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Outside of the Tour Book , what are you going to do with the rest of the crap they give you for $350 ? The shirt looks like shit. Guitar Picks ? Get them on e-bay for $20
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QUOTE (drgrendel @ May 1 2012, 03:43 PM)
I would like to add a few statements in support of the "other side."

1. Ticket buying is really not a hassle at all. In fact, I had my tickets purchased in less than 1 minute. Get this....from the comfort of my own chair, without multiple computers, without hunting, and fishing, and releasing. I FREAKEN LOVE THE PROCESS. One poster suggested that after the "process" they wanted to puke? Why? cos you put yourself through all that to possibly get close? lol - funny stuff

2. If one wishes to complain about seat location - then many of the posted comments have merit. So I'm thinkin it ain't about the money, it is more about "I am a member of a free fan club and I deserve .........., or "we are fans...we deserve...". Ummmmmmm - no - not how it works.

3. Life ain't about what is fair - Capitalism people....Capitalism...it is a system we love when it works for us, but like the Constitution, it can bite ya in the arse. In this case it may hurt a little bit.

Question: Did everyone that went looking for tickets during the pre-sale get a ticket? If the answer is yes, then it was a success.

Enjoy the show - that dude or dudette in the rafters is probably just as happy to be there as you are up there in the front row. Does that make them unworthy?

This will be a very unpopular post, but really people, your going to the show. Who cares......

In case you didn't read this. This is reality...

 

 

 

What VIP is esentially doing is saying...

 

 

"Damn, scalpers make a lot of money. Why don't we just suck up all the good seats upfront so the average joe can't get a good seat. Then we will charge scalper prices and make tons extra for the top seats unableing the buyer to be able to get tops seats without paying scalper money. The diehard fans will just be happy to get good seats, even if we don't tell them where there seats are. 1st row, 15th row, whatever. If they want good seats they'll pay."

 

That my friends is a crock of shit. atickhum.gif

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QUOTE (metaldad @ May 1 2012, 03:57 PM)
Outside of the Tour Book , what are you going to do with the rest of the crap they give you for $350 ? The shirt looks like shit. Guitar Picks ? Get them on e-bay for $20

Whats better? $500 each for 5th row from a broker or $350 each for a shot at something better?

 

Plus c'mon.. only a few of the shows are $350 thus far.. the average is $300.

 

I really hate the entire process, but it *is* the process. Odds of getting a prime seat without doing the VIP thing are slim, might as well embrace it and hope all works out well.

 

Not to mention, VIP Nation has been using this sale model for quite some time and I've been googling them, looking for horror stories and really havent found too much.

 

I believe the reason for blind seating is to deter the brokers. You cannot transfer the tickets once you place the order so the name on the order has to be the name that picks up the tix.

 

It's a tough call, but if this is the marketplace today than so be it. eh.gif

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QUOTE (Tick @ May 1 2012, 04:03 PM)
QUOTE (drgrendel @ May 1 2012, 03:43 PM)
I would like to add a few statements in support of the "other side."

1. Ticket buying is really not a hassle at all.  In fact, I had my tickets purchased in less than 1 minute.  Get this....from the comfort of my own chair, without multiple computers, without hunting, and fishing, and releasing.  I FREAKEN LOVE THE PROCESS.  One poster suggested that after the "process" they wanted to puke?  Why?  cos you put yourself through all that to possibly get close?    lol - funny stuff 

2.  If one wishes to complain about seat location - then many of the posted comments have merit.  So I'm thinkin it ain't about the money, it is more about "I am a member of a free fan club and I deserve .........., or "we are fans...we deserve...".  Ummmmmmm - no - not how it works.

3.  Life ain't about what is fair - Capitalism people....Capitalism...it is a system we love when it works for us, but like the Constitution, it can bite ya in the arse.  In this case it may hurt a little bit.

Question:  Did everyone that went looking for tickets during the pre-sale get a ticket?  If the answer is yes, then it was a success. 

Enjoy the show - that dude or dudette in the rafters is probably just as happy to be there as you are up there in the front row.  Does that make them unworthy?

This will be a very unpopular post, but really people, your going to the show.  Who cares......

In case you didn't read this. This is reality...

 

 

 

What VIP is esentially doing is saying...

 

 

"Damn, scalpers make a lot of money. Why don't we just suck up all the good seats upfront so the average joe can't get a good seat. Then we will charge scalper prices and make tons extra for the top seats unableing the buyer to be able to get tops seats without paying scalper money. The diehard fans will just be happy to get good seats, even if we don't tell them where there seats are. 1st row, 15th row, whatever. If they want good seats they'll pay."

 

That my friends is a crock of shit. atickhum.gif

The only way to stop that machine is to have folks boycott the VIP tix. But guess what? People want those type of seats and they want to go to the show.

