Will call is a convenient option offered by Ticketmaster that allows customers to pick up event tickets on-site at the venue’s box office. With will call, you don’t have to worry about losing paper tickets or having them stolen if they’re shipped to you. Here’s a comprehensive look at how will call works with Ticketmaster.
What is Will Call?
Will call refers to a method of ticket delivery where the customer’s tickets are held for pick-up at the event venue’s box office. Instead of being printed and shipped to the customer ahead of time, the tickets are kept at will call under the customer’s name. The tickets are only released to the customer when they arrive at the event and show a valid photo ID matching the name on the ticket purchase.
Some key things to know about will call tickets:
- They must be picked up at the venue’s box office, not the Ticketmaster box office.
- Valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
- There is generally no extra fee for will call delivery.
- The entire order must be picked up at once. Partial pick-ups are not allowed.
- Tickets are held until the event starts, after which point they may be released for resale.
Will call is a popular delivery method for several reasons. It guarantees tickets won’t get lost or stolen. Customers don’t have to worry about receiving tickets on time through the mail. It also provides a layer of security and prevents ticket fraud since ID verification is required. If plans change last minute, customers can easily transfer tickets to a friend for pick-up.
When to Use Will Call
Here are some of the most common situations when will call delivery is useful:
- Cutting it close – If you purchase tickets close to the event date, will call ensures you’ll receive them in time. There’s no risk of delayed shipping.
- Don’t want tickets mailed – For high-demand events where sold out tickets are scarce, some customers prefer will call to prevent stolen or lost tickets.
- Transferring tickets – Will call makes it easy to transfer tickets to someone else to pick up.
- Convenience – If you’ll already be at or near the venue, will call spares you an extra trip home to retrieve tickets.
- Collector’s items – Fans sometimes want to pick up hard stock ticket stubs in-person for cherished events.
Basically, if convenience, security or timing is a factor, will call can be the smartest way to receive your tickets.
How to Get Will Call Tickets
Purchasing Ticketmaster tickets for will call pickup is a straightforward process:
- Search for and select tickets for the desired event on Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster’s app.
- Proceed through checkout until the “Deliver Tickets” page.
- Select the “Will Call” delivery option.
- Finish completing the order information and payment.
- Receive an email confirmation with details about picking up will call tickets.
That’s it! The tickets are now waiting for you at the venue box office under your name.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to choose will call delivery during the checkout process, not after. You can’t convert tickets to will call after purchase.
- Double check that your name, email and other info is correct so your tickets are waiting under the right account.
- You’ll need the credit card you purchased with and a valid photo ID to collect tickets.
- If purchasing as a gift, make sure the recipient knows to bring ID in the purchaser’s name for pick-up.
Where to Pick Up Will Call Tickets
It’s important to know will call tickets must be picked up at the venue’s box office itself. You cannot collect them at any Ticketmaster locations or outlets.
Every venue has a box office location on-site. This is typically near the main entrance to the stadium, arena, theater, etc. There will be signs directing you to “Will Call” pickup. If you’re unsure exactly where to go, ask any staff member for assistance finding the box office.
Some venues have additional box office pick-up spots besides the main location. Make sure to check your confirmation email for specifics on box office hours and instructions unique to that event.
Give yourself enough time to park, find the box office and stand in line. Lines at popular events can get long leading up to show time. Arrive at least 45-60 minutes early if you want to avoid a rushed experience.
Picking Up Will Call Tickets
When you’re at the box office ready to collect will call tickets, follow these steps:
- Get in the line designated for will call pickup.
- When at the counter, state your name and that you are there to pick up will call tickets.
- Show your photo ID that matches the ticket purchaser name.
- Provide the credit or debit card used to purchase the tickets if required.
- The box office will print and provide your event tickets.
- Inspect tickets to ensure they are correct before leaving the window.
Usually the process is quick and hassle-free. However, issues like misspellings, wrong info, other complications occasionally happen. Don’t be afraid to speak up politely if there seems to be a problem or mistake with your tickets.
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Will Call Tickets?
You can send someone else to collect will call tickets on your behalf. But there is a specific protocol required:
- The original purchaser must contact Ticketmaster directly and request ticket transfer to the pick-up person.
- The new pick-up name will only be changed if the purchaser provides the confirmation number and billing details.
- The new pick-up person must bring valid photo ID matching the name changed to.
- If credit card was used for purchase, that card must also be presented at pickup.
Without formally changing the pick-up name through Ticketmaster, the box office is not authorized to release tickets to anyone other than the original purchaser.
For last minute transfers, it may be easier to meet your friend to provide ID and credit card, then have them conduct pickup in your place. But when possible, go through Ticketmaster first to make the hand-off seamless.
What if I Lost My Photo ID?
A valid photo ID in the ticket purchaser’s name is mandatory for will call pickup. Without proper ID, the box office cannot verify your identity or release tickets to you.
If you lost your ID or realize you don’t have the matching ID on event day, immediately contact Ticketmaster Fan Support. Explain the situation and ask if there are any possible workarounds or solutions.
