Ticketmaster's robber barons "admit" larceny

kenny olav

Ticketmaster has for years gone elbow deep in our pockets in the form of convenience fees and handling charges, both of which are code words for petty theft on a grand scale. Why, exactly, does Ticketmaster feel the need to charge a convenience fee for a credit card transaction over the phone or Internet when no one else does? What is so demanding about printing out a 1 1/2-inch by 4-inch piece of paper that an additional $10 or $12 is needed?

Apparently nothing. In a bass-ackwards confession to robbing us blind that is disguised as largese, Ticketmaster has announced that there will be no convenience fees for the upcoming Eagles tour, at the band's request. Irving Azoff, the new Chief Executive Officer of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc., announced the deal today. Azoff has also been the Eagles manager since the late 1800s, and explained that this could be the first of other such offers.

In a press release, Azoff said, "The Eagles have long been committed to giving their loyal fans the best concert going experience. The Eagles use of 'all-in ticketing' is the first step in Ticketmaster's transformation to an all-encompassing entertainment company to allow artists to connect to their fans in both new and innovative ways."

"Ticketmaster is testing this program and is consulting with all our clients in the hope of rolling out the 'all- in ticketing' program for events nationwide," said Sean Moriarty, Ticketmaster chief executive officer, in the same release. "We are honored that the Eagles are the first to kick off this unprecedented fan-friendly Ticketmaster program."

If this decision is left to the bands, it appears that we'll see an end to the exorbiant fees. How could a band justify not choosing the "all-in" method and risk alienating its fans? While this is potentially good news, Ticketmaster really should release another statement: "Hey. Sorry we robbed you blind for the last 15 years. Our bad."










OK... but the Eagles' tickets will still probably cost $250. which is about $300 more than their worth.

anyway, fuck Ticketbastard. i try to pick up my tickets at the box office whenever i can.

nuffingman

They don't seem to be any different to the other ticket agencies in that they get away with what they can. There are other agencies that somehow get hold of tickets and sell for unbelievably over the top prices.

The bands must have some control but they couldn't give a shit as long as they get their money. As long as the bands don't care we'll get screwed.

But the fuckers I really hate are the ebay touts/scalpers. At least the ones that sell outside the venues show their faces but these ebay pricks really piss me off. KOL have announced some dates for June of next year in the UK and there are now 647 entries. If the bands made the conditions "no resale" it would an end to this.

intodeep

Kenny Olav wrote:

Azoff has also been the Eagles manager since the late 1800s,

I thought this was pretty funny. It sure seems they have been around since the 1800's

jervin007

This is probably because of the competition with LiveNation. They recently signed U2, Madonna, Jay-Z and other artists that will exclusively deal with LiveNation. I read that ticketmaster will be loosing a good chunk of its business through LiveNation's expansion. Its about time there was some competition to level out the inflated prices and extra charges, though they probably aren't that much better. Poor ticketmaster, ha ha, karma baby!

celebration

Kenny Olav wrote:

....

In a press release, Azoff said, "The Eagles have long been committed to giving their loyal fans the best concert going experience. The Eagles use of 'all-in ticketing' is the first step in Ticketmaster's transformation to an all-encompassing entertainment company to allow artists to connect to their fans in both new and innovative ways."

the eagles 1st reunion tour was the very start of the $100 concert ticket scam

they are part of the problem, so back peddling today doesn't win them any points with me...too little too late

chromiam

There will be a convinence fee it just won't be an itemized charge.... so you won't know if its 5, 10 or 15 dollars. And all this talk of competition with LiveNation is utterly ridiculous. Yes, there will be some competition but it will not force either company to change the practice of convinence and facility fees since promoters, artists and the ticket agency all enjoy and want the added income from these fees.