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QUOTE (Snaked @ May 1 2012, 03:06 PM)
QUOTE (metaldad @ May 1 2012, 03:57 PM)
Outside of the Tour Book , what are you going to do with the rest of the crap they give you for $350 ? The shirt looks like shit. Guitar Picks ? Get them on e-bay for $20

Whats better? $500 each for 5th row from a broker or $350 each for a shot at something better?

 

Plus c'mon.. only a few of the shows are $350 thus far.. the average is $300.

 

I really hate the entire process, but it *is* the process. Odds of getting a prime seat without doing the VIP thing are slim, might as well embrace it and hope all works out well.

 

Not to mention, VIP Nation has been using this sale model for quite some time and I've been googling them, looking for horror stories and really havent found too much.

 

I believe the reason for blind seating is to deter the brokers. You cannot transfer the tickets once you place the order so the name on the order has to be the name that picks up the tix.

 

It's a tough call, but if this is the marketplace today than so be it. eh.gif

Well, i would not pay $500 for Any seat for Anybody

 

I assumed it was $350 because Every show in my area is $350

 

I agree they are trying to stop the c***suckers/scalpers wink.gif but they do find a way to get tix in the front . Yes it is a process and the process blows . Like Tick said , remember the good old daze of standing in line overnight ? Very much missed in my book trink39.gif

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QUOTE (drgrendel @ May 1 2012, 03:11 PM)
The only way to stop that machine is to have folks boycott the VIP tix. But guess what? People want those type of seats and they want to go to the show.

That is what i said before. People will bitch but still buy them and that's why they will continue to sell them

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QUOTE (metaldad @ May 1 2012, 04:13 PM)
QUOTE (Snaked @ May 1 2012, 03:06 PM)
QUOTE (metaldad @ May 1 2012, 03:57 PM)
Outside of the Tour Book , what are you going to do with the rest of the crap they give you for $350 ? The shirt looks like shit. Guitar Picks ? Get them on e-bay for $20

Whats better? $500 each for 5th row from a broker or $350 each for a shot at something better?

 

Plus c'mon.. only a few of the shows are $350 thus far.. the average is $300.

 

I really hate the entire process, but it *is* the process. Odds of getting a prime seat without doing the VIP thing are slim, might as well embrace it and hope all works out well.

 

Not to mention, VIP Nation has been using this sale model for quite some time and I've been googling them, looking for horror stories and really havent found too much.

 

I believe the reason for blind seating is to deter the brokers. You cannot transfer the tickets once you place the order so the name on the order has to be the name that picks up the tix.

 

It's a tough call, but if this is the marketplace today than so be it. eh.gif

Well, i would not pay $500 for Any seat for Anybody

 

I assumed it was $350 because Every show in my area is $350

 

I agree they are trying to stop the c***suckers/scalpers wink.gif but they do find a way to get tix in the front . Yes it is a process and the process blows . Like Tick said , remember the good old daze of standing in line overnight ? Very much missed in my book trink39.gif

I do remember the days of camping on the sidewalk outside the local CTC/TicketWorld/TicketMaster Outlet. Blaring our car stereos in the parking lot.. dealing with cops as they would drive through to check on us... it was fun. I made a lot of great friends that way and I do miss it.

 

But you cant go back.

The last time I waited in line for tix was literally 25 years ago.

Those days are long gone.

 

 

There are other methods besides TM, VIP or pre-sales... and they rely largely on luck.

 

 

Who knows.. I'm leaning heavily towards doing one VIP, either Toronto or Cleveland depending on price. I'm guessing Toronto will be $350 and Cleveland will be $300 and if I'm right my choice is easy.. Cleveland smile.gif

 

I just dont want to do it for CBus.. I'm doing opening night and Detroit... if I choose to go to CBus (which I probably will at the last minute) I'll just find something outside the arena on the cheap.

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I guess I am in the minority here...I like that there is such an option.

 

I did the VIP thing for the TM tour and received AWESOME tix for both shows (many many many rows inside 15). In fact, the 3rd row were purchased at 8 pm the day they went on sale. I did not engage in the selecting, dumping, then selecting again process; just took what I was offered. But then again, I am a fan that is just happy to be going to see my favorite artists.

 

 

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QUOTE (Snaked @ May 1 2012, 03:20 PM)
I do remember the days of camping on the sidewalk outside the local CTC/TicketWorld/TicketMaster Outlet. Blaring our car stereos in the parking lot.. dealing with cops as they would drive through to check on us... it was fun. I made a lot of great friends that way and I do miss it.

Man, that was so much fun...we did it for every rock show that came to town.

 

Thanks for bringing back such great memories!

