Adults sulking over tickets

[Applepipsx]

Our local national trust house has announced its opening back up from the 3rd. You have to book online in advance. I decided to book mine at midnight as I was still awake and really want to take the kids for a picnic and a walk. It's been a long time since they've done anything remotely normal. There were 58 tickets available for each day. I got two. Then by 9am this morning Saturday was booked up. Still spaces available on wed and Thurs and Sunday.

The page put a really positive welcome back post on Facebook. Everyone is kicking off. Threatening to cancer membership. Kicking off about non members being allowed to go.

None of them have bothered to read it states the house and play areas are remaining shut. They are asking if it's all open etc. Basically you can go for picnics and walks in the gardens.

If I didn't get a ticket I would not be on FB giving the page hell and being mardy. Theres literally 58 spaces and everyone seems to think they deserve it more than others. We won't be selfish and book again for a few weeks to give others a turn. But Jesus what is wrong with people's attitudes.

[KitKat1985]

The NT have sadly had to explain that they can't prioritise members as because they are classified as a charity their sites have to be open to everyone.

It's hard but things will calm down again in a few weeks when more things are re-open so the demand is more 'spread out' across different NT sites.

[Ravenclawgirl]

I don't mind them having a grumble but not on a public forum

Umm isn't that what you're doing?

[SayakaMurata]

Just out of interest OP, where did you find out that there are 58 tickets per day to the place near you?

I'd be interested to know how many there are for other properties.

[MaggieFS]

I don't agree. I'm sure there are ways to open to all, but e.g. prioritise members for weekends, or allow members a 24 hour advance booking window.

If the law says they have to be open to all, is that honestly every single day? Surely it could balance out across a year? What's the quota required to satisfy the law?

I'm very pissed off now. This, plus that shambolic weekend they opened to all, feels like a complete kick in the teeth for members.

[LockdownLoppy]

I have continued to pay my NT membership even though everything is closed, I would be livid if non-members were given priority to visit over non-members when things open up again here!

[Applepipsx]

It's on the website when you go to book. It'l tell you how many are left.

[LaaLaaLanded]

You will be livid then because that's what's happened!

[Taciturn]

Presumably there were subtle ways they could have prioritized members, such as notifying them by email a day before making a social media announcement...

[SayakaMurata]

Thank you OP!

[CatBatCat]

I don't mind them having a grumble but not on a public forum.

Oh the irony

[nitgel]

there posts state '. We’re unable to offer exclusive entry or booking for our members as charity tax law means our properties must be available to everyone. We're thrilled that over 90% of those booking are members.'

so it's pretty clear why they can't isn't it.

[nitgel]

Their!

[Boulshired]

I would of at the least expected them to inform their member even in they cannot prioritise them on the sales.

[Applepipsx]

Which property is that?

[Applepipsx]

They did inform by email

[woodhill]

Definitely members should get first call

[woodhill]

So do you have to pay for the tickets?

[AIMD]

It would have made sense to offer it to member first but I honestly don’t see why people get so angry about these things. If they’re that bothered they can show it by cancelling their NT membership next year.

[woodhill]

Where would the NT be though if everyone did this? The disadvantaged aren't going to fund them

[Applepipsx]

Yes members should get first pick.

But what about the members that are annoyed that they didn't get a ticket? If a property have 400 families interested they are going to leave 340 families disappointed at the moment. But does that mean it's ok to act on Facebook like you deserve the ticket more than others that got the tickets? Usually you can just go. But it's nobodies fault. The government have control over everything and how things need to be done. Who knows they might do this week then say we can take double next week? Maybe they are just testing how it works out this week? Things will be getting back to normal slowly so people will have an opportunity to go soon.

[Sparklfairy]

Could they not have done a % exclusive to members? Would that be allowed under their charity status?

[Chocolatear]

Is it Polesden Lacey? Just tried to book a ticket, completely sold out. I presume most places will be by now.

[ToothFairyNemesis]

Members should be prioritised as they have already paid! Even though some members will miss out. They should have a time slot for members and a later slot if any left for non members to book.

[Ellmau]

where was the offer of a three month freeze?

English Heritage did that.

[TeapotCollection]

“They’re not allowed to prioritise members” is going to be the Cancel The Cheque of this thread