Chicagoist: Metro Ditches Ticketmaster

jmagic

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:31:46 -0600

this is a good thing ... but i see both sides of the argument. i've never had an bad experiences with Ticket Web ... just bought tix through them actually and liked that the service fees and convenience charge was kept to a minimum. it always sucked when you'd buy a $15 ticket that actually turned out to be $25 with all the fees rolled in ... especially when going to see a band that you're not all that sure about ... it makes it a little easier if the show turns out to be a dud to know that i at least saved a little money. well ... sorta.

vit

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:20:34 -0600

I just bought a 15 dollar ticket for a punk show at The Note and they use "Ticket Web" and the service fee was only $2.75 for a will-call ticket. So it seems like the 3rd Party that Metro is using is still a bit high in their fees, but not as bad as Ticketmaster by far.

crashomon

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:07:42 -0600

This is a beautiful thing, but ticketmaster will continue to control those venues with 'seating charts' as they pretty much have that down to a science. However, those venues for GA like metro, this makes more sense. I for one, prefer to pick my tickets up at the box office (and save on charges) but I recognize thats not always an option for people, so the service fee makes sense. Either way, kudos to Metro for taking the lead on this, hopefully other GA places can follow suit.

Percy

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:16:00 -0600

This is SUCH good news! I am so excited for this. Thank you Metro, and may other local venues please follow your shining example. Ticketmaster should take this as a giant "FUCK YOU" to their evil business practices.

tobyg

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:12:27 -0600

robj, you're right but usually I buy my tix on my laptop using wifi on campus or someplace else and I don't have a printer with me. I also hate will call (I hate standing in line). Not a big deal if the show's not gonna sell out and I can remember to buy when I get back to my apartment. But if i can't wait it's $24.44 for a $15 ticket (sigh).

Tankboy

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:44:12 -0600

Joc, Ticketweb has it's own system, and venues that use it must use their website to sell tickets. I;ve dealt with Ticketweb professionally in the past and can attest that it is true you get what you pay for, and their lower fees back that up. Metro has an outside vendor handling their back end, but all the sales still go through their site, so they still control much of what goes on. And RobJ, thanks for making the argument for the reasons behind online fees so succinctly. Finally, junebug006, you bring up a REALLY good point, and I can see how sales would indeed be more fan-friendly know that Ticketmaster is out of the picture. Thanks for uncovering a positive angle I hadn't even considered!

smussy

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:29:20 -0600

i understand there's fees involved to process a ticket, but there *are* places that use services that cost CONSIDERABLY less ... like ticketweb that add only a $1 or 2 dollar fee to use a credit card. so either those people aren't greedy or they are willing to accept the cost of credit card processing fees as part of business or they put it in as part of the tickets. so, it's not like it has to be a $5 fee. but, it's nice to see metro trying to take a stand and do something different. kudos.

junebug006

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:39:33 -0600

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but don't a lot of ticket brokers spread out and have some kinda of evil powers, allowing them to gobble up a large amount of tickets off Ticketmaster ... later selling them for exorbidant prices elsewhere? Put it this way, I've waited in line at the Metro b.o. only to have them open the doors and only the first 3 people in line get tickets. The rest went to TM sales. I'm hoping if the Metro is controlling their own tickets, this will happen less, and more true fans wanting to pay face value will be able to get tickets.

P Griffin Baron

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:54:35 -0600

From a business perspective, a handling fee is still a necessary evil. The service fee includes credit card fees that Metro has to pay for the consumer to purchase online (usually around 3%) as well as helping to pay for internet bandwidth (there's no ads on Metro's site bringing in any cash) as well as pay licensing fees for performing licenses for the club to stay open, paying the performers who are on-stage at the venue, security, sound engineers and medical staff. For a $15 ticket, a $5 fee would cover all of that. Buying a ticket online is expensive for those selling the ticket as well. Just because you pay $15 at that little window at the front of Metro doesn't mean it doesn't cost for the convenience of you buying it online.

RobJ

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:11:18 -0600

The new ticketing system is cheaper than Ticketmaster. That's the bottom line and that's a good thing. The Metro is using a competitor of Ticketmaster, etix, to handle ticketing, so of course there is still going to be fees. Online ticketing is not free. There is software and databases to maintain and probably custom hardware that needs to be paid for. Do you people honestly think this stuff all just magically runs itself? The reason you don't pay a fee when you go to the venue, is because the fee is going to ETIX, not to the Metro. By going to the venue you're cutting out the middleman, hence no fees. @tobyg: I just went and priced out that same show. $19.94 when I select either "will call" or "print at home" as the delivery options.

