Ticket prices

gcraft · Post by **gcraft** » March 22, 2004 11:28 pm

I was just wondering who sets the ticket prices for the shows? Is it Jimmy or the venue? Because some of the ticket prices seem outrageous! Don't get me wrong, I like Jimmy, but I won't pay $100 or more to see him front row, that's ridiculous, not all us parrotheads have that much money to waste, and yes I said "waste". It seems artists these days are charging more and more to see them. It's not enough that we buy their cd's and merchandise, but they want to gouge us too on concerts? Alabama was just in Tallahassee, and they were charging $1,000 for front row seats! Thats just plain stupid! And no, I'm not whining or complaining, just curious.

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » March 22, 2004 11:35 pm

I believe the promoters set the price for tickets. I agree the prices are BEYOND stupid for some. I love Jimmy Buffett too, and don't have a problem paying $75.00-$80.00 to get a pavillion seat, however I realize this is VERY steep for a lot of people who work hard and save all year just for a chance to see him, then lo & behold, they get shut out, and are at the mercy of the brokers, who I wish would all CHOKE TO DEATH on their blood money.
The reason some of these tickets go for $1000.00 is that there are crazy-a$$ people willing to pay that much.
As I said, I love Jimmy Buffett, but the day I pay $1000.00 to hear him sing will be the day HE pays $1000.00 to watch me mow my lawn.

Parrothed71 · Post by **Parrothed71** » March 23, 2004 12:07 am

36.00 for lawn seats really isnt that steep!!

KYboatdrunk · Post by **KYboatdrunk** » March 23, 2004 12:33 am

HE pays $1000.00 to watch me mow my lawn

You must be good at mowing lawns or something to get that much for admission...

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » March 23, 2004 2:54 am

Uh, it's called a JOKE. I was trying to be FUNNY, but truthful.

I realize some people don't understand the concept of a JOKE, so let me AGAIN say-
THE DAY I PAY $1000.00 TO HEAR JIMMY BUFFETT SING WILL BE THE DAY HE PAYS $1000.00 TO WATCH ME MOW MY LAWN.

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » March 23, 2004 5:03 am

concidering that some singers tix START at $100 and go up to $300-500, we parrotheads sould feel lucky

AtlantaGal · Post by **AtlantaGal** » March 23, 2004 7:06 am

I think the Lawn seats are still reasonably priced, but the cost of reserved seating is very high, IMO. I remember when it used to always cost under $40 to see any concert and have a decent seat.... maybe that's why I saw so many performers back then live.

photogal · Post by **photogal** » March 23, 2004 7:08 am

its those fees of 8.00 to 12.00 that kill me......I wish some people had gotten behind Pearl Jam when they tried to fight ticketmaster.

UWParrot · Post by **UWParrot** » March 23, 2004 10:45 am

It seems to me tickets are underpriced if anything. 35,000 capacity shows are selling out in 10 minutes. It doesn't seem like too many people have too big a problem with the prices.

Also, like or not front row Buffett tickets are worth way more than the $80-$100 face value of the tickets. If people are willing to pay big bucks for those tickets someone is going to sell them for those prices.

bumper · Post by **bumper** » March 23, 2004 10:48 am

Vegas is a whole other story

jkortum · Post by **jkortum** » March 23, 2004 10:54 am

Parrothed71 wrote:36.00 for lawn seats really isnt that steep!!

No it isn't.. But here in Minneapolis face value for all lower level seats is $92, and $73... Upper level is $65.. And behind the stage is $37...

That is very high priced if you ask me......

finsup2k · Post by **finsup2k** » March 23, 2004 10:55 am

photogal wrote:its those fees of 8.00 to 12.00 that kill me......I wish some people had gotten behind Pearl Jam when they tried to fight ticketmaster.

I'd pay $100 to sit front row and see Jimmy play. Hell, I'd pay a lot more - and have done so. I know it's ridiculous, but I'm willing to pay it.

jkortum · Post by **jkortum** » March 23, 2004 11:04 am

finsup2k wrote:
photogal wrote:its those fees of 8.00 to 12.00 that kill me......I wish some people had gotten behind Pearl Jam when they tried to fight ticketmaster.
I'd pay $100 to sit front row and see Jimmy play. Hell, I'd pay a lot more - and have done so. I know it's ridiculous, but I'm willing to pay it.

Yeh... But would you pay $100 to sit in the back row???????? That's face value in most small venues!!!!!

