please tell me what I could have done differently

[matt6242]

I wish to rewrite the opening to Fruitcakes with mad as hell at Ticket-Master.WE all no full well Jimmy does not leave an empty seat.I was online at 9:45 to buy tickets at 10:00 for Jax.As soon as it hit 10 am I clicked my request anyprice any section.My request was processing Before 10:01 .After 5 mins of waiting it gives me "no tickets available".i kept repeating my request for 30 minutes with the same results.I finally put a partner on computer duty as I drove like a fugative to ticket master to walk in to about 5 other dejected souls sharing my plight.My last bright idea was to call ticket master out of state hoping they may have some kind of alotment for various markets.nope.Jimmy is the only person I will make such efforts to obtain tickets.what could I have done different?A damn highspeed connection as soon as they go on sale?The only thing that eases the pain is that I was able to be at the Orlando show the end of November.It hurts though.[img]:%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20[/img]

[Air M'Ville Cap'n]

Keep checking TM as sometimes they'll release more tickets as it gets closer to shows

[ragtopW]

Keep checking TM as sometimes they'll release more tickets as it gets closer to shows

all shows release fresh tix very close to show
the band,the promoter,radio stations,the mayor,govenor,, ect
all have a hold on tix and as they let go of them the gen public
gets a shot at them..

[Lono]

As I think they tell you in a lot of twelve step programs - "you are not alone." Perhaps that Dan Brown guy who wrote the DaVinchi Code can write a novel about Ticketmaster. Know this - there is nothing you could have done and there are no answers. I bought on-line tickets to the Vegas show last year and got good seats within a few minutes. This year, I started as soon as they went on sale, and either got no seats or upper deck seats for over 40 minutes. Just when I was about to give up, I started getting hits on a lot better seats. After almost an hour, ticketmaster offered me good seats in a good section (ironically, they were almost the exact same seats as I had last year). What the hell?

Lono - Trying to Reason with the Ticketmaster Season

[SchoonerWharf]

I wish to rewrite the opening to Fruitcakes with mad as hell at Ticket-Master.WE all no full well Jimmy does not leave an empty seat.I was online at 9:45 to buy tickets at 10:00 for Jax.As soon as it hit 10 am I clicked my request anyprice any section.My request was processing Before 10:01 .After 5 mins of waiting it gives me "no tickets available".i kept repeating my request for 30 minutes with the same results.I finally put a partner on computer duty as I drove like a fugative to ticket master to walk in to about 5 other dejected souls sharing my plight.My last bright idea was to call ticket master out of state hoping they may have some kind of alotment for various markets.nope.Jimmy is the only person I will make such efforts to obtain tickets.what could I have done different?A damn highspeed connection as soon as they go on sale?The only thing that eases the pain is that I was able to be at the Orlando show the end of November.It hurts though

As I have posted several times and have again reaffirmed after listening to everyone scrambling for tickets...ticket brokers...only way to go. OK I will shut up about it....maybe.

[bananaman]

We got lucky in SC. The Colonial Center opened their own box office. Ticketbastard had nothing to do with us this year. (Or was it the other way around ) Tickets were sold directly through the venue. Sweet!

[Sidew13]

I just checked and found tickets and still available at ticketmaster.com


keep trying good luck

[cowboyjunkie]

I wish to rewrite the opening to Fruitcakes with mad as hell at Ticket-Master.WE all no full well Jimmy does not leave an empty seat.I was online at 9:45 to buy tickets at 10:00 for Jax.As soon as it hit 10 am I clicked my request anyprice any section.My request was processing Before 10:01 .After 5 mins of waiting it gives me "no tickets available".i kept repeating my request for 30 minutes with the same results.I finally put a partner on computer duty as I drove like a fugative to ticket master to walk in to about 5 other dejected souls sharing my plight.My last bright idea was to call ticket master out of state hoping they may have some kind of alotment for various markets.nope.Jimmy is the only person I will make such efforts to obtain tickets.what could I have done different?A damn highspeed connection as soon as they go on sale?The only thing that eases the pain is that I was able to be at the Orlando show the end of November.It hurts though

As I have posted several times and have again reaffirmed after listening to everyone scrambling for tickets...ticket brokers...only way to go. OK I will shut up about it....maybe.

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

I've never not gotten tickets through the TM website. Rejecting tickets early is the key. Better seats show up about 40 minutes in after non-computer people (or dial-up) lose their sales after failing to complete them on time. Out of curiosity, I looked up Sunrise about 6 hours after they went on sale and had a lower level seat come up. Keep checking, you'll get tickets....

[SchoonerWharf]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

[doxadive]

actually, i am quite surprised that jimmy hasnt set up his own ticket service. being the mogul he is you would figure he could make more money that way.

