5 tips to SucceSS
1 SigN up fOr AlertS Sign up to the mailing lists of specific artists, theatres or festivals, or if you don’t have an event in mind, to the mailing lists for venues, primary ticket sellers or wellknown event promoters. if you regularly try to buy tickets for popular events, create accounts with several safe-ticket selling websites, then you’ll be prepared.
2 StArt At tHe SOurce
For pop concerts, your first port of call should be the artist’s own site. there you will be able to buy tickets or find a link to their preferred primary sellers. For theatre, book direct from the venue’s website. this also works for pop, but beware of big venues redirecting you to other sites – if you can’t book direct, search elsewhere. the same is true for ticketmaster. Buying direct from them is fine, but if a show is sold out, you may be rerouted to sites selling the same tickets at inflated prices. increasingly, savvy artists who know their shows will sell out, but don’t want fans to be ripped off, are pairing with safe reselling sites (see list), where tickets are resold at face value, with a reasonable transaction fee. adele recently paired with dice, while ed Sheeran has partnered with twickets.
3 dON’t JuSt gOOgle
the biggest problem with secondary sites is that people often aren’t even aware they’re on one. if you Google an artist or show, the first few listings will be almost certainly be the worst-offending secondary sites – look out for ad in a box, as it means the company has paid to top the listings. explore other options. if you still come up empty-handed, try safe ticket reselling sites.
4 reAd, ANd reAd AgAiN
You’ve found your tickets and are about to book – take a few seconds before you press BuY. is the price stated per ticket, or for more than one? is the price stated face value, which by law must be displayed? How much are the transaction fees – these are sometimes a percentage of the total cost of the tickets, rather than a fixed amount.
5 HurrAH, YOu’ve bOOKed!
But stop to read the t&Cs. How and when are your tickets being delivered – write it down asap. if you’re printing them yourself, they may not yet be available, so note the date. are the tickets personalised – ie have your name on – if so, you will need to take a photo id to the venue.