Question about SCOTTSBORO rush (& complaint about a box office employee)- Page 2

[wicked4l]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 3:37pm

how is the view from the rush seats?

[Boq101]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 4:03pm

This one time at Phantom an usher legit ran down to yell at me because i was taking a booster seat. She yelled for like three minutes at how the youth doesn't respect everyone else and how I'm plenty tall to enjoy the show. I then had to explain that my friend next to her needed the booster seat but they were stacked too high for her to reach it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 4:07pm

Sheesh! Catty, catty, catty...

Just for the record, I highly doubt my friend would have called me right as she was leaving, so frustrated with the service if she had embellished/made up the story. She is one of my nicest people I know, seriously, so I find it hard to believe that she copped an attitude with the box office woman first. And whether or not you guys have had bad box office experiences means nothing. What do your experiences have to do with this one, SUPPOSEDLY nasty woman? Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen...

And I don't really know where I gave off any sense of entitlement to rush seats. I was upset with the way the situation was handled. That is NOT their rush policy, there WERE balcony seats left, and she didn't sell them because she apparently didn't WANT to.

And also, neither my friend nor I ever had a problem at the Lyceum before either. The box office employees there have always very pleasant. Until last Friday.
Updated On: 10/18/10 at 04:07 PM

[jpbran]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 4:49pm

"In 30+ years of attending shows I have yet to encounter any box office staff who are less than helpful."

No idea about the veracity of the rest of this thread, but this one's a shocker. I've rarely had an out-and-out "rude" ticket person in 15+ years buying tix in Chicago and NYC, but I've certainly had "disinterested," "curt," "virtually silent," "huffy," impatient" and "unhelpful" ticket folk. You've been lucky!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 5:15pm

For those who are questioning WiCkEdRoCks, I have had the same issue in that box office. I went and asked for student rush for last Sunday night's performance and received the exact same answer, I'm assuming from the same woman. She was extremely rude, and seems to have no issue turning away business.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:08pm

What Rocks calls the woman NOW has no bearing on HER behavior. Calling her a *itch here is not the same as calling her to her face or at the theater. He is telling a story. (and I don't mean to imply anything but his friend's story.)

The woman at the box office had no right to be rude...for any reason. If there were no rush tickets left...that's all she had to say. POLITELY. If she is personally refusing to sell rush tickets...that's a different issue. But the over-riding issue IS: she has no right to be rude to anyone, at anytime.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:29pm

I'd guess frontrowcentre is confusing you with Winston89,

Oh, crap! I'm so sorry, Wickedrocks. Ghostlight is probably right: it may have been another person who seemed to have an awful lot of bad box office experiences.

For the record I would never endorse bad customer service anywhere and I would be the first to lodge an official complaint to the house manager if I even encountered something like this. To be fair, the box-office staff do deal with a lot of people dithering, asking the same questions over and over, and there are people who get downright nasty when they can't get what they want. But all of that is just part of the job.

(I wish everyone here would put their own pictures up. It would be easier to remember who's who!)

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 6:41pm

buy your tickets only at broadwaybox, and don't let one evil woman ruin your experience. I saw this show at the vineyard and it is amazing.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 1:14am

Does your friend call you every time she has a bad customer service experience? Or are we holding box office workers to some higher standard. Just curious.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 1:51am

She called me because she was planning on picking up two tickets for her and I to see the show that evening. When the woman at the box office refused to sell them to her, she called me to let me know that our plans had changed, and yes that she had an unpleasant experience.

The snarkiness is so uncalled for, by the way.
Updated On: 10/19/10 at 01:51 AM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 6:38am

"What Rocks calls the woman NOW has no bearing on HER behavior. Calling her a *itch here is not the same as calling her to her face or at the theater."

I don't see what difference that makes, in fact, I think I'd respect him more saying it to her face rather than doing so anonymously. I'm surprised you condone name-calling in any form, dramamama, especially over something as trivial as a box office person's "supposed" rudeness. Rocks wasn't there, so I only know thirdhand that this woman was supposedly rude. I know for a fact Rocks has called her a bitch, and personally, I consider name-calling for the most part bad behavior. When someone starts flinging names around, it makes me wonder what other bad behavior they might resort to. It makes me question them.

Speaking for myself, Rocks, I can say my reaction is born of disbelief. The story just doesn't make sense. Why on earth would this woman "supposedly" (glad you're using that caveat now, btw, since you weren't there) just not feel like selling rush tickets? It makes NO sense at all. Rush policies change all the time, especially early in a show's run, as this one is, and I really have trouble believing that she didn't sell the rush tickets simply because she didn't FEEL like it. It isn't any extra work. That's the part I'm having trouble with, your friend's claim that woman made the declaration that it was HER policy, and that she deliberately withheld the tickets from your friend, because - why? Just because? I mean, seriously, does that make any sense at all that a box office person would be that pointlessly ornery and stupid to boot? And last, and this bears repeating - you weren't there!

