Cinema Only Free Tickets Discussion thread

IANS325

oops !!!!! lol

The_Old_Bag

Disappointed as we have just had another wasted journey to see Oblivion - but got turned away as the screening was apparently full.
This was with Odeon...... Preview Screenings are also held at 2 other cinemas locally, but we have never been turned away from any of the other venues, it only ever happens at Odeon.
What a waste of time and money, what a let down.
Must have been about 30 other people also turned away - and this was only 5 past 6.... and more people turning up as we left.
They seem to have seriously c0cked up on ticket allocation, or else there are dishonest elements at work again.
Wouldn't be the first time, and unfortunately probably not the last unless they get a more robust way to checking tickets.
Think Virgin/SFF need to copy Sky and start using bar codes.:(

Locky

That's rubbish, TOB. Whereabouts was this?

Norwich was pretty full but I'm not sure if anyone was turned away. They were asking everyone for ID (as usual) and when I showed my bank card, the girl told me I should have photo ID next time. That means I'll have to take my passport as my driving licence is a paper one!

marvelsc7

Back from Oblivion, had free Ben and Jerry ice cream and popcorn.
A few people were turned away, full screening.

darkhairedgal

Saw oblivion at the trafford centre. There were quite a few people turning up trying to get a seat but it was full. Got there about 6.10 as was in the queue for free ben and jerrys ice cream and it was fairly full then.its not usually that bad.A guy who was assisting with the screening went round checking if there were any spare seats. Either it was over subscribed or people have been naughty copying their tickets. Got the free ice cream ( suprised they were actually advertising it!) but left the free popcorn as it was salted :-(

Poochface

The_Old_Bag wrote: »

Disappointed as we have just had another wasted journey to see Oblivion - but got turned away as the screening was apparently full.
This was with Odeon...... Preview Screenings are also held at 2 other cinemas locally, but we have never been turned away from any of the other venues, it only ever happens at Odeon.
What a waste of time and money, what a let down.
Must have been about 30 other people also turned away - and this was only 5 past 6.... and more people turning up as we left.
They seem to have seriously c0cked up on ticket allocation, or else there are dishonest elements at work again.
Wouldn't be the first time, and unfortunately probably not the last unless they get a more robust way to checking tickets.
Think Virgin/SFF need to copy Sky and start using bar codes.:(

Virgin tickets do have bar codes on them as well as a booking reference.

velocirapta

Dammit. Been to many ShowFilmFirst screenings and had no trouble getting in - I admit, been to a couple that have been almost full, but never that full. Generally that's because they've been at Picturehouse or Vue cinemas, but tonight was ridiculous. Definitely not cool that people are printing multiples and getting in that way - abusing the system so blatantly.

4 of us had to travel to Odeon Southampton from Winchester...so not exactly next door. Luckily enough the Virgin representative was lovely and got us tickets to see Oblivion IMAX on Saturday evening with premier seating. So not entirely a wasted trip.

/edit: just to reiterate, I am a Virgin Mobile customer and my dad is a Virgin Media customer, and we each got 2 genuine tickets with barcodes the night the tickets first went up. Not sure if people managed to cheat the website but assume it was a case of reprinting tickets, but we turned up at 6.10 and were told by the bouncers that they were just 'reshuffling' as people were sat with gaps in the seating, but were then told there was 1 space for 6 people. Felt sorry for the date couple that had just arrived after us, but I guess you can't rely on a free screening. I hope companies like this will have the sense to do more screenings spread across smaller cinemas, and on differing days or times, so there isn't so much tension created at these things. Apparently the first time it's been like that for a Southampton screening, at least one run by Virgin.

The_Old_Bag

velocirapta wrote: »

Dammit. Been to many ShowFilmFirst screenings and had no trouble getting in - I admit, been to a couple that have been almost full, but never that full. Generally that's because they've been at Picturehouse or Vue cinemas, but tonight was ridiculous. Definitely not cool that people are printing multiples and getting in that way - abusing the system so blatantly.

4 of us had to travel to Odeon Southampton from Winchester...so not exactly next door. Luckily enough the Virgin representative was lovely and got us tickets to see Oblivion IMAX on Saturday evening with premier seating. So not entirely a wasted trip.

/edit: just to reiterate, I am a Virgin Mobile customer and my dad is a Virgin Media customer, and we each got 2 genuine tickets with barcodes the night the tickets first went up. Not sure if people managed to cheat the website but assume it was a case of reprinting tickets, but we turned up at 6.10 and were told by the bouncers that they were just 'reshuffling' as people were sat with gaps in the seating, but were then told there was 1 space for 6 people. Felt sorry for the date couple that had just arrived after us, but I guess you can't rely on a free screening. I hope companies like this will have the sense to do more screenings spread across smaller cinemas, and on differing days or times, so there isn't so much tension created at these things. Apparently the first time it's been like that for a Southampton screening, at least one run by Virgin.

Sorry to hear you had the same disappointing evening. Interesting your 'bad experience' was with Odeon as well.
We got there at 5 past 6 - and there were loads already turned away, and dozens more turned up after us.
Not the first time we have had a bad experience with Odeon - last time we were told that the manager had moved the preview at the last minute to a much smaller screen.
Feels unfair because they have never scanned our tickets for Virgin before, so presume they didn't check the tickets of those they had let in tonight ..... and as many of us already suspect, I think there are some peeps printing numerous copies of their tickets, or 'manufacturing' fake tickets. Normally only SKY seem to scan tickets, and then not all the time.
I could accept it more if we arrived at 25 past, but at 5 past 6 ?!
There were not just a few of us, but dozens and dozens, and no offer from Odeon staff for us to see an alternative film, or to see the film another day. Just a wasted evening.
No one there from Virgin as far as I could see, and cannot seem to find anyway to contact them to let them know. Would be interested to know if the cinema admitted to Virgin that they had turned away dozens and dozens of ticket holders.

Just to satisfy my masochistic side, was the film any good ?

gossip25

You could contact virgin through their forum, normally get a quick response because it is out there for the world to see.

The film was a bit slow took too long to explain what they didn't explain. for me it was a cross between The Island, Star wars, Terminator and armaggedon and they are good films but just a weird combo.

Best bits were Tom with his Top off ( he still has it)

tpitftd

It quite clearly states for all free films that it is First Come First Served.

Virgin, Odeon, Sky etc owe you nothing if you don't get in. Quit moaning and get over it. You certainly have no right to premier seating in IMAX and btw the film was dreadful.