 

trink39.gif

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Ah, the good old days...I remember my first Rush show where all the tickets were general admission and all cost the same amount. Everyone had a good time at the show AND the kids without a lot of coin had the chance to see the band close up. But I guess looking back on it I should have realized this system was socialism in disguise. tongue.gif
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QUOTE (Tick @ May 1 2012, 02:49 PM)
I'm not buying VIP seats. Nope. I'm just pointing out that VIP is just scalping. It takes away the chance of getting online early on sale day and getting a top choice seat. I say its bogus. You have a different point of view and that's fine.
I can only speak for myself.

I got ninth row for my show. I call that top choice. Didn't have to shell out for a VIP seat. I've seen other people reporting 4th row, 6th row and others. The VIP tickets are not unlimited. There is a certain number of seats available, and they are right next to the presale seats, the Citi presale seats, and some general sale seats. There might very well be someone sitting next to me that spent twice as much as I did - but he was guaranteed his seat and I wasn't (plus, he's got the swag, which I will have to purchase separately - and yes, I recognize that not everyone wants that stuff).

 

It's just another ticket choice. There's no compelling reason for someone to buy it who doesn't want to. You can still get awesome seats without it.

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VIP works very well for us folks who are at work and cannot use State time to search and seek concert tickets.

 

I hope they keep it. Having said that, it would be nice to disclose seat location at TOP, but not a deal breaker for me.

 

 

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QUOTE (danielmclark @ May 1 2012, 04:58 PM)
QUOTE (Tick @ May 1 2012, 02:49 PM)
I'm not buying VIP seats. Nope. I'm just pointing out that VIP is just scalping. It takes away the chance of getting online early on sale day and getting a top choice seat. I say its bogus. You have a different point of view and that's fine.
I can only speak for myself.

I got ninth row for my show. I call that top choice. Didn't have to shell out for a VIP seat. I've seen other people reporting 4th row, 6th row and others. The VIP tickets are not unlimited. There is a certain number of seats available, and they are right next to the presale seats, the Citi presale seats, and some general sale seats. There might very well be someone sitting next to me that spent twice as much as I did - but he was guaranteed his seat and I wasn't (plus, he's got the swag, which I will have to purchase separately - and yes, I recognize that not everyone wants that stuff).

 

It's just another ticket choice. There's no compelling reason for someone to buy it who doesn't want to. You can still get awesome seats without it.

That's very cool to hear, Daniel. I guess their is hope to get good seats. I feel better about my sale date for Bridgeport on Friday. atickhum.gif bacon.gif

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QUOTE (drgrendel @ May 1 2012, 05:05 PM)
VIP works very well for us folks who are at work and cannot use State time to search and seek concert tickets.

I hope they keep it. Having said that, it would be nice to disclose seat location at TOP, but not a deal breaker for me.

Yeah, that's maybe my biggest gripe. Shelling out 300 bucks is alot. They should be able to give you the seat location upon the sale, imo.

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I love the whole VIP thing and get the reason they are not disclosing the seats even, BUT the concert is 6 months away and if I plop the money for somewhere like Toronto(I'm in Dayton, Ohio) and can't make it, you are screwed. You can't sell the tickets. That is a big issue.

 

Anything can happen in 6 months.

 

 

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QUOTE (kid-gloves @ May 1 2012, 02:07 PM)
How many people who are buying VIP would really be happy with row 15, when you can shake hands with someone behind you bought their ticket for a third of that price? But that's the brilliance (or cynicism) of the marketing plan-- these packages are selling out because people are buying the *chance* of sitting in the first three rows, especially if they got their order in at 12:01, right? But we have no idea how many of the really close seats they have to sell compared to those in rows 12-15. And there's no regulator looking over their shoulder to make sure the system is run fairly. It will be interesting to see what actually happens. There will have to be success stories, but my guess is that for most people, the wanting will be a lot better than the having.

My ampitheatre only has 19 rows in the first section middle and only 14 rows stage left and right and there is quite a gap between that section and the next so I think part of the attitude on this might be based on the fact that first 15 rows means different things in different venues. I still have no problem with it since I feel that anywhere in this section is great.

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QUOTE (Tick @ May 1 2012, 04:06 PM)
That's very cool to hear, Daniel. I guess their is hope to get good seats. I feel better about my sale date for Bridgeport on Friday. atickhum.gif  bacon.gif

I dunno... For my presale (Phoenix), NOTHING in sections A/B/C was available and only rows >8 in section D/E/F. I was right in there at the beginning of the sale, and it was extremely dissapointing. sad.gif

 

I also won't be doing the VIP Nation Russian Roulette this time. banghead.gif My concern is that even last tour when you KNEW your VIP seats, I only ended up with row 9 and 11. (SEEMS like it should be close, but was a bit dissapointing for $300/each.) I can easily imagine many VIP folks this time ending up with perimeter seats in sections 12-15. sad.gif

 

I'll be trying my luck again when the general tickets go on sale, and hope the selection is better this time. confused13.gif

