Ticketmaster - Big Big Forums

Bohemut · 10-10-2003, 10:54 PM

I posted a little about this earlier today in another thread. Then I was a little irritated. Now I’m livid.

My DH ordered two tickets online to a special concert. This was through a pre-sale offer for listeners of the sponsering radio station. He didn’t get handicapped accesible tickets so he asked me to call and get it straightened out. So I called Ticketmaster and the rep told me the seats we had were in the middle of a row of seats that are bolted down to the floor. No way to get our wheelchairs to those seats. He told me to call the venue to get accessible seats. I called and the man I spoke to at the venue had no idea why Ticketmaster told me to call there because Ticketmaster is handling all their ticket sales. But he transferred me to the box office in case they could help. I had to leave a voicemail there.

In a couple of hours I called Ticketmaster back since I hadn’t received a return call from the venue. The rep I talked to then cancelled our original order and transferred me to a ticket agent, who she assured me could get me the correct tickets. The ticket agent tried, but was having trouble getting it to go through on his computer. He put me on hold so he could speak to his supervisor, and somehow I got cut off. I called back and spoke to another ticket agent, who rudely informed me that there was nothing she could do because the tickets don't go on sale until tomorrow. I explained about the pre-sale and she said that was for internet purchasers only. I pointed out that when I requested handicapped seating the message was to call for tickets or to fill out a form online. Since we had already ordered tickets I had called, and now the customer service rep had already cancelled that order. She basically said too bad and to fill out the form.

So I filled out the form. This is the response I received:

Quote:

Thank you for your accessible seating request for the Barenaked Ladies on November 25, 2003.

We recommend that you contact the Box Office directly at 503-248-4335 for accommodations as the manner in which the venue has arranged for accessible seats, is only in pairs and your party will not be able to be seated together.

If you have any further questions, please reply, and include all correspondence.

Sincerely,

Renee (Customer Support)

I received this shortly before 6 pm. I called the venue and I got a message that the venue’s office closed at 5 pm and won’t be open until Monday. It also stated that the box office is only open for two hours before an event. Which means I would have to wait until the day of the concert to buy tickets through the box office. And I don’t understand about the seating--if the seats are sold in pairs, and my husband and I are a pair, why can’t we be seated together?

So I responded to their e-mail and indicated that I feel that I am being discrimated against because of my handicap. I also forwarded a copy to the sponsering radio station. What more can I do?

This has me really upset because this group is one of my favorites and because of what Ticketmaster is doing I probably won’t be able to go to their concert. They are doing a benefit concert, which was sold out in less than 10 minutes, so they agreed to do this special additional concert. I have no doubt that when tickets go on sale for the general public tomorrow that they will sell out that fast again.

My DH thinks a discrimation lawsuit is in the makings...

girlwithsoul · 10-12-2003, 12:20 PM

I used to be the assistant box office manager for a major concert venue here in Houston. On Monday, call the box office and demand to speak to the box office manager. If he or she is not available then demand to speak to the head honcho of the venue. Explain your situation. Nine times out of ten the box office will do anything in their power to make sure you have your seats. Also, accesible seating is usually available through the day of the show. ALSO, box offices generally have hours that they are open during the week whether there's a show going on or not. They are probably only saying they are open 2 hours before show time for will call purposes. Good luck on this and yes....Ticketmaster sucks....isn't it great that they pretty much have the monopoly? ugh.

ckerr4 · 10-12-2003, 01:21 PM

If all else fails, you could email the band - I don't know if they would get the email but maybe someone in their management would, and maybe they could help along special arrangements. It never hurts to try. Add that they're your fave band, and maybe you could go backstage!

I hope you get your tickets -that would be a fun show!

Bohemut · 10-12-2003, 04:33 PM

Okay, here's what I did. I e-mailed Ticketmaster back and used the big D word--discrimination. I said that I felt that way because if we were able bodied people we would have seats, but we don't because we're in wheelchairs. I was pretty hot when I wrote it and it was pretty obvious (but I was not rude about it). I also sent copies to the radio station--to the head of the Listener Club and the general manager. There is no booking agent involved since the radio station dealt directly with the band.

Yesterday I got a very apologetic e-mail from Ticketmaster. Apparently the venue has a seating problem for people like us. They do have wheelchair accessible seating, but it is one spot for a wheelchair with a companions seat right next to it. They don't have any just open spaces for multiple wheelchairs. And since we don't have any companions, we won't be able to sit next to each other. But Ticketmaster is working with the venue to figure out someway to get us seats/spaces together. They said they'd be getting back to me shortly. Nothing yet today, but the venue's office isn't open until tomorrow so I don't expect anything 'til then.

Looks like I just might make it to that concert.

SilverKittyNH · 10-14-2003, 04:03 PM

The venue nearest my home doesn't offer "special" seating for handicap access when you buy your tickets.

They have a section set aside that is devoid of any seating at all. You have to call the box office AFTER you buy your ticket to arrange for seating in this section as well as to gain entrance into the venue by the easiest route for someone in a wheelchair. They don't want a chairbound person waiting in those mob scenes outside the arena...people WILL get hurt that way.

Ticketmaster has no way of knowing how many people will need to take advantage of this area, but they probably figure that it's xxx percent or something. The VENUE is the place where you need to make your requests. Ticketmaster doesn't sell "handicap access" tickets, they only sell whatever seating the venue gives them to sell.

Calm down, take a deep breath, and focus. Those poor shlubs at TM have no CLUE how the arena functions with special seating. The arena however, SHOULD be able to accommodate without too much problem.

Call me..been there, done that.

iluvmybaby · 10-15-2003, 12:01 AM

Bohemut, please keep us updated! I was going to purchase tickets through ticketmaster for something coming up here in Memphis but I do not want to use a company that cant cater to the needs of the physically challed. My DH has mobility problems, although not in a wheel chair, and I would hate if he would have to sit apart from me so that we could both see the darn show, that doesnt make sense to use my $ to endorse that kind of stuff. I will buy directily from the source, instead of through an agent ((It was easier on me to use ticketmaster, tickets delievered to my door, but for an $19 extra fee))
Good luck, I hope that things work out for you two and that you are able to see the concert together, if ticketmaster doesnt help maybe write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about how you were discriminated against because you are physically challenged, contact ticketmasters head guy and tell him your story, dont just let the matter drop.

Bohemut · 10-15-2003, 02:01 AM

The last thing I got from Ticketmaster was the e-mail saying they were working with the vendor. BUT I did get a call from Stephanie in the box office. She was off last Friday and that's why she didn't call me back sooner. Ticketmaster is supposed to sell tickets for handicapped seating. The problem was that the venue is set up to have a space for one wheelchair with a companion seat next to it, but we needed two wheelchair spaces together. She took care of it. She apologized over and over and said she's going to file a complaint against Ticketmaster. No one from Ticketmaster had contacted her about the seating problem which is what they are supposed to do right away when a request like mine comes in. If they had done what they are supposed to I would have had my tickets last Friday and wouldn't have had all that stress.

Stephanie got me tickets. I paid by CC and the tickets will be mailed to me. We're sitting in the very front of the first balcony--she said this is actually the best place for us because so many people stand up during a rock concert and chaired people can't see over the standing ones.

I've calmed down now and am excited. I get to go see Simon and Garfunkle on Nov. 2nd and then Barenaked Ladies on Nov. 25th. What a month it's going to be! Woo Hoo!

AngelGrim · 10-15-2003, 09:23 PM

I feel bad for you, hope you can get things straightened out.