It seems as though booking fees for match tickets are now very much the norm and they do vary significantly. Arsenal for example charge a £1.65 online booking fee for members whereas Bradford City, by contrast, charge £2. So Argyle are very much at the lower end of such charges.
When looking at booking for tickets at the Plymouth Pavilions I was surprised to learn that a 10% booking fee would be charged on all tickets over £15. There was also a 'Fulfillment Fee' to pay. Given the cost of tickets for high profile acts that is quite a cost. On looking as to what might justify this, the terms and conditions on the Pavilions website states,
"Booking fees have become an industry standard necessity at commercial venues like the Pavilions." It then continues,
"The booking fee is a vital part of our business and ensures that we continue to offer the best customer service, operating a modern and efficient Box Office service."
Perhaps the above statement may be relevant to decisions taken in relation booking fees at the Home Park box office. The Pavilions tickets are sold by Ticket Store (who I think also did MTV Crashes). Ticket Store is part of South West Ticket Solutions Limited. Two of the three Directors of that company are James Brent and Martyn Starnes.
The principal activity of South West Ticket Solutions Limited, according to their accounts, is that of a 'ticketing agency'. According to those accounts recharges of £28,111 (in 2014) and £41,890 (2015) were made to PAFC Ltd for the 'provision of accountancy services'. There is no explanation in the accounts as to what this actually means. The turnover of the company in 2015 was £286,660. All this information is in the public domain.
It looks as though booking fees (and perhaps even a fulfillment fee) will be a way of further increasing income in the future. Changes of policy on the implementation of increased fees on various forms of ticket sales will always irk and frustrate supporters and they need to be accompanied with an clear explanation, from the Club, as to why, and in what circumstances. Otherwise there will be continued undue pressure on the hardworking box office staff to explain and their job is difficult enough as it is.
Perhaps it is time for greater clarity on the relationship of the Club with Ticketmaster and possibly even, South West Ticket Solutions Limited, so when a booking fee (or any other fee for that matter) is paid there is greater certainty as to who, ultimately, is the beneficiary and why.
