Whether buying tickets online or calling the venue’s box office is cheaper depends on several factors. In general, the box office may offer deals and discounts not available online. However, online retailers like Ticketmaster often have exclusive presales and dynamic pricing. The best method usually depends on the specific event, venue, and ticket source.
How Box Offices Price Tickets
Venue box offices set initial ticket prices based on expected demand, production costs, and desired profit margins. As an event approaches, box offices may adjust prices based on actual sales. Last minute unsold tickets are sometimes discounted to improve attendance.
Box offices want to maximize profits but also develop loyalty among fans. Established acts often price tickets below market rates. Box offices may offer special discounts to seniors, students, military, season ticket holders, and fan club members. Some venues charge convenience fees for phone orders.
Advantages of Calling the Box Office
Calling the box office directly has some potential advantages:
- Speaking with a person who can check inventory and suggest best available seats
- Learning about presales, fan club offers, ticket packs, and other box office promotions not available online
- Avoiding online convenience fees
- Securing tickets for high demand events before online sellers sell out
- Getting price quotes and cost comparisons before placing an order
Savvy fans try to find special box office discounts and presales to get the best seats at the lowest cost. The box office wants to fill unsold seats, especially at the last minute. Asking about deals around showtime can score great deals on quality seats.
Downsides of Calling the Box Office
However, calling the box office also has some drawbacks:
- Requires calling during box office hours instead of ordering 24/7 online
- May need to wait on hold for an agent during peak sales
- Fewer purchasing options – online has more flexibility in delivery and payment
- No ability to quickly compare multiple ticket sources
- Changes and refunds often require calling again during business hours
For less popular events or last minute purchases, the box office is worth calling. But for hot shows that sell out quickly, online shopping carts often provide the fastest and most convenient ticket buying experience.
How Online Ticket Retailers Price Tickets
Large ticket sellers like Ticketmaster secure huge ticket inventories from venues in advance. They sell these tickets on their websites and apps to fans worldwide. Third party resellers may also get tickets and post them for resale at variable markups.
Online pricing aims to capture maximum profit based on real-time demand. Sales may start with pre-sales for fan club members or credit card holders. As an event date approaches, additional tickets are made available at fluctuating prices. This dynamic pricing uses algorithms to adjust prices upwards or downwards based on current sales momentum and volume.
Popular shows often sell out quickly. Secondary resellers then offer the same tickets at big premiums. By constantly adjusting prices, primary ticket sellers try to find the optimal revenue maximizing price level.
Benefits of Buying Tickets Online
Buying tickets online provides several advantages:
- 24/7 sales at any time of day
- Wider selection of tickets across all sections as inventory is pooled
- Real-time view of available seats through interactive seat maps
- Dynamic pricing shows best deals currently available
- Pre-sales and waitlists for high demand tickets
- Easy price comparisons across multiple ticket websites
- Flexible payment and delivery options
- Automated email ticket delivery and barcodes for entry
Online ticket purchasing is convenient and provides the widest ticket access. For hot events, online pre-sales and waitlists help dedicated fans get seats the moment they go on sale.
Risks of Buying Tickets Online
However, buying tickets online also comes with some risks:
- Extra convenience and processing fees per ticket
- Less ability to ask questions and get personalized help
- Fake ticket scams from disreputable brokers
- Technical issues with carts, payment processing, or transfers
- No human interaction if problems arise later
- Constant price fluctuations leave uncertainty about best time to purchase
Buying directly from the official venue website is always best to avoid counterfeits. Reputable sellers like Ticketmaster also offer 100% purchase guarantees. Review policies carefully before purchasing.
When to Call the Box Office Instead of Buying Online
Calling the box office is generally the better option when:
- You want to inquire about special offers, fan clubs, or ticket packages not listed online
- An event is far from selling out and unlikely to have online-only presales
- You need specialized accessible seating help
- An event is sold out online but you hope box office is holding tickets
- You want to price shop different sections for the best value seats
- You don’t mind ticket limits or lack of delivery options
The box office is an old fashioned but personal way to get tickets. Calling works best for more casual events where demand is light and prices stable. Speaking with a knowledgeable representative can reveal deals you won’t find online.
When Buying Online Gets You Better Ticket Deals
Clicking online for tickets is smarter when:
- You want the widest selection of seat locations all in one place
- Exclusive presales are offered to fan club or credit card holders
- Hot shows are selling out and prices are fluctuating
- You need accessible seating options like wheelchair spots
- You want to quickly compare prices across multiple websites
- There are online only loyalty discounts or coupon codes
- You prefer digital ticket delivery, flexible payment, and easy transfers
For popular concerts, sports events, and Broadway shows, online shopping almost always saves time and money. Dynamic pricing means acting fast when deals pop up. Online loyalty programs also offer the best ticket discounts.
Tips for Getting the Best Ticket Deals
Here are some top tips for scoring cheap tickets:
- Check venue websites first for presales and fan club deals (use pre-sale codes!)
- Sign up for Live Nation emails to get early concert ticket alerts
- Use a credit card with special access to presales like Citi or American Express
- Monitor sales patterns and grab seats right when prices dip
- Avoid peak demand times like right at onsale or weekends
- Buy late for the best deals but risk more limited seat options
- Call the box office directly to ask about unadvertised deals and specials
flexibility and persistence are key. Prices fluctuate widely, so check back often and pounce when you see a real bargain.
Price Comparison: Sample Concert Tickets
To demonstrate the difference, here is a price comparison for an imaginary sold out concert at Madison Square Garden between buying directly through the venue’s box office versus online through Ticketmaster:
Section | Box Office Price | Online Price |
---|---|---|
Floor Seats | $250 | $400 |
Lower Level Seats | $150 | $200 |
Upper Level Seats | $75 | $125 |
In this fictional scenario, the box office offers significant discounts compared to Ticketmaster. However, the box office has very limited inventory. Most tickets must be purchased online if available.
Calling the box office is worth trying, but be prepared for limited selection. Online dynamic pricing means prices may drop again later too. Setting price alerts and checking back often can still uncover last minute deals.
The Best of Both Worlds
Savvy concertgoers use a mixed strategy to find the cheapest tickets:
- Pre-Research: Check venue website for presales and fan club codes. Sign up for presale alerts from ticketing sites.
- Pre-Sale Purchasing: Buy tickets quickly when presales open using codes. Grab seats before the general public.
- Opening Onsale Rush: Be online right as sales open to the general public to scoop up tickets.
- Dynamic Pricing Monitoring: Keep checking back to get seats at price dips before they sell out.
- Last Minute Box Office Check: Call box office leading up to event for any unsold discount seats.
This mixed strategy maximizes choices and price advantages from both online sellers and venue box offices. With persistence and preparation, great deals can be scored at the best price.
Conclusion
Box office and online ticket purchasing both have pros and cons. Optimal strategy depends on the specific event and sales timeframe. For popular high demand events, buying early online maximizes presales and selection. But for lower interest events, calling the box office closer to showtime can uncover unsold discount seats.
Being flexible across channels and timing gives access to the widest range of promotions, discounts and inventories. With preparation and diligence, great seats at cheap prices can be found through a savvy multi-channel approach.