Is Ticketmaster Good or Bad for the Consumer? Why?

Ticketmaster is a household name in the world of event ticketing. For decades, the company has been at the forefront of ticket sales for concerts, sports events, and theatrical productions. But despite its popularity, Ticketmaster has faced criticism from consumers and industry professionals alike. The question remains: is Ticketmaster good or bad for the consumer? In this blog post, we will explore the various factors that make Ticketmaster a contentious subject in the world of ticketing.

The Pros of Ticketmaster

For starters, Ticketmaster has a long-established reputation for being a reliable ticket-selling platform. The company has been around for more than four decades and has office locations around the world. Ticketmaster’s website and mobile app are user-friendly, making it simple for customers to search and purchase tickets to their desired events. Additionally, Ticketmaster has a wide range of events available to the public. Whether you’re interested in attending a local theater production or a sold-out concert tour, Ticketmaster has a varied selection of tickets to fit all interests and budgets.

Another advantage of Ticketmaster is its secondary ticket market service. The company has a platform called Ticketmaster Resale that enables customers to sell their tickets if they are unable to attend an event. This service can be especially useful for people who have purchased tickets in advance but can no longer attend. The ability to resell a ticket means that customers can potentially recoup some of their investment and avoid losing out on the full ticket price.

The Cons of Ticketmaster

Despite the advantages mentioned above, Ticketmaster has also faced criticism from customers and industry professionals. One of the most significant issues is high ticket fees. Customers who purchase tickets through Ticketmaster are often subject to various additional fees that can significantly increase the overall cost of the ticket. For many customers, these fees feel excessive and unnecessary.

Furthermore, Ticketmaster has been accused of creating artificial scarcity for tickets. This means that the company intentionally limits the number of tickets available for an event to create a sense of urgency and potentially sell more tickets at a higher price point. This tactic can lead to tickets selling out within minutes or even seconds, leaving many customers disappointed and frustrated.

Finally, Ticketmaster has faced scrutiny over its relationship with event promoters. Some critics allege that Ticketmaster uses its market power to exert pressure on event promoters, such as requiring exclusive rights to ticket sales or incentivizing promoters to use its services over other ticket-selling platforms. This behavior can limit competition and potentially drive up the cost of tickets for consumers.

Conclusion

So, is Ticketmaster good or bad for the consumer? The answer is not straightforward, as the company has both positive and negative aspects. Ticketmaster offers a user-friendly platform with a wide range of available events, and its resale service can be beneficial for customers. However, the high ticket fees, artificial scarcity, and possible lack of competition are all valid concerns for consumers.

Ultimately, whether or not to use Ticketmaster as a ticket-selling platform is a personal decision that depends on individual preferences and priorities. Regardless of the decision, it is essential to be aware of the potential advantages and disadvantages of using Ticketmaster so that you can make an informed choice.

Thank you for reading this blog post.