Ragtime's January promotion

[winston89]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:31am

When I was walking out of the Neil Simon this afternoon after Ragtime, I saw that they were giving out promotion fliers. They were for a buy one get one free offer. Something that I thought at first would be a good idea. This is because in my three times seeing this marvelous production (this afternoon being my third time) I have always heard people say as we are walking out of the theatre that they have to take this family member, or this friend to see this amazing production.

I would have thought that this promotion would have tapped well into that market and that it was wise to have the producers realize that those people do exist. However, what did shock me was that the offer included a discount code for the ability to buy the on ticket in the buy one get one free offer for around sixty bucks. It is not the first time I have heard a show doing a buy one get one free offer. However, this is the first time that I have seen a show give a discount on the ticket you have to buy.

Also, at least for the after lottery for the 2 PM performance, they were giving a discount for those that lost. And, that was that the people who lost the lotto could buy either an orchestra ticket or a front Mezz ticket for 33 dollars and 50 cents. Seats that are normally at the full price of 120. I am kind of surprised that they did that and I was kind of surprised to see half the orchestra empty. I don't know if it is that the show isn't selling, or if it was due to the fact that it was raining cats and dogs and it was the day after Christmas or whatever.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:34am

I always need to read your posts multiple times to understand what you are trying convey.

I must say, I don't know what you're talking about here.

" However, what did shock me was that the offer included a discount code for the ability to buy the on ticket in the buy one get one free offer for around sixty bucks. It is not the first time I have heard a show doing a buy one get one free offer. However, this is the first time that I have seen a show give a discount on the ticket you have to buy. "

What does that mean?
Updated On: 12/27/09 at 12:34 AM

[winston89]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:38am

I am trying to say that the buy one get on free promotion lets the buyer buy the ticket for a discounted price of 60 dollars rather then making the ticket buyer buy the one ticket at full price.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:38am

I've been to several saturday matinees and it's usually quite full.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:38am

Oh, wow! You can get two tickets for $60 dollars??
That's pretty damn good.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:41am

Would you happen to have said code to post please?




...what? Someone had to ask...

[BrianS]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 12:41am

Most buy one get one free offers require you to buy the first ticket at full price (2 people see the show for $120 total). This offer allows your first ticket to be a discounted ticket (2 people see the show for $60 total or whatever the discount is.)

[noplain]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 2:57am

If they're discounting so many tickets, wouldn't it be better to just drastically drop the price of a full price ticket, and then advertise as "The Cheapest Tickets On Broadway!" or something similar?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 8:15am

I have the discount right in front of me. It is SIMPLY a buy one get I've free--there us no other discount. I'm guessing that what happened at the box office had little to do with this particular offer.

I was SHOCKED at the audience attendance at the matinee but could only judge from the mezz. I Do believe that Mother Nature is going to get a lot of the blame for low sales these last two weeks. When I walked past TKTS at eleven, the line was nowhere near as long as I would have expected. (even Race in the evening was far from selling out -- the mezz was not even 1/3 filled)

that being said, I truly thought the show was brilliant today and that the audience that WAS there was incredibly responsive. The opening number rec'd thunderous applause -- you'd never had known how empty the theater was. It was also beautiful to see so many, many people on their feet at the very begining of the curtain call. Well deserved, IMHO.

While I full know that not every show pleases everyone -- I still don't understand how this hasn't found a decent audience. Really a shame.

[matty159]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 9:19am

Does anyone know whether they offer the $33.50 discount to the folks who didn't win lottery regularly? I was going to try lottery this Tuesday, and it would be cool to know there is that option should we not get the luck of the draw!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 10:13am

matty, they have been offering it after every lottery...there was a thread about it somewhere, or a post in another thread.

[matty159]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 10:58am

Thanks, perfectlymarvelous! Sometimes the search option escapes my brain.

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 11:31am

My guess is the great offer is due to low ticket sales over all, though perhaps especially in the last couple weeks. When I saw it on the 17th, the house appeared to be full, but I suppose that's dropped off as the weather changed. I'm guessing the producers are just trying to recussitate the audience for the show. Though I think noplain's idea is a good one, if they're going to do the discount anyway.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 11:41am

Usually the lottery losers rush have been (i last got it tuesday) in the mid or rear mezz. I got row O center on tuesday. And they were 32.50.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 1:07pm

The Code is bogo10. Since the card says to bring along someone or GIVE someone the code, I'm hoping I'm not violating anything here. To use it at the BO, though, it does say you have to bring the paper....but only need to know the code on line.

I randomly tried a date in Jan and had the option of pretty great Orchestra seats.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 1:20pm

I'm really confused. Does the discount equal out to two tickets for $124.00? Or 2 tickets for $62.00? Winston seemed to be insinuating it was the latter.

[winston89]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 2:36pm

It's two tickets for the price of 62 dollars.

That was the part that surprised me because most shows I have seen that have offered this kind of promotion offered it as buy one ticket for 120 dollars (or whatever full price is for the given show) and get one free. I never have seen a show offer a discounted buy one get one free before.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 2:37pm

Winston is wrong.

Basically, it is 50% off. I just went and played around at TicketMaster....the code worked regardless of how many tickets I asked for: 1, 2 or 3.

I cannot guarantee that they won't correct the "error", but whatever sells tix.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 2:43pm

Hmmmmmm I put in BOGO10 and its coming up $62.50 a ticket. Thats 1/2 off. Not buy one at the discount price and get one free..

Winston.. How to you get 2 tickets for $62.50? Please advise!!! ;o)

R ;o)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 2:50pm

I received a card recently as well, and it's quite clear that it's 2 tickets for the price of one full-price ticket. Winston is wrong.

When you go online, you can, however, buy one ticket at the discounted rate. It's basically a discount for $62.50 tickets. Not bad.

ETA: just realized Dramamama posted essentially the exact same thing I was going to say. Sorry, dramamama.
Updated On: 12/27/09 at 02:50 PM

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 3:24pm

Winston is a fool. You're incorrect, Winsty poo.

And next time just get to the point without the long confusing story...Please.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 3:25pm

"Winston is wrong"

So what else is new? He really needs to stop posting here.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 3:28pm

In his defense....i think he just confused two different offers: 2 for 1 (which is in essence 50% off) and the Lotto Losers Discount -- which has been established has been in place for a few weeks (at least).

TECHNICALLY the 2 for 1 is ONLY good in January...starting the 4th? But I don't know if anyone tried it for an earlier date.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 3:38pm

In his defense??? Look, Winston is ALWAYS confused.

Kalimba says it best - Amen to that!

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 3:41pm

"This is because in my three times seeing this marvelous production (this afternoon being my third time)"

^^^
Captain Redundant!