Ticketmaster's "Platinum Seats" - Another Form Of Scalping, All Over Again

[Shaner]

I refuse to use Ticketmaster. I only use Stubhub or Kijiji. At least in those cases, it's usually some random person making money off the inflated price, rather than a corporation. Yes, Stubhub gets a cut, but they only provide the venue, they don't decide the prices.

[zod]

I don't think the platinum ticket prices are "fees"? They are charging more for tickets that are up front. Mostly because scalpers/brokers buy most of them anyways and flip them for 200% profit. TM collects the fees. I would think the ticket revenue still gets split the way normal ticket revenue does with the band (event) getting the biggest share. It's not like TM can charge double the price for an up front ticket and cut the band out. I think the band has to authorize this type of ticket system, so I'm pretty sure they get most of the proceeds.

Philosophically its tough with how much to charge for the best seats. Historically they've always been underpriced. If they weren't scaplers wouldn't be able to make huge profits from them. On the flip side you're changing the demographic of the people that will sit up close. It most likely goes from die hard fans of the band to more affluent people who might not care as much. It could generate lower quality shows as bands tend to feed off the energy. I think its the same at hockey games. All the lower bowl seats cost at least 200 dollars (sometimes 250) and most can only be purchased as season tickets. Alot of lower bowl seats belong to corporations and wealthy persons. The diehard fans are in the nosebleeds.

Short end of it. I can see why ticketmaster/bands want to take the extra funds being made by scalpers away. Is it worth screwing the few fans who managed to pull good tickets on ticketmaster out of inexpensive seats? I'm not sure.

I also go to less concerts then I used to. Generally its because in the last 15 years I've seen everything I wanted to see (and then in duplicate, triplicate etc..). I feel bad for the kids who are just starting their concert watching years right now

[zod]

I refuse to use Ticketmaster. I only use Stubhub or Kijiji. At least in those cases, it's usually some random person making money off the inflated price, rather than a corporation. Yes, Stubhub gets a cut, but they only provide the venue, they don't decide the prices.

umm where do you think the stubhub sellers get their tickets from? Now you've simuntaneously supported scalpers (brokers) and ticketmaster.. lol!

[Cas77]

Yeah same here, back in my younger university days I went to more concert and events, and now not so much. These fees keeps getting added year after year, it's so freakin' ridiculous.

Same here. If it's a Ticketmaster event now I'll pass. Ironic thing is back in my 20's I used to attend alot of concerts and events. Now that I have the disposable income to go to even more events and pay for the better tickets I choose to spend it elsewhere thanks to Ticketmaster. I guess I'm the exception to the rule seeing as based on the sellouts people are willing to pay anything to a greedy corporation for entertainment.

I refuse to use Ticketmaster. I only use Stubhub or Kijiji. At least in those cases, it's usually some random person making money off the inflated price, rather than a corporation. Yes, Stubhub gets a cut, but they only provide the venue, they don't decide the prices.

umm where do you think the stubhub sellers get their tickets from? Now you've simuntaneously supported scalpers (brokers) and ticketmaster.. lol!

This. Simply refusing to use Ticketmaster and buying from re-sellers encourages this "Platinum Seats" scam, raises prices and TM gets their money either way.

[DaVibe]

Ticketmaster is so far off in price for these tickets, that the "resellers" are ALREADY cheaper than they are.
I basically bought the exact same seats that they're advertising for A LOT less. A lot closer to what the regular price should be.
So, it's a huge ripoff for people that don't do their research or trust Ticketmaster and Ticketmaster only. Poor them.