Does Anyone REALLY think ticket prices are too high?

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » January 26, 2007 4:52 am

We bought the lawn tickets for Charlotte last year. Don't remember the exact cost, but I do know I spent MORE on supplies for the tailgating party. So Wayne is right, the tickets were the least of the expense. And this year, If I can't afford tickets, I'll atleast make it to the tailgate party

Travis McGee · Post by **Travis McGee** » January 26, 2007 4:57 am

I don't think that you can put a price on fun. I will get tickets as long as I am able. I probably paid $14.00 or so the first time I saw Jimmy. Of course the price is going to go up, everything usually does. Including the number of people whining about ticket prices.
It has been said here a million times, you don't want to pay for tickets, don't. it's real simple.

BareFootBoy · Post by **BareFootBoy** » January 26, 2007 8:20 am

I might as well chime in with my thoughts. Do I think tickets are too expensive, sure. But look at what it cost for an NFL game or to sit in the outfield seats at a ball game. These have all gone up in price over the years and I for one would rather spend my money on tailgating and a great concert with all of you then seeing a bunch of whiny millionaires running around playing a childs game. I, like you, work hard all year and Jimmys concerts are one thing I look forward too. Expensive yes, but it's worth it to me and cheaper then going to a resort or even buying an airplane ticket.

Go Bears!!

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » January 26, 2007 8:27 am

Just a comparison . . . lets take Fenway Park for a Sox game shall we?

This works for most other big venue concerts and sporting events as well -

Good seats: 85$
Sitting at a bar before the game: 5$ for light beer (unless you hit Boston Billiards . . . cheap plug)
Parking: 40$. (unless you know my secret which I will never tell)
Beers Insided the park (take out a mortgage)
Food inside the park (another mortgage)
Beers after the game (not going to happen unless you break out the credit card).

Buffett (at Great Woods anyways - and I sure most other places) does not charge to park. I can't believe Great Woods doesn't charge - they would make a killing!

Bring your own food.
Bring your own beer and wine and shots and whatever.

What a deal. Thank you Mr. Jimmy.

Demerara · Post by **Demerara** » January 26, 2007 9:17 am

Travis McGee wrote:It has been said here a million times, you don't want to pay for tickets, don't. it's real simple.

In some cases, though, people simply can't afford the tickets.

I guess it's like eating caviar and drinking Dom Perignon: wonderful for those who can afford it, but the rest of us have to make due with Doritos and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

ccmatt · Post by **ccmatt** » January 26, 2007 9:41 am

Great Woods is my treat to myself. Once a year. My problem is not the price, it's the accessability. I won't sit on the lawn as I personally don't enjoy that aspect anymore, and I go with about 6 other people. It is very difficult getting decent seats for that many in the same area. I have been very lucky some years getting passes and freebies but when I don't it is difficult. I long for the days when you stood in line for tickets at dawn (not wrist bands) and could even get them at the window the day of the show.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » January 26, 2007 9:52 am

ccmatt wrote:Great Woods is my treat to myself.

Exactly. I've been very fortunate with seats the last couple of years because I go after a single seat. It's a WHOLE lot tougher with a group....

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » January 26, 2007 9:58 am

Dom and caviar? HA!!!! I can't believe someone actually, albeit losely, compares going to a Buffett show to those two things. Buffett IS more Pabst Blue Ribbon than anything else. Tacky, fun, lots of white trash (me), motor homes and trailers, charcoal grills and hula skirts, cheaps hook ups with strangers and enhanced margarita mix. Have yet to witness any level of class of at a Buffett show and am very grateful about it.

Indiana Jolly Mon · Post by **Indiana Jolly Mon** » January 26, 2007 10:05 am

Enough already! I am sick of people whining they cant afford 126 for the best seats and are too good to sit in the lawn for 40. If you can not afford 40 for lawn seats how can you afford a computer? I have sat in the lawn at least one show a year for many years now, and yes there are some idiots there, but you can move to a place where they are not.
I still like to sit in seats to be closer, and I wish they were cheaper, but they are not. So instead of seeing JB plus 4-5 other acts in a year, I only see 2 or 3. JB's tickets are in line with most other acts, except he plays a lot of places with lawns that you can still get a cheaper ticket for.
If all tickets were 126, then fire away, but dont complain about 40.00 in this day and age.
I swear there are people who would complain about the taxes they have to pay if they hit the lottery

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » January 26, 2007 10:10 am

Couldn't agree more Jolly Mon from Hoosier Land! You can't go to a movie for much less than 40 Bucks if you buy a soda and pop corn. That would be close to 25 bucks anyways - per person.

