What can you do? How about raise some hell over the monopolization of the ticketing industry.

They used to do this all the time in Montreal when I bought tickets online. Finally I had enough and just started buying them at the box office, I would usually call reserve a ticket and then come by and pay with cash. No processing charges.

Its such bullshit, you would think buying tickets online would be cheaper but no they charge you for the sheer convenience of it. Blood suckers.

Same for these old bands recollecting together to play gigs all over again, its never the same and its just playing off peoples nostalgia. Have you seen the Rolling Stones? Dinosaurs on stage. Though I would kill to see Pink Floyd play. Yeah am a hypocrite like that.

Holy guacamole, it's a lot worse than in Europe (North & East, at least) where they mostly try to rip you off as much as possible, however, when it comes to shopping on the net, they usually give generous discounts or just don't overprice at all (naturally, that's more convenient for both the customer and the business).

Scalping, that's where it's at... Oh but you mean obtaining tickets legally. Well yeah then your just screwed.

>> ^fissionchips:
What can you do? How about raise some hell over the monopolization of the ticketing industry.


I think Pearl Jam (?) spearheaded a protest against Ticketmaster, but failed miserably.

In Toronto I always go down to one of three stores which are ticket re-sellers. They charge ~$2 for the service which I gladly pay instead of the ticketmaster MEGA-ripoffs.

Simpsons had a gag about this, with Mr. Burns enjoying Lollapalooza since he had bought Ticketmaster, instituted a 300% (or thereabouts) surcharge, which ensures a healthy mix of the "rich and the ignorant".

Good times.

But yeah, TM can go straight to hell (or maybe you should do as Burns and invest in them).

Another reason to hate: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/08/11/Ticketmaster_030811.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ticketmaster

Although it seems like the screws will be applied to them (none too soon!) so I dunno how smart it would be to invest in them... http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:IACI

Their parent company was going to (or did?) spin them off.

Hmm, not yet - http://investerms.com/top_news/300.html

Ticketmaster screws you coming and going!!!
I purchased tickets for a concert online at Ticketmaster.com. When the transaction was complete, offers for additional services popped up. I was very VERY careful to decline any offers for additional goods and/or services. A few weeks after my purchase, I saw a $9 charge on my debit card, the same card I'd used to purchase my tickets. Calling the phone number provided on this "electronic" debit, I was told that I'd opted "in" for the Entertainment Rewards online coupon membership which would automatically debit my account $9 a month. Knowing full well I'd declined any further offers, I requested that my membership be withdrawn. I was assured that my membership was canceled and was given a confirmation number as assurance. I was also told my refund would be processed in a week to 10 days.

I did receive an email confirming my membership cancellation, but I have not yet seen the refund. I tried to call the toll free number again this morning to determine the status of my refund. An advertisement for a phone service was all I received and then the line was disconnected. Don't know if it's outside of their business hours or not. I will try again.

In researching this issue online, its been found that the same company that owns the Entertainment Rewards coupon book/website also owns Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster is providing all of its customer's personal financial information to its sister company. This is a scam that has been going on for years and nothing has been done to put a stop to it. See further testimonials at the following link:

http://consumerist.com/consumer/scam-artists/scam-alert-entertainment-rewards-and-ticketmaster-149041.php

I'd truly like to call for a boycott of events that only allow ticket purchase through Ticketmaster. Knowing this is probably asking too much when the event is one we can't seem to miss, I'd just like to warn you to protect yourself. Simply "opting out" to online offers following a Ticketmaster.com purchase will not protect you. My first suggestion is to buy the tickets directly from the venue whenever possible. While this isn't always practical or convenient, it does save the 24%+ upcharge Ticketmaster receives for its services. Another option, several retail locations also sell tickets. Again, this may not be practical or convenient. In the end, simply avoid purchasing at Ticketmaster.com if at all possible. I'd suggest any transactions directly with Ticketmaster happen over the phone and everyone be very specific in making sure their personal information does not go any further.

There is talk of a class action law suit and personally, I'd love nothing more than to see Ticketmaster go under, but that's probably wishful thinking on my part!

and by the way, SHINEDOWN ROCKED!!!!!!!!

On one more note, if your child sells the Entertainment Rewards coupon books for school, this is the same company. Please don't ask me to buy one!

Otherwise, use your credit card instead. Debit cards don't have the same consumer protection rules which is why I avoid using them online like the plague.