Pinko

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:52:47 -0600

If tobg's numbers hold up, that is indeed crap. Metro gets rid of Ticketmaster only to charge their own 60% markup in services fees (does that include the overcharge surcharge?!)? Sounds to me all they've done in "responding to customer requests" is to have taken a page out of the Tribune Co.'s book when they opened up their own ticket broker service. This isn't about saving the customers' money as much as it's about increasing their own bottom line. I call shenangians!

tobyg

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:31:50 -0600

Just went to buy a ticket to Switch at SmartBar. $15 ticket. $24.44 after "new" fees. Happy Ticketmaster is gone but they still have a long way to go.

Prescott Carlson

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:56:22 -0600

It's Sears Centre. Don't deny Hoffman Estates their little attempt to feign culture.

baker2gs

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:24:10 -0600

Welcome to the digital age, I thought it was interesting that the Sears Center never used ticketmaster.

cer

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:20:10 -0600

Ticket Masters Metro NO MORE!! YIPPEEE...thanks for waking up Metro!

cer

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:19:53 -0600

Ticket Masters Metro NO MORE!! YIPPEEE...thanks for waking up Metro!

jg

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:31:05 -0600

Thanks, TB.

jimbo

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:13:52 -0600

ed - the services provided relieves you from getting off your ass to buy the tickets. people still have the option of going to the box office. while i'm sure the costs are significantly less than the $5 they'll charge, there still is a cost for implementing and maintaining an online ticketing system. think along the lines of ordering an ondemand movie from comcast

Tankboy

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:49:17 -0600

ALL shows, including Jam productions.

jg

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:46:02 -0600

Still wondering if this applies to Jam produced shows at Metro or only Metro productions.

Ed Knittel

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:33:20 -0600

@empt: No, what I'm saying is that if it's a service fee then tell me what the service is that you're providing me. Can someone, anyone, explain to me why we should pay a $5 service fee for ordering tickets online but we don't have to pay said fee when ordering the ticket from an actual real life, wage earning person? Here's a hint: because it's not really a "service" fee. Just like we all know Shipping and Handling isn't really $10 on eBay. Both methods (the eBay and service fee) use ways to skirt around posting actual prices which likely have to do with taxes/governement fees/anything Ps. I charge a $2 service fee for reading this message.

irishman1

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:29:55 -0600

Great points being made. Although, by Tankboy's post, we should be happy to go from one monopoly to another? What is there to applaud about that? Shouldn't the goal to have been the Metro AND Ticketmaster sell tickets competitively? As it stands, we can buy tickets for the Metro shows from the Metro only...period. Ticketmasters stanglehold was that it was the only supplier selling tickets. Right now, we STILL only have one supplier selling tickets to the Metro. Fluff. :-)

empt

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:13:03 -0600

Ed Said.... "@irishman1: EXACTLY! I find it amazing that people are applauding Metro for dropping Ticketmaster but they are failing to see that these handling fees are all the same - if only the cost is different." Then he says... "So here's a novel idea: Metro, drop Ticketmaster AND the ball-twisting service fees. If you want to charge more money roll it into the ticket." That makes no sense. I guess he's not mad about the cost, but about how they account for all the bucks. What difference does it make? To me, a $5 "surcharge" on a $15 ticket, is the same as raising the cost of a $15 ticket to $20.......I'm still out $20 if I want to see that show.

Tankboy

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:40:40 -0600

Some clarification: Ticketing is not a no-cost endeavor. All venues that offer online ticketing charge a service fee. Metro is still utilizing an outside vendor, Etix, to handle the back-end, so they do need to pay them for their services as well. The point is that people were complaining about high service charges, so Metro went out to find a way to address those complaints and bring down ticket fees as best they could. I still think that is an action to be applauded.

Ed Knittel

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:33:24 -0600

@irishman1: EXACTLY! I find it amazing that people are applauding Metro for dropping Ticketmaster but they are failing to see that these handling fees are all the same - if only the cost is different. In fact, I could even forgive Ticketmaster a little because they are a third-party company promoting your show and selling your tickets for you. They're trying to make some scratch. But when you're Metro why the fuck do you have to charge me a 45 service fee? I'm already buying a ticket from you. And if I'm buying it online then you don't even have to give me tickets. You just need my name on a piece of paper at will-call. So here's a novel idea: Metro, drop Ticketmaster AND the ball-twisting service fees. If you want to charge more money roll it into the ticket. And don't give me that bullshit that I don't have to pay the service fee if I go to the box office. How is buying it from a human being that you're paying by the hour any less of a "service" then a computer processing my order?

Navin

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:29:15 -0600

Besides the $4…what is the difference between the Metro charging its own fees and Ticketmaster charging its own fees? To me, it is the same monopoly as if Ticketmaster was still in charge. Whaaaah??? The Metro is just one venue, their competition are all the other venues in the city and being one business they can charge whatever they want, you might as well say that that hot dog place across the street has a monopoly on hot dog sales because they set their prices. Ticketmaster's stranglehold is on Tickets to shows at multiple venues. Seriously think on it for a second.

