if thats the best model for football but hey what can you do

Don't invest in what you don't believe in

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You can believe all you want. If you cant afford it you can't afford it rolleyes.gif

That's not so, there will be plenty of fans setting up 10 year payment plans and will not make the payments all them years. Let the Falcons have continued consecutive bad seasons OR pricing of the season tickets grow at 10 to 20 % rates after the 3rd year of holding price! Falcons have you by the so called "balls". You signed a contract stating that you will pay for your total psl cost and maintain tickets as well. A big commitment to make-- with absolutely no guarantee too you ( no sure wins, no sure cost on rising tickets and no sure thing that psl's will not sell for a lower cost in the near future).The low payments looks good on paper but let them pay for them ten years and see what other expenses pop up before 2028 wow.

Edited by birdbrain24
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That's not so, there will be plenty of fans setting up 10 year payment plans and will not make the payments all them years. Let the Falcons have continued consecutive bad seasons OR pricing of the season tickets grow at 10 to 20 % rates after the 3rd year of holding price! Falcons have you by the so called "balls". You signed a contract stating that you will pay for your total psl cost and maintain tickets as well. A big commitment to make-- with absolutely no guarantee too you ( no sure wins, no sure cost on rising tickets and no sure thing that psl's will not sell for a lower cost in the near future).The low payments looks good on paper but let them pay for them ten years and see what other expenses pop up before 2028 wow.

So true. Our economy is in a rough place. I know so many folks who are grossly under employed. I got back from Afghanistan and realized how out of wack Americans are when it comes to being able to live within our means. The whole PSL thing is great business for Arthur Blank and the other billionaires of the league. I just don't see it being good for football.

Incidentally, I can buy season tickets to Mercer Football and mens and womens basketball for my family cheaper than Falcons season tickets for myself. And still have money left over. Something to think about. But in the end, everyone is different and looks at the whole PSL/season ticket thing from different points of view. One mans bargain is another mans complete ******* ripoff.

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So true. Our economy is in a rough place. I know so many folks who are grossly under employed. I got back from Afghanistan and realized how out of wack Americans are when it comes to being able to live within our means. The whole PSL thing is great business for Arthur Blank and the other billionaires of the league. I just don't see it being good for football.

Incidentally, I can buy season tickets to Mercer Football and mens and womens basketball for my family cheaper than Falcons season tickets for myself. And still have money left over. Something to think about. But in the end, everyone is different and looks at the whole PSL/season ticket thing from different points of view. One mans bargain is another mans complete ******* ripoff.

That saying : If you don't have the cash to pay for it, you don't need it! well I have been paying for my season tickets for the last 23 yrs. with cash but these psl's go to another level ! My house note is the only thing longer than the term of these psl's and I make use of it 24/7 too! The way this world is changing DAILY I don't know what 10 years from now brings money wise. Tickets and other expenses to entertainment are pricing themselves out of business . Look at Nascar, seating is being taking down to not look like a lot of available seating. Jacksonville Jaguars putting tarps over there empty seats with advertisement on them. Open your eyes and not your heart and you will see clearly.>

Edited by birdbrain24
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It will be interesting to see when it is time to make the decision to keep the tickets or let them go ow many of us will walk away.

How great are the seats you have that you can't let them go? You can save 20% of your $ every year not attending pre-season unless you like watching it live. plus no psl cost ,and still buy tickets to all games maybe for a fraction higher for a short time.

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<snip> So taking all that in to account and the excellent seats that I have. I decided to make the purchase <snip>

I'm curious to know if you are feeling any "buyer's remorse" now, or are still happy with your decision?

What killed it for me (After decades as a STH) was the EXTREME cost to retain my approximate seat location and the contract. I thoroughly studied the contract before hand and it seemed to place way too many demands on me while giving way too much protection to the franchise. The contract alone was the deal-breaker.

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I thought long and hard before I bit... No real remorse... A bit of anxiety... Lower corner/low row seats should hold value, maybe even go up, may sell my row 4's to offset some of the $.... It definitely is anxiety provoking to pay $40k and not have a tangible asset like a car or house...

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I thought long and hard before I bit... No real remorse... A bit of anxiety... Lower corner/low row seats should hold value, maybe even go up, may sell my row 4's to offset some of the $.... It definitely is anxiety provoking to pay $40k and not have a tangible asset like a car or house...

I truly hope it works out for you and you end up feeling like you got your money's worth. If the new coaching staff can turn things around, then you should be very happy.

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