Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
02-23-24, 08:50 AM
#201
Member
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Really hate this company. Last night was looking at wwe tickets to take kids to Raw. Looked at a few different seats. Talked to wife, then was going to get them this morning.
1. The whole row of 17 seats gone from one section. (These have been on sale 2 weeks so it wasnt like people going crazy to buy tickets) so probably a reseller because the whole front row around the whole arena on second level is resales.
2. The other tickets i was thinking about are now 16 dollars more each. So i went under private tab to look, and they were the regular price.
3. so i put 4 regular price tickets in cart, sign in, and ticket prices go up. So i had to make a new account under my wife name under private tab to get the cheaper price.
100 fees un top of that.
1. The whole row of 17 seats gone from one section. (These have been on sale 2 weeks so it wasnt like people going crazy to buy tickets) so probably a reseller because the whole front row around the whole arena on second level is resales.
2. The other tickets i was thinking about are now 16 dollars more each. So i went under private tab to look, and they were the regular price.
3. so i put 4 regular price tickets in cart, sign in, and ticket prices go up. So i had to make a new account under my wife name under private tab to get the cheaper price.
100 fees un top of that.
02-23-24, 10:43 AM
#202
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Really hate this company. Last night was looking at wwe tickets to take kids to Raw. Looked at a few different seats. Talked to wife, then was going to get them this morning.
1. The whole row of 17 seats gone from one section. (These have been on sale 2 weeks so it wasnt like people going crazy to buy tickets) so probably a reseller because the whole front row around the whole arena on second level is resales.
2. The other tickets i was thinking about are now 16 dollars more each. So i went under private tab to look, and they were the regular price.
3. so i put 4 regular price tickets in cart, sign in, and ticket prices go up. So i had to make a new account under my wife name under private tab to get the cheaper price.
100 fees un top of that.
1. The whole row of 17 seats gone from one section. (These have been on sale 2 weeks so it wasnt like people going crazy to buy tickets) so probably a reseller because the whole front row around the whole arena on second level is resales.
2. The other tickets i was thinking about are now 16 dollars more each. So i went under private tab to look, and they were the regular price.
3. so i put 4 regular price tickets in cart, sign in, and ticket prices go up. So i had to make a new account under my wife name under private tab to get the cheaper price.
100 fees un top of that.
02-23-24, 03:35 PM
#203
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Okay, here's a great example of why I don't believe Ticketmaster fees at all.
Yesterday I bought $190 Copa America tickets on Ticketmaster. Here is the receipt with fees :
And here is my receipt for $156 Pearl Jam tickets, with all fees :
Same site, same service, consecutive days. Tickets are only $34 more each for the Copa, but the difference in Ticketmaster fees is $69 -- not counting facility fees or taxes.
The only difference is that Pear Jam is putting limits on TM price gouging that nobody else does.
Yesterday I bought $190 Copa America tickets on Ticketmaster. Here is the receipt with fees :
And here is my receipt for $156 Pearl Jam tickets, with all fees :
Same site, same service, consecutive days. Tickets are only $34 more each for the Copa, but the difference in Ticketmaster fees is $69 -- not counting facility fees or taxes.
The only difference is that Pear Jam is putting limits on TM price gouging that nobody else does.
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[email protected] (02-24-24)
02-23-24, 03:46 PM
#204
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Okay, here's a great example of why I don't believe Ticketmaster fees at all.
Yesterday I bought $190 Copa America tickets on Ticketmaster. Here is the receipt with fees :
And here is my receipt for $156 Pearl Jam tickets, with all fees :
Same site, same service, consecutive days. Tickets are only $34 more each for the Copa, but the difference in Ticketmaster fees is $69 -- not counting facility fees or taxes.
The only difference is that Pear Jam is putting limits on TM price gouging that nobody else does.
Yesterday I bought $190 Copa America tickets on Ticketmaster. Here is the receipt with fees :
And here is my receipt for $156 Pearl Jam tickets, with all fees :
Same site, same service, consecutive days. Tickets are only $34 more each for the Copa, but the difference in Ticketmaster fees is $69 -- not counting facility fees or taxes.
The only difference is that Pear Jam is putting limits on TM price gouging that nobody else does.
Edit: Checked my Fenway tickets. Also USD $19.00 (Service Fee): $149.00 ticket, $7.00 Facility fee, no tax, total $175.00
Last edited by Kdogg; 02-23-24 at 03:54 PM.
02-23-24, 04:10 PM
#205
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
There's going to be a cost difference between an arena and a stadium. The service fee is shared between venues/sports teams and Ticketmaster. For your tickets wouldn't MGM eat that to get folks into the casino? The Raiders and The Las Vegas Stadium Authority definitely aren't going to
I don't have any other recent MGM Grand shows in my order history, but The Killers are playing at Caesar's Palace. Tickets were $250 each. Service fees were $66 each and also a $5.50 "Processing Fee". For John Oliver & Seth Meyers in the same theater, tickets were $170, the service fees were $48 each and a $5.50 processing fee. The casinos aren't subsidizing cost at all.
02-23-24, 05:17 PM
#206
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Nope that has NOTHING to do with it. It's all Pearl Jam setting the limit.
I don't have any other recent MGM Grand shows in my order history, but The Killers are playing at Caesar's Palace. Tickets were $250 each. Service fees were $66 each and also a $5.50 "Processing Fee". For John Oliver & Seth Meyers in the same theater, tickets were $170, the service fees were $48 each and a $5.50 processing fee. The casinos aren't subsidizing cost at all.
I don't have any other recent MGM Grand shows in my order history, but The Killers are playing at Caesar's Palace. Tickets were $250 each. Service fees were $66 each and also a $5.50 "Processing Fee". For John Oliver & Seth Meyers in the same theater, tickets were $170, the service fees were $48 each and a $5.50 processing fee. The casinos aren't subsidizing cost at all.
Here's Philly and Boston for PJ Premium (Platinum by another name). Told ya TM would get it somewhere else. LiveNation just had there best year ever. Ticket sales up 20% and revenue up 30%. There are no good guys here. Just capitalist.
Wells Fargo Center
Fenway Park.
Last edited by Kdogg; 02-23-24 at 05:34 PM.
02-23-24, 05:31 PM
#207
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
That is interesting. I wonder if that's a deal PJ made with Ticketmaster -- reduced fees on regular price tickets and normal high rates on premium priced tickets.
02-23-24, 07:06 PM
#208
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Another two data points. Non PJ Premium tickets are available through the Red Box with the same $19 fee. Tickets at Wrigley have a $35.38 for $156.00. I believe Seat Geek handles all tickets sold through MLB.com, the app, and all team sites. So yeah fuck Ticketmaster.
02-23-24, 07:21 PM
#209
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Instead of complaining about the fees, I really think she should be having a discussion about how ridiculous ticket prices have gotten. Ticketmaster fees are really only a part of that.
Thirty years ago, a concert ticket might cost $25 for general admission. Parking was free or maybe $5.
Today, that same ticket should be about $50. Today, the "fees" often cost more than the ticket should and the ticket itself costs about three times what it should going by the rate of inflation.
And also keep in mind that the venues now sell grossly over-priced beers and food, so they have that revenue stream coming in. And now, instead of general admission, we have upcharges for premium seats. And $25+ for parking.
I suppose we have the Eagles to thank for this, who became a boomer nostalgia act and started charging twice as much tickets to their boring-assed shows than everyone else. And everyone saw that people were willing to pay $80 to hear Don Henley warble out "Hotel California" again and thought shit -- we might as well get some that action, too!
Thirty years ago, a concert ticket might cost $25 for general admission. Parking was free or maybe $5.
Today, that same ticket should be about $50. Today, the "fees" often cost more than the ticket should and the ticket itself costs about three times what it should going by the rate of inflation.
And also keep in mind that the venues now sell grossly over-priced beers and food, so they have that revenue stream coming in. And now, instead of general admission, we have upcharges for premium seats. And $25+ for parking.
I suppose we have the Eagles to thank for this, who became a boomer nostalgia act and started charging twice as much tickets to their boring-assed shows than everyone else. And everyone saw that people were willing to pay $80 to hear Don Henley warble out "Hotel California" again and thought shit -- we might as well get some that action, too!
02-23-24, 08:57 PM
#210
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Bands today rely even more on concert revenue than they did when they were selling millions of albums. As we all know, streaming doesn't pay squat to musicians.
02-23-24, 11:20 PM
#211
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Instead of complaining about the fees, I really think she should be having a discussion about how ridiculous ticket prices have gotten. Ticketmaster fees are really only a part of that.
Thirty years ago, a concert ticket might cost $25 for general admission. Parking was free or maybe $5.
Today, that same ticket should be about $50. Today, the "fees" often cost more than the ticket should and the ticket itself costs about three times what it should going by the rate of inflation.
And also keep in mind that the venues now sell grossly over-priced beers and food, so they have that revenue stream coming in. And now, instead of general admission, we have upcharges for premium seats. And $25+ for parking.
