Is Buffett slipping??? (re ticket sales)

[ScarletB]

I can only speak for GW - last time he was there pavillion tix were $126, they were $10 more this time (excluding TM fees which he doesn't get)
I don't call a $10 increase in 2 years greedy. The only thing I see that is different (and this IS a big difference) is that the uncovered seats used to be $88 or so and now they are $136 also. How much fuel do you think it takes to schelp the whole show from one place to another? If gas prices are affecting us they are affecting performers too. It's one of the reasons the price of food has gone up (along with corn futures) They don't call it show BUSINESS for nothing.

[ScarletB]

And I just copied this from another thread......

TicketNews.com has an article: "Jimmy Buffett sails to the top of the chart"

Tropical rock icon Jimmy Buffett climbed two positions to attain the title of Overall Top Event for the week ending March 16, in TicketNews's exclusive ranking. Buffett will be one singer in paradise this week as he and the Coral Reefers gear up for their "Year of Still Here Tour," which will kick off on April 21 in Woodlands, Texas.

[LIPH]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

Maybe JB should make next year's tour free......

It could be called "Jimmy Buffett's Free Concert Tour 2009".

Or maybe, "The 2009 This Tour Is Free For My Fans".

Performing is his job. I expect to get paid when I do my job, you probably expect to get paid for your job too. Why should Buffett do his for free?

[surfpirate]

....... "Jimmy Buffett's Free Concert Tour 2009".

Brokers would LOVE it if Jimmy did a free tour. It would still require a ticket to get into the venues and many of those free tickets would still find themselves out on a delighted secondary sales market. Brokers and individuals would make less per ticket but demand still FAR EXCEEDS supply and more people want to see the concerts than are able to fit into the arenas.

"Free" tickets still have to be distributed, and demand will far, far, far exceed supply, and you'll still have sales of the tickets on the secondary market.

[SharkOnLand]

How about Ozzy Osbourne?

He's nuts?

[nutmeg]

I hope this means I will be able to get a ticket to DTE. Please please!

Maybe the brokers got stuck with tickets a few times too many and aren't buying quite as many? All of us have our limits and those that were selling tickets for thousands of dollars either changed their price or ate them last year.

[spadilly]

does buffett set his ticket prices? i doubt it.

my guess is that he gets a flat fee for each show, then ticketmaster, live nation, and sponsors (margaritaville tequila/landshark), and each venue all get a cut of each ticket sold and of everything sold at the show.

thats the way it normally works out.

what we need to find out is who signs the contract with all of the numbers in it and get them to back down.

supply and demand will always fuel price hikes.

[ParrotheadPeteNJ]

Ah, Jimmy just sold out Riverbend today in 10 minutes-I think that's quicker than last year. He's not slipping-if anything the economy is tanking. Remember the demand for Jimmy tickets is fairly well correlated with East coast shows and summer shows. Mansfield is after Labor Day so that market is a bit softer. Nissan has tow shows this year vs one usual Saturday show. Philly is a tough ticket-Thank God for the BN presale! St Louis and North Carolina area shows in general aren't the strong concert market as other areas. Reserved seats may be a bit less in demend because they cost about $150 per after taxes.

Jimmy still da man and was named top act of thius week for sales. FINS UP!-if only due to the Viagra!

[parrothead216]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

But most of us are not single lawyers who work, in NYC where the average amount entry-level lawyers earn $110,000.00 a year!

I know there are plenty of BN's members who do okay financially.

Just look at all members who flew to Paris and Anguilla for those shows. Oh wait a minute, you went to those shows didn't you?

But anyway, given the current state of the economy and oil prices and all. I think Gypsie Girl is just stating the reality for many "real fans" today!

Saying all that Larry, of course you are a Real Fan, albeit a comfortable one!

[comtnfish]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

But most of us are not single lawyers who work, in NYC where the average amount entry-level lawyers earn $110,000.00 a year!

I know there are plenty of BN's members who do okay financially.

Just look at all members who flew to Paris and Anguilla for those shows. Oh wait a minute, you went to those shows didn't you?

But anyway, given the current state of the economy and oil prices and all. I think Gypsie Girl is just stating the reality for many "real fans" today!

