Real life Club Level dilemma. Take the tickets?

[Brady_to_Moss]

(Disclaimer: I admit this is very O.T. and pretty self-indulgent; but it's the off-season, and I really am interested in what my fellow patsfans think of my dilemma..)

I manage a fairly large bank (branch). Like most banks, we have a strict policy about accepting gifts. If it's edible, can be shared, and worth $25 or less we can accept; otherwise, it can be considered a "code of conduct" violation and you can be, well, fired.

So, the other day a customer of mine sees my Pats mug on my desk, starts ribbing me for SB 46 (he's a Giants fan), then says to me, "Hey, you know my father's company in Boston gets Pats season tickets, club level. He never uses them. Pick a game and I'll get you 4 tickets -- bring your family!"

He came back 2 days later and says, "I talked to my dad, you're all set. How 'bout the Bills game Veteran's Day weekend?" He's never asked me for a thing in return. And his dad doesn't bank with us.

Now I've seen exactly one NFL game my entire life (MNF, Pats/Bengals, 2007. Brady to Moss!). My 12 yr old son, never. So, basically, dream of a lifetime: take my kid(s) and wife to see Brady/BB era team, club level, Gillette. (Something I'll probably never afford on my own.)

I figure I've got 4 options (see poll). What would you do?

(Oh, for anyone who's ever been: just how nice is club level at Gillette anyway? )

 

[xmarkd400x]

Can you buy them from him for face value?

You're out the cash, but you are also out of an ethical quandary.

EDIT: I'm sure that the price of the tickets is less than your salary, so you'll come out ahead in the money aspect as well =)

 

[FLPatsFan]

I manage a fairly large bank (branch). Like most banks, we have a strict policy about accepting gifts. If it's edible, can be shared, and worth $25 or less we can accept; otherwise, it can be considered a "code of conduct" violation and you can be, well, fired.

:bricks:

Do it! Managing a bank sucks compared to club level at The Razor..

 

[PatsSox363804]

Can you buy them from him for face value?

You're out the cash, but you are also out of an ethical quandary.

EDIT: I'm sure that the price of the tickets is less than your salary, so you'll come out ahead in the money aspect as well =)

Yeah that's what I'd do as well. See if you can pay face value, problem solved.

 

[ScottieC]

Can you buy them from him for face value?

You're out the cash, but you are also out of an ethical quandary.

EDIT: I'm sure that the price of the tickets is less than your salary, so you'll come out ahead in the money aspect as well =)

Let your boss know of the offer, ask him/her if you can accept the tickets - If he says yes, follow up with him/her with an email thanking him or confirming his response (Hold on to that email) If he says no, let the guy know you have to pay for them to keep you out of trouble and ask what would he want for them and pay him what he asks for. Let your boss then know you bought the tickets from the guy - No need to let him know what you paid for them.

Pretty simple.

 

[ScottieC]

Yeah that's what I'd do as well. See if you can pay face value, problem solved.

I don't think face value has anything to do with it - He just needs to pay the asking price.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I don't think face value has anything to do with it - He just needs to pay the asking price.

Ah, forgot to mention: "Code of Conduct" states you actually can't pay for tickets that were offered to you from a customer.

(FYI I've already made my decision. Will reveal later.)

 

[Frezo]

Whatever you do, it would be crazy to jeopardize your job in this economy. Just picture yourself having to tell your wife you have been terminated and can't even collect unemployment because you were fired, never mind that the incident could be on your employment record for as long as ten years. Buy the tickets for face value to erase all doubt that it was some kind of a favor. You will still have to pay air fare and transportation to and from the stadium. For at least the same money, probably less, you could drive to TN and see the season opener and be guaranteed you and your kid won't be subjected to 10 degree weather and/or blizzard conditions.

 

[PatsDeb]

I would ask your boss for special consideration (because the father doesn't bank with you, etc.), and if he/she says no, you can't accept the gift, then offer to take you and your kid (or you and your wife, whichever way will result in fewer tears )and two other's of the company's choosing to the game & see what they say.

