Can You Avoid Ticketmaster Fees?

If you’ve ever purchased a concert or sporting event ticket online, you’re probably familiar with the steep fees that come with it. Ticketing giant Ticketmaster is notorious for tacking on extra charges that can significantly inflate the ticket price. These additional fees, including service fees, delivery fees, and processing fees, can sometimes account for up to 50% of the total ticket price. This begs the question: can you avoid Ticketmaster fees? In this article, we explore the options available to you.

Why Does Ticketmaster Charge Fees?

Before we delve into the ways to potentially avoid Ticketmaster fees, it’s important to note why Ticketmaster charges them in the first place. Ticketmaster is a business, and like any other business, it needs to generate revenue. While the main source of income is through the tickets themselves, Ticketmaster also charges service fees to help cover the cost of its operations. These fees go towards maintaining its website, hiring customer service representatives, and other miscellaneous expenses that come with running a major ticketing platform.

How To Potentially Avoid Ticketmaster Fees

While it may seem like Ticketmaster fees are an inevitable part of purchasing a ticket, there are some potential ways to avoid them:

1. Check if the Venue Has its Own Box Office

One way to avoid Ticketmaster fees is to buy tickets directly from the venue’s box office. Most venues have their own box office where you can purchase tickets in person, over the phone, or online. While there may still be a processing fee for online purchases, it is often significantly lower than the fees charged by Ticketmaster. You can also save on delivery fees by choosing to pick up your tickets in person.

2. Look for Other Ticketing Platforms

While Ticketmaster may be the most well-known ticketing platform, it is not the only one. Other ticketing platforms, such as SeatGeek or StubHub, may have lower fees or offer different discounts. However, it’s important to note that while these sites may have lower fees, their ticket prices may be higher than Ticketmaster’s. This is because these sites act as a marketplace for resellers, who often mark up ticket prices to make a profit.

3. Join Fan Clubs or Mailing Lists

Many artists and venues have fan clubs or email lists that offer pre-sales or exclusive access to tickets. These pre-sales often have lower fees than regular Ticketmaster sales or may waive fees altogether. By joining these fan clubs or email lists, you can have access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public, giving you a better chance of getting the tickets you want.

4. Wait Until the Last Minute

While this option may not be ideal for everyone, waiting until the last minute to purchase tickets can sometimes result in lower fees. Ticket prices often drop in the days leading up to an event as sellers try to get rid of their unsold inventory. However, this option comes with risks, as it’s possible that tickets may sell out before you get a chance to purchase them.

Conclusion

While Ticketmaster fees may seem unavoidable, there are potential ways to minimize them. By checking if the venue has its own box office, looking for other ticketing platforms, joining fan clubs, or waiting until the last minute, you may be able to save some money on fees. However, it’s important to do your research and compare prices before making any ticket purchases to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your money.