I bet if you stayed away from the bars just one time less per month that would add up to 126 dollar ticket real quick.

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » January 26, 2007 10:14 am

Yeah, ticket prices are too high.
That is, they're too high for me to continue to go to 4-5 concerts every year.
I'll continue to go to Alpine Valley and Chicago.
But that's it.
No more buying plane tickets (which are RIDICULOUSLY high), lodging, AND a concert ticket.
Just the gas to get to Tinley Park and Alpine.
Anybody else that wants to pay $126.00 to go to several concerts-God Bless them-but not me.

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » January 26, 2007 10:23 am

Only two shows! How are you going to deal? All kidding aside, I will most likely hit Great Woods and thats it - unless he plays Jones Beach. I would rather do two shows well than half ass 4 - 5.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » January 26, 2007 10:24 am

Gas isnt $.50 a gallon anymore
Milk isnt $.1.49 a gallon anymore
Houses arent $5000.00 anymore.....

and wages arent $5.00 a day either.

It is what it is. If you cannot afford it, or do not see value in it... dont buy them...but quit complaining..... please.

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » January 26, 2007 10:34 am

Anybody here complaining?

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » January 26, 2007 10:40 am

and every time I hear Caroline Street I fantasize for them .35 cent beers. Ah, old songs . . .

Demerara · Post by **Demerara** » January 26, 2007 10:47 am

drunkpirate66 wrote:Dom and caviar? HA!!!! I can't believe someone actually, albeit losely, compares going to a Buffett show to those two things.

The comparison was to the luxury, not the class - or lack thereof!

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » January 26, 2007 10:52 am

I'd gladly pay for a ticket if he'd play somewhere within 5-hour driving distance from me.

Tiki Torches · Post by **Tiki Torches** » January 26, 2007 11:47 am

I'm more inclined to spend my money on an artist that is doing something to keep ticket prices down. Buffett isn't one of them.

JustDucky · Post by **JustDucky** » January 26, 2007 12:28 pm

I did have the pleasure of going to shows 'back in the day' as well as when it became a cultural event to see JB&TCRB. Of course, it's relative - my back in the day was the early 1980s. So someone who saw JB before then even has even more hindsite and history of his evolution as a performer, songwriter and, ahem, ticket prices.

I'll never forget - I have the ticket stub somewhere - how expensive the Rece$$ion Rece$$ tickets were - in a recession! Jimmy knew one thing - people will spend their money for a good time no matter what it costs. I guess that's the part of being a fan that people teter on as far as is it worth it or is it worth it again for two shows in one year or year after year.

I would think it is, even now. JB puts on a fantastic show. For a lot of people it's their summer event or summer highlight, like it was for me and my dad. Now I just live where I can't ever see him (partially because I'm never around enough). And probably couldn't afford a ticket anyway, possibly. I'd buy a nosebleed or lawn ticket in a heartbeat though like I did for the BHOTM tour. Although it seemed very out of place to see JB in a hockey arena instead of an outdoor shed.

What I won't tolerate is people whining about how much Jazz Fest tickets cost. It's still the best deal on the continent and the 48 states (I didn't say 'lower 48' because I've never been able to find the 'upper 48' for some reason). Considering all the music of one day, major act or not, it's the best deal in the world.

NelliBli · Post by **NelliBli** » January 26, 2007 2:33 pm

It's not so much that the $40 lawn is not affordable, it's that they are unattainable. My daughter lives in Philly, and stood in line (people at different places) with people who usually get 30 or so tickets all totalled. In my daughter's line, the FIRST person in line did not get tickets! It was essentially sold out in under 3 minutes. NONE of our people got tickets. As has been said many times, the scalpers had plenty of tickets... AND the affordable $40 ticket then becomes $150 plus! At $126, the pavillion (perhaps almost affordable) then becomes $800 plus per ticket. I love Jimmy, and first saw him in 1979, but he is getting beyond my price range. I also have to travel to Philly. I have LOTS of great memories!