Ticketmaster is the largest ticket sales and distribution company in the United States, so chances are if you’re looking to buy tickets to a major concert, sporting event, or theater production, you’ll come across Ticketmaster. While it’s often the most convenient and sometimes only option for getting tickets to popular events, there are some drawbacks to buying through Ticketmaster that are important to consider.
The Pros of Buying Tickets Through Ticketmaster
Here are some of the main benefits of using Ticketmaster to purchase tickets:
- Access to tickets – Ticketmaster has exclusive contracts with many major venues and artists, so it will have tickets to events when other ticket sites do not.
- Large selection – With Ticketmaster’s dominant size, they offer tickets to thousands more events than most other ticket sellers.
- Reliability – It’s an established company that’s been selling tickets for over 40 years.
- Convenience – With Ticketmaster’s large inventory, you can find tickets to multiple events all in one place.
- Purchase protection – Ticketmaster offers refunds if an event is canceled and guarantees all tickets are valid and authentic.
The Cons of Buying Tickets Through Ticketmaster
However, there are also some downsides to be aware of when purchasing through Ticketmaster:
- High fees – Ticketmaster is notorious for adding on high processing and service fees that can add 25-40% to the base ticket price.
- Dynamic pricing – Ticket prices fluctuate based on demand, so you may pay more for a high-demand event.
- Lack of competition – With exclusive deals, Ticketmaster faces little competition, so there’s no incentive to lower fees.
- Refund hassles – While refunds are available for cancellations, the process can be a hassle with long hold times.
- Upselling – Expect lots of upsells during the checkout process for “Official Platinum Seats” or VIP packages.
Ticketmaster Fees and Pricing
Ticketmaster’s fees are arguably the biggest point of frustration for most customers. Here’s a breakdown of the different fees and charges they typically add to all ticket purchases:
- Service fee – This ranges from 15-25% of the ticket price and is Ticketmaster’s processing fee for each ticket.
- Order processing fee – A fixed fee per order that ranges from $5-$20 depending on if the event is domestic or international.
- Facility charge – This charge goes to the venue hosting the event, typically ranging between $5-$20 per ticket.
- Shipping fees – If you have your tickets shipped, expect to pay $8-$25 for regular shipping up to 2-3 day express delivery.
- Dynamic pricing – For very high demand events, Ticketmaster may employ “Official Platinum” dynamic pricing, raising prices as availability drops.
All these extra fees can add a substantial amount to your total purchase amount. For example, if you buy two $50 tickets to an event:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | $100 |
| Service Fee | $30 (15% per ticket) |
| Order Processing | $10 |
| Facility Charge | $10 ($5 per ticket) |
| Total | $150 |
As you can see, those extra Ticketmaster fees added 50% to the overall price! Always factor this in when budgeting for an event.
Alternatives to Buying from Ticketmaster
If Ticketmaster’s fees and poor customer service reputation bother you, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Official event or venue box offices – Buying direct often has lower fees, though options are limited.
- StubHub – Allows reselling of tickets between users. Good for sold out events.
- Vivid Seats – Resell marketplace with competitive service fees vs Ticketmaster.
- SeatGeek – Aggregates ticket inventory from resale markets and official sources.
- AXS – Global ticketing company with lower fees compared to Ticketmaster.
However, inventory on these alternative sites is more limited compared to Ticketmaster for most major concerts and events. You may be able to find specialty niche events or secondary market tickets on them though.
Tips for Saving Money on Ticketmaster
If you do choose to buy from Ticketmaster, here are some tips to help avoid high fees:
- Buy early – Prices usually go up over time as events near.
- Avoid shipping – Opt for e-tickets or will call pickup to skip shipping fees.
- Buy group tickets – Fees usually don’t increase much for group orders.
- Check for presales – Many events have special presales before the general public on-sale.
- Use a Ticketmaster gift card – This lets you lock in your ticket price before fees are added.
Also beware of scalpers on sites like Craigslist selling marked up “Ticketsmaster” tickets. Always verify a third party seller is legitimate before purchasing tickets online.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster still offers the widest selection and most reliability for high-demand events and concert tickets. However, buyers should be aware of the company’s reputation for high fees and poor customer service. With few alternatives for the biggest events, fans have little choice but to pay Ticketmaster’s fees if they want guaranteed entry. For more niche events, it’s worth comparing prices across multiple ticket sellers.
Overall, while Ticketmaster draws plenty of grumbles over its fees, for the most popular concerts, sports games, and theater shows, it’s still the go-to source for tickets. Just make sure to account for fees in your budget and buy early before prices climb higher.