Saying all that Larry, of course you are a Real Fan, albeit a wealthy one!

try living in NYC or on Long Island....that's not cheap either. For instance, I made good money when I lived in Aspen, but watched it all go out the door almost faster than it was coming in...housing, groceries, gas, etc are all priced differently around the country, and then I'm sure Larry's law school wasn't free.......

in any case, my trip to anguilla cost less than an upcoming trip to florida will be - it pays to watch for fare sales and share hotel rooms...

not all of us are rich, but some of us are still able to go on trips - it's all about priorities and where we choose to spend our money. For me, I'd rather go on a trip than buy a new car or fancy clothes.....

Not to say that the high gas prices, etc aren't impacting things - I won't be going on as many trips as I did last year, but I'll still manage a few.

anyway, sorry for the rant, but just my 2 cents.....

[parrothead216]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

But most of us are not single lawyers who work, in NYC where the average amount entry-level lawyers earn $110,000.00 a year!

I know there are plenty of BN's members who do okay financially.

Just look at all members who flew to Paris and Anguilla for those shows. Oh wait a minute, you went to those shows didn't you?

But anyway, given the current state of the economy and oil prices and all. I think Gypsie Girl is just stating the reality for many "real fans" today!

Saying all that Larry, of course you are a Real Fan, albeit a wealthy one!

try living in NYC or on Long Island....that's not cheap either. For instance, I made good money when I lived in Aspen, but watched it all go out the door almost faster than it was coming in...housing, groceries, gas, etc are all priced differently around the country, and then I'm sure Larry's law school wasn't free.......

in any case, my trip to anguilla cost less than an upcoming trip to florida will be - it pays to watch for fare sales and share hotel rooms...

not all of us are rich, but some of us are still able to go on trips - it's all about priorities and where we choose to spend our money. For me, I'd rather go on a trip than buy a new car or fancy clothes.....

Not to say that the high gas prices, etc aren't impacting things - I won't be going on as many trips as I did last year, but I'll still manage a few.

anyway, sorry for the rant, but just my 2 cents.....

Oh I agree, Comthfish, I was saying that everyones circumstances are different. Who rents , who owns, who has kids, who doesn't, who has kids in college and who's kids didn't go, it all factors into disposable income.

Judy and I used to go to many shows each year as many as 10 sometimes, but then the realties of life came into the picture and we have only been able to see Jimmy 3 times in 10 years, and it looks like it will been 11 including this year.

We never traveled cheap. Good hotels, great food, and stayed over and made it a small vacation. But it was worth every penny and I would do it again tomorrow if I could, but the reality of your wallet is just that!

For all those who can do it, I say have a great time. Tell us all about it when you get back!

BTW, I edited the post to say "comfortable" instead of "wealthy". I don't know if Larry is wealthy.

[Caribpiret]

Newbie here...

Just checked ticketmonster and they had 200 and 300 sections for both days, 2 and 4 tickets for Nissan.

[LIPH]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

But most of us are not single lawyers who work, in NYC where the average amount entry-level lawyers earn $110,000.00 a year!

Large firms in NYC, like the one where I work, pay first year associates $160,000/year. I'm not an associate, first year or otherwise. I don't make $160,000. And while I'm in no danger of landing in the poor house, the cost of living is a lot more expensive in the NYC/LI area than it is in a lot of other parts of the country.

[Gypsie Girl]

Jimmy is filthy rich and should be ashamed!

Why in heaven's name should a man be ashamed of being rich?? Ticket prices are at the going rate for an act of his caliber. Oh, and the band members and roadies aren't rich, and they still have to be paid.

- Royalties on all his books he has authored.
- Royalties on all of his CD's and DVD's.
- Merchandising his "on tour goodies".
- Merchandising his goods at every Margaritaville restaurant.
- Merchandising at every Cheeseburger In Paradise restaurant.
- Every franchise of CIP & Margaritaville restaurants yields more $$$.
- $$$ from his growing supermarket line of foods.
- $$$ from his Margaritaville tequilla.
- $$$ from his joint effort with Anheuser-Busch for Landshark Lager.
- $$$ from ticket sales !!!!

That's business, not greed....

This is the exact reason I never/rarely post anything here.

Words are soooo taken out of context.

I said Jimmy is a hell of a businessman, or something to that effect.

The roadies are not rich and I didn't say they were.

But everyone in the band is wealthy to say the least...

JB being the richest!

The only point I tried to express is that the ticket prices do not need to be so steep!

And it is not just JB!