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » March 23, 2004 11:11 am

*Some* people DID get behind Pearl Jam when they went up against Ticketmaster but they are a very powerful monoply, TOO powerful in fact. It sickens me to see how many people are willing to pay these outrageous prices for concert tickets, it just paves the way for more artists to start overcharging fans. This is yet another reason why I attend so few arena-size shows these days. Yes, the bands DO have a say in what the prices are but they are gauging on what the going rates are. That being said, I've seen R.E.M. from the front row on their last two tours for less than $50 each time with tickets from their fan club. Those prices are still high compared to what they were just a few years ago but at least they're not out to rip off their fans like some of these bands are blatantly doing today. The Eagles are a prime example. Just how long are they going to tour behind the premise that this may be the last chance you may ever have to see them when they've been on the road off and on for the last four or five years now? If anyone deserves to be boycotted, it's them. I'll continue to support artists that aren't out to rob their fans and refuse to attend concerts by the rest.

asuwookie · Post by **asuwookie** » March 23, 2004 11:41 am

I agree I am upset with high ticket prices. I have to pick and choose this summer's concerts and that's sad for as much as I like music.

The Artist does have some say so. I remember a few years ago when Garth Brooks toured and he was charging 20$ a seat...20$ front row...20$ last row in the place. He set that standered.

Why charge 20 when you can get 50? You want lower ticket prices? Stop going to see them in concert. PArt of the ticket price is also set by the promoter, venue and artist.

Production of tours has increased too. Costumes, dancers, props, stage hands, gas to put in the tour buses and trucks. It costs a lot of money to put on a show. And lets face it. I LOVE Buffett but his number one source of income is the tours. Sure 5'oclock was a hit and all but let's face it...he doesn't have a lot of "mainstream support" and therefore does not have a lot of mainstream money. Look at the example of Garth above, he lost money on his tours, but when he lost he made 10 times back in album sales, merchdise etc. Not all artists are lucky enough or smart enough to employ that concept.

I'm sure part of the high ticket prices is due to the monopoly of TICKETBASTARD but at the same time think about digital music and downloading. Artist are charging higher ticket prices in order to off set somef the loss of album sales due to downloading.

We haven't even talked about the dynamic of Jimmy and the live CDs. I can't figure out if he's lossing money or making money on these. If they don't take off during the first part of the summer show I predict these will be phased out next year.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » March 23, 2004 12:01 pm

They continue to charge us those rates because we continue to buy the tickets.

bbarba3 · Post by **bbarba3** » March 23, 2004 12:07 pm

Obviously there are multiple angles to every story, but I would say we are lucky. Basic supply and demand tells us that tickets could be two to three times more than they are, maybe more. If lawn seats sold at $70 face value would they sell out in 10 minutes or less. I would believe they still would. Many of the top artists still charge way too much (i.e. the Rolling Stones, When I saw them in 1995 the cheapest seat was $50 in a very large stadium). Jimmy could easily charge more for tickets and the fact that brokers do is a perfect example.

I would argue that $70 seats would eliminate casual fans trying for tickets. I know in my group of 9 going to Bristow only 3 or 4 would pay $70 for lawn. And that would take me forcing my wife to go with me.

My complaint, and this goes with almost everyone, is the fees. Ticketmaster does not need to make the fees 25% of the ticket price. Lawn seats at Bristow went from $36 to $45 when buying online.

My worst complaint is when buying tickets for the MCI Center in DC. You can have you tickets emailed to you as a PDF, requiring you to print them off. They charge you a $2-$4 convenience fee. THis is insane, you must pay them to make things convenient.

CowboyintheJungle33 · Post by **CowboyintheJungle33** » March 23, 2004 12:12 pm

I don't have a problem paying $1000 for a front row seat; it's the $8 beers that kill me!

KYboatdrunk · Post by **KYboatdrunk** » March 23, 2004 12:30 pm

Wino you know wrote:Uh, it's called a JOKE. I was trying to be FUNNY, but truthful.
I realize some people don't understand the concept of a JOKE, so let me AGAIN say-
THE DAY I PAY $1000.00 TO HEAR JIMMY BUFFETT SING WILL BE THE DAY HE PAYS $1000.00 TO WATCH ME MOW MY LAWN.

For someone that claims to understand the concept of a joke, you really have a pretty hard time spotting one yourself....

7lords · Post by **7lords** » March 23, 2004 12:37 pm

gcraft wrote:Alabama was just in Tallahassee, and they were charging $1,000 for front row seats! Thats just plain stupid! And no, I'm not whining or complaining, just curious.

But this was included with the $1000 seats:
$1000 ticket includes a 1st or 2nd row seat, a collector's edition epiphone electric guitar, and a photo opportunity with the band.

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