Groupon To Handle Sales For Taste Of Chicago Ticketed Events
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 7, 2012 1:40PM
Taste of Chicago's slow death rattle continues. The latest developments in the city's killing of the patient in order to save it involves Groupon. The daily deal giant will be the exclusive seller of tickets for the celebrity chef dinners and concerts at the Petrillo Band Shell during the festival.
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Michelle Boone said the city was impressed by Groupon's ability to sell, sell, sell anything. Even someone to tuck you into bed at night.
Groupon will not be offering discounted tickets to the Taste events, which may anger some of their customer base accustomed to buying deals at a 50 percent discount. The company is taking a five percent commission on sales and a three percent commission on credit card sales. (The commission and fees are included in the ticket price.)
There will be a 10 ticket limit for the Petrillo Band Shell concerts and a 4 ticket limit for the dinners. Honestly, we don't see a scalpers market developing for Death Cab for Cutie or a Stephanie Izard Taste of Chicago dinner. We're still curious to see who would actually buy seats in the band shell for the festival concerts, when lawn seating is free.
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, June 8, at tasteofchicago.us