oh man, I know. I hate them. And since they mark up the ticket with endless charges with random insulting names ("convenience charges", my ass) they do indeed qualify as evil bastards.
A few months ago I went to a free concert at the Smithsonian; but it was $14 I think to reserve a ticket thru Ticketevilmaster.

I've heard of this problem but have never encountered it myself. Nevertheless, the cost of shows is getting too fucking high. Used to be the talent went on tour to promote an album. They didn't make that much money performing. That kept the costs down to like $5 to $9 per ticket. Adjusted for inflation that would be about on average $24 dollars a ticket today. And the fucking casinos aren't helping much with creating a market for bringing back the dead for ridiculous costs to the fans. Like sports, it's not a buyer's market. There is always enough people to pay the asking price. All these so-called talents are even selling out to perform private parties these days. It's just plain fucked up. We don't have to participate.

i just won't go if i learn that the tickets come through ticket bastard. unfortunately, i think many venues are ceding their ticket sales over to companies like this instead of having their own employees handle sales.

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i just won't go if i learn that the tickets come through ticket bastard. unfortunately, i think many venues are ceding their ticket sales over to companies like this instead of having their own employees handle sales.

Yeah, like you said, indeed.

i encountered this last time i tried to get radiohead tickets. pissed me off. $2000...fuxache.

It is my understanding that these people are now facing the courts for these exact reasons.

If the artists were smart, they would contractually obligate the venue owners and tour planners, etc... to compensate them a % for the actual selling price of all tickets for the performance.

In this way, they can sue the scalping system - and win.

Ie, someone walks in with a $2000 ticket that originally went out at $200, then the venue owners and the concert ticket sellers owe the performance artists..an extra $180 for that ticket.

Put it right in the tour contract. Tell me that won't put an end to it.

The artists are just as bad. They know how much their tickets are going for.

If they get greedy..that's what will shut it down. Right now, they get none of the extra funds.

You really believe that of all people? Where is your not paranoid but just aware of all the possibilities mentality that you're so famous for? Yeah right, the artists don't get a dime. That's why all these geriatric cases are coming back from the dead to perform. So, dumb saps like us pay $100 for a cheap seat and they work for $9 a ticket? Where do you live? New York City? The artists don't give a shit. If they do they will give your money's worth. They play for an extra hour or so. Big fuckin' deal.

Hi

Im 100% in agreement that Ticketmaster people are the biggest scum on earth and the way they rip you off for $15 convenienence fee on a $20 ticket is scandalous. I to have logged on milliseconds after tickets have gone on sale only to be told its sold out but by some amazing fucking cosmic science there are 2,500 tickets already available on screwuhub and ebay !!! its no better in sports with all the major teams now scalping their own seats. I remember long ago ( actuallly 2002 ish ) when i turned up at Yankee Stadium and Wrigley field and got tickets in the first few rows behind home plate with chnage for a beer from $100 bill !! now the convenience charge is more than this !! the same seats are $1,000's. I recently went home and cleared out some old shit and saw things like Pink Floyd tickets for 5 pounds or Genesis for 4 pounds, Mike oldfield for 6, in those days i was poor yet still went to several concerts a month. Music was popular, now you either watch local up ancd coming bands cheaply or major bands every year or two because you cant afford $500 to watch U2 from the nose bleed seats at soldier field.

When im president ( The first Welsh one ) the first thing I would do is take those Ticketmaster bastards, line them up and shoot the fucking lot of them. Second thing I would do is demolish Wrigly field but thats a whole different issue !!!

I would like to point out one exception, Jeff Beck recently played in Chicago and there was absolutley no scalping !!! the people who bought the tickets actually had to show up at the door. No paper tickets were printed, this was great as you paid face value and there was no issue.

Alan

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When im president ( The first Welsh one ) the first thing I would do is take those Ticketmaster bastards, line them up and shoot the fucking lot of them. Second thing I would do is demolish Wrigly field but thats a whole different issue !!!

What's wrong with Wrigly Field?