[msu#1]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

Your a dumbass who's making stupid comments!!! Your part of the problem not the solution, real parrotheads by tickets from other parrotheads who have extras not from scalpers. Enjoy your 400 hundred dollar tickets, my day of show for face tickets are just as good and I get to laugh at you so there even better.

[cowboyjunkie]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

Your a dumbass who's making stupid comments!!! Your part of the problem not the solution, real parrotheads by tickets from other parrotheads who have extras not from scalpers. Enjoy your 400 hundred dollar tickets, my day of show for face tickets are just as good and I get to laugh at you so there even better.

Buying from a scalper rips off the very artist you are trying to support! Jimmy gets nothing from a ticket broker when they charge $400 for a $60 ticket. That isn't capitalism at work, that's theft. Of course, the White House empire isn't exactly setting a good example these days so the line gets blurry.

Bruce Springsteen has led the fight to keep scalpers out of the mix and protect his fans. The Backstreets website and ticket exchange is awesome and I love that this site offers a similar environment. I always buy the max for a JB show and get them in the hands of other fans. When Hawaii goes on sale, I will do the same, if any of you want to visit.

[finsup2k]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

Your a dumbass who's making stupid comments!!! Your part of the problem not the solution, real parrotheads by tickets from other parrotheads who have extras not from scalpers. Enjoy your 400 hundred dollar tickets, my day of show for face tickets are just as good and I get to laugh at you so there even better.

Buying from a scalper rips off the very artist you are trying to support! Jimmy gets nothing from a ticket broker when they charge $400 for a $60 ticket. That isn't capitalism at work, that's theft. Of course, the White House empire isn't exactly setting a good example these days so the line gets blurry.

Bruce Springsteen has led the fight to keep scalpers out of the mix and protect his fans. The Backstreets website and ticket exchange is awesome and I love that this site offers a similar environment. I always buy the max for a JB show and get them in the hands of other fans. When Hawaii goes on sale, I will do the same, if any of you want to visit.

This is somewhat true, but the point I'd like to make here is that, in the first place, the performer needs to assess implementing an appropriate pricing structure to maximize his return in performing a show. In my opinion, the artist should sell the premium seats for a premium price and eliminate the incentive for a scalper to get the seats and flip them for a profit. If Buffett (and/or his tour management group) decides that the high priced ticket for his show should be $210 (e.g., Las Vegas), yet there are people who WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY $1,000 per seat for the same seats (like me), then he needs to re-work his pricing structure to capture the profits for himself. Short of that, I do not fault the scalper for seizing the day and finding an unexploited economic opportunity. For god's sake, that's what our country was founded on...not some skewed socialist behavior where we're "all in it together." It's legal, in some states, and it's an opportunity to earn a buck. Big deal.

In my estimation, the Vegas show was pretty well priced. Problem is, there aren't enough $500 seats or $1,000 seats...and I would have been willing to pay more for better seats.

Before you lash out at me for writing what you might perceive to be a "pro-scalper" entry here, let me also say that I purchased the $210 seats for Vegas and would have paid more - to Buffett only. I would not purchase tickets from a scalper.

The kicker question is: if the front row seats were available on Ticketmaster for $1,500 a piece (or $1,000, $500, etc.), don't you think that - eventually - if you (i.e., the artist) find the "right" price, the scalper won't be interested anymore since the upside for him/her is gone?

[cowboyjunkie]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

Your a dumbass who's making stupid comments!!! Your part of the problem not the solution, real parrotheads by tickets from other parrotheads who have extras not from scalpers. Enjoy your 400 hundred dollar tickets, my day of show for face tickets are just as good and I get to laugh at you so there even better.

Buying from a scalper rips off the very artist you are trying to support! Jimmy gets nothing from a ticket broker when they charge $400 for a $60 ticket. That isn't capitalism at work, that's theft. Of course, the White House empire isn't exactly setting a good example these days so the line gets blurry.

Bruce Springsteen has led the fight to keep scalpers out of the mix and protect his fans. The Backstreets website and ticket exchange is awesome and I love that this site offers a similar environment. I always buy the max for a JB show and get them in the hands of other fans. When Hawaii goes on sale, I will do the same, if any of you want to visit.

Before you lash out at me for writing what you might perceive to be a "pro-scalper" entry here, let me also say that I purchased the $210 seats for Vegas and would have paid more - to Buffett only. I would not purchase tickets from a scalper.

The kicker question is: if the front row seats were available on Ticketmaster for $1,500 a piece (or $1,000, $500, etc.), don't you think that - eventually - if you (i.e., the artist) find the "right" price, the scalper won't be interested anymore since the upside for him/her is gone?

Lashing out at someone for stating an opinion is very un-Buffett like! You make a good point about pricing the tickets on TicketBastard at scalper prices. It would eliminate the scalpers. However, it would cost the artist their credibility with a lot of fans.

