Fight a Monopoly: Ticketmaster takes $$$ for Canceling a Show!

[Gretchen]

Hello All,

I am certain I am not the only person upset about the $3.15 that will not be refunded because of The Cure’s cancellation of the North American tour. Why does Ticketmaster get hundreds of thousands of dollars for nothing!?! I know Pearl Jam tried to deal with this way back in the day, and failed. That was 13 years ago- and things have only gotten worse, (check out the original Pearl Jam prepared statement here http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/testimon.shtml).

Although it may seem somewhat pointless, I emailed Jerry Nadler, (U.S. Congressman), Hillary Clinton & Charles Schumer. It would be great if others would also contact their congress rep/senator. I just know their must be a sympathetic intern out there who may pay more attention if multiple emails are received. To make it super easy, I’ve put my letter below and you’re welcome to copy it, (though it isn’t that brilliant). I’ve included links below that will help you locate your elected officials.

Thanks for your consideration in this manner,

G



http://schumer.senate.gov/

http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

http://www.house.gov/nadler/contact.shtml



Find your congress representative:

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

list of all senators:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm



Dear ________,

I have found Ticketmaster's monopoly on concert and event tickets annoying for quite sometime. It has amazed me how they have managed to raise their service fee again and again over the years. I recently purchased tickets priced at $52.00, and the "Convenience Charge" was $12.15, plus I got hit with a $4.90 processing fee. As someone who enjoys live music, I have just put up with it.

My latest disappointment is their policy for handling refunds for canceled shows. This past week, The Cure canceled their North American tour. Ticketmaster has my credit card info and address, I think they should automatically refund the full amount charged. Instead, I have to send the tickets back in the mail and I will not be refunded the full amount. Ticketmaster will retain $3.15 for a so-called "processing fee" plus any charges for ticketFast or UPS delivery charges. I have no doubt that I signed off somewhere that I agreed to these terms. I just think you should investigate why Ticketmaster earns hundreds of thousand dollars nationwide for a canceled show. Personally, I think that would be a part of the "Convenience Charge."

I know it is just $3.15 for me, but it is a lot of money when you add it up for everyone. Because the market place currently lacks an alternative source to purchase tickets, I am asking for you to intervene.

Thank you for your time and consideration with this matter,

[Justice]

1. also complain to the FTC and to your state Attorney General/Consumer Protection Folks

you are more likely to see some action there.

[Gretchen]

2. Thanks!

That is a great suggestion. I am going there now.

Best,

Gretchen

[KeepItReal]

3. I'm losing $4.90 per ticket due to an Amy Winehouse cancellation

Here's the email they sent:

"Hello, this is Ticketmaster Customer Service with an important alert for your upcoming event. Amy Winehouse & Paolo Nutini, scheduled at Wilshire & Western on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at 8:00pm, has been cancelled.

Your credit card will automatically be credited the ticket price and convenience charges, and should post to your account within 7 to 10 business days. Please note, the $4.90 per order processing fee and any ticketFast or UPS delivery charges are non-refundable.

If you have any questions, please contact us online at:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/asktm.html

Thank you for using Ticketmaster. We appreciate your business! "

[VLC]

4. I'll do it!!!

I recently paid $10.10 in fees for a ticket that cost $10. So, more in fees than the ticket price!

I contacted the Electronic Frontier Foundation about it too, because in order to get a ticket online you HAVE to give them your email address and agree to let them give it to others, which seems unethical to me.

Here's some info they sent me, but I guess they can't help:

You'll find resources about email marketing and privacy on this page of

our site:
<http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Marketing/>

This may not correlate precisely with your issue--but Ripoff Report has

been showing a few new reports about Ticketmaster and Entertainment
Rewards--you may find it to be a useful resource.
<http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=ticketmaster&Search=Search>

Finally, there is a long-running Ticketmaster gripe site where you
might
find some additional resources (or at least some sympathetic stories):
<http://www.trashcity.org/ARTICLES/TICKET.HTM>

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. I hate the money sucking ticket companies. Just paid $5.50 + $2.50 fees for each ticket to an event

$5.50 for purchasing only through ticket company. $2.50 for will call fees. What the hell? When did they start charging for will call? I had the choice of printing scannable tickets but i'd be charged $2.50 for that 'convenience".

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. They need to make the performers who cancel their shows pay this fee

I understand they need to be paid for processing tickets whether the show goes on or not. But it is not fair that they charge the ticket buyers. They should charge the performers.

[Gretchen]

7. agree, somewhat

I think that the performers must have entered a contract and backed out. I love the Cure, but I do not think this should be my burden. At the same time, what service do I gain with $8-12 fee from TicketMaster? couldn't they take care of it? I think that would be "convenient".

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Either charge the performers or the venue

Whoever cancels the show should pay this service fee, not the ticket buyer.

[backscatter712]

9. That's Ticketbastard for you.

I fucking hate that company. I will do my damnedest to avoid doing business with them. I'll buy directly from the venue, find a different place to get my tickets, but I won't use Ticketbastard.

[Gretchen]

10. I never seem to have the choice!!

Even when I buy at at box office, I seem to have these fees.

What is most upsetting, is that I have paid HUGE ticketmaster fees for both Live earth and FarmAid. Why do they get all that money? Couldn't Al Gore and Willie Nelson come up with an alternative?

[Initech]

11. I fucking hate Ticketbastard.

But it kinda sucks that we cant fight them. I have no choice. Either I pay the damn fees or I drive 40 miles to the venue to buy my tickets. It sucks. :argh:

[Gretchen]

12. maybe it is just nyc but . . .

they charge the fees even if I buy at the venue, (I've tried to save a few bucks before)

[Initech]

13. They do that here in L.A., too.

I've tried to buy tickets at the H.O.B. Disneyland box office before and they still charge a fucking $5.00 convenience fee.

[Sanctified]

14. Ticketmaster did not cancel the show the Artist did, take your anger out on the band. n/t