AXS demand tickets are a type of event ticket that utilizes dynamic pricing to adjust prices based on demand. The ticketing company AXS uses demand-based pricing algorithms to set ticket prices in real time based on factors like how many tickets have already been sold, the venue size and location, and current market conditions.
What is demand-based pricing?
Demand-based pricing, also known as dynamic pricing, is a pricing strategy where prices change based on current market demand. Airlines and hotels commonly use demand-based pricing to adjust rates based on factors like travel dates, room availability, competitor pricing, and customer purchasing trends. The basic premise is that when demand goes up, prices go up, and when demand goes down, prices go down.
By utilizing demand-based pricing, AXS can adjust ticket prices to find the optimal market rate buyers are willing to pay at any given time. As an event gains popularity and ticket sales increase, AXS can raise prices to take advantage of the high demand. Similarly, if ticket sales are lagging, AXS can lower prices to help boost demand.
How do AXS demand tickets work?
When you go to purchase AXS demand tickets for an event, you’ll notice the ticket prices fluctuate in real time. Unlike fixed pricing, the price you see when searching for tickets can change frequently, sometimes by the minute. That’s because AXS demand pricing algorithms are constantly analyzing data and adjusting prices accordingly. Some key ways AXS demand tickets work include:
- Dynamic pricing updates – Ticket prices update dynamically, sometimes as often as every 5 minutes, as demand changes.
- Algorithm-driven pricing – AXS uses proprietary algorithms to analyze demand signals and determine optimal pricing.
- Price variation – Pricing will vary not just over time, but also by seat location within a venue.
- Supply and demand analysis – Prices go up or down based on how many tickets have already been sold and current sales velocity.
- Event buzz and reviews – Positive event buzz and reviews measured via social media and other channels increase prices.
- Competitor pricing – AXS pricing algorithms monitor competitor ticket prices and adjust accordingly.
By constantly analyzing and adjusting ticket prices, AXS aims to capture maximum value from tickets in-demand while still selling out lower demand events. AXS demand pricing also encourages early ticket buying, as popular events will tend to increase in price over time as demand goes up.
What factors influence AXS demand ticket pricing?
AXS uses a variety of demand signals and data sources to dynamically adjust pricing. Key factors that influence AXS demand ticket prices include:
- Current and historical ticket sales – How many tickets have already been sold and the current sales velocity. Fast selling shows increase prices.
- Venue capacity – The size of the venue and how many seats are still available.
- Show line up and reviews – Positive buzz and critical reviews drive demand. Bigger name acts and more popular performers command higher prices.
- Tour/event popularity – How in-demand is the overall tour or event based on things like social media engagement, streaming activity, and Google searches.
- Days until event – Prices tend to go up as the event date gets closer.
- Market and location – Bigger markets like New York and Los Angeles often have higher prices.
- Competitor pricing – How much secondary resellers and competitors are charging factors into optimal pricing.
- Customer purchasing history – Willingness to pay across customer segments based on past sales data.
By processing and analyzing all this data, AXS can adjust pricing continuously to find the market equilibrium price buyers are willing to pay. As demand changes, so do prices.
What are the benefits of demand-based pricing?
AXS and other companies utilize demand-based pricing because it offers several key benefits, including:
- Maximizes revenue – Dynamic pricing allows sellers to capture the full market value for in-demand items and events.
- Better fan experience – Fans can shop for events knowing prices align with true demand.
- Discourages unfair resales – Effective pricing diminishes the incentive for unfair resales and scalping.
- Rewards early ticket buyers – Buying earlier often means getting lower prices before demand drives prices up.
- Reduces unsold inventory – Dynamic pricing helps sell out less popular events that might otherwise have unsold seats.
- Drives engagement – Dynamic pricing gets fans engaged in the buying process as prices change.
For high demand events, dynamic pricing enables AXS to charge prices aligned with what the market is willing to pay based on real-time demand signals.
