The 2012-13 food and drink thread - prices, running out, quality and choice etc

[The Large One]

Have they (ironed out their previous issues)? I've not been to the Amex this pre-season but this thread isn't filling me with confidence that anything* has changed from last season.

(* - excluding the increase in prices and the reduction in choice.)

Doesn't seem like it.

I haven't been to the concourses yet this close-season, and I've only ever been in hospitality once (last night). While the service for food was fine and the food itself was OK (the cost for what it was was astronomical, but then this was a one-off), it was the table service that was most bizarre.

In cafés across Europe (and some in the UK), each waiter/waitress carries their own card machine for payment. In 1901, they had to keep going back and forth to collect the machine. Also, they couldn't set up more than one tab per table - another wierd thing...

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Inflation covers a myriad of issues, not just food. Personally, I consider 10% food increase costs from suppliers (and suppliers' suppliers) to be hefty.

In talking to some people at the club over the past few months, I sort of understood that the prices last year were kind of artificially low (my phrase), straining the various cost demands. While it's disappointing that prices have gone up by 8% (except Piglet's - 12%), I'm not surprised. We could always see Piglet's go out of business and go down the Pukka Pie route, I suppose - at least they'd be cheaper.

As I said earlier, it would have been nice for some statement to be made by the club and/or Azure to have 'regretfully' announced the increase with an additional statement as to how they've ironed out their previous issues.

Artificially low? I'm not sure I believe this either. The point another poster makes about the pies being £2.20 at the Co-op is interesting as well.

But, overall I'm not convinced that the pie increase is partly due to a 'hefty' increase in Piglets suppliers. If anything I'd presume they would be in a strong position to drive their supply costs down for this season given they are in a much much stronger position now as opposed to this time last year plus there is extra demand from the new seats.

 

[Dover]

Another thing has just crossed my mind. One of the lasses that sells the 50/50 tickets normally gets £20. However last night she was asked if she wanted a signed programme and forgo her £20.

Also the stewards get a meal (pie, sandwich, a bit of fruit) and apparently they do not get the choice or quality they once had when the stadium opened. So my question is are the club or Azure absoultley out of pocket and looking to cut costs, or raise them in any way they can?

 

[supaseagull]

So, are we saying all in all that overall, Azure are a bit shit?

 

[Djmiles]

Forgot to have a drink before leaving home last night so was forced to buy a soft drink. I am delighted to announce that I paid the actual price advertised of £2.20. After the price jump and lack of meal deal including soft drinks, I ate before I went to the game. Just as well as WSL had run out of pretty much every pie.

Any ideas if Amstel etc have gone up in price in The Brasserie? Normally have 2 pints in there after Saturday games, but may just nip home and buy some beer from Sainsburys if they have! Could justify £3.70 odd for a good quality pint in a proper glass, but £4+ is not competitive unless you're going to some shithouse club like Oceania.

 

[honey boy zimba]

I have been informed that the dynamic of the Azure/bha contract has changed over the close season and it was the club not azure that put up the prices .

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

So, are we saying all in all that overall, Azure are a bit shit?

We have been saying that for over a year now.

Some of us raised these issues with the club some time ago, but were told that it was teething problems and would be sorted.

Frankly, the standard of service is shocking, and if Kronenburg has gone for good, then I will have to drink elsewhere (just adding to the post match queues rather than staying behind for a couple)

Add the price hike into the mix and IMO the club/Azure are taking the piss.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Dicks bar last night - first 'Harveys' £4 right hand bar, second pint £3.90 left hand bar wtf! East Lower half time no 'Harveys' cause I couldnt be arsed to join the queue. Only one 'Refreshment' bar open. Some people missed fifteen minutes of the second half. Well done 'Azure'!

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Also while I'm on a small rant, at 6.30pm in Dicks there were only 3 x chicken pies left and no others. Would you not think with many people coming straight from work, a manager would have thought of this? - rant over.