I'd love to hear any follow up you have on this.

In case you're wondering where I saw a sense of entitlement, it was in this:

"So...I'm not going tonight because the b*tch at the box office is basically withholding rush tickets from us. It's so annoying/dumb to me that there will be empty seats at the Lyceum tonight that my friend and I gladly would have payed the rush fee for..."

And the juvenile name-calling is uncalled for, IMO.







Updated On: 10/19/10 at 06:38 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 9:31am

Withholding tickets from someone just because you feel like it is pretty bitchy in my book. . And since when did BWW stop being juvenile in general..? I missed that memo. So call me juvenile if you wish. But I think it's pretty juvenile to keep tickets from someone for no reason

And I guess my friend just made up this entire story! As did the other poster who said he/she had the same experience, but everyone seems to be ignoring.

What would I, or my friend, gain from making this story up? We've both never had bad experiences at the Lyceum, I loved SCOTTSBORO off Broadway, we were both very excited to see the show, and neither of us would get anything out of lying. But if you don't buy what I'm saying I hope you never have a bad ticket-buying experience. Because you're VERY lucky you haven't thus far.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 12:17pm

Of course you can be as juvenile as you want, on BWW or anywhere else, but that comes at a cost - you get judged by that. If you're comfortable calling someone a bitch simply because you didn't get the discounted tickets you feel you're entitled to - using language against the rules of this board, btw - what does that say about how you might behave in public, how you feel about rules, and your character in general? I'm sure you and you friend are nice people, but do you get what I'm saying, how that might color how people view your side of the story?

Look, if it happened the way your friend said, if the box office woman truly refused to sell your friend rush tickets that were available, for NO reason, just because she didn't feel like it (do you see how crazy that sounds?), she should file a complaint. The Shubert organization will surely want to know that they have a box office person turning away customers. Here, I'll even get you started:

Shubert Organization Theatre Operations
Attn: Peter Entin (box office complaint)
234 West 44th St
New York, NY 10036

I don't think your friend is making up the entire story, I just think there's more to the story than she's telling. It isn't easy to get a job like box office staff, and you don't get there by turning away even discounted customers just because. That's not simply rude, it's insane. Actually, Dancin'thrulife's recounted experience leads me to believe that there is or was some confusion about the rush policy, though I'll assume dancin'throughlife's "exact same answer" had to do with rush only being sold when the box office opened, not that the woman said it wasn't the theater's policy, it was HER policy.

That's the sticking point for me, not that the box office person was rude (anyone can have a bad day), but that your friend says this woman withheld tickets solely because she didn't feel like selling them, for no reason at all and what's more, proudly told a customer that she was overriding theater policy in order to put her own in its stead. It just makes no sense. Why didn't your friend ask to speak to a supervisor at that point, if she thought box office personnel was blatantly flouting the theater's policy?

"I hope you never have a bad ticket-buying experience. Because you're VERY lucky you haven't thus far."

Actually, Rocks, I think my attitude and approach might be a factor in my "luck". 30 some-odd years of frequent ticket purchasing without a bad incident isn't sheer luck. I make it easy for them to treat me well. I try to go to the box office during the slower times, when there's no line, and so no pressure to get past me to the next customer. I familiarize myself with the layout of the theater (which is usually up in the lobby somewhere in any case) and am clear on what I want. I am polite, friendly, and not demanding. I always begin with a very brief pleasantry, even if it's only, "Hi, how are you today?". I treat them like human beings. I have my money or credit card at the ready. If I must go during a time when there are lines, I am brief and to the point. So, no, I don't think it's sheer luck that I've had good box office experiences. I've witnessed rudeness from box office people. I've just never experienced it. Yes, they are there to serve you, but they're people too, and I see far more abuse of box office people by patrons than the other way around.


Anyway, again, I am sincerely interested in hearing your follow-up on this, but one suggestion? If you do file a complaint (and I think you, or rather your friend should), don't call the box office woman a bitch.



Updated On: 10/19/10 at 12:17 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 1:30pm

Thank you for the lesson on ticket-purchasing etiquette.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 1:44pm

Since you abhor snarkiness, I'll assume you're being sincere, so you're welcome. Common courtesy and kindness will get you more than a sense of entitlement will, and if you think tickets should be sold to you at a discount simply because there are empty seats, I'd call that a sense of entitlement.

As I've said, I've gotten discounted tickets without my requesting them, and on more than one occasion I've even been given comps. It isn't because I'm lucky.

If you genuinely feel your friend was wronged, file that complaint at the address I've provided, and please let us know how that turns out.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 2:31pm

This is ridiculous. There is no "sense of entitlement" that because there are empty seats, Rocks was entitled to purchase them at a discount. The show has a student rush policy. There were rush tickets still left, but the box office person refused to sell them at the rush price.

