Telecharge Purposely Blocking Best Buyers from Website!- Page 2

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:33am

As much as this sucks, until they can get a better server, they're going to put restrictions onto their site. If you're planning on buying tickets, call their number directly.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:38am

Thanks for quoting the telecharge "customer no-service" department.

It is interesting how people can't wait to make excuses for telecharge.

As for capitalism, competition would be the key. Telecharge is the equivalent of a governmentally run health care system.

Next, someone will suggest that the government take over telecharge.

[Craig]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:39am

Point proven. I've done nothing to cover up anything.

My opinion is that while unfortunate, I can understand the limiting of searches. Not blocking users per se - but then again, they weren't "banned" from searches - I believe they were just temporarily locked out for a time period.

You have to remember that these ticket agencies don't JUST service the theater industry. And their policies and procedures have to work across the board. Unfortunate, yes - but I can only imagine the drain on resources, let alone perhaps unshady usage of that function and the headaches that would occur with unlimited access.

Alternatively - you can always call the company and keep asking them to search for tickets.

Anf finally, HDT - I will re-iterate what I have so often reminded you of. Hypocrisy. This is not an attack. My suggesgtion is that you stop holding others to higher ideals than you hold for yourself.

Updated On: 6/13/07 at 09:39 AM

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:55am

Hi Craig,
No, actually you're incorrect about being blocked permanently from the site vs temporarily locked out. My home computer has been completely blocked from Telecharge since Sunday. I rarely ever use that one to purchase tickets as I generally order them from my work PC. I looked under 3 dates on Sunday from home, was told my activity was illegal, and I've been locked out ever since...I can't search or anything - the page won't even come up. I called Telecharge to order the tickets and customer service had never heard of it and essentially said there was nothing they could do - just give it some time and hope it comes back. It's sadly not saying much about Telecharge at all.

[Craig]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:59am

Telecharge has posted that they will have that fixed today. My suggestion would be to contact them if you aren't restored by the end of today.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:59am

It's sad to hear this about Telecharge. I thought Ticketmaster was the one that sucked.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 10:01am

I KNOW! I always thought the Telecharge was much better than Ticketmaster in all ways, so this is disappointing.

[mightydog]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 10:07am

Isn't Telecharge owned by the Shubert Organization?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 10:07am

Ticketmaster has gotten slightly better, as their words to prevent automated ordering have gotten a bit clearer.

I remember having problems using their multiple date ticket search function. I haven't seen how it has been working lately.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 10:13am

It is in fact, mighty.

My dream, and I know this will NEVER happen in a million, kajillion years, is to be able to search a date and see the theatre like an airplane when selecting seats, see what's empty and actually PICK the seats you want!

Ticketmaster IS worse. At least Telecharge will let you keep looking at different sets of seats in a performance, since their idea of "best" and your idea of "best" might differ. Ticketmaster makes you start the search over after giving you one option, and then just keeps giving you the same tickets.

Updated On: 6/13/07 at 10:13 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 11:26am

Does anyone get this:

Server Error in '/' Application.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Runtime Error
Description: An application error occurred on the server. The current custom error settings for this application prevent the details of the application error from being viewed remotely (for security reasons). It could, however, be viewed by browsers running on the local server machine.

Details: To enable the details of this specific error message to be viewable on remote machines, please create a tag within a "web.config" configuration file located in the root directory of the current web application. This tag should then have its "mode" attribute set to "Off".

[mightydog]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 11:56am

Born to Reign - I actually know some people who are trying to develop just such a system. However, if the organization that owns the most B'way theatres also owns the incumbent leading ticketing company it might be a tough road.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:01pm

Seriously? I would love that! I try to buy at box offices. I live here, so I have the luxury of saying "I can go anytime, I just want seat 'x'" Sometimes the BO person is great, sometimes they're nasty about it. But hey, I'm a paying customer, right?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:08pm

"I live here, so I have the luxury of saying "I can go anytime, I just want seat 'x'."

