Any way to avoid TicketMaster fees?

[happily single]

I want to purchase tickets to an upcoming Monster Jam (which is several hours away). The website directs me to Ticketmaster. But Ticketmaster is adding an $7.xx charge PER TICKET!!

Is there any other reputable place that sells reasonably priced tickets? Or is there a code to save me a bit of money?

Thanks!!!

 

[johde]

The only way I know of to avoid the ticket master fee is to buy directly from the venue holding the event. Depending on how many tickets you're buying it may be worth it to do a road trip to buy the tickets. Especially if you can combine it with another trip.

 

[happily single]

The only way I know of to avoid the ticket master fee is to buy directly from the venue holding the event. Depending on how many tickets you're buying it may be worth it to do a road trip to buy the tickets. Especially if you can combine it with another trip.

I may just call them and see if they have the tickets that I could purchase the day off (Monster Jam tends to sell out if you can beleive it). Its a 5 hour drive each way and the event is next weekend.

 

[budbeerlady]

I know when we went once we bought Sunday afternoon tickets. They were MUCH cheaper than Saturday nights. By us they block off so many rows for safety that it really limits the seats they can sell. Also by us I know Autozone or someone sponsored a night that tickets were less.

 

[Colleen27]

From what I understand there is pretty much no avoiding it these days. Even at the venue, if the ticket window is a Ticketmaster outlet fees apply. I'm buying concert tickets direct from the venue tomorrow for a show next week and I'll report back, but I'm budgeting for the $10ish in fees expecting that even the box office will charge.

 

[cats mom]

Even if the box office isn't an official Ticketmaster location many venues have started tacking additional fees onto stated ticket prices; from convenience fees, to printing fees, etc, etc.

Last time I shopped theatre tickets I found it was actually cheaper for me to buy them through Ticketmaster than to go all the way down to the venue and buy them in person, and that's without accounting for my time and travel expense. Crazy huh?

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Last year my DH saved about $30 buying Blue Man Group tickets directly at the venue in Boston vs ordering them on Ticketmaster.

 

[LBIJim]

From what I understand there is pretty much no avoiding it these days. Even at the venue, if the ticket window is a Ticketmaster outlet fees apply. I'm buying concert tickets direct from the venue tomorrow for a show next week and I'll report back, but I'm budgeting for the $10ish in fees expecting that even the box office will charge.

This is true. An increasing number of venues are sub-contracting Ticketmaster to operate their box offices, so their fees apply to in-person purchases. Even walk-up sales 15 minutes before the event are often subject to Ticketmaster fees.

Jim

 

[Colleen27]

An update - the venue I was looking to get tickets for doesn't even sell them on site any more. They simply pointed out the location of the nearest Ticketmaster.

I guess I'll count myself lucky that the fee for this show is "only" $5 per ticket (25% of face value! ). We're going to a bigger show later this summer and for tickets with a face value of $39ea I paid $56.xx after all the fees.

 

[happily single]

An update - the venue I was looking to get tickets for doesn't even sell them on site any more. They simply pointed out the location of the nearest Ticketmaster.

I guess I'll count myself lucky that the fee for this show is "only" $5 per ticket (25% of face value! ). We're going to a bigger show later this summer and for tickets with a face value of $39ea I paid $56.xx after all the fees.

Thanks for the update. The fact value of the tickets I want is only $20.00 but the ticketmaster fee is $7.75 (or so) times 4 tickets! Ridicilous! I almost don't want to go just to protest these stupid fees.

 

[NotUrsula]

Thanks for the update. The fact value of the tickets I want is only $20.00 but the ticketmaster fee is $7.75 (or so) times 4 tickets! Ridicilous! I almost don't want to go just to protest these stupid fees.

Which is why we have pretty much given up going to any kind of arena performance. (Theatres usually still have an onsite locally-run box office.)
The whole experience is almost always just not worth the investment.

 

[HM]

Have you been to a Monster Jam before? Here's my take:
I won tickets to one years ago. My family thought it was pretty boring...too much time between 'sets' to set up the next run. Had the runs been more constant it would have been a lot more fun. Saw more action in the audience....what with all the food and beverage purchases everyone around us made (up and down the whole show).

 

[Handbag Lady]

The fees are exactly why I don't get to enjoy concerts any longer. I just had to put my foot down as it was insane. A service charge and convenience fee and venue fees...

I had a great time at concerts when I was younger and the prices were affordable, too.

 

[happily single]

Have you been to a Monster Jam before? Here's my take:
I won tickets to one years ago. My family thought it was pretty boring...too much time between 'sets' to set up the next run. Had the runs been more constant it would have been a lot more fun. Saw more action in the audience....what with all the food and beverage purchases everyone around us made (up and down the whole show).

I go every year. My lil one loves, loves, loves Monster Jam. Personally I hate it. Went back in 1992 with my then bf and one of the trucks hit the stands. Scared me to death...Hadn't gone back until the lil one was 3 and have been every year since.

Luckily my family gets free tickets to the local venue. That is partly why I am so shocked at the fees-I haven't bought tickets to Monster Jam, Circus, in...forever!