Quote ="northmanchesterdevil"The offer is for "standard entry" of the ground, should be £20 but half price. It's £22 to get into the west stand. It was patently obvious to me that the tickets would be for the South or East stand. I have bought 3, went to the stadium at 2.30 this aft, went to reception, she printed the tickets, job done. Incidentally, I'm bringing 2 new fans tonight. Swings and roundabouts eh?'"
Standard entry is £20? That's odd! For the first game, against Wigan, I was quoted £20 for the South Stand and £23 for the West Stand and I chose the West Stand. Since then, I have always gone in the South Stand and have always been charged £22. I don't think there is a way into the ground for £20, except for discounts.
As for the ticketing problem of redflagrising, I think you need to be very wary of this type of 'offer'. The West Stand will probably have a lot of season ticket holders who won't be happy if their seat is given away to a friend of the person in the next seat. This has caused problems with away fans trying to sit wherever they want in the East Stand before now. However, your point about the receptionist who couldn't be bothered to a) answer the phone and b) establish eye contact with you is serious. The first is what they are paid for and damn well should do! The second is mere politeness, costs nothing and should be expected from someone representing an organisation, whether that be the club (in which case, absolutely unforgiveable) or the stadium management company (in which case the club have a problem which needs addressing). As you point out, a professional organisation would take a hit on the price of a ticket or two in the hope of building future goodwill. Ours is not a professional organisation yet (the microphone farce tonight made me cringe!) but I hope it will be soon.