That is why the purchase of tickets to an event such as the live performance of your favorite musician or band can be quite thrilling. However, procuring those tickets can be quite an arduous task, not only time-consuming but also costly if one does not know the right places to go. Concerts are something that people like to go to, and if you want to buy a ticket, you have so many choices today, but how do you know where to go and which site is reliable? In this article, I will categorize the advantages and disadvantages of numerous ticket vendors to guide you on which outlet to use for the next performance.
Official primary sellers consist of large ticket retailing companies such as Ticketmaster and Tixbag, which are usually the first outlets where tickets are sold whenever an event is launched on the market. They sell the first round of tickets directly from venues and promoters, as they have a cutthroat agreement with them. The main benefit of buying tickets from primary sites is that they will be able to buy the tickets directly as soon as they go on sale. This will put you in the best position to get better seats before resellers jack up the price. Primary sites also often have presales for their members or customers of related groups, such as fans’ associations and credit card firms. Well, these are some of the presales that can be made to give early access to the tickets.
However, the greatest disadvantage of primary sites is that service fees and other charges can significantly enhance the base ticket price. Fees usually charge 30–40% on top of the initial price of the ticket. They also always exhaust the best ticket deals and leave you stranded in search of a place that sells tickets at a higher price. All in all, primary sites are suitable for enthusiasts who expect to acquire tickets as soon as possible, and this aspect does not bother them much.
Other platforms, such as StubHub and Vivid Seats, act as re-sellers, where people list their tickets for sale with high prices set on them. The one benefit that no other sites can offer is the availability of a vast array of tickets. Most of them put forward tickets they are not able to attend to recover their costs, and this will give you tickets to sold-out or popular events. Resale sites often also charge fewer fees compared to primary retailers; Tesco, for instance, charges relatively high fees.
The only catch here is that tickets often have to be bought on the resale market, which typically sells for a profit over face value. This means that you will have to part with a good amount of cash to get the seats that are most likely to be booked. Another drawback linked with resale site purchases is that scams are also present, thus, the sellers have to be verified before buying from them. Only rely on sites that promise tickets and have measures that will protect buyers. All considered resale markets are most suitable for the tentative and those who failed to secure primary markets or do not mind paying more for a better view.
Platforms such as Twickets and Lyte have established ticket exchanges specifically for fans to transact and sell the tickets at face value. They are usually posted by people who have been unable to sell all the tickets they bought at face value and wish to break even at the very least. These exchanges are fan-driven, and as such, they eliminate scalpers, who intend to make large profits for themselves from highly sought-after events. Ticket transferring is also safe and assured for the same reason that the exchange platform ensures and approves every transaction.
The selection on fan exchanges is not as fixed and constant as on large resale sites, yet it does differ more. Perhaps there are a few tickets that fit certain genres of performances or shows. The exchange also tends to charge small service fees for each ticket. However, these fan communities provide cheaper and more ethical ways to get additional tickets from fellow fans than any other option. They are most suitable for buyers who are out to look for a specific deal and do not mind the limited number of available seats.
Loyal fans might want to join an artist fan club or mailing list if the option is provided. Artists also have a way of giving a head start in ticket sales to their members in the fan club before they are made available to the public. Ticket presales by the fan clubs are another way to get cheap tickets to a show that will not be available at cheaper prices during other sales. Presales and scoring cheaper seats are also part of the package once you have joined the fan club and signed up for membership.
The only disadvantage is that, depending on the artist, it may cost some money to subscribe to their website yearly. It is important to note, however, that even basic-level fan clubs such as the Fifth Member of Metallica cost only $20 per year. If you are a fan who goes to a lot of shows and is relatively close to the band’s location, the membership will certainly pay for itself through the presale ticket discount alone. So fans who always catch their favorite act every time they tour around will benefit from the formation of fan clubs.
Another important point to highlight is that the ticket-purchasing process can be done directly at the box office of a venue by visiting it in person. Even though box offices do not offer tickets for sale through the Internet most of the time, they are one of the best sources of tickets during the last few moments. Some advantages of purchasing tickets at the box offices are as follows: One is that the service fees that one has to encounter from other ticket-selling services are avoided, second, it is easier to exchange tickets or even upgrade physically; and lastly, one may get a chance to purchase tickets that were left unsold at a cheaper price as compared to the face value of the ticket.
Currently, the problem lies with box office opening and closing times, which may only be open during early mornings or late in the evening, thus requiring someone to go out of his or her way to access them. If the venue is farther away, this probably cannot be done, or only to a limited extent at best. This is because buying in person averts you from shopping prices as well as seats across various online sites. However, for venues in your locale and the places that you frequent, it’s always advisable to visit the box office since it’s a no-fuss activity.
It will be helpful for those who seek the best place for them, such as students who are searching for a place to live while studying or working.
Lastly, it can be said that there is no universal strategy that can guarantee an opportunity to buy the most desirable tickets for the concert. If you have the time and money, and the willingness to dedicate yourself as a fan, then it all depends on how early you start searching. Wise acquirers use primary sites to make presales, fan clubs to pass bargains, resale sites to supplement, and box offices to simplify. Make sure to always have all your doors open across various sources and follow the aforementioned tips to become an expert at purchasing concert tickets. Following the proper planning, you will secure excellent positions at reasonable prices for watching your favorite singers live in concerts.
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