Ticket price gouging for plays and concerts

[seadoug]

I mentioned in another post that we went to see Kinky Boots today. The woman sitting next to us brought her grandson to see it. She asked me, out of curiosity, what I paid for our tickets. I told her $89 per ticket. I wouldn't have paid more because this is the fourth time we've seen it. She told me she paid $200 per ticket! Not surprising, she bought her tickets through Ticketmaster and I bought ours directly through the theater. She booked early. We waited. I felt badly for her.

I did see that the government is stepping in to impose regulations on Ticketmaster and all the add-ons they charge. I don't think this will meet with any resistance from consumers!

 

[Aunt Bea]

I’m against some of the predatory practices of ticket resellers and scalpers but I’m ok with the venue or business charging different prices depending on demand.

For most of my life people have played the game of waiting until the last minute to buy/book theater tickets, vacation packages, hotel rooms, airline tickets, etc…

Sometimes you get an amazing deal and sometimes you get skunked .

 

[IrishEyes]

I sat back amused and in disbelief as my then mid-20s Grand Daughter was paying extreme prices for tickets to follow
Taylor Swift in as many venues as she could. Not just tickets but travel time, airfare, costumes to dress like Taylor.
All I could think was... What is she thinking? Selfies galore at each event made me wonder if she even watched the
performance. I knew then I did not know this girl anymore.

 

[Oldeagle66]

I am pretty old school about many things. Usually things over $20 aren't done. Plus, I find free concerts and festivals all summer.

 

[RambleTamble]

People are paying thousands of dollars to see The Eagles when there's only one original member left in the band!

We saw the play Hamilton a few years ago. Tickets for that were like $500 each. I told my wife that I could have bought a new guitar for what we spent on tickets.

 

[C50]

A guy I know took his girlfriend, daughter and her fiancee to the Rolling Stones concert a couple years back, he spent $1,200 per ticket! With parking, drinks, food and merchandise easily over $5k for one event. That's nuts in my opinion but I don't consider it price gouging, no one needs to go to a concert to survive, you can stay home.

Do I think it's unfortunante some can't go to events because of the cost? Sure I do, but we don't live in a same for everyone society.

 

[QuietByNature]

Ontario, CAN has just implemented new laws that regulate ticket resales.
Tickets can only be raised by the amout you fully paid, ticket price plus service fees.

 

[RambleTamble]

A guy I know took his girlfriend, daughter and her fiancee to the Rolling Stones concert a couple years back, he spent $1,200 per ticket! With parking, drinks, food and merchandise easily over $5k for one event. That's nuts in my opinion but I don't consider it price gouging, no one needs to go to a concert to survive, you can stay home.

Do I think it's unfortunante some can't go to events because of the cost? Sure I do, but we don't live in a same for everyone society.

Would I want to see the Rolling Stones with their current lineup? No. Why is that? Well, they're frickin' old, for one thing. Oh, so you're an agist. Eff you. No, eff you, ya old fart. Who you calling an "old fart?" You, you old fart. But you're me; I know I am. I'm interviewing myself.

 

[That Lady in PA]

A guy I know took his girlfriend, daughter and her fiancee to the Rolling Stones concert a couple years back, he spent $1,200 per ticket! With parking, drinks, food and merchandise easily over $5k for one event. That's nuts in my opinion but I don't consider it price gouging, no one needs to go to a concert to survive, you can stay home.

Do I think it's unfortunante some can't go to events because of the cost? Sure I do, but we don't live in a same for everyone society.

Some people don't know how to shop.
We saw the Stones the last two times their stadium tours swung our way.
I got club seats, under cover, great views, for ~$200 one year and ~$225 the other.

Sounds like he bought from a scalper, or opted for premium seats (usually on the floor and with added perks).

 

[That Lady in PA]

She told me she paid $200 per ticket! Not surprising, she bought her tickets through Ticketmaster and I bought ours directly through the theater.

Happens all the time! Direct from the vendor always beats third party, but so many go straight to TM and/or resellers.

 

[jujube]

I've only paid more than the ticket price once in my life, and that was for the Opening Ceremonies at the 2010 Olympics. The original ticket price was, I believe, less than $250 and I paid $800. It was worth it.....once.

I can't think of anyone I'd pay a serious premium to see perform in person.