Depending on the event and circumstances, Ticketmaster may be able to make an exception to the ID rule. But this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Some possible options include:
- Emailing a photo of your ID to Ticketmaster for verification
- Bringing alternative photo ID plus credit card used for purchase
- Having the box office call someone who can vouch for your identity
- Providing extra information like order number, billing address, etc. to confirm your identity
Don’t wait until you’re at the box office window to mention you don’t have matching ID. By then, it will be too late to make alternate arrangements. Contact Ticketmaster right away to see what can be done.
Can I Get a Refund for Will Call Tickets?
With most Ticketmaster tickets, you can easily request a refund up until the event starts. But will call pickup adds some complications.
Because the tickets were never officially in your possession, Ticketmaster considers them unclaimed. Unclaimed tickets are not eligible for refunds or exchanges.
However, if extenuating circumstances prevent you from attending, there are a couple options:
- Contact Ticketmaster to formally release the tickets back to them. This gives you the best chance of getting an exception approved. Explain why you absolutely cannot attend or send someone in your place.
- Sell or transfer the tickets to someone else who can attend and collect the tickets on your behalf.
While not guaranteed, politely asking for a refund or credit before the event window closes gives you the best shot. Unclaimed tickets are often resold by Ticketmaster, so releasing them early can help your case.
Worst case, tickets can be left unclaimed and unused if they have no resale value. But it’s best to notify Ticketmaster as soon as possible you won’t be attending and need to cancel.
What Happens if Tickets are Not Picked Up?
If will call tickets are left unclaimed past a certain time, they may be released back to Ticketmaster for resale or general admission.
Policies vary by event, but generally unclaimed tickets are freed up a couple hours after the event starts. For extremely popular shows that are sold out, they may release unclaimed tickets sooner.
Once released, Ticketmaster can resell them or make them available however they see fit. Tickets only have monetary value before an event starts. After it begins, unused tickets are worthless.
So if your plans change last minute and you can’t attend, be sure to notify Ticketmaster immediately. Don’t leave them in will call limbo. Alerting them gives Ticketmaster a chance to recirculate the tickets to other customers rather than having them go unused.
What Happens if I Lose Will Call Tickets?
Since will call tickets are not in your possession until box office pickup, it’s impossible for you to physically lose them ahead of time.
However, the nightmare scenario is having your tickets lost, stolen or destroyed after pickup and before entering the event. While extremely rare, it can happen in crowds if you’re not careful.
If this occurs, immediately go back to the box office with your ID and credit card used for purchase. Explain what happened and ask if the tickets can be reissued.
Venues want to help get you inside to enjoy the event. As long as you have proof of purchase and identity, they’ll make every effort to print replacement tickets so you can still attend. But remain polite, since box office staff may not have authority to reprint tickets.
To avoid this nightmare scenario:
- Handle tickets carefully after pickup, keeping them secure until entry.
- Consider using mobile tickets on your phone if possible, reducing risk of physical ticket loss.
- Take a photo of the ticket barcodes as backup if needed for reprints.
- Store printed tickets in a safe place like a buttoned wallet pocket.
With proper precautions, the chances of losing will call tickets post-pickup are extremely minimal.
Reasons Will Call Tickets May Not be Available
While will call pickup typically goes smoothly, there are some cases where tickets may not be available when you arrive:
- Incorrect personal details – If your name, address or other info doesn’t match your ID, tickets may not have been properly assigned for pickup.
- Never purchased – You may arrive thinking tickets were purchased, only to find no order was ever completed or payment processed.
- Wrong location – Attempting pickup at the wrong box office location can result in no tickets found under your name.
- Transferred incorrectly – If tickets were forwarded to another person improperly, your name won’t match at pickup.
- Already claimed – Rarely, someone else may claim your tickets before you arrive by guessing personal details.
- System errors – A technical glitch could prevent your purchase from displaying properly to box office staff.
If told tickets aren’t available under your name, stay calm and double check the order details. Ask staff to search variant spellings or information. Have them contact Ticketmaster support to investigate if needed. With proof of purchase and identity, the problem should be resolvable.
Tips for Smooth Will Call Pickup
Follow these tips to ensure a speedy, trouble-free will call experience:
- Arrive early with ample time to park and get in line.
- Confirm box office location ahead of time.
- Bring valid photo ID matching the ticket purchaser name.
- Have the credit or debit card used for purchase handy just in case.
- Double check ticket details and quantities before leaving window.
- Know the ticket transfer process in case someone else needs to pick-up.
- Save order confirmation email with ticket details.
- Contact support right away if any issues arise or questions come up.
As long as you confirm the right delivery method upfront and bring necessary identification, the will call experience is smooth. Enjoy the convenience of having tickets waiting for you on arrival!
Conclusion
Will call is an easy, secure way to receive your event tickets without the risk of shipments getting lost or delayed. As long as you review order details carefully, bring valid photo ID in the ticket purchaser’s name, and pick up tickets from the correct box office, collecting them is a breeze. With a few precautions, you can have peace of mind knowing your tickets will be waiting and ready for a fun event. Will call offers convenience without the hassle of print-at-home tickets or stresses of delivery timing. The next time you purchase through Ticketmaster, consider the ease of leaving tickets at will call.