by cheryl
Before I start, and because I work with lawyers, I feel compelled to write a disclaimer. I’m pretty opinionated. When I write an editorial I am merely expressing my opinion and not that of Quiet Color’s. If you have any issue(s) with what I say don’t take it out on the site, ok? If you’d like to cut me a new one, email me at cheryl@quietcolor.com.
Cool? Cool.
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I don’t own a TV so I listen to the radio a lot. One of my favourite (non-music) stations is CFRB Talk Radio and the hot topic on Wednesday night was Ticketmaster. On his show, host Ryan Doyle stated he isn’t a fan of Ticketmaster’s practices. Neither am I. I’ll explain but first, a bit of background.
If you know me, you know that I love Radiohead. I am an insane, obsessed, die hard fan. I’d give (almost) anything to see them in concert. Except for $950.00. I just don’t have that kind of cash. I have a cat to support and he eats a lot.
When Radiohead came to town last August I tried to get tickets the conventional way, via Ticketmaster, because I don’t have Brad Pitt and Edward Norton’s connections. General seating went on sale on a Saturday at 10 am. I started dialing Ticketmaster at 9:15. After forty-four minutes of busy signals, I had success. I was sitting on hold at 9:59, when all of the sudden, I GOT DISCONNECTED.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall at that moment in time. In true Cheryl fashion, I had an epic meltdown. My poor boyfriend. He mumbled something about having to work on his car and then got the hell out of the house.
Knowing the concert would be sold out within minutes, I tried the Ticketmaster website and was diverted to a Ticketmaster “subsidiary” (re: legal scalper) who was selling the tix, which had been originally sold somewhere around the $60.00 mark, for $350.00 a pop. A few days later, the price had ballooned to nearly a grand.
Some have argued that the practice of “flipping” tickets is fair and that it’s all about supply and demand. If there are people willing to pay obscene amounts of money to see a concert, then so be it. OK, fine, but let me ask you this: what ever happened to fair business practices?? And when did price gouging become acceptable? We have laws to protect ourselves against this kind of thing.
What the hell is going on here?!?!
I’m pissed. Lots of people are pissed. Hell, even Bruce Springsteen is mad and you shouldn’t mess with the Boss. For reals.
Look, my issue here is with the accessibility of music. Is concert going now considered an elitist pursuit? Do I have to be a millionaire Hollywood superstar in order to have access to Radiohead tickets??
In a time when the music industry is crying foul, having lost gajillions to illegal downloading and to the demise of the CD, they aren’t doing much to build the public’s loyalty.
As consumers, we are being told to bend over and take it. And since Ticketmaster has a virtual MONOPOLY in the ticket selling business that’s exactly what we’re doing, because we have no choice.
Final verdict: Ticketmaster SUCKS.
A NJ congressman is looking into this whole mess. Hopefully he’ll rake the company over the coals.
I’m not holding my breath though.
4 Comments
The Ticketmaster monopoly goes far beyond annoying. As a kid, going to shows was one of my favorite things to do, and the impact of those incredible experiences have stayed with me vividly. If I were a kid now, I’d have a heck of a time affording a good show. These days, when I go to a show, you don’t see as many die-hard fans or kids because of outlandish prices and heartless ticket brokers. Face value tickets have been rendered meaningless, and too many real fans are ruthlessly getting priced out. I truly hope Ticketmaster and their associates burn in Hell.
I was going to pay 437 dollars for Flight of the conchords, now I don’t think I’ll go. It was at 80ish when I last check on that damned tickets now place.
I am a college student, workin’ 40+ hours a week and trying to keep grades up. All my money goes to car and tuition.
It’s damn near impossible for me to see a big name band nowadays. I have completely given up.
Best I can hope for is when a lesser-popular band comes around and plays a small venue.
Great blog Cheryl! Appreciate you taking the time to listen and I think it is great that you continue to speak out against this extortion on your blog.