If the artist is comfortable telling their fan base to f*ck off in hopes of maximizing profit, that is their decision. The difference between a scalper and the artist gouging the fans is irrelevant. Springsteen took it to TicketBastard and the scalpers with the GA floor seats that were moderately priced. True fans scooped them up and stood in line forever to get a shot at being up front. If JB did that, he would be taking care of his most dedicated fans, not those with the most financial clout. It would help the shows too. Having been up front before, the vibe is dreadfully boring compared to the lawn seats.

Unchecked capitalism has created the likes of Clear Channel and TicketBastard. I think we can all agree they are both ruining rock and roll. In a recent issue of Relix (the issue with Ani Difranco on the cover), writer Jesse Jarnow summarized it perfectly: "By the early 1980's, mainstream rock had become institutionalized. In its trudge towards respectability - tightened security, corporate buy-outs of venues - rock shows lost what spontaneous qualities they may have once had."

The collapse of the concert industry in 2004 proved that this business model has a fundamental flaw in it and that the fans still have power to impact change. Everyone from Fleetwood Mac to Lollapalooza suffered in 2004 when people finally stood their ground. This year's concert season will be interesting and decisive. The U2 tour will be the most important and I'm curious to see how tickets are priced and distributed.

[finsup2k]

I'd rather miss a show. Scalpers are scum and ticket brokers are even worse because they act like they're not scalpers.

Then thank god you don't because those of us with great seats from a 2 minute transaction are having a good time. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous comment Mr. Lenin.

Your a dumbass who's making stupid comments!!! Your part of the problem not the solution, real parrotheads by tickets from other parrotheads who have extras not from scalpers. Enjoy your 400 hundred dollar tickets, my day of show for face tickets are just as good and I get to laugh at you so there even better.

Buying from a scalper rips off the very artist you are trying to support! Jimmy gets nothing from a ticket broker when they charge $400 for a $60 ticket. That isn't capitalism at work, that's theft. Of course, the White House empire isn't exactly setting a good example these days so the line gets blurry.

Bruce Springsteen has led the fight to keep scalpers out of the mix and protect his fans. The Backstreets website and ticket exchange is awesome and I love that this site offers a similar environment. I always buy the max for a JB show and get them in the hands of other fans. When Hawaii goes on sale, I will do the same, if any of you want to visit.

Before you lash out at me for writing what you might perceive to be a "pro-scalper" entry here, let me also say that I purchased the $210 seats for Vegas and would have paid more - to Buffett only. I would not purchase tickets from a scalper.

The kicker question is: if the front row seats were available on Ticketmaster for $1,500 a piece (or $1,000, $500, etc.), don't you think that - eventually - if you (i.e., the artist) find the "right" price, the scalper won't be interested anymore since the upside for him/her is gone?

Lashing out at someone for stating an opinion is very un-Buffett like! You make a good point about pricing the tickets on TicketBastard at scalper prices. It would eliminate the scalpers. However, it would cost the artist their credibility with a lot of fans.

If the artist is comfortable telling their fan base to f*ck off in hopes of maximizing profit, that is their decision. The difference between a scalper and the artist gouging the fans is irrelevant. Springsteen took it to TicketBastard and the scalpers with the GA floor seats that were moderately priced. True fans scooped them up and stood in line forever to get a shot at being up front. If JB did that, he would be taking care of his most dedicated fans, not those with the most financial clout. It would help the shows too. Having been up front before, the vibe is dreadfully boring compared to the lawn seats.

Unchecked capitalism has created the likes of Clear Channel and TicketBastard. I think we can all agree they are both ruining rock and roll. In a recent issue of Relix (the issue with Ani Difranco on the cover), writer Jesse Jarnow summarized it perfectly: "By the early 1980's, mainstream rock had become institutionalized. In its trudge towards respectability - tightened security, corporate buy-outs of venues - rock shows lost what spontaneous qualities they may have once had."

The collapse of the concert industry in 2004 proved that this business model has a fundamental flaw in it and that the fans still have power to impact change. Everyone from Fleetwood Mac to Lollapalooza suffered in 2004 when people finally stood their ground. This year's concert season will be interesting and decisive. The U2 tour will be the most important and I'm curious to see how tickets are priced and distributed.

Point taken regarding credibility with the fan-base. My thought here was that the artist, and not the scalper, should be in the position to enjoy the fruits of his/her labor. If fans are willing to pay exorbidant ticket prices, I'd say let them do so...we just need to figure out a way to divvy up the profits more appropriately.

Finally, I don't think an artist's desire to make money is equivalent to telling his/her average fan to f*ck off. Jimmy is an expert in marketing his brand and his name. Every year, it amazes me to see his empire growing with the consistent success he appears to enjoy. It is, in the final analysis, a money game. If you doubt that, check out the ever-rising cost of concert t-shirts.