Why are movie online booking systems so painful??

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cokemaster

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#18864 26-Jan-2008 22:03

I've booked two times with Sky Cinemas so far:

First time:
Booked with Corporate movie credits, went through. Went into the cinema and upon entering the number, it crashed their systems. They had to then buy tickets manually, losing the seats that we had reserved.

Second time:
Booked with credit card, went through. Selected ST LUKES as the cinema. Got a email saying QUEEN STREET. Thought 'WTF', went to the cinema, turns out that they can't do anything and that we'll need to buy tickets again. As a result, it appears that they've charged credit card twice.

Was told by St lukes staff to contact Queen street for a refund (where is the ownership?!??!?). They did not provide a number, used directory services to find number, upon calling (at my my expense!) either not no answer or IVR!

Sent them an email asking for a refund. If they don't provide one, I may need to look at talking to the bank (if possible) or a geekzone blog article with a bit of details may appear.

Its enough to make one brave the queues if there is really anything special on rather than booking online!

Any one else had a similar experience?

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freitasm

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#106963 26-Jan-2008 22:14

Reading Cinemas say in their website that "online purchase is coming end of 2007" and we are now in 2008. But when you "book" the ticket online you have to enter a credit card number to confirm the reservation - even though they don't charge you.

Giving credit card numbers to people you don't know for any reason other than a purchase? This is stupid.

cokemaster

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#107029 27-Jan-2008 12:22

Well, I haven't been able to contact them regarding this. I've sent them an email.

Upon calling the number that directory services provided for Sky cinemas queen street, I was transferred to their general call centre. Was disconnected/hung up when one person tried to transfer the call to them and upon the second attempt was told that they were answering their phones?!?

So now I'm waiting for a callback or a response from that email.

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tonyhughes

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#107039 27-Jan-2008 13:43

freitasm: Reading Cinemas say in their website that "online purchase is coming end of 2007" and we are now in 2008. But when you "book" the ticket online you have to enter a credit card number to confirm the reservation - even though they don't charge you.

Giving credit card numbers to people you don't know for any reason other than a purchase? This is stupid.

I wonder what their terms and conditions say about charging you should you not turn up!

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#107054 27-Jan-2008 18:05

cokemaster:Its enough to make one brave the queues if there is really anything special on rather than booking online!

Not sure if you're in Auckland, but book online for Sylvia Park, and then turn up and wait in their dedicated online booking queue - this only works during "busy" times (which seem to be never), and you still have to wait in the normal queue. The reason I book online is to skip the queues!

How about movie ticket print out machines like the airports have for boarding passes - saves me waiting in the queue, and makes the $1 booking fee actually worth something.

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#107056 27-Jan-2008 18:38

Yes, I'm based in central Auckland. I've been to the Sylvia Park before, however did not use the Online booking system.

It is my personal opinion that online booking fees are a scam, as one is paying and reserving a seat well in advance, which is better than casual where its unsure whether you've sold that seat till the movie starts.

Personally, the airlines have it right with online booking.

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mortonman

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#107070 27-Jan-2008 20:13

The best cinema booking system used to be located in the broadway
village cinema in newmarket auckland about 5 years ago. You could book via the phone or the internet (i think) using your credit card as the reference.

When you turned up at the cinema you just went to a stand alone ticket machine and swiped your credit card. It recognised your details, printed out the tickets and charged your card then. No Queues!!! unless you wanted the obligatory frozen coke and popcorn.
I used to use it all the time to make sure i got some semi decent seats. I guess the sensible system meanth they didn't make their over the top margins on food and drink

I agree with the others regarding the online booking queue. The whole idea of booking online should bo so you don't have to queue. The staff alway seem to avoid the eticket booth like the plague encouringing everyone to go into the normal queues.

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#107086 27-Jan-2008 23:52

Remember that Cine-line where they snuck in a "booking fee"?

Now You know why I have a Hoyts Moviemaxx Club card.
$30, you get 3 free flicks then the rest are just $10 each movie (subject to change) for a year and you can take a friend for the same discounted rate. (not avilable for films marked No Comlimentaries)

I remember that machine just before I last left Auckland and it was awesome, sadly cool ideas like that usually get replaced with archaic paperbased stuff which allows some bureaucrat to continue being paid to push pens. (I'm not being negative, just very honest as I have seen it happen in companies many times)