Buying tickets can often be a complicated process with many different options to consider. Should you buy in advance or at the door? Get them online or go to the box office? Pay full price or look for a discount? With so many choices, it’s hard to know what is truly the best approach. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of buying tickets directly at the box office so you can decide if it’s the right strategy for you.
Avoiding fees
One of the biggest benefits of buying tickets at the box office is avoiding all the extra fees that come with online purchases. Ticketmaster, Stubhub, and other major ticket sellers add on a variety of sometimes hidden charges like service fees, order processing fees, and facility charges. These can quickly add an extra 10-20% (or more!) to the base ticket price. When you buy at the box office, the price you see is typically the price you pay, with no annoying surprises.
Availability of tickets
For extremely popular shows that sell out quickly, buying direct from the box office may give you access to tickets not yet available online. Promoters often hold back some tickets for box office sales only. So if you absolutely must get into a hot show that’s likely to have limited availability, your best bet is to line up at the venue when tickets go on sale there. You’ll beat out all the online buyers.
Personal interaction
The box office gives you access to a real live person who can answer questions and provide info about the event. If you need help selecting seats or have specific accessibility needs, the box office staff can give you personalized assistance finding the right tickets for your circumstances. You usually can’t get that kind of individual help from an online ticket outlet.
Avoid scams
Unfortunately, online ticket sales are prime territory for scalpers and scam artists looking to rip off eager buyers. Fake ticket websites masquerade as legit vendors, and buyers don’t realize they’ve been hoodwinked until they show up with invalid tickets. The box office eliminates this risk since you’re buying directly from the source. You can feel confident you’ll receive authentic tickets when you make your purchase there.
Discounts and promotions
Check with the box office to see if they offer any special discounts, coupons or promo codes. Sometimes you’ll find box office-exclusive deals that provide savings over buying online. Student and military discounts are commonly available. There also may be other promotions like “kids free with adult ticket” offers that you can only redeem directly at the box office.
Downsides to box office purchases
Despite some advantages, buying tickets at the box office also has some potential drawbacks to consider:
Inconvenient hours
Box office hours are usually limited, especially for smaller venues. You may have to take time off work or rearrange your schedule to buy tickets during the prescribed window. Online sales are open 24/7, while the box office definitely is not.
Long lines
Popular events will always draw crowds to the box office. You may have to stand in line for a while before you even have the chance to make your purchase. With online tickets, you can buy immediately without any wait.
Limited ticket selection
The box office typically only sells tickets to events at that specific venue. Online ticket sellers give you access to a much wider range of concerts, shows, and events all in one place. You’ll have to visit multiple box offices to get the same selection.
No home delivery
Online ticket purchases can be shipped right to your door, but the box office only provides tickets on the spot. You’ll need to return to the venue on show day to pick up and present your tickets if you buy them directly at the box office.
No guarantees on seat assignments
Online, you can browse a seating map and select exactly where you want to sit. Box office agents will simply sell you the next best available seats, giving you little control over factors like location or the people you’re sitting with.
Tips for buying at the box office
If you do decide to purchase tickets at the box office, keep these tips in mind:
Check box office hours in advance
Make sure you know exactly when and on which days the box office is open so you don’t make a wasted trip. Pay attention to any special or limited hours around holidays and weekends.
Bring a printed seating chart if available
This will allow you to clearly point out your seating preferences to the ticket agent since you likely won’t have access to an interactive map.
Arrive early
Give yourself plenty of time in case there’s a line when the box office opens. You don’t want all the best seats to be snatched up before you get to the front.
Know the average ticket price
This will prevent the agent from upselling you tickets outside your budget. Set a firm spending limit before you get in line.
Ask about promos and discounts
Don’t be shy – make sure to ask the ticket seller if there are any special deals or price cuts available. You never know what insider info they might offer.
Pay in cash to avoid fees
Box offices sometimes charge extra for credit card purchases. Paying cash allows you to bypass these processing fees.
Check tickets before leaving
Scan your tickets for accuracy and completely ensure they are valid before you walk away. This prevents any unhappy surprises later on.
Making your decision
Here are some key questions to help you decide if box office or online ticket purchasing is right for your needs:
| Consideration | Favors Box Office | Favors Online |
|---|---|---|
| Is cost your main concern? | Box office has no fees | Online can offer promo codes/discounts |
| Do you need a specific seat location? | Box office gives less control over seats | Online allows picking exact seat |
| Is convenience a priority? | Box office has limited hours | Online is open 24/7 |
| Are you concerned about scams? | Box office provides guaranteed valid tickets | Online has higher risk of fake tickets |
| Will the event sell out fast? | Box office gets ticket inventory first | Online inventory may sell out fast |
Conclusion
Buying tickets at the box office still has some advantages over online purchasing, especially for hot shows with restricted inventory. You can avoid fees, score seats before they sell out online, and get help from a real person. However, the inconvenience of limited hours and lack of interactive seat selection strongly favors online ticket outlets for more casual purchasing. Consider all the factors in your specific situation. In most common cases, buying online will prove the simplest option – just be sure to use a reputable site. But for must-have, high-demand events, getting tickets directly through the box office is your best shot at securing seats. Weigh your priorities and decide whether to take the trip down to the box office counter or conveniently click for seats from home. Either way, you’ll end up with tickets in hand and be ready for a great live show experience.
