Need advice on buying concert tickets

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Okay, so you'll probably call me naive, but I don't buy many concert tickets so I don't have much experience with this stuff. Here's the story...

My friends and I were planning a trip to Denver to see Flight of the Conchords at Red Rocks and I was supposed to buy the tickets. I was waiting until I got paid, which was Friday. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and are $35 or $40.

I went to buy tickets and even when I try to search for just 1 ticket at any price range in any area it says, "Sorry, no exact matches were found, but other tickets may still be available." So is the show sold out?? Of course when I do an internet search there are plenty of tickets available on other sites for at least a 50% mark-up. That's total bullshit! :evil:

Anyway, got any advice on how I can get tickets to this show for a regular price? Or should I just give it up even though it doesn't say it's sold out?

Thanks for your help.

Thorns2010

Looks like instead of just saying 'sold out' it says that stupid crap.

See how it uses the word 'MAY' ??? And gives you 3 options of finding tickets.

Thats a bummer, but from my experience unless you buy the day of, if not the exact time tickets go on sale you are out of luck.

Who Princess

I learned these words of wisdom from a friend:
"There is always a ticket!"

Don't pay those mark-up prices. It is such a racket the way those alternate brokers buy up the tickets. Keep checking back with Ticketbastard for ticket drops. They always hold tickets back and release them as they get closer to the date. They often release some of the very best tickets right before the show, even the day of the show. If you can hold out and just keep from being too nervous, you won't have to pay those ridiculous prices.

Good luck!

Fifthelement

Can you buy tickets via the box office of the establishment hosting the event? Either over the phone or by having someone go there and pick them up. Good luck.

PJGARDEN

You might try to call ticketmaster or go to a location in person. I have been able to get tickets a few times this way. Also, I think someonen mentioned this but they always release more tickets a few days or the day of the show. You just have to keep checking. Don't go through a ticket broker.

Like someone else said, there is always a ticket. Don't give up. If all else fails, go up there the day of the show and hang out by the front gates. Someone will have extra tickets. I have gotten many FREE tickets to sold out shows this way.

Travelar

This sounds like the typical ticketmaster bullshit to me. Lie others have suggested, keep watching things. Tickets may show up at some point. I don't know how close you are to Denver, so perhaps waiting for tickets to appear could screw up your travel plans.

All I can say is don't give in to the scalpers.

PJGARDEN

Also check message boards incuding this one. You might find some nice people out there that have extra tickets or can't make it to the show.

The Stugots

Once a show is sold out your best bet for an at-face ticket is from another person. I'd keep an eye on the local Craigslist site, and even post a wanted ad there every so often.

You may have success like many have said staking out the venue on the day of the show, but that's a risky proposition if travel is involved and others are counting on you.

iluvcats

don't laugh but my ticket story is about Velvet Revolver.

they sold out at Merriweather. I looked online a while after they went on sale and determined they were sold out.
A week before the show, TM released more tix. I was up front, in the orchestra pit. They took the chairs out.

yes, always try again on TM a week before the show.

PJGARDEN

Promise this is my last suggestion....try ebay. Ebay is mostly ticket brokers but if you watch closely you can find an individual just trying to get rid of tickets they can't use. You can email them before the auction is over and make them an offer. That's how I got my Ed Ved tickets at face value. Just don't give up.

_

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'll keep watching, checking elsewhere, etc. One problem I have is that I don't live in Colorado, so my friend & I were going to fly out for the show. We wouldn't want to fly out for a show we don't have tickets to (Flight of the Conchords are great and all, but it's not like we're talking about a Pearl Jam or Eddie Vedder show here!) and were hoping to book flights far enough in advance that they're still cheap.

Anyway, like I said, I'll keep my eye out. I just feel like such a dumbass, especially since my friends were counting on me. Please keep the awesome suggestions coming! (I knew I could count on you for good advice! )

mfc2006

i've had decent luck at Stub Hub.

iluvcats

PJGARDEN wrote:

Promise this is my last suggestion....try ebay. Ebay is mostly ticket brokers but if you watch closely you can find an individual just trying to get rid of tickets they can't use. You can email them before the auction is over and make them an offer. That's how I got my Ed Ved tickets at face value. Just don't give up.

I had to buy my PJ tix like that once but I don't think they were face value...I was lucky they were legitimate tix.

Kel Varnsen

Maybe it is just me but a 50% mark up on a $40 ticket doesn't really sound that bad (its only 20 bucks more). Especially compared to the cost of a flight, and I assume a hotel, that you would have to spend money on in order to go see that show.

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Kel Varnsen wrote:

Maybe it is just me but a 50% mark up on a $40 ticket doesn't really sound that bad (its only 20 bucks more). Especially compared to the cost of a flight, and I assume a hotel, that you would have to spend money on in order to go see that show.

Those were the absolute cheapest. I see your point. But it bothers me for a few reasons:

1. It's the principle of it all.
2. I don't know if my friends want to pay an extra $20 each.
3. I would feel bad if they had to pay extra because of me.
4. The flight is $100 and we have a free place to stay.
5. It's not like it's for Eddie Vedder tickets or something.
6. The reason I waited to buy tickets is because money's kinda tight and I was trying to decide whether I could afford it. I decided I could afford $140 (for ticket & flight), but I'll have to reconsider now that the price has changed. I don't usually go to concerts unless I can get free tickets, so $60-$100 is kind of a lot for me to spend.
7. Even if we do end up paying more, I'd say it's worth it to at least try to find face-value tickets, no?

Okay, maybe that's more than a few reasons.

PJGARDEN

iluvcats wrote:

PJGARDEN wrote:

Promise this is my last suggestion....try ebay. Ebay is mostly ticket brokers but if you watch closely you can find an individual just trying to get rid of tickets they can't use. You can email them before the auction is over and make them an offer. That's how I got my Ed Ved tickets at face value. Just don't give up.

I had to buy my PJ tix like that once but I don't think they were face value...I was lucky they were legitimate tix.

You have to look really hard to get tickets for face value. I think the time I have spent looking was probably not worth the money I saved but it made me feel better

Get_Right

well whatever you do
buy only hard tickets, and not ticket fast or "email tickets"

and if you do buy online, try to use paypal via your credit card as that provides some degree of fraud protection

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Get_Right wrote:

well whatever you do
buy only hard tickets, and not ticket fast or "email tickets"

and if you do buy online, try to use paypal via your credit card as that provides some degree of fraud protection

Thanks a lot for the tip! Good thing I set up a Paypal account to enter D's contests!