Buying tickets can be frustrating when you see all the extra fees that get added at checkout. Event tickets purchased online or over the phone often have annoying “convenience” fees, processing fees, and other charges that can really add up. This leads many people to wonder – can you avoid all those pesky fees by just buying tickets at the venue’s box office instead? Let’s take a closer look.
The Short Answer
In most cases, yes you can avoid the fees by buying tickets at the box office! Venues add on all those extra charges when you purchase through third-party sellers like Ticketmaster. But when you buy direct, the venue doesn’t charge all those fees. There are some exceptions and caveats though, so keep reading for more details.
Examining the Fees
First, let’s break down exactly what kinds of fees we’re talking about here:
Online/Phone Purchase Fees
– Convenience fees – charge for the “convenience” of buying online or by phone
– Processing fees – cover cost of processing the transaction
– Service fees – charged by ticket sellers like Ticketmaster
Venue Box Office Fees
– Very few, if any! Most venues only charge the base ticket price when you buy at their box office.
Some specific examples:
Event | Online Fees | Box Office Fees |
---|---|---|
Concert at Madison Square Garden | $20 convenience fee per ticket | No fees |
Broadway Show | $15 service fee per ticket | No fees |
Sporting Event | $25 processing fee per order | No fees |
As you can see, buying direct from the venue’s box office allows you to bypass all those extra charges.
The Benefits of Box Office Purchases
There are a few big benefits to buying tickets at the box office instead of online:
– Avoid fees – This is the biggest reason. No convenience fees, processing fees, or other annoying charges.
– Get better seats – Box office representatives have access to the venue’s seat map. They can help you pick out good seats if you go to the box office in person.
– It’s more secure – No need to enter payment info online. Pay with cash or card at the box office for added security.
– Get your tickets right away – Skip waiting for shipping and get your tickets printed on the spot.
When Buying Online Makes Sense
Despite the benefits, there are still some cases where buying online can make sense:
– If the box office has limited hours – Buying online 24/7 is more convenient if you can’t make it to the box office during business hours.
– To lock in tickets for high demand events – Popular concerts and games can sell out online very quickly. Buying online may be the only way to secure tickets before they’re gone.
– If you live far away – If the venue is in another city, it’s not feasible to buy in person. In that case, online may be your only option.
– To comparison shop – You can easily view seat options and prices from different sellers online. At the box office you’re limited to what one venue is selling.
So online ticket purchases still have their place in many scenarios. But when possible, buying at the box office is the best way to avoid extra fees.
Other Tips for Avoiding Fees
If you do end up buying online, there are some other tricks to watch out for hidden fees and minimize charges:
– Check official venue websites first – Many venues now offer tickets on their own sites with minimal fees compared to 3rd party sellers.
– Look for coupon codes and promotions – Sellers will sometimes run deals like “no fees Fridays” or have promo codes to waive fees.
– Buy season ticket packages – If you plan to attend multiple events, you can sometimes save overall by purchasing a season ticket package.
– Buy group tickets – Fees are often waived when buying large group orders. Gather some friends and buy as a group.
– Use a fee-free ticket source – Some sources like the box office at a retail store may sell the same tickets for the same price without all the fees.
The Bottom Line
While buying tickets online is sometimes unavoidable or even preferable, skipping the fees by purchasing at the venue’s box office is a great option. Just double check the box office’s hours and ticket availability for the event you want, and head to the box office in person whenever possible to get your tickets fees-free! Carefully shopping around online and looking for promotions can also help minimize fees. Either way, with a little effort you can avoid paying all those annoying extra charges that drive up the cost of seeing your favorite sports teams, shows and concerts.
Conclusion
In summary, buying tickets directly at the venue’s box office is the best way to avoid paying all the extra processing fees, convenience fees, and other service charges that get tacked onto online and phone ticket orders. While online ticket purchases still make sense in some cases, you can typically save a good amount by skipping the middleman sellers and getting your tickets straight from the source. Just make sure to check box office hours and availability for the event you want to attend. With some planning, you can bypass the fees and save money to put toward concessions and merchandise instead!