Stubhub procedure

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:02am

I've never used stubhub so was wondering from those who've used it if they could tell me how it works. I've read you can sometimes get reduced prices for shows if you keep checking as the showtime gets closer on day of show and the owner of ticket still hasnt sold it yet. Was wondering two things: Does anyone have an idea if this approach might work for Lion King for this coming week. We are meeting a friend from Mexico who will be in NY for his first time and thought he would enjoy the show. We've already seen it so only need one ticket. If we do find a good price, what is the procedure? From what I've read you have to go somewhere and print the ticket? Can anyone recommend a place in theatre district where we could do this if we find a good price say an hour or two before showtime? Thanks for any help.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:47am

Balcony Bill said: "I've never used stubhub so was wondering from those who've used it if they could tell me how it works. I've read you can sometimes get reduced prices for shows if you keep checking as the showtime gets closer on day of show and the owner of ticket still hasnt sold it yet. Was wondering two things: Does anyone have an idea if this approach might work for Lion King for this coming week. We are meeting a friend from Mexico who will be in NY for his first time and thought he would enjoy the show. We've already seen it so only need one ticket. If we do find a good price, what is the procedure? From what I've read you have to go somewhere and print the ticket? Can anyone recommend a place in theatre district where we could do this if we find a good price say an hour or two before showtime? Thanks for any help."

Yes.  You pretty much got it right.  And you can print your ticket in any hotel lobby or go to their place which I believe is near 40 street.  Nothing but good experiences with StubHub for me..  Lion King should be a easy find.  But it’s one of those I’ve never had interest in.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 2:19pm

One of the best things about Stubhub is that the tickets are guaranteed.  However, note how you are to obtain your tickets before you buy.  You can filter on various options from "print at home", "Pick up at Stubhub" or even "mail to your house".  

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 2:34pm

Thanks to both  for your info. Appreciated.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 3:22pm

I think pick up tickets have different end times (in advance of show time) compared to tickets you have to print, so be sure to figure out what that is, since it may result in a second wave if discounts. And if it is Pickup, you can do it nearby without worrying about printing.

[bwaylistener]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 3:24pm

If you need to print in the theater district, you can print at the Marriott Marquis, on Broadway between 45th and 46th. It is right across from the theater where the Lion King is playing. They have a business center (I think it's on the 6th floor) where you can pay to use internet (to access your StubHub account) and print. It is easy and will cost about $2-3. I believe you can also print at the StubHub last minute service center, which is a few blocks away. Good luck!

[Toll357]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 3:50pm

I have not done it yet but have thought about it. I saw that there are download tickets - I assumed if you bought them on your phone you could download and just show ticket on phone - do you actually have to get it printed? 

And - if you have done this - have you noticed approximately when the prices go down? It seems you might have to be at the theater already? Yesterday I watched and some people let their tickets go rather than drop prices. I was so sad... what happens to those seats??

I would love to hear any thoughts and experiences.

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:03pm

I have never done it but maybe those who have can explain..I asked because I had remembered reading in an earlier post about stubhub that you could not just show the ticket on the phone..they had to be printed. If that has changed maybe someone can explain...

[linus84]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:16pm

I know that there will be a pop up message stating if the tickets are the QR code kind- meaning you can just show your phone. I know Frozen does this.

As far as when the ticket prices go down, I would say weekdays are the best for that. got $40 tickets to Mean Girls that way and that was about an hour before the show. However, on the weekends, the prices don't always drop to what you are wanting.

It really just depends on the show. The more popular the show is, the more people get desperate and shell out the money for tickets and then they are gone.

If you do wait for prices to drop, I would say be within walking distance of the show/StubHub HQ because you may be getting tickets 30 minutes before and you don't want to wait.

[linus84]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:17pm

Sorry that last part should have been "and you don't want to be late!" not "you don't want to wait"

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:42pm

Balcony Bill said: "I have never done it but maybe those who have can explain..I asked because I had remembered reading in an earlier post about stubhub that you could not just show the ticket on the phone..they had to be printed. If that has changed maybe someone can explain..."

You're combining two things into one. Download/e-tickets need to be printed. Mobile tickets are used by some shows, and can also be bought on StubHub. For mobile, the seller is given your email address and forwards the mobile ticket to you, and you show it on your phone.

[Toll357]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:55pm

Hey there - thanks for all the responses! I definitely want to be prepared if I do this. I would crumble if I ended up getting the tickets last minute, saved money and then couldn't get in because I didn't have them printed!!!