What are the downsides of demand-based pricing?
Despite its benefits, dynamic demand-based pricing does have some potential drawbacks, including:
- Price uncertainty – Fans don’t know exactly what a ticket will cost and prices can change frequently.
- Perceived unfairness – Some fans feel it is unfair for prices to be raised simply due to high demand.
- Complexity – The constant price fluctuations can confuse some consumers.
- Less impulse purchases – Fans need to monitor prices and lock in at the right time, reducing impulse buys.
- Turns off budget buyers – Rising prices alienate some fans on tighter budgets who can’t afford peak demand prices.
AXS does try to balance maximizing revenue while still maintaining fair consumer friendly practices. But dynamic pricing certainly makes the ticketing process more complex compared to fixed pricing models.
How can I get the best deal on AXS demand tickets?
Here are some tips for finding the best value when shopping for AXS demand tickets:
- Buy early – Prices usually start out lowest when tickets first go on sale.
- Be flexible on dates – Less popular show dates typically have lower demand.
- Consider less popular opponents – Games against less marquee opponents often have lower demand.
- Check midweek – Demand tends to be lower Mon-Wed versus weekends.
- Monitor prices – Check back often as prices can drop if demand slows.
- Sit in the upper deck or ends – The worst seats are usually priced considerably lower.
- Buy single tickets – Per ticket charges raise costs on multi-ticket orders.
- Join AXS Premium – Subscribers get first access to tickets during presales.
AXS does have fees that add to the base ticket price, so look closely at the final price when factoring in the best deals. With dynamic pricing, it often pays to buy at the first sign of a good price before demand pushes prices higher.
How does AXS determine the starting price for tickets?
AXS uses several methods to determine the initial ticket prices when sales first open to the public. Some of the factors in setting starting prices include:
- Artist prices and guarantees – The artist often sets pricing minimums or negotiates a pricing guarantee.
- Venue requirements – Some venues have pricing guidelines or tiers AXS must adhere to.
- Historical sales data – Past pricing and sales data for comparable artists, venues, and events.
- Production costs – The costs to staff and produce the event factor into pricing thresholds.
- Market analysis – An assessment of the local market demand, demographics, and economics.
- Competitive analysis – Evaluating direct and indirect competitor event pricing.
Starting prices establish the baseline, though prices will then fluctuate dynamically based on real-time demand signals and algorithms. Establishing rational starting prices is important so that subsequent demand-based price changes seem fair and reasonable to consumers.
Do prices ever go down with AXS demand tickets?
Yes, AXS demand ticket prices do sometimes decrease. Common reasons prices may go down include:
- Sales slowing for an event as it gets closer
- More seats being released by the artist/venue closer to the event date
- Competitors dropping their prices
- Adjustments to the pricing algorithm and demand models
- Efforts to sell out remaining inventory for less popular events
- The release of additional tour dates diluting demand
- Holidays or weekdays when events compete with work/school
Generally prices tend to decline when demand slackens and AXS wants to capture more sales. Dynamic pricing allows them the flexibility to lower prices to spur lagging demand when needed. Patience and monitoring can pay off if prices trend downwards.
Can prices go up after I purchase AXS demand tickets?
Once you complete your ticket purchase, the price for those specific tickets is locked in and will not change. However, prices for other remaining tickets can continue to fluctuate up or down dynamically based on evolving demand. Some key points:
- Your purchased ticket prices won’t increase post-purchase.
- Other unsold tickets may increase or decrease in price subsequently.
- Newly added tickets like released holds or production releases could cost more or less.
- You are guaranteed your locked-in price, not future lower prices.
So while you are protected from post-purchase price increases, that doesn’t mean similar or better tickets won’t be available later at lower price points if demand trends down.
Can I wait for prices to drop before buying AXS tickets?
