August 2008
How to make it work for you
Before you try a reseller, watch for notice of event presales, which let some fans buy tickets before they're offered to the
general public. (Sometimes there's a discount, too.) Presales typically require a password that might be sent in an e-mail
by the venue, artist, team, or promoter, or by Ticketmaster if you've used it in the past. You can also get in on presales
by joining an artist's fan club, and get alerts and passwords by paying a fee to PresalePassword.net or Presalenow.com.
Watch for credit-card promotions, too. American Express, Visa Signature, and MasterCard offer some of their cardholders first dibs, preferred seats, and discounts to events such as "The Lion King" on Broadway and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
When you're ready to buy, start at the box office, the one place that lets you avoid fees, if you can get there in person. If you're looking to deal online with a team or box office, find the official site. Don't just do an Internet search for "L.A. Lakers tickets." You could end up at an unregulated site. Alison Preszler, communications specialist with the Better Business Bureau, said the biggest ticket-buying rip-off occurs when consumers are lured from a legitimate company's Web site to complete the deal elsewhere.
If Ticketmaster.com is your best option, keep checking for tickets even if the event seems sold out. Customers have a few minutes to decide whether to buy the tickets they've clicked on. During that time, those tickets are locked up, but if the shoppers decide not to buy, the tickets become available again to other fans.
If you choose a reseller:
Know the market. You're apt to get a slightly better deal on team sporting events than on a Broadway show. There are bigger arenas and more dates to choose from (81 home games per baseball team) and season ticket holders who can't make it to every game.
It's easier to score tickets to a game involving teams with losing records. And tickets to preseason NFL games are usually plentiful, whereas your best chance of getting a reasonably priced seat to a game during the regular 16-game season is in December, with a team that's out of the playoff race, says John Whelan, director of customer service for StubHub.
Consider the venue. Ticket prices are generally a bit lower for shows in large arenas and outside of major cities.
Pick the right time. Try weekdays and matinees. Avoid holidays. A good time to buy concert tickets is just after a performer has added extra tour dates.
Track prices. Check for tickets as soon as you decide to attend the event. If the box office is out of decent seats, visit several reseller sites over time.
Be patient. Tickets to this year's baseball All-Star game were posted on sites long in advance for as much as $29,500 in hopes of reeling in fans before true market value was established. Some tickets to Super Bowl XLII dropped to $1,000 on game day. Tickets become worthless after the event begins, so sellers become increasingly eager. Resellers might have so many tickets that you can wait to buy until the day of the event, if e-ticketing or on-site pickup are options, reducing worries about unexpected commitments or weather.
Know the policies. Among them:
Watch for credit-card promotions, too. American Express, Visa Signature, and MasterCard offer some of their cardholders first dibs, preferred seats, and discounts to events such as "The Lion King" on Broadway and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
When you're ready to buy, start at the box office, the one place that lets you avoid fees, if you can get there in person. If you're looking to deal online with a team or box office, find the official site. Don't just do an Internet search for "L.A. Lakers tickets." You could end up at an unregulated site. Alison Preszler, communications specialist with the Better Business Bureau, said the biggest ticket-buying rip-off occurs when consumers are lured from a legitimate company's Web site to complete the deal elsewhere.
If Ticketmaster.com is your best option, keep checking for tickets even if the event seems sold out. Customers have a few minutes to decide whether to buy the tickets they've clicked on. During that time, those tickets are locked up, but if the shoppers decide not to buy, the tickets become available again to other fans.
If you choose a reseller:
Know the market. You're apt to get a slightly better deal on team sporting events than on a Broadway show. There are bigger arenas and more dates to choose from (81 home games per baseball team) and season ticket holders who can't make it to every game.
It's easier to score tickets to a game involving teams with losing records. And tickets to preseason NFL games are usually plentiful, whereas your best chance of getting a reasonably priced seat to a game during the regular 16-game season is in December, with a team that's out of the playoff race, says John Whelan, director of customer service for StubHub.
Consider the venue. Ticket prices are generally a bit lower for shows in large arenas and outside of major cities.
Pick the right time. Try weekdays and matinees. Avoid holidays. A good time to buy concert tickets is just after a performer has added extra tour dates.
Track prices. Check for tickets as soon as you decide to attend the event. If the box office is out of decent seats, visit several reseller sites over time.
Be patient. Tickets to this year's baseball All-Star game were posted on sites long in advance for as much as $29,500 in hopes of reeling in fans before true market value was established. Some tickets to Super Bowl XLII dropped to $1,000 on game day. Tickets become worthless after the event begins, so sellers become increasingly eager. Resellers might have so many tickets that you can wait to buy until the day of the event, if e-ticketing or on-site pickup are options, reducing worries about unexpected commitments or weather.
Know the policies. Among them:
- Sales are final, with no exchanges unless the event is permanently canceled.
- Lost tickets aren't replaceable. For $20, StubHub will try to get reprints from the seller but there's no guarantee.
- For in-person ticket pickup, bring a photo ID, the confirmation number, and the credit card you used.
- If you're buying tickets as a gift for someone in another city, be ready to provide the recipient's name when you buy.
- Tickets delivered to a home or business must be signed for. The driver won't generally leave them at the door.
- If you buy VIP tickets, dress properly or you might be turned away.