 

http://media.ticketmaster.com/tm/en-us/tmimages/venue/maps/mtn/22510s.gif

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It really is ridiculous. They know they can get away with it too, so there's nothing that can be done about it. Concertgoers get buttf**ked from every side of the spectrum these days. The band, Ticketbastard, scalpers, the venue, you name it. Every single one screws us over in some way or another.
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QUOTE (Tick @ May 1 2012, 08:41 AM)
I fully understand why some fans especially fans who have not seen the band before or fans who have seen them a couple of times would pay the money. For me however, I have too many responsibilities to fork up 300 bucks for a ticket in the first 15 rows and not even know where the seat is. How can you charge that kind of money for something and not tell the buyer what they even bought? Its ridiculous.
Bridgeport will go onsale Friday and I will get what I get and live with it.
I miss the old days of putting in the effort and getting what you want.
I slept on a sidewalk in December in Hartford CT. in 1981 in 17 degree weather and got my tickets for Moving Pictures tour, and it was awesome!
Tell buyers where the seats are and I have little problem with it. The way they are doing this is pure crap.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/laserspray/internet%20stuff/smilies/exactly.gif

 

The big bucks, okay, yeah, I get that. Sure, if one can afford it. But for me - 4 tickets - no. But the BS of not knowing where the f_ck your seat is until you arrive at the show?!? That's just obscene.

 

I'm going to buy tix in the pre-sale but also check at the venue when the general sale starts. Hopefully I can get decent seats somehow.

 

I bought pre-sale tickets for Weird Al last night and I'm damned if I can remember who was running it but Rush should consider them next time. The VIP package, which cost $135, included some goodies but guaranteed seats in the first three rows! I ended up getting the next best deal: for $85 I am guaranteed seats in the first 10 rows. I could even attach a message about needing an aisle seat due to mobility issues. Definitely a better experience.

Edited by HowItIs
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Let me just also add from a guy who has literally seen a few hundred concerts in my life. The first 5 rows on the floor are awesome. Rows 6-10 are pretty darn good. When you start going to row 12-15, you are talking a very average seat, imo. HUGE difference between rows 1-3 or 12-15. It would absolutely play into a decision to fork up 300 bucks for a seat. VIP IS PURE DOUCHE. Any way you slice it....douche.

Anyone who does not agree with me is wrong. atickhum.gif bacon.gif

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QUOTE (metaldad @ May 1 2012, 02:57 PM)
Outside of the Tour Book , what are you going to do with the rest of the crap they give you for $350 ? The shirt looks like shit. Guitar Picks ? Get them on e-bay for $20

Here's a rundown of my Time Machine Tour VIP swag:

 

Tour Book: Nice, but for me it's one of those things I look at for a time or two and then it's forgotten. This item currently sits on shelf collecting dust.

 

Guitar Picks: Nice, but I had to use double-sided tape to keep the picks in the holder (otherwise they kept falling out). These sat around close to my desk in my home office...I liked looking at them occasionally...moved them into a storage box when I cleaned up office clutter, forgot to unpack them, still in a box somewhere in the closet...will probably unearth them at some point in the distant future and wonder "what can these strange devices be?"

 

T-Shirt: meh. I wore it to the show, haven't worn it much since due to poor quality (thin material, shrunk in the wash).

 

Poster: still in storage, never used.

 

CD single: Still rockin' the two tunes from this, but the disc itself sits in a box in the closet with all my other CDs in this age of the iPod.

 

BTLS DVD: This is the one item I truly cherish. Watched it a few times, enjoyed it, will watch it again many more times I'm sure.

 

Parking Pass: saved me 10 bucks and got me a space in Lot "A", which was close to the venue. A nice convenience.

 

-----

 

I guess my point is: the swag is just another corporate lure that contains a mix of some useful and mostly useless stuff...and while the useful parts at least offset the inflated cost of the package a little bit, the useless parts are basically inessential filler that serve as lipstick on a pig. On top of that, the swag for CA Tour contains (IMO) less useful stuff (no DVD, no music, no parking pass, but I guess you can use the tote bag if you're planning on buying more stuff at the show). I dunno, to each their own...I'm sure many VIP'ers will cherish their CA swag and if it makes them happy then it's all good. But I'll echo the established sentiment that the whole mystery-seat thing is a crock and LiveNation/TM is basically taking advantage of the lottery factor here. Ingenious from a business standpoint, but greedy nonetheless.

 

Here's a suggestion to LN/TM: if you're going to keep this VIP thing going (and I know you will), ditch some of the useless filler items and replace them with stuff that fans can use AT THE SHOW. Bring back the parking pass, and throw in vouchers that can be exchanged for food & drink or even items from the souvenir stands. Perhaps even some sort of online code/credit that can be exchanged for tour merchandise of OUR choice...this way the experience can be better tailored to our specific needs, and it becomes more of a win-win for both parties.

Edited by Gnoom
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