Death of a Salesman -Ripped Off- Page 2

[castlestreet]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 9:47am

That stinks- I get that you can still see the show- but I understand your disappointment- I would be totally bummed too- especially because you are taking your son. I hope you find a way to make the trip work.

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 10:35am

I'd write to the general manager with the details of your story and ask politely if they can offer you something better than what telecharge has at the moment.

This. Although if they had to take audience tickets instead of offering house seats to a critic, they may not have anything better.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 10:51am

But you never know, if you explain your situation to the General Manager, perhaps they would consider allowing you to exchange for house seats on the day of the performance, should any arise (and they usually do). In general, its been my experience that the box office for most Broadway shows are unusually understanding and will be as accommodating as they can be when a situation is presented with calm.

But, certainly complaining and throwing histrionics about being 'ripped off' isn't going to ingratiate yourself to anyone involved with the production.

Whats the saying - catch more bees with honey?

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 1:58pm

I will add my 2 cents on this...

It stinks that you got bumped, in the 25+ years that I have been making trips to NYC (3 times a year - 8-9 shows a visit), this has NEVER happened to me. What HAS happened more times than I would like to admit is having to call and change "FINAL SALES" tickets for theater. I have not made a habit of this, but over the last 10 years I have had to do it about 10 times. The ticket centers (Telecharge and Ticketmaster) have been accommodating and (if they need to contact them), the theater/production companies have accommodated a required change.

So, the FINALITY of FINAL SALE is not as FINAL as you may think (now, I would assume if I was a serial ticket changer I would probably hit a brick wall at some point).

All that taken into account, I strongly believe that the production company/theater has only done that out of desperation. Think about it, giving up $200+ dollars of paying ticketholders to give those seats to critics. Not a good business model to be doing that a lot.

As for the seats you have to choose from, most of the tickets I get are in Mezzanine and I LOVE those seats. I would contact the production company/theater and voice my disappointment in a nice way and then see what they can do to accommodate then if they cannot upgrade you or provide you with better seats I would (2) get the best seats I can get and go enjoy myself. Not to sound all after school special, but your son will enjoy this special trip and theater experience more than you know and you don't want to sour this trip or experience.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 8:40pm

If the performance in question is a preview performance, there are no rules.

[JohnCrawford]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 9:09pm

This is terrible. That's the only way to put it. Terrible. The producers should be ashamed and should be bending over backwards to make you happy. I suggest getting the crappy seats and then at intermission, go to where your original seats were located and tell the critics sitting in those seats what happened. Let them know how you were treated. Maybe producers will think twice the next time they make a move like this.

The fact that you can't get your money back but they can take the tickets back from you is ridiculous.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 9:21pm

'There is a huge difference seeing a show from the middle front orchestra - where I bought my tickets - and being moved to the right hand corner of the back of the mezzanine, I wouldn't have purchased tickets to the mezzanine - to me it's a very big deal - from "hey, I got us (and paid for) great seats to "we got seats - ****ty ones" I chose the weekend based on best seats available - not any seats available. I would have made plans for a different date.'

I am very confused here, I see from your statement, which I have quoted above that you are attending Death Of A Salesman on the weekend, however this show opens on the 15th March, which is a Thursday, so why would the producers give your tickets away to critics to review 5/6 days before the show opens?

[justoldbill]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 9:37pm

Sounds like trouble in River City to me. But as I said before, if it's a preview performance, there are no rules, and if it's Mike Nichols, rules don't count anyhoo.

[sondhead]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 9:52pm

Phantom--critics haven't reviewed opening night in 10+ years. Generally, a show is frozen 1-2 weeks before opening, and critics can come whenever they want during that period.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 12:59am

John Crawford - he IS getting his money back for his ticktes. The money he is concerned about is the money he spent on airfare.

He can also go ahead an repurchase tix further back in the house.

Additionally: he should go and tattle to the critic? Like the critic would care. Depending on the critic that would likely feed an ego -- it certainly wouldn't affect the review, why would it?

This happens (and yes it sucks for the original ticket holder).

[Kad]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 1:00am

This is the first instance I've heard of this happening. Is it a common occurance?

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 1:08am

Did I miss something? Is this the only night you can go?

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 1:08am

I would be pretty ticked off also. The fact is that the OP bought specific seats for a show and bought plane tickets to get there. He should not have to pay for someone else's mistake as far as ticketing.

Some people say "Oh just go" "Oh those seats aren't bad". The bottom line is that he isn't getting the seats in the orchestra that he paid for and now has plane tickets paid for that if he were to change dates to get the seats he wants, he will most likely have to pay a hefty fee to change plane tickets. That is unacceptable. JMO

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 1:28am

I saw the show tonight from the very last row.
My much more POSITIVE perspective, imho, of course:

The show looked FANTASTIC from the Mezz. And sounded great, too. I brought my binocs and watched certain scenes w/them, but more often, w/o them. During intermission, I wnet down to the orch to ck out the view. then back to my R mezz seats.

Imho, the utter visual beauty/glory of the physical production looks waaaay better upstairs, the set, lighting (genius)...Of course, I would have liked to be in Row A Front Mezz, but the play is so glorious, we were pulled in immediately.

Long story short...seeing the production, period is a MUST. The flawless cinematic/poetically impressionistic direction of Nichols is just amazingly beautiful.

I think if you think positively about seeing this beautiful/great/painful play, you will be greatly rewarded no matter where you sit.

just my 2 cents...



Updated On: 3/3/12 at 01:28 AM

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 4:49am

The sense of entitlement here is truly amazing. And one more thing: are you saying you never thought of exposing your beloved child to the theater before this, and he's already out of high school? It sounds likes he inherited your narrow-mindedness if this is the only play he would consider seeing just because he read it in school. Why don't you both stay home and rent a video where you will be assured of front row seats on the recliner - and no dreaded surprises.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/3/12 at 7:25am

Death of a Salesman -Ripped Off
Posted On:3/2/12 at 10:51


"Whats the saying - catch more bees with honey"

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.