https://quins.co.uk/news/reimbursement-and-credit-plan-update-for-members/

CREDIT PLAN UPDATE
Friday, 3rd July 2020 @ 16:00


PLAN WILL LAUNCH ON 7TH JULY WITH MEMBERS GIVEN THREE OPTIONS

Dear supporters,
 
I hope you and your loved ones are well and eagerly awaiting the return of rugby as much as we are.
 
You may recall that on 29th May, we set out our 2019/20 reimbursement and credit contingency plan for the four remaining fixtures that have been affected by COVID-19.
 
I wanted to inform you that we will now be launching this plan on Tuesday 7th July, at which time you will receive an email from the Club asking you to confirm how you would like to allocate your available credit.
 
We are delighted and encouraged that Premiership Rugby recently set a return to play date of 14th August for the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.

Over the past few weeks, the Club have been working tirelessly to move from ‘Stage 1’ - socially distanced training, to ‘Stage 2’ – incorporating full-contact training, which begins next week.
 
However, as you will be aware, we do not yet have confirmation on when the remaining 2019/20 fixtures might be played, despite work progressing to finalise that process and as importantly, whether we will be able to welcome supporters back to The Stoop for these matches.
 
While it is our absolute desire that we can open our gates to you all very soon, and are working closely with Premiership Rugby and the other clubs to achieve this, we understand that the last few months have been challenging for many of our supporters, as well as for the Club. We therefore believe now is the right time to communicate to you regarding your reimbursement options.

On Tuesday 7th July, you will receive an email asking you to choose the percentage split between the following three options:
 
• Quins Credit – a credit to your online account, which can be redeemed against future ticket and membership purchases over the next two seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022).
 
• Donate to the Club – as a response to the many incredibly generous offers of support from you, we have an option to donate to the Club, should you feel able to support us at this challenging time.
 
• Refund – an option to receive a full refund, paid to you automatically via your original payment method.
 
We fully understand the personal challenges that each and every one of you must be facing at this time and whichever way you choose to support Quins from the options made available, we can’t thank you enough for your passion and backing.
 
We have been blown away by all the generous support of the Club to date, either through donations, Season Ticket renewals or simply by your kind words. On behalf of everyone at Harlequins we would like you to know how appreciated your support is during this critical time.

It is our intention to recognise and acknowledge all the Season Ticket Members that choose to donate to the Club through events and recognition. While I hope you can appreciate at this time that we are unable to make a formal commitment on what those plans are, we will communicate and host them at an appropriate time when we can all return safely to The Stoop together.
 
The current landscape and set of regulations and guidelines in which we operate is extremely dynamic and we base our plans on the information as we know things today. Should the government or PRL adjust their guidelines in any way, you can rest assured that we will quickly adapt our plans too and keep you informed and at the centre of our thinking. We are navigating through unprecedented choppy waters but your unwavering support and patience is truly valued.
 
In the meantime, we look forward to hearing from you next week and I hope very much to be able to see you again in person very soon.
 
#COYQ!
 
Laurie Dalrymple,
Chief Executive Officer

May just be me being dense, but are they talking about ecash credit or a credit for tickets for all of the remaining 2019/20 fixtures?  Matches in August will almost certainly be behind closed doors, but there's a chance the later ones in October may not be. 

Also what is "recognise and acknowledge all the Season Ticket Members that choose to donate to the Club through events and recognition" likely to mean in practice?  That could mean all kinds of things.

I would like an opportunity to thank Robbo for his tireless service to the club and to wish him well for the future.

Well isn't that counter intuitive? 

To support the club you willingly eschew the refund and donate the balance of money back to the club.  In return, the club take the money and employ a local carpenter/joiner to procure the finest wood and make a board with names of donors added by a professional sign writer. At an appropriate time the club invites the donors to a shindig where they can meet a few players (drinks & food provided gratis), to see the sign unveiled.

So you are not really donating to the club.  You are paying to have your name on a board and the possibility of a meet and greet.  Or perhaps not, as the details have yet to be worked out.... I presume because they need to see what donations are made before they commit to anything!   

It is good that a range of options are available, including donating the money (is there a tax break there?).  However I am always suspicious of motives when 'donors' seek to have public acknowledgement of their contribution.       

When we did this last time, we had no idea the club was going to produce a "loyalty board". We just did it to try and save a few of the backroom staff from getting fired.

From my point of view it’s hard to make a decision on what to do until you know what the amount will be, I’d assume that with 4x home (men’s 1st team) games left it could be £160+ for the most expensive seat which right now with 3 tickets (£480) isn’t, I’m afraid! something, given the option, I can give away...... but everyone’s personal circumstances will be different.

Turns out it’s £177.5  so £534.5  for the 3 of us.....

Both my wife and I have our names on the"loyalty wall" but that was in a different time. A time when I didn't have 2 young kids and a mortgage and a business facing an uncertain future. I also felt more appreciated by the club as a "member"? They can keep my cash but on account for me to use in the future. Although I'm tempted to ask for it back as I could do with every but of cash I can lay my have on right now.....