Would You Call And Say Something?

[honeywolf7]

So, I went to the Toby Keith concert last night and it was wonderful. But, the staff at the Coliseum were not so wonderful. Roger's out of town this weekend with his kids and my kids are at Thom's. I got to the Coliseum by bus and I knew that the concert would last so late that I couldn't get a bus home (but could get one to work and I could sleep there.) Because I was going to be sleeping at the church, I brought a bookbag with me with some stuff I needed for today (and it had some crossword puzzle books in it that I carry around almost all of the time.) When I got to the Coliseum, I was told that I couldn't take it in. Nor would they store it for me. Well, nowhere on the Coliseum website nor on the sign right inside of the Coliseum does it say no backpacks ( or I wouldn't have brought it in the first place....I'd have found a way to drop it by work first.) I explained to the person that told me that I couldn't have it that I didn't have a vehicle to go back and put it in and she didn't care. I had to make a decision between not going to see Toby Keith or emptying the important stuff out of my bookbag, carrying around the important stuff (and stuffing what I could in my purse.) I chose to see Toby Keith and would make the same decision again. However, I feel that since the Coliseum doesn't say anything on its website where it lists things not allowed, its phone message where it lists things not allowed or its sign where it lists things that are not allowed about bookbags/backpacks, that they owe me a new backpack because I would not have brought mine with me if it had been said any of those places and therefore I would not have had to throw mine out. Should I call the administrative offices tomorrow and say something?

 

[KathyFP]

I believe that has been common practice since 911.

I would double check if it is written anywhere. If not I would call them and express that they need to educate concert goers better about their policies.

 

[honeywolf7]

OK....Thanks for the advice. Never mind, it does seem to be on the website (I must just not have seen it yesterday).....but still, I think it should be on the recorded message for those who don't have Internet access so I will say something nicely about that. At least the backpack was only about $12

 

[kdibattista]

Or..... maybe they should call each individual ticket holder and let them know

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm so sorry that happened, Becki! I would definitely call them and tell them. I don't know if they would buy a new backpack...how could you prove now that it was tossed! I guess it depends how much they want to keep their customers happy. But they definitely need to provide some sort of information IN ADVANCE regarding that! And I'd probably send a letter to the appropriate person there. Maybe check their website...which we shouldn't have to do...but I think that's where I found restrictions on what I could take in with me when I saw him in West Palm.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No I wouldn't call because that is standard operating procedure for almost every event now. Sorry you had to find out this way.

 

[honeywolf7]

Well, I definitely learned my lesson....but I still think it should be better publicized and it may be standard operating procedure, but two of the other concerts that I went to this summer did not have the same rule....I saw plenty of people with backpacks inside.

 

[Poohnatic]

Typically, indoor venues DO NOT allow backpacks. Started going to concerts back in '77 and even then, nothing more than a pocketbook was allowed in (and it would be searched).

Outdoor venues, different story. I've been to some all day concert events, and we were allowed to bring backpacks and coolers. They would be checked (even pre 9/11) for glass or recording devices.

Personally, I never would have expected to bring more than a pocketbook in. I probably would have left belongings at work the day before if I expected to stay overnight after the concert.

You can call for peace of mind, but you probably would hear something to the effect of 'you don't go to many concerts, do you?'

Suzanne

 

[CamColt]

I agree it should be publicized.
Im going to see Kiss and Aerosmith this week and right on the tickets it says " No Bags/Audio/Camera". I think that explains it pretty well.

 

[honeywolf7]

Camcolt, that's what I think the tickets should say here as well. Poohnatic, I don't go to that many concerts honestly....I didn't realize the difference in standards between indoor and outdoor venues and the places where I saw backpacks were outdoor venues.

 

[Evil Princess]

Even before 9/11 concert venues around here wouldn't let backpacks in. Now afterwards, they are really strict with the policy.

I would call if you didn't see any signs posted in the venue itself. Otherwise, it's common understood practice.

 

[honeywolf7]

There weren't any signs saying anything about backpacks in the venue itself. Oh well, like I said it was only $12....I just hope nobody else gets caught by surprise the way I did.

 

[Micca]

Rules are rules Honeywolf, but you have just experienced one of the most customer unfriendly businesses in America....concert promotion.

OK they don't need to let you take the backpack in, but they couldn't have helped you with a solution after paying (assuming here) big bucks for the ticket which you had to stand in line/wait on line for? Much concert security is geared around thwarting people who are trying to scam something in to the venue(liquor, drugs, or God fordid--a camera).

There are rules about what you can or cannot take into many businesses. How would some more customer friendly businesses handle this?

 

[ducklite]

No bags/backpacks has been the rule of thumb for the 30 some years I've been going to concerts. Around here some of the smaller venues also require you to check your coat once inside (which they charge for). Just to get in, you go through a metal detector, then a body patdown, then a search of your handbag and coat pockets.

In all honesty, I went to a concert on Halloween that did NO search, and I found it a little disconcerting. I'd rather have the search.

The only thing that peeves me is when they don't have female searchers for female patrons. I was at a show a few months back like that, and refused to allow the male guard to pat me down. There were about twenty other women as well who refused to allow the male to do the pat down. Apparantly they had one female security person for the show, but she didn't show for work that night. They ultimately let us all in without a patdown, but it wasn't a pretty scene.

Any time I've encountered only males before, they didn't pat down the female patrons, just made them walk through metal detectors, empty their pockets, and searched their hand bags. (Which I find acceptable to be done by a male security person.)

Anne

 

[honeywolf7]

Micca, it was interesting....the guy who I first encountered seemed to want to help but his female supervisor was a total witch. The only thing I could think of is that Disney would never treat one of their guests the way these people were treating me. They would have worked something out, even if it was to hold my bag in the box office or something.

 

[Micca]

In many concert venues around the country it seems like the employees are there to be obstinate. I understand rules, and abide by them. I just think that people who spend big bucks and who are not hellraisers/drunks deserve better treatment. Or they can continue to watch as their profit margins continue to shrink.