While it’s possible for prices to eventually drop, waiting indefinitely comes with some risks, including:
- The event could sell out completely
- Prices may actually increase further due to rising demand
- You may miss out on pre-sales for the best seat options
- Awaiting lower prices means giving up your spot in the queue
In many cases, the best deals happen early when tickets first go on sale, especially for the most popular events. While you can sometimes get lucky waiting for lower prices, you also risk losing out completely or having to pay even higher demand-driven prices later. Monitoring trends helps, but buying early is generally the best bet.
What fees and charges apply to AXS demand tickets?
In addition to the changing ticket prices, AXS does charge various fees that add to your final cost. Common AXS fees include:
- Service fees – Charged per ticket for using the AXS service.
- Facility charges – Fees collected on behalf of the venue.
- Order processing fees – Charged per order for handling transactions.
- Delivery fees – For hard copy tickets shipped or picked up at will call.
- Taxes – Potential local city entertainment taxes added.
It’s important when comparing ticket options to look at the total price including all fees. Facility, service, and order fees can add a significant amount on top of the base ticket price. Some fees may also be higher based on demand, so the total price you pay will fluctuate along with the changing ticket prices.
Are there any additional costs with AXS mobile tickets?
AXS offers mobile ticketing through the AXS app as a convenient delivery option. The main costs to consider with mobile delivery include:
- Convenience fees – Typically around $5+ per ticket are charged for mobile delivery.
- Data/network fees – You need an internet/network connection and possibly roaming costs to access tickets.
- App requirements – Requires downloading the AXS app and setting up an account.
AXS does allow transferring mobile tickets to other accounts, though there may be limits on how close to showtime transfers are allowed. Overall mobile ticketing provides a convenient digital option, but does come with some extra fees over standard delivery methods.
Can I resell AXS demand tickets?
AXS has some restrictions around reselling tickets. In general:
- Reselling is prohibited above the original price, to prevent scalping and unfair profits.
- Tickets can be posted for resale only on the official AXS secondary exchange.
- AXS may limit the number of tickets one account can resell.
- Tickets can be resold up until a specified time, typically 1-3 hours pre-event.
- Sellers pay a resell fee, buyers pay an additional resale service charge.
AXS limits resales to provide consumer protections and prevent scalping. But fans can resell through official channels if plans change, subject to applicable fees and restrictions. Monitoring the resale exchange can provide another opportunity to get good deals on in-demand tickets.
How does AXS combat scalping and unfair resales?
Some key ways AXS tries to limit scalping and unfair resales include:
- Capping resale prices at the original purchase price.
- Limiting the number of tickets any one account can resell.
- Restricting resales to occur only on the AXS official resale exchange.
- Enforcing ticket limits during initial onsales to prevent mass buys.
- Using technology like ticket identification and dynamic QR codes to validate tickets.
- Prohibiting speculative listings with no intent to sell tickets at list prices.
While no system is perfect, AXS has implemented numerous measures to try to get tickets to real fans and limit profiting off high demand. Fans are encouraged to buy and resell only on authorized channels and report potential scalping activities as well.
Are AXS platinum tickets different than demand tickets?
Yes, AXS Platinum tickets differ from demand-based pricing in a few key ways:
- Platinum tickets are a separate ticket allotment, not the standard tickets.
- Platinum prices are set by AXS, not based on a dynamic algorithm.
- There are a limited quantity of platinum tickets, sold as premium options.
- Platinum tickets are positioned as VIP experiences with added amenities.
Whereas demand-based pricing applies dynamic algorithms to all standard tickets, Platinum tickets are a fixed separate inventory sold at a premium flat rate with added benefits. So Platinum tickets differ from the variable pricing on the general AXS demand tickets.
Conclusion
AXS demand-based pricing introduces a unique variable pricing model to event ticketing. By constantly adjusting prices based on evolving demand and consumer behavior signals, AXS can maximize revenues for in-demand events while still working to maintain fair consumer friendly practices. Fans gain more engagement in the buying process but lose out on some pricing predictability. Understanding how AXS dynamically prices tickets helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions.