"convenience fees" on concert tickets

[toodles2004]

Where does a concert venue get off charging $4.50+ in "convenience" fees on an $18 ticket? I'd rather sit home and strum my...until it's raw and then some more, than pay a 25% fee for a concert ticket. Especially when there appears to be NO WAY to buy the ticket w/out the fee(s).
 
 This is so incredibly crooked, cynical, insulting and nasty--- artists should refuse to play at places that impose this bullsh.

[LostSoul]

Couldn't agree more, the convenience charges are pretty fucking INCONVENIENT to me...

[xcanuck]

Pearl Jam tried and got spanked silly. They even got a senate hearing. Doesn't matter. Ticketmaster and Clear Channel are big business and control the market. I'm just thankful that the 930 doesn't use them. At least there is some semblance of competition.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by toodles2004:
   there appears to be NO WAY to buy the ticket w/out the fee(s).
 

there is no convenience fee when you pay at the door, the night of the show.

[Bombay Chutney]

I think the convenience fee is only charged via phone or internet services.  If you go to the box office or even a walk-up ticket outlet, you probably don't have to pay them.
 
 Note that convenience fee is different from the service charge, delivery fee and facility fee.  It's the fee they charge you for the convenience of ordering tickets without leaving your house, as opposed to driving across town and standing in line somewhere.
 
 It's rare that the only way to get tickets is on-line or via telephone.  It's just the most convenient.  Thus the charge.

[Arlette]

Originally posted by toodles2004:
 
 
 This is so incredibly crooked, cynical, insulting and nasty--- artists should refuse to play at places that impose this bullsh.

Don't be naive.  Most artists get a kickback out of these fees.

[toodles2004]

Actually, the 9:30 club does charge them. That's where I was buying the tickets. Tickets.com and Ticketmaster.com are the noted options And if there's some other way to buy the tickets---it isn't remotely evident on the 9:30 Club website.
 
 Which says to me that 9:30 more than capitulates to the effers who've hijacked the process.  They support them.
 
 --T

[eltee]

Originally posted by toodles2004:
 artists should refuse to play at places that impose this bullsh.

<img src="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:Z6h7x9qKFaYJ:www.arcterex.net/photos/laughing" alt=" - " />
 Thank you for that.

[Shadrach]

Originally posted by toodles2004:
  Actually, the 9:30 club does charge them. That's where I was buying the tickets. Tickets.com and Ticketmaster.com are the noted options And if there's some other way to buy the tickets---it isn't remotely evident on the 9:30 Club website.
 
 Which says to me that 9:30 more than capitulates to the effers who've hijacked the process.  They support them.
 
 --T

I would caution you to do some research before making sweeping statements.
 
 FYI -  The 9:30 box office offers all tickets for only a $1.00 service charge. In addition, any tickets sold the night of shows, for that evenings performance, are offered with no service charge at all.
 
 While I'm certain it offers you no solace, the ability to offer tickets either through the web or over the phone is a necessary part of doing business in this industry. The service fee's and convenience charges are how those ticket vendors earn a profit and stay in business. These rates are no different than "parts and labor" when your car is worked on. You may not like it, but that's the cost of having someone else do the work for you. You can treat the box office like an auto parts store. Do it yourself. Save some money by coming down and buying tickets in person.

[walkonby]

Originally posted by Shadrach:
   

Originally posted by toodles2004:
  Actually, the 9:30 club does charge them. That's where I was buying the tickets. Tickets.com and Ticketmaster.com are the noted options And if there's some other way to buy the tickets---it isn't remotely evident on the 9:30 Club website.
 
 Which says to me that 9:30 more than capitulates to the effers who've hijacked the process.  They support them.
 
 --T

I would caution you to do some research before making sweeping statements.
 
 FYI -  The 9:30 box office offers all tickets for only a $1.00 service charge. In addition, any tickets sold the night of shows, for that evenings performance, are offered with no service charge at all.
 
 While I'm certain it offers you no solace, the ability to offer tickets either through the web or over the phone is a necessary part of doing business in this industry. The service fee's and convenience charges are how those ticket vendors earn a profit and stay in business. These rates are no different than "parts and labor" when your car is worked on. You may not like it, but that's the cost of having someone else do the work for you. You can treat the box office like an auto parts store. Do it yourself. Save some money by coming down and buying tickets in person. [/b]

just don't give them your forum name.
 
 they would throw me out, if i gave them mine at the door.

[Jaguär]

Ironically, once in a Blue Moon, being a forum member has it's privileges, other than for some passwords. You just haven't joined us yet.
 
 Sometime, come join us and earn your official 'loon wings'.

[Random Citizen]

<img src="http://www.dimpleandasmirk.com/forum/inconceivable.jpg" alt=" - " />

[helicon1]

Originally posted by Shadrach:
   

Originally posted by toodles2004:
  Actually, the 9:30 club does charge them. That's where I was buying the tickets. Tickets.com and Ticketmaster.com are the noted options And if there's some other way to buy the tickets---it isn't remotely evident on the 9:30 Club website.
 
 Which says to me that 9:30 more than capitulates to the effers who've hijacked the process.  They support them.
 
 --T

I would caution you to do some research before making sweeping statements.
 
 FYI -  The 9:30 box office offers all tickets for only a $1.00 service charge. In addition, any tickets sold the night of shows, for that evenings performance, are offered with no service charge at all.
 
 While I'm certain it offers you no solace, the ability to offer tickets either through the web or over the phone is a necessary part of doing business in this industry. The service fee's and convenience charges are how those ticket vendors earn a profit and stay in business. These rates are no different than "parts and labor" when your car is worked on. You may not like it, but that's the cost of having someone else do the work for you. You can treat the box office like an auto parts store. Do it yourself. Save some money by coming down and buying tickets in person. [/b]

Good perspective Shadrach. I work in the sports industry on a local event. We have a stadium where the upper level exceeds 4000 seats. Our event is eight days long and it would be nearly impossible to sell each ticket ourselves year round. While I agree Ticketmaster fees seem high, you have to put it in perspective. We use Ticketmaster because the fees we pay them are much lower than if we were to hire a full-time ticket staff (We have one person in office who is our ticket manager)
 
 You think Ticketmaster fees are high? Guess what the mark-ups are on items at the grocery store, especially places like Whole Foods! Ticketmaster is a business too and they need revenue to keep themselves going.

[you be betty]

Originally posted by sonickteam4:
   

Originally posted by toodles2004:
   there appears to be NO WAY to buy the ticket w/out the fee(s).
 

there is no convenience fee when you pay at the door, the night of the show. [/b]

yeah; but then the show sells out four people before you in line (thanks, ticket brokers) and you are left out in the cold cruel world, smacking the pavement as others strut into the club like kings with their gold-plated chuck taylors and diamond incrusted buddy holly glasses....
 
 seemingly; the only people that can AFFORD the aforementioned ticket charges.
 
 inconcievable!

[Bombay Chutney]

Originally posted by you be betty:
  yeah; but then the show sells out four people before you in line ...

Then get in line earlier.  Pay the convenience  charge, or get to the club earlier than everyone else.   Or get to a TicketMaster/Tickets.com outlet where the charges are cheaper than online.
 
 You have the choice of paying the extra $$$, or putting forth the extra time and effort to make sure you get a ticket.  If you can't be bothered to do either one, you risk missing the show altogether.  And don't be surprised when other folks beat you to it.