Lucky! I wish I had that advantage year round. I work in the city during the summer this year, so I can do that, but any other time I have to use the online (or phone) service and pay those stupid service charges.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:14pm

Well, if it's not a hugely popular show, I'll do that sometimes, just to avoid the BO people sneering at me. I just got $60 front mezz for Curtains at the end of July on Telecharge (because if I was going to pay for it I wanted FRONT ROW of the mezz). Of course, they ended up costing me closer to $70 a ticket, but that's how it goes. I hadn't heard good things about the Hirschfeld BO

[justafan2]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:21pm

I was able to access telecharge.com today (finally). At least I know the reason I kept getting "error", etc. I still think telecharge is easier to deal with than ticketmaster. If you want to look for better seats (different date), you have to start all over each time with ticketmaster. It's much more cumbersome to navigate.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:24pm

Ticketmaster SUUUUUUUCKS! If it's a Nederlander show, I try to go to the BO at all costs.

The problem is that Ticketmaster is set up for concert tickets and sports tickets, which are either general admission or in venues so big that seat locations are the same from a lot of places. IE their "best" may be the best. It's not made for 1,000 seat venues where seat quality varies greatly (despite being priced the same - another problem!)

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:39pm

Ticketmaster and telecharge obviously have big problems. Although someone tried to make it a personal attack on me (an flawed strategy often utilized on this board) the problems are clearly with the "service" provided by these ticket dispensers.

The average poster on this board gets it. Telecharge is terrible. So is ticket master.

So much for the excuse makers.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:41pm

Furthermore, I am certain that the producers of struggling shows will not remain satisfied with the so-called service that they are getting from the telecharge monopoly.

[RobbO]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:52pm

almost everytime i have gone to the box office directly or called telecharge/ticketmaster, i've been treated very rudely. for me it is more important where i am sitting than when i am going, so i like to know my options that way.

when i've tried to get this information in person and over the phone, the person inevitably gets very testy and has tried to tell me that they cannot search that way - at least that was the party line the last time i tried either of these options a few years ago.

it is easier to do the search myself online but being locked out for doing so is ridiculous!

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:54pm

They have no choice, unfortunately.

Telecharge is owned by Shubert
Shubert owns more houses on B'way than anyone else

Ergo:
Shows in those houses must use Telecharge by contract.

The only people who HAVE a choice are Jujamcyn and independent houses, like Circle in the Square and Lincoln Center

[lucydee]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 2:21pm

Well, at least I know now its not my computer. The last time I went on to telecharge to purchase tickets I was on for about 25 minutes searching for different dates that gave me the best seats then I made my purchase and bought 6 tickets to a show. The very next day I tried to get 2 more for friends of mine who wanted to join us and I could not get back into the telecharge site. I called and called and finally someone told me I was on too long and that to try later on in the week. Needless to say this occured on May 28th and I have not been able to get back on to telecharge. I thought it was my computer because when I tried on my office computer it worked. So I called from my office and I was told by telecharge that I was blocked because they have my IT address and I was on too long. According to the rep. in their IT dept, they keep a log of everyones computer address and if you were bad, LOL and on for more than 15 minutes they will not allow you back on for a while. I asked why, and they said its to avoid ticket brokers and scalpers purchasing too many tickets. First of all I was only on for about 25 minutes and I'm not a scalper or ticket broker, just someone who enjoys broadway and go as often as I can. God what is this world coming too. You would think they would be happy that people are spending money to purchase tickets and alot of them not just 2 tickets. I will defintely try tonight when I get home to see if the site works because as of last night it still did not work. We are going on 3 weeks now!

Updated On: 6/13/07 at 02:21 PM

[retrogirl44]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 8:54pm

...sort of...it depends on where the "price break" is i.e which section, row)", day, month, etc. Weekdays are always easier to get, Jan., Feb., March (same). Holidays, weekends are always more popular, thusly, more difficult, naturally to get what you want. Strategy: always have about 5 diff. dates or more, the searches they do for those dates might yield better results. And also, remember that Telecharge handles thousands of nat'l and int'l calls an hour, so availability is constantly changing, even minute to minute. The house seats also may become available (suddenly) if not picked up within 48 hours of
of date of perf., but timing it exactly 2 days before (if your'e in town),is sometimes LUCK. The # of house seats per pref., per house varies greatly, but they're usually center and side orch., and front mezz. Good luck. I hope this makes sense.
Flexibility is the key...your up against a computer program!!

[retrogirl44]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 8:57pm

the only way you can understand these "systems" completely is to actually work for these companies.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:12pm

Looks like they are at at again....

blocking people who have searched a few shows and a few seats.