I live in the city so I should be able to make this work. Any other stories welcome and appreciated.

I will update if/when I do it!

Thanks!

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 4:57pm

Just be aware of the fees they charge, selling and buying.  Way too much for me, but others don't mind it.  Good luck and I hope your friend enjoys the show.  

[linus84]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 5:15pm

Yes! The fees are almost $15-20 per ticket I think

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 5:59pm

The fees vary . I’ve paid as little as $4.00. I think more in NYC. And they’ll tell you before you check out. StubHub has been the way for me now.

[Toll357]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 6:07pm

I just spoke to Stubhub because I had NO idea they charge the buyers too! What a racket! They told me they don't lower the fees - that it is always 23-25%!! I suddenly saw how to see the fee with the ticket price!

Wow!

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 6:22pm

Toll357 said: "Hey there - thanks for all the responses! I definitely want to be prepared if I do this. I would crumble if I ended up getting the tickets last minute, saved money and then couldn't get in because I didn't have them printed!!!"

The StubHub center is at 39th/Broadway, so you should be able to to print them there and still make it to any theater nearby in time.

[northlandfan]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 7:26pm

So my experience with StubHub is as follows. I was trying to see mean girls on a recent trip to New York and always preferring center orchestra seats I did not see the price ticket fall below $400 for the first few days of my vacation. On the last day 3 hours before showtime I noticed two excellent seats eighth row center at $160 each plus a service charge of $34 each per ticket. I grab them right away enjoyed the show immensely
When I printed the tickets I noticed the Face value of each ticket was close to $300. An amazing first experience with StubHub for me!
The only problem that I had was that the tickets did not show up in the app so I called them and they just emailed them to me. The only glitch!
They were super helpful and friendly on the phone when I told them my problem.

[thecometbringsnofear]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:17pm

Used Stubhub the day before the tonys to see Bands Visit with great success. I watched the prices all day, and when I saw them starting to drop hopped on the subway to go to the stubhub office, bought my tickets, and got them printed on the spot. Got an amazing orchestra seat for $50 including fees. 

[DAME]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:45pm

Toll357 said: "I just spoke to Stubhub because I had NO idea they charge the buyers too! What a racket! They told me they don't lower the fees - that it is always 23-25%!! I suddenly saw how to see the fee with the ticket price!

Wow!"

I have always had a good experience with stub hub.  Their fees vary.  But you can decide not to make the purchase.  They are after all a business.  

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:49pm

So, do I need a computer or is there an app online?

I will be on New York this october and would love to see some shows via Stubhub like Frozen.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:56pm

MadsonMelo said: "So, do I need a computer or is there an app online?

I will be on New York this october and would love to see some shows via Stubhub like Frozen."

There’s a app and you can also do it on your computer .

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:25pm

MadsonMelo said: "So, do I need a computer or is there an app online?

I will be on New York this october and would love to see some shows via Stubhub like Frozen."

There is no guarantee that StubHub means you can see anything at a discount... the majority of scalpers are there regularly making profits, so what is available cheaply now may not be there in October. Plus, if you're visiting NYC to do other things, living on your phone waiting to see when the tides turn online is a bit of a time suck.

But if you can do it, go for it... I like seeing as many things as possible for as little as possible.

[Carmilla]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:36pm

I had a great, last minute experience with Stubhub.

I saw The Band's Visit back in April. I had gone to TKTS, but I wanted to see if I could find a better deal on Stubhub. I ended up paying $20, plus $7.15 in fees, to sit in the second last row of the mezz. My order confirmation email is time stamped at 7:52 (for the 8:00 show.)

I had gotten in line while I waited for the order confirmation. Then I realized d'oh! It wasn't a mobile ticket, but an e-ticket PDF that had to be printed. I ran over to the box office windoe, and explained I didn't realize till now I had to print the ticket. Box office looked at the PDF I showed them from my phone, then printed a lovely real ticket for me (yay, I keep them as souvenirs.)

The original face value of my ticket had been $69. There were actually cheaper deals than mine, but required pick up at the Stubhub center. I chose my ticket, thinking it was mobile, because I was already right by the theater and didn't run down to 40th.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 10/3/18 at 12:26am

So, one question, does Stubhub has a physical store, right?

Can I get there and buy a ticket?

If the question is silly, I'm sorry lol