Take That - Ticket Feeding Frenzy Alternative?

The Take That Ticket thread makes fascinating reading and if you are one of the million who love songs of Take That you could either pray for a ticket or perhaps find the following suggestions provide a more affordable concert experience.

It is useful to bring a some perspective to the current ticket situation. It is interesting that Ebay opportunists take something of a beating when there are plenty of others in the concert ticket food chain who are more deserving of the frustration vented by disgruntled ticketless fans – including the ticket agents who feel they can justify adding £5 for the trouble of posting the tickets (or simply emailing an e-ticket) and the bands themselves who think £50 for a ticket is a fair price for the loyal fans who made them what they are. Some earn a minimum wage of £5 per hour, a tad less than the Take That boys.

As if ticket prices were not already extortionate I am interested to know how they can justify the price of the premium rate tickets which are literally in the Gods of the MEN Arena where binoculars as well as oxygen masks are an advantage – presumably these fans are fair game for the promoters, but not so ebay opportunists whom the fat cats want outlawing. Pot and kettle spring to mind.

But this is a money saving site – and saving money on events tickets is not rocket science.

Perhaps fans should vote with their collective feet – and refuse to pay. ‘Pigs might fly’ I hear you say. Well they are doing above Bolton and Blackburn as both football clubs both have been forced to slash prices and clearly want their fans back for good. Never forget you have the choice.

If you need a ticket and save money

1. Try Ebay or Scarlet Mist - I have bought dozens of tickets for top bands on Ebay for much less than there face value and saved a fortune. The trick is not to get carried away with a ‘must have at any cost’ and have a little patience. There is often a big range in winning prices check them out on the ‘completed listings’. Still too expensive?…

2. With so many nights and the venues so big there will be surplus tickets on the night. A good rule is the bigger the venue and the more horrid the weather the more tickets in circulation on the night. Likewise if there are competing events e.g. big footy match. Go on speck and set your mind to do the business. Touts will offer lowest prices to buy surplus tickets from fans. Get a feel for the going rate and offer a fiver more but be careful where and how.

3. The best deals from touts are to be had once the band start performing when touts will offload surplus tickets for what they can get, you could miss a couple of songs it still could be magic and save you enough money to buy the Tour T Shirt or two.

Okay so on rare occasions you will not get the tickets but with 10+ nights at the Arena there is always tomorrow or you could spend the £50 on a meal instead with someone who will relight your fire. Remember the Stones have now done the final, final, final last tour err about 10 years ago, so doubtless where fans will keep digging into their pocket they will be back a few more times, if not for good. Perhaps Robbie (who?) will be doing a comeback tour in a couple years

Even Ethical Take That fans know live concerts are now the big money spinners. It is worth pointing out that Michael Evis could probably sell out Glastonbury several times over at £400 per ticket but he doesn’t its just £150 for three days – Take That Boys!