Most major sporting teams are guilty of this same greed.

The ticket prices for sporting events and concerts might be the norm, but are inflated to the point that.....

Well let's just say, it has gotten rather expensive to take a family of 4 or 3 or even just 2 out to an event.

You may have seen the last few quarters of revenue reported by oil companies.....

It is enough to make me sick!

They are lining their pockets at the consumers expense.

The same is true of these sporting and concert events or very similar anyway.

Of course JB deserves to get paid to do his job!

We all deserve to be paid for a hard day's work.

JB should be ashamed at his ticket prices and his loyal fanbase and all the money we have poured into our "hobby".

Not ashamed to be rich.

Ashamed that he follows the norm of the industry, when he could clearly have a free tour or at least lower his ticket prices.

& again, this is why I don't or rarely post anything here.

[LIPH]

But everyone in the band is wealthy to say the least...

They are?

Of course JB deserves to get paid to do his job!

Ashamed that he follows the norm of the industry, when he could clearly have a free tour

Make up your mind. Does he deserve to get paid or should he play for free? He can't do both.

& again, this is why I don't or rarely post anything here.

Because people disagree with you?

[TommyBahama]

It has quite simply become a logistical immpossibility for all of us real fans to afford to not only buy tickets and parking, but travel and accomodation expenses and food and drinks.....

I must not be a real fan, it's not impossible for me to go to a Buffett concert.

But most of us are not single lawyers who work, in NYC where the average amount entry-level lawyers earn $110,000.00 a year!

I know there are plenty of BN's members who do okay financially.

Just look at all members who flew to Paris and Anguilla for those shows. Oh wait a minute, you went to those shows didn't you?

But anyway, given the current state of the economy and oil prices and all. I think Gypsie Girl is just stating the reality for many "real fans" today!

Saying all that Larry, of course you are a Real Fan, albeit a wealthy one!

try living in NYC or on Long Island....that's not cheap either. For instance, I made good money when I lived in Aspen, but watched it all go out the door almost faster than it was coming in...housing, groceries, gas, etc are all priced differently around the country, and then I'm sure Larry's law school wasn't free.......

in any case, my trip to anguilla cost less than an upcoming trip to florida will be - it pays to watch for fare sales and share hotel rooms...

not all of us are rich, but some of us are still able to go on trips - it's all about priorities and where we choose to spend our money. For me, I'd rather go on a trip than buy a new car or fancy clothes.....

Not to say that the high gas prices, etc aren't impacting things - I won't be going on as many trips as I did last year, but I'll still manage a few.

anyway, sorry for the rant, but just my 2 cents.....

Jen...a side i've never seen!!...me personally...i'm in sales...and ,mostly the industry i'm in is in the Housing Market...not the best...i live in CT ...which is one of the most expensive states to live in....it will be hard to attend as many shows as i like....but i have to deal with the reality that i'll have to pick and choose!!!

[Salukulady]

Hey, Jimmy said it first.....the definition of a Parrothead is a Deadhead with a credit card. If you wanna play the game you gotta dig up the dime. There is magic seeing him live...it is very special, I cry everytime, but there are some years I just can't make it happen. Family, house payments, food and gas have to come first financially before splurging on concert tickets. You can't be mad at the MAN for ticket prices...it's just a business. But remember the music is still here for all of us. HE has made that happen too. If you can't make it to the concert, there's Sirius, and if you don't have Sirius you've got it on line for free, and if you don't have a computer you can hear it from CD's, and if you don't have CD's, there's those of you lucky enough to have vinyl....please don't make me go to cassettes and 8 track.......

[ccmatt]

As much as we hate to hear this, artists have always been the ones to get screwed, and they're the ones with the talent and product. How many of you buy as many (or any) cd's as you did 15 years ago?, 5 years ago?. This is the reason ticket prices went up. Every time you lift music off the internet, figure out what it would have cost you to buy an album, put that money away and use it for your concert tickets. You'll conme out wasy ahead I think.

[cecoleman]

I have had a hard time reselling tickets I bought thinking I could get some friends to go. My brothers are out at this point, another friend bailed because of price as well. I bought the expensive seats. I still have two pairs on the floor for face value for the Saturday Chicago show, if anyone is interested, PM me right away. They are in B5 and C4.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

But everyone in the band is wealthy to say the least...

They most certainly are not.