If a store advertised all TVs at 50% off, and you went in to buy a TV, but the salesman said, "Well, we have them, but I don't want to sell it to you at the sale price, you have to pay full price," then I bet you'd be upset, too.

If you've been promised something, then yes, you are entitled to it. Asking for it is not rude or whiny, it is perfectly reasonable.

And it is NOT the show policy to stop selling rush tickets at 10 AM, because plenty of other people have posted in this thread and others that they received rush tickets at all times in the day, even an hour before curtain.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 3:21pm

At what point in your ticket purchasing process do you get off of your high horse, Ghostlight?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 3:41pm

Rush policies and lottery policies are subject to change from day to day, and that others have bought tickets at other times of day doesn't mean that was the policy that was in effect THAT day.

Nowhere in any of Rocks' posts is it clear to me that there were definitely unsold rush seats, only that the show was not sold out, and that the box office did not sell rush tickets to his friend, and was rude about it. If the theater has a hard and fast rule regarding its rush policy, this is simple, really simple. Complain through the proper channels, which I've provided. Odds are they'll give him free tickets to make him happy, and if there really is a box office person who is refusing customers service, it WILL be handled. This is why I'm encouraging Rocks to file a complaint in order to get to the bottom of this.

Rush and lotto are a courtesy, not a right. When rush and lotto become more trouble than they're worth, sometimes those courtesies get revoked.

eta: I'm about done now, Kad Basically I dislike people trashing others publicly based on thirdhand information, especially when it involves name-calling. Take my ticket-buying etiquette or leave it. It's served me well, and I've seen many a patron who could use the lesson. I hope Rocks can resolve this incident to his satisfaction.



Updated On: 10/19/10 at 03:41 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 3:47pm

Their policy is not that they stop selling them at 10am. That is when they go on sale. I went to the box office today to find out for myself. If they have them available 2 minutes to curtain, they'll sell them I was told.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:12pm

Wicked. My questions was phrased in a snarky manner. But simply because if you were really concerned about the box-office woman's behavior, on a show you say you enjoyed, then you would go thorough the proper channels. And do less damage by setting up patrons to think they will receive rude or unfair behavior. If you're soured on something before you experience it... chances are you'll be sour when you experience it. Or just pass on the experience all together. Complain where something can be done about it please . Oh and i do hope you and your friend also post on the mcdonalds message boards... i mean keep it consistent.

[binau]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 4:40pm

I hate it when people just say "shut up" but that's exactly how I feel towards some of the relentless responses in this thread.

This is a Broadway discussion board and we are discussing an apparent issue at a Broadway theatre's box office. I think it's good to inform the public of the kind of crap that apparently takes place. I mean you can choose to believe it or not, but I think this thread is completely reasonable and appropriate.

Updated On: 10/20/10 at 04:40 PM

[masb19872]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:21pm

For what it's worth, I just had a very similar experience at the Lyceum. I tried to buy student tickets at around 7, and was told that they were only sold at ten. At first, I asked if I could past date a pair of tickets I had from another performance. It was explained (rudely) that they weren't accepting past dates for this performance. I eventually got the number to call in order to past date. After that, I asked if there happened to be any student rush tickets left. The woman was very rude about it, and said no, they were only sold at ten. I said that I'd been told that they were sold as long as balcony seats were available. Her response was that they only sold twenty rush seats a show, and basically told me to go away. I have another friend at the show tonight who said the balcony has a ton of seats. So it's definitely not an isolated incident.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:41pm

but how are the seats from that view...?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 11:44pm

Yeah, how dare they not honor your request a PAIR of past-dated tickets on your chosen night, even though they aren't required to past date tickets at all? And then, even though you heard (from where?) that they sell rush seats if there are any balcony seats available, how dare they not break the rules for you one hour before show time, right at their busiest time, to sell you rush seats even though their policy is a reasonable 20 seats a show and they've already sold their quota?

Do you honestly think that they should sell the entire balcony at rush prices, even if the entire balcony happens to be available? Hell, why not just give tickets away? I mean, nobody's going to be sitting there, right? Why, you're almost doing them a favor!

Gimme, gimme, gimme. No wonder the box office is getting surly.

Poor wicked4l! All this and no one's answered your question. From balcony to stage, it's a very steep angle, so you'll miss some of the stuff at the very top of the stage. It does give you a good overview of the stage, though, which is great for the choreography, and it is otherwise pretty much unobstructed, except for the bar in front of the very first row. Bring opera glasses if you have any. Not a bad deal for $27 - or even $40.

Updated On: 10/20/10 at 11:44 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 11:59pm

even though their policy is a reasonable 20 seats a show and they've already sold their quota?

Except that isn't their official policy. It's one individual employee's policy. The phrase "subject to change without notice" should not cover the whims of a box office employee who decides herself when, if, and how many rush tickets she's going to sell.

If the stated policy was 20 tickets, and they sold 20 tickets, I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. It's the fact that the policy seems to change based on who's at the window that has got people annoyed.