I would not risk my job to go to a Pats game, even though I love them more than anything. I bet you if you accept the tickets and then try to hide it you will be sweating it out and won't enjoy yourself. What if this customer mentions to your co-worker that his dad gave you the tickets? Better to have it all on the up-and-up with your boss I say.

I hope you get to go and have a fabulous time!

 

[PatsDeb]

Can you buy them from him for face value?

You're out the cash, but you are also out of an ethical quandary.

EDIT: I'm sure that the price of the tickets is less than your salary, so you'll come out ahead in the money aspect as well =)

4 club seats is very expensive!

 

[Peachhead]

Ah, forgot to mention: "Code of Conduct" states you actually can't pay for tickets that were offered to you from a customer.

(FYI I've already made my decision. Will reveal later.)

Your bank made it pretty clear then. Can't 'buy' them from a customer, can't accept them as a gift. Even though the actual guy with the tickets is the father of a customer, you still wouldn't have this opportunity if it wasn't for the son (your customer). Way too close to the ethical line.

I'd politely decline.

 

[ctsports]

For those in similar situations be very careful with the "just pay what they ask" logic. Most ethics policies, if they do permit someone to use the tickets by paying for them, require that the transaction is for full value. Otherwise it would be too easy for someone to bribe an employee by saying, "Take these four $250 tickets and pay me $5 a piece for them." That's clearly not an even exchange and would be frowned upon just about anywhere.

 

[WhiZa]

I'm actually more interested to hear other people's experiences sitting in the club seats

 

[bresna]

I would politely turn them down. It's not worth losing your job over a football game.

 

[Avenger]

Consider it non job related. Does your bank prevent dads from getting gifts from their kids on fathers day?

 

[patchick]

Just venting- imagine missing out on a game cause of your job-lets face in this world today with all the underhanded dealings going on in big business some one would would give a rat's ass on whether Jo Nobody (nothing personal) goes to a Pats game.

How about "in this world today with all the underhanded dealings going on in big business it's nice to see somebody have a clear ethics policy and stick with it?"

It's agonizing, but I think you just have to decline. The fact is, 4 club seat is a pretty big-ticket item to accept from a customer.

 

[Gronkandez]

The "Right" thing to do is decline the tickets. The question is do you want to do the "right" thing? It's your call.

For me it wouldn't be worth it...not even close.

 

[kpreh]

How about "in this world today with all the underhanded dealings going on in big business it's nice to see somebody have a clear ethics policy and stick with it?"

It's agonizing, but I think you just have to decline. The fact is, 4 club seat is a pretty big-ticket item to accept from a customer.

Oh I'd love to see it that way but I took off my rose colored glasses long ago-now i just see it as a way to control the little guy--but hey we all have opinions- good thing your opinion can't be wrong-well off to work I go

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I would ask your boss for special consideration (because the father doesn't bank with you, etc.), and if he/she says no, you can't accept the gift...

This is what I did. Oh trust me, I definitely went through every possible scenario in my head, and ya I admit I thought about just accepting them and keeping my mouth shut! (Another part of this story is that this customer is actually pretty well-to-do and only lives in Louisville part of the year. And he basically said to me "No one else has to know"; I think he realized he kind of put me in a quandry.)

But, in the end I came clean to my boss, who was actually very cool about it and said she'd forward it to HR.

The email came back the next day:

"Accepting the tickets is a violation of the compant's code of conduct.

Thank you for involving me."

So, we've come up with Plan B, which is not quite as exciting but allows me to keep a clear conscience, and my job:

Titans season opener against the Pats! Only a couple hours drive away and still some tickets left on StubHub. Wonder what the view's like from the nosebleeds

 

[ensoul]

Since you cannot accept them is there some sort of loophole that will allow that person to give the tickets to your friend? Then your friend can give them to you. Technically that way you did not accept the tickets.