Help me get tix via phone for high demand concert

May 5, 2007 9:52 AM

I am looking for advice on the best way to get a pair of tickets for a high demand concert from ticketmaster, which only allows you to buy via phone. What can I do to increase my odds?
posted by keith0718 to media & arts (9 comments total)

Only by phone? Is that particular for this event? I've bought plenty of tickets for shows that sold out within five minutes through their website.
posted by lia at 10:33 AM on May 5, 2007

From my brother-in-law: If the show goes on sale at 10am, call a few minutes beforehand and talk with the rep about anything....broadway shows, upcoming sports events, etc....just keep them on the phone until after the sell time. When that happens, ask about your concert and you should be able to get tickets.
posted by Diskeater at 10:39 AM on May 5, 2007 [3 favorites]

Will they be for sale at other ticketron locations? If so make your call to an out of town ticketron which will likely have less traffic/
posted by caddis at 11:03 AM on May 5, 2007

diskeater's suggestion is great!

Also, I think American Express card members are able to get advance tickets for some events. If you or one of your friends are card members, find out if amex has an advance ticket deal for this concert. I can't remember which concert I was trying to get tickets for, maybe U2, and the concert sold out before tickets even went on sale (to the public) because of the amex pre-sales. Anyway, both ticketmaster and american express have info about advance sales on their sites.
posted by necessitas at 11:12 AM on May 5, 2007

Amex presales are the way to go.

Or, swallow the extra $$ (which usually isn't too much), and buy from a ticket broker.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:14 PM on May 5, 2007

Is it inconvienient for you to run to the venue before the show?

I worked at a ticket office at a large auditorium for a couple years. Sometimes there's tickets that TM won't sell (i.e. obstructed view, which isn't usually that obstructed), that the venue will. Also on the day of the show, sometimes the concert promoter will release seats at the last minute if certain VIPs decide not to show (label people, lead singer's grandma, etc.).

And/or if you don't mind being seperated from your companions during the show, you'll have a much better time finding single seats.
posted by deinemutti at 2:22 PM on May 5, 2007

I have a family member that's a broker. Her company buys from TM the same way the rest of us do -- by phone (and web, but I'm assuming you can't buy online from your original post, otherwise I definitely second lia's suggestion). The best way a regular person can increase their chances:

- Get reinforcements. If it's a high-demand show, you're racing the clock trying to get an open line in so bring in roommates, friends, family, spouse, anyone who can operate a telephone alongside you. The more people you have calling, the better. Program the numbers on speed-dial before you start calling.

- Prepare all your helpers. Give all your callers the credit card number and instructions so they are prepared to purchase as soon as they get through. Give them a seating chart of your venue and highlight where you want your tickets so they're equipped to make quick decisions.

- Second the suggestion to call at 9:45 and inquire about other shows till the bell rings. It's a technique that TM knows about, so be decent and try to at least feign like you're not gaming the system. Letting the clerk know up front that you are only buying two tickets (i.e. you're not a broker) will help you. If you've got helpers, give them a list of stuff to ask about in case they get through.

- Don't assume that if one person gets through, he or she will succeed. It all depends on the speed of the ticket seller who randomly answers, because inventory is flying out under her fingertips while she's answering the phone. So if Helper Bob gets through to TM, and then Helper Jane does a few seconds later, don't tell Jane to hang up, or stop the other callers, till you have tickets bought. The seller Bob talks to might only get you row 38 behind a pole but Jane's seller comes up with fifth row center, and that's where you want to commit.

- If it's a truly high-demand show and your credit card can handle it, don't be afraid to buy multiple pairs of tickets trying to get the best set. You can always sell off the others.
posted by pineapple at 5:23 PM on May 5, 2007

As seedy as this will sound, say that you need tickets for a mobility limited person.

I worked with a guy that had spina bifida and he did this all the time. Even "sold out" concerts still had a number of seats set aside for the handicapped. The seats generally aren't restricted to the handicapped person themselves, usually them + 2.

Sometimes they're also really good seats.
posted by drstein at 8:09 PM on May 5, 2007

Yes, this is in the 'is your karma really worth those tickets?' category, but I've also heard that disabled tickets are easier to get hold off, as sometimes you have to contact the venue direct, or it's just easier to get through to an operator.
posted by Helga-woo at 10:24 PM on May 5, 2007