Ticketmaster's New Plan

[Dogstar]

It's probably for selected shows and bands and all, but I would imagine Creed would be among them because they are such a big draw. I hope there is some way that the bands can fight this. I don't think Pearl Jam would like this one bit. They really try to be fan friendly with ticket prices. All seats on the last tour were $37 in Philly.

[hotforscott]

I cannot believe this. What a crappy thing to do! I swear, they piss me off. I guess I will be bidding on my seats on the Creed site and having it benefit the WAWOF, screw ticketmaster.

[njcreedite]

I can't imagine too many bands will be happy about this. Most of the newer bands have rather young fan bases. This really hurts the fanbase of those up and coming bands who are opening for more established bands. Example....Queens of the Stone Age is opening for The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Well, Queens is a newer band with a younger fan base. Those fans who want to get tickets to see Queens would have to out-bid the older (and probably wealthier...cause they've been working longer) Chilli Peppers fans for the good tickets. This hurts the newer bands fans the most.
I can't imagine how they are going to police the auctions. On e-bay, you're bidding on a pair of tickets only. If ticket master does this, multiple pairs (and more??) tickets will have to be tracked. What...are they just going to take the people with the highest listed maximum bids??? Hmmmmm No matter how they do it....it's awful.

[Sheila63]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dogstar
We definitely need a country-wide effort. These thieves have to be shown that we're not going to take it anymore. I'm tired of their tactics and practices. They and the big labels are ruining the music industry.

I agree!! Geez, this is totally unfair!!!

[facelessman]

yeah

[Mulletman]

where did you hear that, ive checked with them and they havent havent mentioned anything like that

[Leader of Men]

Well, I dont think they could legally sell them above face value, so this could be a good thing

[facelessman]

yeah

[Dogstar]

Mulletman...I saw it on wnbc.com a few days ago...

POSTED: 6:05 p.m. EDT September 4, 2003
UPDATED: 6:21 p.m. EDT September 4, 2003

ORLANDO -- Getting a good seat at the next concert or football game might cost you more thanks to Ticketmaster and its new online auctioning system.

Starting later this year, the company plans to begin auctioning the best concert seats to the highest bidder.

The system will be similar to eBay. You enter a bid for the event you want to attend and hope that nobody raises the price too much before the allotted time for the auction runs out.

WKMG-TV reported that there will be no official price ceiling.

Ticketmaster officials say although some people think the new system is unfair they say it's just capitalism, according to a report. They say they will now be able to compete with brokers and scalpers for the highest price the market will bear.

Venue operators, promoters and performers will have the option to decide whether to participate in the Ticketmaster auctions or not. Industry watchers agree that auctions will affect all concertgoers and prices of tickets by revealing the true market value of an event.

Musicians and insiders say if states would just outlaw ticket scalpers there would be no need for online auctions. They say the money Ticketmaster will make on the auctions should go to the artists and not to the ticket giant.

[SCOTTSMYMAN]

Well , this really blows! Ticketmaster sucks !!!! I bought my tickets for NYE show on E-Bay anyway so, i guess i 'll just do that again instead of going through Ticketmaster!

[Steve]

This does not make sense in that if eBay limits users to selling concert tickets at face value + shipping due to state laws (depending on what state you live in, you can only sell tix up to face value through eBay), how would ticketmaster get away with this?

This has to be considered a monopoly. There's no competition to Ticketmaster in sale of concert tickets. Ticket brokers are not in the same business as Ticketmaster. Brokers have to purchase the tickets they sell from either individuals or from Ticketmaster themselves. It's not like Brokers can simply print out the tickets they want and set a price for them.

Just think, if this actually happens, and is utilized for a majority of concerts and events, broker prices will go up as well. If the brokers see Ticketmaster selling tickets valued at $100 for $200 because of their lottery thing, then Brokers, who would normally sell that $100 for $200 can raise their price to $250 or higher.

Someone should contact a lawyer who specializes in class action suits and determine if there's something that can be done about Ticketmaster through the legal system.

[Dogstar]

That's what I was thinking, too, Steve. It's just going to drive up the prices of brokers and anyone else who buys and sells tickets. It really sucks. And I wonder just how much the bands get from any of this; probably not as much as they should. Ticketmaster is just trying to get its mitts on more of the money being spent on tickets.

[JulieCitySlicker]

Ticketmaster blows

[Aimee]

Steve,
Do I have to actually buy a ticket and be ripped-off before I can start a class action suit against a Monopoly? I think you have a really good idea here! I'm not one for frivolous lawsuits, but baybee you'd better believe that I will take down any slimy major corporation I can get my hands on! I'm off to do some research now. Too bad Jango's not here. He left when I came aboard and he was one of the reasons I stayed! TeriB, if you talk to him tell him I'm pissed! And tell him I need some advice about what to do about it? he-he

[TeriB19]

Will do Aimee, we need him back to lead the charge!!!