Tickermaster Price Scam

easyhost

Today i booked some theatre tickets the booking took me to Ticketmaster
The price of the tickets was stated at £25.50 (inc. booking fee of £4) so £21.50 + £4 = £25.50

no problem at that as they all charge a booking fee, but to cost of the postage system gets me

Standard Postage £4

Ticketfast £4

Collect at venue £4

I can understand them charging you to have these posted to you as this incurs a cost to them, but ticketfast is where you print the tickets yourself on your own printer using your own paper and ink, so why are you charged £4 for this. also why charge you £4 for you to collect at the venue.

this is just a scam to get more money from you

987654

Can't help, but totally agree.

You are over a barrel if you want to attend an event as they are often the only way to get tickets.

easyhost

987654 wrote: »

Can't help, but totally agree.

You are over a barrel if you want to attend an event as they are often the only way to get tickets.

i know you or no one can help, it is just my rant to let others know of their practices. i have messaged them to explain why they do this. if they reply i will post it here

easyhost

Hi As stated i have received a reply from ticketmaster as below

Discussion Thread Response Via Email (Marc Caldecott) 20/05/2011 04:07 PM

Hello ******.

Thank you for your email.

Like any method of delivery used by Ticketmaster, we charge a processing fee for delivery. This processing fee covers the cost to fulfill your ticket request when you purchase the tickets online or by phone. This includes the installation and maintenance of the system, staffing and product and software development, as well as installing the barcode scanners at the venues multiple access points.
TicketFast is often more convenient for customers, as you get your tickets right away with no box office collection lines or mail delivery to wait for. You can print them at your convenience, and forward them to others attending the event so they can print their own tickets.

In accordance with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) by whom we are regulated, a Ticketmaster agent or our internet sales site will always clearly identify the face value and any additional convenience or handling charge before proceeding with the transaction. This carefully scripted information is to ensure the customer knows how the total price is constructed consequently and gives them a choice to continue or decline.

I am glad I was able to assist you today.

Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us again.

*manda*

It doesn't explain why they charge us for printing our own tickets. I think we're being charged for a service they simply aren't providing. I can understand booking/transaction fees, and delivery when delivered, but delivery when they AREN'T delivered is wrong and IMO they are ripping us off. What makes it worse is that most of the tickets when posted are only sent standard post, not even special/recorded delivery giving you some insurance if they go missing which always used to be standard practise for gigs where you were standing or general admission as they cannot be replaced.

easyhost

*manda* wrote: »

It doesn't explain why they charge us for printing our own tickets. I think we're being charged for a service they simply aren't providing. I can understand booking/transaction fees, and delivery when delivered, but delivery when they AREN'T delivered is wrong and IMO they are ripping us off. What makes it worse is that most of the tickets when posted are only sent standard post, not even special/recorded delivery giving you some insurance if they go missing which always used to be standard practise for gigs where you were standing or general admission as they cannot be replaced.

i think the charge is for this

This includes the installation and maintenance of the system, staffing and product and software development, as well as installing the barcode scanners at the venues multiple access points.

but i installed my printer and purchased my ink and paper, so should i charge them.

yes tickets posted std 2nd class post which i checked and post as letter is 36p and lg letter is only £1.35. a dl envelope they use 2p

Sharon87

easyhost wrote: »

i think the charge is for this



but i installed my printer and purchased my ink and paper, so should i charge them.

yes tickets posted std 2nd class post which i checked and post as letter is 36p and lg letter is only £1.35. a dl envelope they use 2p

I guess staff costs are included in the £4 when they do post them out. But £4 for printing at home is ridiculous.

Train tickets usually have 1 free method - pick up at station, which is what I always do!

easyhost

Sharon87 wrote: »

I guess staff costs are included in the £4 when they do post them out. But £4 for printing at home is ridiculous.

Train tickets usually have 1 free method - pick up at station, which is what I always do!

ticketmaster will also charge you £4 to collect them in person

their latest message to me was

Thank you for your email.

I assure you, asking for a charge for Ticketfast as a delivery system is not illegal.

As I previously stated, In accordance with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) by whom we are regulated, a Ticketmaster agent or our internet sales site will always clearly identify the face value and any additional convenience or handling charge before proceeding with the transaction. This carefully scripted information is to ensure the customer knows how the total price is constructed consequently and gives them a choice to continue or decline.

If you prefer I can arrange for your tickets to be sent to you via post.

If this is a valid option for you, please reply by clicking the link provided at the top of the email to update your question. If you cannot see the link, please submit a new question via our website, quoting your original incident number. Please do not reply directly to this email as your response will not be received.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards, Marc

considering i never said it was illegal, i said it should not be as it is me that is using my ink and paper to print the tickets and they are not posting them.

fozmcfc

Basically they are charging you £4 for electronically delivering the tickets to you to be printed off. I assume they arrive by email or are you provided with a link to print them off.

I do agree it is a rip-off, I would probably ask for home delivery at least you are getting something for your money.

Unfortunately it's yet another of the many added admin costs we suffer nowadays, including booking fee, fees for paying with certain cards etc....

easyhost

fozmcfc wrote: »

Basically they are charging you £4 for electronically delivering the tickets to you to be printed off. I assume they arrive by email or are you provided with a link to print them off.

I do agree it is a rip-off, I would probably ask for home delivery at least you are getting something for your money.

Unfortunately it's yet another of the many added admin costs we suffer nowadays, including booking fee, fees for paying with certain cards etc....

no you just into your account with them and look up the order and theirs a button to print tickets, you get an email confirmation with a link back to the account area to print tickets, but with online orders from many companies you would get and email confirmation linking back to your order and you are not charged for this.

ticketmaster already take a fee £21.50 for tickets +£4 booking fee making the tickets £25.50 and then they charged you another £4 to print your own tickets or even your own shoe leather to collect the tickets at the venue.

Mr_Smith_3

Yeah, these ticket sellers are a joke sometimes.... most of the time. I try to get tickets from the venue when possible - cheaper