The shutters were down at Oakwell today

I wanted to sort out a ticketing issue, but the club was closed at 2pm on a Friday afternoon, the day before a holiday fixture. I'd already spent the entire morning trying the club shop number, 01226 211400, only to keep getting a recorded message about high call volumes. I hope this is one of the things the new owners are going to address. Making the club more accessible.

 

The Christmas opening hours have been advertised all over social media.

 

Why didn't the recorded message say the club was closed then.

 

We advertised the opening hours right at the start of December and re-advertised throughout the month. I'm sure it's frustrating for those who've expected the club to be open regardless of it being Christmas. However, we all have lives and families too, and so it's been nice to have a couple of days off. Although most of us have still been working, just from home.

Normal service will resume from January 2nd.

Apologies to those this has affected, however, with it being well advertised and often, I'm not sure what else could have been done to make everyone aware.

 

I think you're missing the point. Should the club be closed for 4 days out of 5 in a busy fixture period?

 

Its one of retails busiest times of year. Regardless of how niche that market appears.

Right before one of the quietest.

Although i understand sentiment of being with families it should be open on a normal working day such as this.

 

A pre-recorded message on the answer machine might be a good idea. I think a good policy to follow is to make sure that it is advertised in all the ways someone may contact the club. So, a message on website for those who do things online, an answering machine message for those who like to phone and a sign on the door for those who like to visit in person. If you only cater for 2 out of 3 scenarios then you are always going to miss someone out. You could have advertised them online every 10 minutes since the beginning of the year but that’s not going to be of much help to those who don’t use the internet.

 

I’m not getting into a discussion about it. I’m doing as told, and I am massively thankful for the rare days off, and the ability to work from home.

 

The chap complaining can clearly use the Internet....

As said, not here for a discussion about it. It is what it is. I’m doing as I was told, working from home for two days. Lovely.

 

You don't expect anyone in the retail sector to be closed on Friday 29 December.

 

When club staff had to work Xmas Eve, Xmas Day and Boxing Day, I applaud the decision to shut up for a few days afterwards, or allow those who can to work from home for two days.

I understand the complaint. But I understand the decision much, much more.

 

It is a bit daft that the customer facing parts of the club(ie ticket office and club shop in particular) are closed when there are matches the next day. I suppose there will be certain jobs that won't affect anything by not working certain days over X-mas though...

It's something I'd expect to change now we have an American involved at the club, what with their legendary focus on customer service...

 

Thought you were all for workers rights and British values? Personally given the amount folk who work for football clubs have to give up over Christmas I don't begrudge them owt. I don't even want to give up family time to go and watch a game this time a year, let alone work

 

There will be cost savings involved in having the club locked up and using little to no power. Given the relatively small number of ticket sales done in person on non-match days, and the fact anyone wanting owt from the shop is likeliest to come on Saturday, they’ll lose little to nothing really.

So letting them have a few days off, especially in the hope that January might be busy, seems more than ok.

I hope they’ve had the undersoil heating on though!

 

Double post

 

We in the Nhs (and many other professions) don't get time off at christmas: i've worked the last 2 christmas days and i'm working new year too.
I expect this as this is a requirement of my profession.
I would expect a retail business outlet to be open all day on a friday in-between christmas and new year: it's a normal retail day.
Perhaps this won't be the case next time.

 

Looking at those hours I'd say it does seem to closed a lot from a customer perspective. Can see both sides of it. But it's still a lot of days with no service to the customer. Which is poor business.

 

That office is nigh on a one (wo)man band. No ones died, no ones suffering.... Anything that needs today can wait until tomorrow.

 

It's definitely very poor that anyone calling up was getting a high call volume message. Instead of sorry we are closed we will be open again.....ect. so someone would think they are actually open and make a trip in. I get it was advertised and the person in this thread clearly uses the internet but some people don't.