It can be extremely frustrating trying to buy tickets on Ticketmaster when there is a high demand show or event. As soon as the tickets go on sale, you enter the virtual waiting room with thousands of other eager fans. You wait patiently for your turn, watching the countdown clock tick down ever so slowly. But is refreshing or re-entering the waiting room a good idea? Will it increase your chances of getting tickets or only lead to more frustration? Here is a comprehensive guide to navigating the Ticketmaster waiting room like a pro.
What is the Ticketmaster Waiting Room?
The Ticketmaster waiting room is a virtual queue system implemented for high demand events. When an event first goes on sale, instead of entering the ticket buying pages directly, you are placed in a waiting room with other fans. This is done to control traffic in order to prevent Ticketmaster’s servers from crashing due to too many people trying to access tickets at once.
The waiting room will display an estimated wait time but this is never a guarantee. You may have to wait longer as users ahead of you in line complete their purchases. Each user is allotted a certain amount of time (usually around 5 minutes) to checkout the tickets in their cart before they are released back into the pool.
So in essence, the waiting room forces fans to take turns rather than everyone bombarding the site all at once.
Should You Refresh the Waiting Room Page?
Once you are in the waiting room, the temptation to refresh your browser or re-enter the queue can be strong. However, this is not recommended for the following reasons:
- Re-entering will reset your place in line. Each device/browser has a unique spot in line. If you refresh or open a new window, you will lose your place and be sent to the back.
- Repeated refreshing can get your IP address temporarily banned by Ticketmaster. They do this to discourage bots and scalpers from trying to cut in line.
- It does not actually speed up the process or boost your chances. The waiting room takes people out in the order they arrived. Impatiently refreshing will only disrupt that order.
Ticketmaster specifically advises against refreshing while in the waiting room. The best thing to do is enter the waiting room early, keep your browser open without refreshing, and wait patiently for your turn.
Tips to Improve Your Waiting Room Experience
While the waiting room often comes down to luck, there are some tips that can optimize the experience:
Use Multiple Devices
Having multiple devices or browsers logged into Ticketmaster will give you multiple spots in the virtual line. For example, you can use your phone, tablet, laptop, work computer, spouse’s device, etc. The more devices you have waiting, the greater your chances are of getting through on one. Just be sure not to refresh any of the waiting room pages!
Verify Your Account Ahead of Time
Make sure your Ticketmaster account is logged in, verified, and that your payment info is up to date. You don’t want to waste time updating these during the checkout scramble. Have your account ready to go before joining the waiting room.
Use Private/Incognito Browsing
Navigating to Ticketmaster in a private or incognito browsing window can help avoid getting flagged by their systems for refreshing. You appear as a new user each time rather than someone frantically re-entering the queue.
Don’t Give Up Too Quickly
Be patient and don’t exit the waiting room just because the estimated wait time seems long. Those times are often incorrect. Keep your place in line and hang in there. Promising tickets have been scored by fans stuck in the waiting room for over an hour.
Have Backups Ready
Come prepared with a few different seating/ticket options that you’d find acceptable. If your first choice sells out, be flexible and ready to grab the next best thing.
Use Caution With Third-Party Vendors
Be wary of third party vendor waiting rooms. They are technically against Ticketmaster policy and can lead to invalidated tickets. Stick to the official Ticketmaster site for the most legitimate waiting room.
Don’t Fall For “Hacks”
You may see “hacks” advertised online to cut in line or bypass the waiting room. These are almost always scams designed to steal your money and personal information. Avoid falling for them.
The Psychology of Waiting Rooms
There is actually some psychology behind why the Ticketmaster waiting room induces both frustration and hope:
The Urge to Jump In Line
People tend to seize any opportunity to improve their position over others. With Ticketmaster, this means finding ways to skip ahead or refresh your place in line. This urge stems from the scarcity factor of limited tickets.
The Fear of Missing Out
No one wants to miss the chance at great tickets because they hesitated or lost their place in line. This fear of missing out triggers fans to obsessively refresh and recheck their place in the waiting room.
Variable Interval Reinforcement
Since the time it takes to exit the waiting room is variable, it creates a sense of anticipation like playing a slot machine. You never know when your number will come up. This variability makes the reward of tickets feel more exciting.
Avoidance of Regret
Fans want to avoid the regret of not trying hard enough to get tickets. Staying in the waiting room – despite the odds – prevents the pain of feeling like you didn’t do everything possible.
Does Refreshing Work on Other Ticket Sites?
While refreshing is not advised on Ticketmaster, other ticket vendors use different waiting room systems. Policies may vary, so check each site for specific guidelines:
Vendor | Does Refreshing Help? |
AXS | No – refreshing or duplicate windows will kick you to the back |
Ticketfly | No – refreshing resets your place in line |
Eventbrite | No – refreshing or new tabs can penalize your place |
SeatGeek | Sometimes – refreshing can help if stuck, but be cautious |
StubHub | No – their queue system discourages refreshing |
Alternatives to the Waiting Room
If you simply can’t stand waiting in limbo, some alternatives to the Ticketmaster waiting room include:
Fan-to-Fan Resale Sites
Sites like Stubhub and Vividseats sell tickets resold by other fans. Prices may be above face value but you sidestep the waiting room frustrations.
Ticket Package Deals
Some events offer ticket packages like VIP, hotel, or concert bundle deals during presales. These usually sell out slower than regular tickets.
Artist Fan Club Presales
Joining an artist’s official fan club often gives you access to special presales before the general public onsale. These presales rarely use waiting rooms.
Make Friends With Season Ticket Holders
For sporting events, season tickets holders get priority access before the general public. Making friends with them can provide you a source of tickets separate from the waiting room process.
Win Ticket Giveaways
Radio stations, promotional partners, and social media platforms will often run ticket giveaways leading up to big events. You can enter for a chance to win and avoid the headaches of Ticketmaster.
Is the Waiting Room Going Away?
The simple answer is no – Ticketmaster’s waiting room provides them greater control and helps manage inventory amidst huge demand. The virtual queue system reduces strain on their servers and offers at least some sense of order amidst the chaos of a ticket onsale frenzy.
While the waiting room will always create some frustration, Ticketmaster seems unlikely to abandon the concept. As more sales move online and demand increases, waiting rooms are becoming the new normal for major live events.
Rather than fight against the waiting room, your best move is to embrace it. Be patient, come prepared, use multiple devices, and don’t refresh. With smart strategy and a bit of luck, you can still emerge victorious with those coveted tickets.
Conclusion
Refreshing and re-entering the Ticketmaster waiting room will almost certainly do more harm than good. Have faith in maintaining your place in line and resist the urge to compulsively refresh. While the waiting can be agonizing, it still provides the fairest shot at scoring seats to your favorite shows. With Ticketmaster’s virtual queue system here to stay, master the art of patience and you will be rewarded! How do you navigate the Ticketmaster waiting room for big onsales? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!