Ed Knittel

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:23:37 -0600

irishman1

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:54:13 -0600

Tankboy…you wrote, “may this be the beginning of a trend of local venues taking ticket sales into their own hands, and out of the hands of Ticketmaster and its outrageous fees.” Shouldn’t the battle cry be for the Ticketmaster AND the actual venue to compete for the ticket sales…thereby lowering the “fee” by competition? The $5.38 service fee you mentioned is based on what the metro wants to charge…right? That fee is NOT based on competition or what the “other guy” would charge. There is still no competition when it comes to fees…and THAT is what Pearl Jam was talking about. Antitrust issues…monopolies…and lack of competition. It sounds like the Metro charges its own fees and sets the price of those fees at what they think it should be. Besides the $4…what is the difference between the Metro charging its own fees and Ticketmaster charging its own fees? To me, it is the same monopoly as if Ticketmaster was still in charge. This seems to be all fluff...the goal should be to have businesses compete for ticket sales.

starcrunch

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:49:42 -0600

Yay, this is awesome. I was just about to buy tickets for an upcoming show, and now I can avoid fees altogether buy printing my own at the library (I don't own a printer).

rhoswhen

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:20:25 -0600

@Navin: You don't want to see Monster Trucks? You don't want to see Sum 41 (wait, are they still a band)? You don't want to see Celine Dion? What kind of American are you?! PS-- Awesome for dumping ticketmaster.

Navin

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:11:44 -0600

Until The United Center, Allstate Arena and House of Blues get on board with a plan like this don't expect Ticketmaster to file for bankruptcy any time soon. Luckily there's pretty much nothing I'd want to see at any of those 'venues'.

Chicago J

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:48:58 -0600

Way to be Joe Shanahan! F#ck Ticketbastards!

tyler

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:41:54 -0600

i was looking at the mail fees, i like to get my tickets mailed, there was an extra $4.50 mail fee which makes it the same as ticketmaster either way, there are options

numnums

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:39:07 -0600

Pearl Jam would be proud of the Metro

numnums

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:38:53 -0600

Pearl Jam would be proud of the Metro

fr0ntl1n3

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:31:57 -0600

Cabaret Metro! awesome! I too await the demise of evil Ticketmaster...

fr0ntl1n3

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:31:43 -0600

Cabaret Metro! awesome! I too await the demise of evil Ticketmaster...

A2

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:21:54 -0600

Whatever. I will miss paying $40+ dollars for two $15 tickets; that was always one of my favorite things about going to a concert.

mm2

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:16:51 -0600

awesome. although recently, i did encounter a bit of a fee at the metro box office when i went to get tickets. there's a bit of a fee if you pay with credit/debit and not cash, but i think it was only 25-50 cents.

Tankboy

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:15:28 -0600

ed, while it's true the huge arenas would also make a huge difference, Metro is, so far, the largest venue to make this move.

Ed Knittel

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:13:26 -0600

Until The United Center, Allstate Arena and House of Blues get on board with a plan like this don't expect Ticketmaster to file for bankruptcy any time soon. Metro is big and all but it ain't shit compared to the bigger venues as far as the mighty dollar goes.

magikist

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:10:34 -0600

Horray! Now we need everyone else to follow their lead.

jg

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:09:26 -0600

I wish that Gutter Twins show started earlier than midnight. I now feel officially old when I won't go to a show that I really want to see because it starts too late. Damn, I used to not even go out til midnight!

The Meteorologist

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:06:57 -0600

that's really good news. i love the metro and now i love it even more.

Tankboy

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:03:10 -0600

tyler, that's simply not true. For instance, if you purchased tickets to Friday night's Gutter Twins show through Ticketmaster you paid $9.70 in service fees. If you buy them online through Metro now, you only pay $5.38 in service fees. You save over $4 and I'd say that's quite a difference! I mean, if you order online there WILL be a service fee, no matter who you order from. Even the Empty Bottle charges a $2 service fee per ticket!

tyler

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:47:37 -0600

just checked the metro site, what's the difference? the fees are the basically same, just a different company

billymax85

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:36:55 -0600

It's great to see a venue doing something for the customers. The Metro has long been one of my favorite venues, but their shows tended toward the pricey side because of Ticketmaster fees. I'm not against service fees as a general rule, but what Ticketmaster charges is obscene.

vit

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:35:11 -0600

Wonderful news. I dream of the day that ticketmaster files for bankruptcy.

jg

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:25:15 -0600

Does this include all Jam produced shows at Metro as well?

Pinko

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:19:59 -0600

Awesome. Even though I don't go to all that many shows anymore, I've paid enough Ticketmaster fees over the years to fund somebody's drug habit. Let's hope this leads to a trend indeed...