left out in the cold...literally

Mr. Duval Crawl · Post by **Mr. Duval Crawl** » March 22, 2004 4:53 pm

I have been a Buffett fan since 1987 and have attended his shows every year since. I have made several trips to Boston and have even hopped a plane a few times to see him. Like all parrotheads, I own every cd and support Jimmy’s restaurants. My leg bears a tattoo, which serves as a permanent reminder of my allegiance to the parrothead lifestyle. If Jimmy marketed the “Margaritaville Pet Rock”… I would buy it.

This past Friday night I camped 15 hours in 30 degree weather hoping to score tickets for the 6/29 show in Camden. We were positioned third, sixth, tenth and fourteenth in line…a virtual lock for tickets…or so I thought. At 10:00 tickets went on sale and within three minutes an announcement was made that the event was sold out….sold out? I realize Jimmy is down to just one show, but this is ridiculous. Meanwhile Ebay has hundreds of tickets if you are willing to pay $125 to sit on the lawn.

Why are brokers and ticket agencies given first crack at these tickets and the loyal fan base is forced to get on their knees and plead for any extras that go unused by the fortunate few who got tickets? The disbelief that I did not get tickets despite being third in line has now turned to anger. As much as it kills me to say this…I partially blame Jimmy himself. Certainly he has some influence over the concert promoters.

Dear Jimmy (if you should ever see this): I will continue to listen to your music and attend your shows. I will buy the books, the DVDs and read the Coconut Telegraph. We have demonstrated our loyalty to you….now its your turn.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » March 22, 2004 4:56 pm

Sorry, but I gotta ask - why didn't you just go to a TM outlet that used the lottery system, instead of camping out?

Mr. Duval Crawl · Post by **Mr. Duval Crawl** » March 22, 2004 5:02 pm

This particular location has a lottery for the first 20 people in line. We've gone there and always had success but you have to be in the first twenty. We had six people and staggered ourselves in groups of two. This is the only location I have come across that still does it this way. Most do a lottery for the entire line to discourage camping out.

kurt · Post by **kurt** » March 22, 2004 5:06 pm

Read my post that I wrote a couple hours ago.

"Ticketmaster site at 10:00:03 am at Camden..."

Camping no longer works... and in my case, a T1 internet connection gets you lawn seats three seconds after 10...

PA PAR8 HED · Post by **PA PAR8 HED** » March 22, 2004 5:09 pm

Mr Duval Crawl,
That is true dedication - right down to the Margaritaville pet rock!

Welcome to the board!

bananaman · Post by **bananaman** » March 22, 2004 5:10 pm

Whoa...that's pretty harsh there, Duval. Kinda makes me count my blessings. I've never really had that much trouble getting tickets for Jimmy. I did lose out on Garth Brooks tickets once. I was 20th in line and was told after like 5 minutes that the concert was sold out. I know your pain.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » March 23, 2004 9:00 am

Mr. Duval Crawl wrote:This particular location has a lottery for the first 20 people in line.

Ah, interesting. Never heard of that particular format. Thanks for clarifying.

Mr. Duval Crawl · Post by **Mr. Duval Crawl** » March 23, 2004 12:07 pm

I learned my lesson..next year I'll find a T-1 line!

Blonde Stranger · Post by **Blonde Stranger** » March 23, 2004 12:13 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
Mr. Duval Crawl wrote:This particular location has a lottery for the first 20 people in line.
Ah, interesting. Never heard of that particular format. Thanks for clarifying.

I'm pretty sure that's the West Coast Video TM in Norristown. One year I went there to get tickets and a fight almost broke out because the people who were camping wrote names out on a list, including their parents and others who showed up 20 minutes before the sale and who obviously didn't camp out all night. I'd rather pay scalper prices than deal with that ugliness.

moeron · Post by **moeron** » March 23, 2004 12:14 pm

Jimmy dosen't own "cheeseburger in paradise" Outback steakhouse owns the restauant. Jimmy gets a percentage of profits. Thats why he plays at every opening. Not out of the kindness of his heart. He's a business man!!! Sorry that we are not the only one who got shutout. scaplers are standing buy to sell you tickets... please have an arm or a leg handy..

Y-NO-9-O · Post by **Y-NO-9-O** » March 23, 2004 12:23 pm

Mr DC, I feel your pain. I lived in NJ for 4.5 years and was never able to see Jimmy while I was there. Even when he played Jones Beach 2 days and GSAC 2 days. So I did what any sane Parrot Head would do, I moved south. Saw him 5 times in 1998, from Key West to Raleigh. Lot's of miles on the car, but well worth it.

Gumbo · Post by **Gumbo** » March 23, 2004 12:27 pm

I've camped out for tickets one time and got upper deck seats. Since then, I've used ticketmaster online for the other 3 shows and have gotten great seats. I don't trust the outlets and prefer to do it from my home computer.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » March 23, 2004 2:08 pm

MR D I know you are mad at no tickets now but if you work and put some effort into it you will get hooked up. I live where Jimmy doesn't play
and unless he played here like pre 84' never has He played Boise
I have to travel at least an hour by air to see a show . I feel you
but next year do some preplaning, scout out some otherplaces
spread out bring a cell phone or a wireless laptop work at it a little
and you will be suprised at your success.

kurt · Post by **kurt** » March 23, 2004 2:10 pm

Here Here! Now that's positive energy!!!

SpartyPH · Post by **SpartyPH** » March 24, 2004 1:26 pm

I, too, feel your pain. I've been to every tour since 1993, even though he seems to have given up on my venue here in Michigan as of late. I guess I have a hard time understanding why he will do 2 shows in Chicago that DO NOT sell out, instead of coming to Detroit where I've seen 2 and 3 shows sell out in mere minutes. We end up travelling to Chicago, but when the fans won't buyout your concert, there also not as "into" the show as I've seen 'em in Detroit.

And (almost forgot), we've done the staggering in line bit and all of that. We've just been fortunate to get enough people up front to get tickets. It's holy stressful until you have those hot little tickets in your hand, I know that...