Now that you bring this up, hdhtr, I'm wondering if NU is already adjusting.
I'm hesitant to ask this publicly, but I will.
Did anybody else finalize their ST package for quite a bit less than the published required donation?
Before finalizing, I made a call about a very simple clarification of my final cost (tickets + donation). My math wasn't adding up and I just wanted to check. I was nowhere near making a stink about anything.
My rep and I agreed on the final price and she checked with her manager. The manager in the background of the call gave her a final cost for tickets and donation which was significantly less than what the rep and I agreed should have been the published final cost.
Both of us were pretty surprised and admitted it openly. She double-checked the final price with the manager.
I triple-checked with the rep. I didn't want any problems down the road. Same seats? Check. She guarantees them? Check.
I have no clue why this happened. It was a welcome surprise, but an odd phone call. I was wondering about different scenarios why this could have happened.
1) Were they gentle with me because I've had tickets for many years? Maybe, but I don't think so.
2) I'm also a regular donor, but there are people who donate much more than me. Probably not a reason.
3) Did a big shooter recently make a large donation that allowed them to reach their goals and ease up on the smaller donations? Can anyone verify?
4) To go back to the hdhtr theory, I waited until the last week to make my payment. Maybe renewals aren't going as well as they thought.
Those are the only reasons I can come up with. However, I'm wondering if hdhtr hit on something. Maybe NU is adjusting to the effects of the new tax laws. That's the best reason I can put together.
Anybody else have the same experience?
Anyhow, the lesson I learned is that the "required" donations are somewhat negotiable. I COMPLETELY stumbled into it. I hope the better negotiators among us can use this to help themselves in the future.