What do people expect?

Gayle · 01-01-2010, 21:55

We went to the pictures the other day. We arrived early, bought our hot dogs and got good seats near the front.

It was Avatar so it was a complete sell out. As the adverts started, the cinema started to get full and every seat seemed to be taken.

Just as the picture had started a family of four walked in. They couldn't find anywhere to sit - it was dark and the place was full. The usher tried to help and pointed out that there must be four seats somewhere but probably not all together.

The family stood in front of the screen arguing with the usher and trying to decide which of them would take the popcorn with them to their single seat. The usher managed to get them to one side but again pointed out that it was a sell-out and so the only remaining seats were dotted around the place.

I overheard them say, 'this is ridiculous, we're a family and we want to sit together, who's going to take the popcorn'. In the end, they decided to leave and get their money back.

Personally, I thought it was their own fault and they should have got there on time. It's like the people who are always in the duty free shop when the captain is trying to set off with everyone else on board. You know what time it starts, get there in time.

blazey · 02-01-2010, 00:42

Perhaps cinemas should sell tickets like other events, such as the theatre or football matches, where you select where you would like to sit and the number of the group, then it tells you whether it can cater or not, then you don't have to waste your time.

That's what I think anyway, and I vaguely recall that my first cinema trip when I was younger was at a cinema that did actually do that.

andrewb · 02-01-2010, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

We went to the pictures the other day. We arrived early, bought our hot dogs and got good seats near the front.

It was Avatar so it was a complete sell out. As the adverts started, the cinema started to get full and every seat seemed to be taken.

Just as the picture had started a family of four walked in. They couldn't find anywhere to sit - it was dark and the place was full. The usher tried to help and pointed out that there must be four seats somewhere but probably not all together.

The family stood in front of the screen arguing with the usher and trying to decide which of them would take the popcorn with them to their single seat. The usher managed to get them to one side but again pointed out that it was a sell-out and so the only remaining seats were dotted around the place.

I overheard them say, 'this is ridiculous, we're a family and we want to sit together, who's going to take the popcorn'. In the end, they decided to leave and get their money back.

Personally, I thought it was their own fault and they should have got there on time. It's like the people who are always in the duty free shop when the captain is trying to set off with everyone else on board. You know what time it starts, get there in time.

Agree it's just one of those things. I presume you were in Accrington Vue? As they don't allocate seating. I think Blackburn do when it's busy and Hull certainly do. I think it'd be handy if Accrington did the same during busy periods, that way a customer could be told at point of purchase rather than when they get into the screen (even though they should have expected it being late to the latest Blockbuster)

cashman · 02-01-2010, 00:49

its a poor do i think, if accy cinema cannot sort out by allocation, families do expect to sit together.

accyman · 02-01-2010, 05:01

i thought if you rang in advance you could ensure you all sat together at most cinemas?

Benipete · 02-01-2010, 07:46

I had the same problem in 1963 when I went to see Summer Holiday.

Neil · 02-01-2010, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

I presume you were in Accrington Vue?

I would presume that you presumed wrong as for some reason Accy are only doing it in 2D according to their web site and Gayle watched it in 3D.

Blackburn and Bury are doing it in 3D.

SPUGGIE J · 02-01-2010, 09:53

Well if i went i would be on my own so no issues there. To Gayle's point yes they should have been there early enough to stay together. Blazeys allocation would help as well. Seems that all they were intrested in was getting the sardines in the can and sod anything else.

cashman · 02-01-2010, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Well if i went i would be on my own so no issues there. To Gayle's point yes they should have been there early enough to stay together. Blazeys allocation would help as well. Seems that all they were intrested in was getting the sardines in the can and sod anything else.

it can be difficult wi a family, depends how early everyone else arrived.

far as i'm concerned its crap organising by cinema.

andrewb · 02-01-2010, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I would presume that you presumed wrong as for some reason Accy are only doing it in 2D according to their web site and Gayle watched it in 3D.

Blackburn and Bury are doing it in 3D.

Seems strange then, I'm sure I've been allocated before as they run the new system and have proper seating that goes with the system in Blackburn at least. Can't speak for Bury.

jaysay · 02-01-2010, 10:19

Whats surprised me is that Rindi hasn't blamed HBC yet

Neil · 02-01-2010, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Whats surprised me is that Rindi hasn't blamed HBC yet

I was waiting for you to blame Graham Jones

jaysay · 02-01-2010, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I was waiting for you to blame Graham Jones

Didn't know he was the usherette

Taggy · 02-01-2010, 11:21

Theres never been more then 2 dozen people in for any film ive watched in Accy....and on a couple of occasions its been just me and my lad in there!! Dont know how they make a do!!

Best Regards - Taggy

Neil · 02-01-2010, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taggy

Theres never been more then 2 dozen people in for any film ive watched in Accy....and on a couple of occasions its been just me and my lad in there!! Dont know how they make a do!!

Best Regards - Taggy

Its good isn't it, like your own private viewing