Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets online and at retail outlets for various events like concerts, sports games, theater shows and more. One common complaint that consumers have about Ticketmaster is the inability to select their specific seat when purchasing tickets online.
How Ticketmaster’s Seat Selection Works
When you go to buy tickets on Ticketmaster, you are typically shown a seating chart with different sections and price levels to choose from. However, you cannot pick the exact seat numbers you want. Instead, Ticketmaster’s system automatically assigns seats after you make your section and price level selection.
There are a few reasons Ticketmaster does it this way:
- It allows them to optimize seat assignments to fill the venue. By controlling allocations, they can distribute seats to maximize sellouts.
- It prevents competition over the “best” seats. Customers are less likely to get upset if they don’t know exactly what seats others may get.
- It simplifies the purchasing process. Customers only have to filter by section and price, not hunt through a complex seat map.
So in essence, Ticketmaster prioritizes utilizing all available seats over giving customers full control over seat selection. The tradeoff is efficiency and simplicity versus granular selection ability.
Why Customers Want to Pick Their Own Seats
Even though Ticketmaster has logical reasons for limiting seat selection, many customers still wish they could choose their exact seats when buying tickets. There are some clear benefits to selecting your own seat:
- You can pick seats you feel offer the best view or experience.
- You can ensure your whole group sits together.
- For resale tickets, you know exactly what seat you are getting.
- You feel more in control over the transaction.
Being able to handpick seats provides visibility, convenience, and peace of mind. So it’s understandable why many consumers want that capability when purchasing tickets.
When Can You Pick Your Own Seats?
In some cases, Ticketmaster does provide the option to select exact seat numbers when buying tickets:
- Resale Tickets – If you purchase tickets on a resale marketplace like Ticketmaster Resale or NFL Ticket Exchange, you can view available seats and choose your exact seats.
- Suite or VIP Seats – For premium ticket options like suites and VIP boxes, you can often pick your exact seats when making your purchase.
- Less Popular Events – For lower demand events where availability is not an issue, Ticketmaster sometimes allows you to select individual seat numbers.
So the ability to choose your own seats exists in limited circumstances where inventory control and sellouts are less of a priority. But for high demand events, Ticketmaster restricts seat selection to manage inventory.
Tips for Getting Better Seats
While you can’t always pick seat numbers, there are some tips for increasing your chances of getting good seats through Ticketmaster:
- Buy early when more inventory is available.
- For concerts, target the front sections near the stage.
- For sporting events, aim for seats closer to midfield or the 50-yard line.
- Join Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program for access to presales.
- Use the interactive seat maps to preview views before buying.
Buying at the right time, targeting prime sections, and using Ticketmaster’s own tools can help you land better seat assignments.
Third-Party Ticket Sites
Some other secondary ticket sites like Vivid Seats and StubHub allow buyers to select exact seat numbers when purchasing resale tickets. This gives consumers more control over seats, but inventory depends on what sellers list.
Ticketmaster is also expanding its own resale options and integrating preferred resale marketplaces like NFL Ticket Exchange. Over time, exact seat selection may become more common across Ticketmaster’s primary and resale services.
Contact Venues Directly
For some events, venues sell tickets directly through their own box office, either online or in-person. In some cases you may be able to pick your actual seat number when buying directly from the venue, depending on their system.
So if having control over seat selection is your top priority, contacting venues directly about their ticketing policies could be an option.
Voice Your Feedback
Ticketmaster has online contact forms where you can provide feedback about their services. If the inability to choose a seat is something you strongly dislike, letting them know directly is a way to voice your opinion.
The more customers that complain about seat selection issues, the more incentive Ticketmaster has to adjust their systems. Constructive feedback can potentially prompt changes over time.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster limits seat selection to simplify the ticket buying process and maximize sellouts. But many customers desire the ability to pick their own seats for important events.
Getting the best seats still involves buying early, targeting prime sections, and using Ticketmaster’s tools. In limited cases, you can pick actual seat numbers through Ticketmaster resale, secondary marketplaces, or direct box office purchases.
While the lack of choice can be frustrating, Ticketmaster has legitimate logistical reasons for restricting seat selection. But customer feedback does have influence, so voicing concerns directly to Ticketmaster can help drive changes.
With Ticketmaster’s dominant position in ticketing, expanded resale integration and consumer demand may open up more seat selection flexibility over time. But for now, purchasing the best seats requires understanding and working within Ticketmaster’s system limitations.
Ticketmaster Seat Selection Options | Ability to Pick Your Seat |
---|---|
Main Ticket Sales | No |
Resale Marketplaces | Yes |
Suite/VIP Tickets | Sometimes |
Lower Demand Events | Sometimes |
Direct Box Office Purchases | Sometimes |
Tips for Getting Better Seats from Ticketmaster
- Purchase early to maximize inventory
- Target prime seating zones
- Use presales and Verified Fan
- Preview seat views beforehand
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