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Glasgow 2014: Apology over Games tickets delays Glasgow 2014: Apology over Games tickets delays
(about 3 hours later)
Organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have apologised for significant delays in selling 100,000 extra tickets amid "unprecedented demand". Organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have apologised for the "frustrating experience" faced by many people trying to buy tickets.
The tickets, for all 17 sports and opening and closing ceremonies, went on sale at 10:00 on Monday. An extra 100,000 tickets, for all 17 sports and the opening and closing ceremonies, went on sale at 10:00.
Some people have criticised the ticketing process after experiencing errors or facing long waits on the website or while phoning for tickets. People reported errors and long waits on the ticket website and phone line.
Glasgow 2014 said staff were working as quickly as possible to process orders. Glasgow 2014 said there had been "very high levels of demand" but queues were reducing as staff worked to resolve the problems.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Newsdrive programme, Gordon Arthur, director of communications at Glasgow 2014, said the team had now put in place a fix - and the situation was improving. In a statement released on Monday evening, Gordon Arthur, chief communications officer for Glasgow 2014, said: "Thousands of people have successfully secured Games tickets today.
He said: "We have had a huge demand for tickets today, which has been much higher than we have had in the previous phases of the ticketing programme. "However we understand that many people have had a frustrating experience with queuing and transacting on the Glasgow 2014 ticketing website and with the call centre.
"We really appreciate the patience people have shown on what has obviously been a hugely frustrating day." "Our continued focus is on resolving these issues and we thank everyone sincerely for their patience."
'Keep trying' 'Unsatisfactory experience'
He said it had been challenging to establish what had gone wrong because website users had faced different experiences. He added: "The queue is now reducing and we are seeing increasing numbers of customers successfully buying tickets.
"So some people have gone all the way through and had no problems at all. They have been able to go on, browse and select tickets they want and pay for them", Mr Arthur said. "However, we are also aware that there are some people who are still having significant issues and have been on the website for a very long time.
"Other people have not been able to get into the site, and some people have been in the site, picked the tickets they wanted, and then at the point of check-out not been able to complete their transaction." "We appreciate this is an unsatisfactory experience and apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Earlier a Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: "We would like to assure customers that we are processing ticket sales as quickly as we can and advise customers to keep trying. "Please be assured that all our energies and efforts are focused on ensuring people can purchase tickets as quickly as possible."
"We thank everyone for their patience and apologise to those who have experienced issues." Glasgow 2014 said it would provide further updates via its website, Twitter and Facebook.
Some people have taken to social media sites and contacted the BBC to criticise the ticketing process. Some people took to social media sites and contacted the BBC to criticise the ticketing process.
Lindsey Millen, who emailed the BBC, said: "I have been in the queue for over six hours, and for the last five hours I have been presented with the same message stating I am in the queue and my wait time is 0-30 minutes.Lindsey Millen, who emailed the BBC, said: "I have been in the queue for over six hours, and for the last five hours I have been presented with the same message stating I am in the queue and my wait time is 0-30 minutes.
"My colleague who logged on to a different computer next to me at the exact same time successfully obtained tickets almost three hours ago.""My colleague who logged on to a different computer next to me at the exact same time successfully obtained tickets almost three hours ago."
Mark Chamberlayne, another person waiting in the online queue to buy tickets, said: "It's quite disgraceful. We already have tickets for the final night of athletics and have a 900-mile round trip to see this event but can't get any more. Don't think we will bother at this rate. What an awful website."Mark Chamberlayne, another person waiting in the online queue to buy tickets, said: "It's quite disgraceful. We already have tickets for the final night of athletics and have a 900-mile round trip to see this event but can't get any more. Don't think we will bother at this rate. What an awful website."
Sarah Patrick, tweeted: "Trying to get Commonwealth Games tickets for Glasgow 2014 is an absolute joke! I've been in the queue since 10."Sarah Patrick, tweeted: "Trying to get Commonwealth Games tickets for Glasgow 2014 is an absolute joke! I've been in the queue since 10."
Organisers had kept back a share for competing nations, sponsors and an additional contingency fund.Organisers had kept back a share for competing nations, sponsors and an additional contingency fund.
They were keen to avoid a repeat of the Olympics where there were empty seats at apparently sold out events.They were keen to avoid a repeat of the Olympics where there were empty seats at apparently sold out events.
The organisers also said the finalising of venue layouts and seating plans for the Games had allowed them to release extra tickets.The organisers also said the finalising of venue layouts and seating plans for the Games had allowed them to release extra tickets.
The first batch of tickets for those who have already secured tickets are now being sent out. Meanwhile, the first batch of tickets for those who secured them in the earlier sales phases are now being sent out.
Organisers said deliveries would continue over the coming weeks, with everyone who has bought Glasgow 2014 tickets expected to receive them in May.Organisers said deliveries would continue over the coming weeks, with everyone who has bought Glasgow 2014 tickets expected to receive them in May.
Recipients will receive their tickets in a specially-designed Spectator Guide.Recipients will receive their tickets in a specially-designed Spectator Guide.
It will include pull-out maps showing how to get around venues as well as travel information.It will include pull-out maps showing how to get around venues as well as travel information.
David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014 said: "It's so exciting to be at the point where hundreds and thousands of sports fans across the country are starting to receive their tickets and can really start to look forward to the fantastic summer of sport that they will be part of.David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014 said: "It's so exciting to be at the point where hundreds and thousands of sports fans across the country are starting to receive their tickets and can really start to look forward to the fantastic summer of sport that they will be part of.
"At the same time, we are also delighted to be able to offer the last big chance for sports fans to get tickets for the Games with more than 100,000 extra tickets for sale from today. This creates fresh opportunities for so many more people to be part of what will be a great moment in Scotland's sporting history. "At the same time, we are also delighted to be able to offer the last big chance for sports fans to get tickets for the Games with more than 100,000 extra tickets for sale from today.
"With less than three months to go, the excitement is building and this is the next step towards Glasgow and Scotland's greatest-ever summer of world-class sport.""With less than three months to go, the excitement is building and this is the next step towards Glasgow and Scotland's greatest-ever summer of world-class sport."
Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Derek Robertson, said: "Police Scotland will be vigilant towards preventing ticketing crime including tackling unauthorised vendors selling tickets online and would ask for the public to report any instances of unauthorised selling of tickets."Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Derek Robertson, said: "Police Scotland will be vigilant towards preventing ticketing crime including tackling unauthorised vendors selling tickets online and would ask for the public to report any instances of unauthorised selling of tickets."