Ticketmaster is the largest primary ticket outlet for large-scale events in the United States. As the dominant ticketing company, Ticketmaster has both benefits and drawbacks for concertgoers looking to purchase tickets.
The Benefits of Using Ticketmaster
Here are some of the main benefits of using Ticketmaster:
- Access to tickets for major concerts and events – Ticketmaster has exclusive contracts with many major venues and artists to sell tickets. This gives them a large inventory that is hard to find elsewhere.
- Wide availability – With so many tickets, Ticketmaster makes tickets available through their website, phone lines, and retail outlet partners across the country.
- Reliability – The website and apps generally work reliably due to the company’s tech infrastructure. Crashes and issues are rare even during peak sale times.
- Purchase protections – Ticketmaster offers refunds in case of event cancellations or other issues. Their FanProtect Guarantee provides peace of mind.
- Established brand – Having been in business for over 40 years, Ticketmaster is a known and trusted name in event ticketing.
For big concerts and shows where tickets sell out quickly, Ticketmaster is often the best way to secure seats as an official ticket outlet. Their large inventory gives more people access to hot events.
The Drawbacks of Ticketmaster
While Ticketmaster has its perks, there are also some downsides to be aware of:
- High fees – Ticketmaster is notorious for tacking on high additional fees during checkout. These fees include charges for using the website, order processing, etc. The fees can often add over 20% to the base ticket price.
- Lack of pricing transparency – Ticketmaster does not show the full ticket price including fees upfront during the purchasing process. The extra costs are only visible at checkout, leading to “sticker shock.”
- Captive audience – Since Ticketmaster has exclusive deals with many venues and artists, consumers have no alternative to buy from competitors for certain events. This lack of competition allows Ticketmaster to charge higher prices and fees.
- Reselling at higher prices – Ticketmaster owns resale sites like GetMeIn and SeatExchange where the same tickets are sometimes resold at higher prices. This controversial practice frustrates consumers.
- Technical issues – Though rare, when website crashes and technical glitches do happen during big sales, customers can miss out on events they wanted to attend.
The lack of transparency and choice with Ticketmaster fees leaves many customers feeling ripped off or tricked into paying more. Their dominance in the industry also limits options for purchasing tickets.
Ticketmaster Fees and Pricing
To give a better idea of Ticketmaster’s fees, here is a breakdown of the different charges they typically add to an order:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service Fee | $10-$25 per ticket |
| Order Processing Fee | $5-$10 per order |
| Facility Charge | Varies, can be $5-$20 per ticket |
| Convenience Charge | Typically around $7 per ticket for print-at-home ticket orders |
| Estimated Total Fees | $25-$50 per ticket on average |
These fees quickly add up and can make ticket prices appear deceptively low at first. The convenience fees are also controversial when Ticketmaster does not actually mail out physical tickets in most cases anymore.
Alternatives to Ticketmaster
While Ticketmaster still has a stronghold on ticketing, there are some other options consumers can consider to buy tickets:
- Official fan clubs – Some bands sell tickets directly to their fan club members before the general public.
- Venue box offices – Buying at the venue’s onsite box office avoids Ticketmaster fees.
- Resale sites – Sites like StubHub let fans resell extra tickets, sometimes below face value.
- Ticketing startups – Newer companies like AXS and Eventbrite provide ticketing services trying to compete with Ticketmaster.
- General admission – General admission “festival-style” shows do not require purchased tickets beforehand.
These alternatives have their own pros and cons but are worth looking into for certain events. Getting tickets directly from the source like the venue or artist can be cheaper.
Is Ticketmaster Worth It?
Whether or not Ticketmaster is “worth it” depends on the person and situation:
- For hot shows that sell out instantly, Ticketmaster may provide the best way to secure tickets thanks to their large inventory.
- For lower-demand events, the high fees may outweigh the convenience Ticketmaster provides.
- Fans who want peace of mind booking through an established company may find the fees acceptable.
- Budget-conscious customers likely want to avoid the fees if possible and buy from alternatives.
In many cases, Ticketmaster simply provides more convenience and security at the cost of higher prices for the tickets and fees. There are ways to mitigate the fees, such as buying at the venue box office. But for major concerts with high demand, Ticketmaster remains the dominant marketplace to get tickets.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster has both advantages and drawbacks for purchasing concert and event tickets. On one hand, its broad inventory makes getting seats easier for hot shows that sell out fast. Ticketing is also reliable through their apps and website. However, customers are often frustrated by Ticketmaster’s unavoidable fees that can add 20% or more to every order.
While Ticketmaster’s convenience may be worth it for must-see events, there are some ways to find tickets for less through fan clubs, venues, and resale sites. Overall, Ticketmaster still holds a dominant position in ticketing due to its exclusive deals with major entertainment companies and venues. For high demand events, it often provides the most reliable way to secure seats, albeit at an additional cost.