 

[Notters]

alarmist given that the self same pie is 2.20 in the Co-op. Azure must be at least doubling the cost price to heat and sell. That's some mark up when your average railway station Burger king uses a maximum 40% mark up for Burgers, 66% for chips and drinks.

Won't there be an extra 20% for VAT?

 

[Napper]

Hope all complaints are fed back to the club otherwise nothing will happen

 

[The Large One]

Hope all complaints are fed back to the club otherwise nothing will happen

This thread is being read very carefully by those who matter.

Really.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Unless 'Azure' employ more counter staff (on £6.00hr?) nothing will change. If I ran my business like them I would have folded 39years ago.

 

[Charles 'Charley' Charles]

So to cut through it all we're paying more money for less choice, and worse service? Thinking I shall my cash from now on. also to those who say about the 10% cash back, we also got this last year so not really fair to use as argument price increases. Especially with an inferior product, choice not quality that is. I only spend(t) about £20-30 a match but not so sure I will be from now. If ths price increases had been addressed and then fair enough, but to just hike them up is not really on.

 

[halbpro]

Dicks bar last night - first 'Harveys' £4 right hand bar, second pint £3.90 left hand bar wtf! East Lower half time no 'Harveys' cause I couldnt be arsed to join the queue. Only one 'Refreshment' bar open. Some people missed fifteen minutes of the second half. Well done 'Azure'!

Had almost exactly this. First pie + Pepsi £6.10, one at half time was £6. I'm not complaining that the second was cheaper, but it is very weird.

Also the woman serving was freakishly slow. Normally when I'm in WSU the staff all seem pretty on their feet, and getting on with it quickly. Yes, you have to queue, but not for too long. Not so in WSL last night. So very slow, which wasn't helped by everyone in front of me order about seven things (although that part's not Azure's fault).

 

[Hotchilidog]

Had almost exactly this. First pie + Pepsi £6.10, one at half time was £6. I'm not complaining that the second was cheaper, but it is very weird.

Also the woman serving was freakishly slow. Normally when I'm in WSU the staff all seem pretty on their feet, and getting on with it quickly. Yes, you have to queue, but not for too long. Not so in WSL last night. So very slow, which wasn't helped by everyone in front of me order about seven things (although that part's not Azure's fault).

It's funny that every time I've been in the WSL post match it takes an age to get served, yet in the WSU the service on the whole has actually not been too bad. Does the WSU get the better staff, or are they just better stocked?

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

If someone wants a couple of coffees and one of the kegs need changing (last night), that leaves just one girl trying to serve ten THIRSTY blokes - not a good scenario!

 

[Stuart Munday]

It's funny that every time I've been in the WSL post match it takes an age to get served, yet in the WSU the service on the whole has actually not been too bad. Does the WSU get the better staff, or are they just better stocked?

I've never really had a problem with the service in the North Stand, always avoid half time but before and after the game no real problems so was a bit surprised last season with the amount of threads saying otherwise. However in the WSL last night they did seem incredible slow, maybe alot of new staff for the new season of other areas get better staff who knows.

 

[leigull]

Dicks bar last night - first 'Harveys' £4 right hand bar, second pint £3.90 left hand bar wtf!

Have noticed a few differences in prices around the stadium having been to Dicks Bar, the East stand, WSL and North concourses in the last two games.

Only 10p difference but a bit silly that a pie is £3.80 in Dicks and £3.90 in the concourses. Have seen soft drink bottles at £2.30 and £2.20 and a 10p difference in beer price in the East Stand.

All a bit of a mess

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

This thread is being read very carefully by those who matter.

Really.

They read my emails a year ago, and I subsequently raised further questions when it was clear that the 'teething problems' hadn't been sorted.

Reading a thread on NSC and doing something about it is a very different matter.

The club want people to stay behind after games - well:

(1) They have to have products left to sell.
(2) It has to be priced right.
(3) Customer has to be able to purchase it within a reasonable time.

I REALLY hope that the people responsible for both the price changes, and the shocking level of service do something about it.

One year on though, I'm not holding my breath.