I suppose we have the Eagles to thank for this, who became a boomer nostalgia act and started charging twice as much tickets to their boring-assed shows than everyone else. And everyone saw that people were willing to pay $80 to hear Don Henley warble out "Hotel California" again and thought shit -- we might as well get some that action, too!
Thirty years ago, a concert ticket might cost $25 for general admission. Parking was free or maybe $5.
Today, that same ticket should be about $50. Today, the "fees" often cost more than the ticket should and the ticket itself costs about three times what it should going by the rate of inflation.
And also keep in mind that the venues now sell grossly over-priced beers and food, so they have that revenue stream coming in. And now, instead of general admission, we have upcharges for premium seats. And $25+ for parking.
I suppose we have the Eagles to thank for this, who became a boomer nostalgia act and started charging twice as much tickets to their boring-assed shows than everyone else. And everyone saw that people were willing to pay $80 to hear Don Henley warble out "Hotel California" again and thought shit -- we might as well get some that action, too!
The service that Ticketmaster provides is not essential, could easily be provided by other online services, and is the exact same service provided for a cheap ticket as for an expensive one, though the expensive one might cost 10 times more for that service provided. That's why my issue is with the cost of Ticketmaster service fees, and not with the artists.
02-24-24, 11:44 AM
#213
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Complaining about ticket prices while still buying the tickets is like complaining about the pain received when purposely hitting yourself with a hammer.
This isn't medication, food or shelter - it's not a necessity.
This isn't medication, food or shelter - it's not a necessity.
02-28-24, 10:20 AM
#214
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
I'm not an avid concert-goer (especially the arena shows - I don't want to stand and listen to the crowd around me shriek the lyrics from the nosebleeds). That said, when I do go to a concert, it is to see a particular artist who I love. They should get nearly ALL of the money, as I'm certainly not getting fantastic service or benefits from Ticketmaster, who charges 25% of a ticket price to send me an email.
When I see theatrical touring shows in town, I go to the box office and get the ticket specifically to avoid the Ticketmaster fees.
When I see theatrical touring shows in town, I go to the box office and get the ticket specifically to avoid the Ticketmaster fees.
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Decker (02-28-24)
02-28-24, 10:56 AM
#215
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
I don't really have a problem with what artists are charging for their shows. As others have said, they don't make much from the actual music anymore, and their prices reflect what the market is willing to pay. I do have a problem with Ticketmaster/others and their ridiculous fees, as well as the enabling/encouraging of the resale market at jacked up prices.
I probably spend a similar amount per year to see live shows now as I did 15 years ago, I just see way less shows.
I probably spend a similar amount per year to see live shows now as I did 15 years ago, I just see way less shows.
02-28-24, 01:57 PM
#216
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Thirty years ago, a concert ticket might cost $25
30 years ago, concerts were inexpensive promotional events to get you to buy the albums (where the real money was made).
Now, recorded music is basically given away to get you to buy concert tickets (where the real money is made).
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02-28-24, 02:55 PM
#217
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Ticketmaster's monopoly is a leftover remnant of the era when music promotion was a hugely crooked business often run by gangsters and the mob. They serve as a middleman which isn't necessary anymore given today's technology but they have the sheer inertia of massive contracts in place which make challenging them almost impossible. And any cheaper upstart which started making in-roads would almost certainly get bought out by Ticketmaster.
Ticketmaster is quite aware they are basically running a cartel pricing model. If the industry was any bigger, the government would have likely taken them down a couple pegs. But it's small fries in the scheme of things.
Ticketmaster is quite aware they are basically running a cartel pricing model. If the industry was any bigger, the government would have likely taken them down a couple pegs. But it's small fries in the scheme of things.
03-05-24, 10:48 AM
#218
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
I just bought a ticket to a gig in England for Feb 2025. Ticket price = 49.75. Convenience fee = 1.25. I was amazed.
03-05-24, 10:49 AM
#219
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
03-05-24, 03:51 PM
#221
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?
Also European consumers are less likely to accept higher ticket prices and are less prone to FOMO. They are also less wealthy than the average US consumer. Anytime a football club tries to raise prices there is pushback. Here the crappy Carolina Panther raise prices after a terrible season and no one bats an eye. Or Inter Miami doubles or triples season tickets with no pushback. Look at the recent PJ shows. It’s got a higher than normal ticket price by a good margin. In Manchester, London, Barcelona and Berlin sales have been really weak. Tickets are readily available and prices have dropped. That’s a stark contrast to Fenway and Wrigley here. Adele in Munich is the same but they haven’t dropped the prices yet because it’s further out. The US consumer just expects and accepts they will be screwed. Not so much in Europe.
