Telecharge Service Fees?

I wanted to purchase a ticket to Anatasia on the Telecharge website yesterday. Besides the fact that the website crashed when I tried to complete my transaction, I was (going to be) charged $11 for a service fee and $3 for a handling fee.

I usually go to the box office and I don't recall fees being that steep. Is this something new?

There are no fees when you go in person to the box office. There are always fees when you buy online.

GoodyProctor said: "Right, I'm aware there are always fees associated with the website (which is why I usually go to the box office).

What my post said was "I usually go to the box office and I don't recall fees being that steep. Is this something new?" So to be clearer, has it been $14 per ticket for a while now? I thought fees were something around $10 or $11. "

You phrased your question poorly. The box office does not charge fees. There is nothing "new" about Telecharge or Ticketmaster charging online fees.

I've never sorted out why, when I act as my own box office manager, select my own seats, process my own payment, and use my own computer, printer, and ink to create my own ticket, *I* have to pay more money... but if I go to the box office, and make someone who is already on salary do that, and use all of their resources, then it is free? Doesn't that seem backwards?

haterobics said: "I've never sorted out why, when I act as my own box office manager, select my own seats, process my own payment, and use my own computer, printer, and ink to create my own ticket, *I* have to pay more money... but if I go to the box office, and make someone who is already on salary do that, and use all of their resources, then it is free? Doesn't that seem backwards?"

The show pays for the box office to be open at the theater. Online ticket fees pay for Ticketmaster and Telecharge to be able to keep Ticketmaster and Telecharge running (and, occasionally, improving).

rangersrule132 said: "you're kidding right? you really don't understand the service that ticketmaster and telecharge provide? and why they charge what they charge?"

Not sure where I said any of that?

double post

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 08:37 AM

To somewhat answer the OPs question: while I don't keep a spreadsheet either and I don't have the numbers to back it up, Telecharge fees have increased a lot over the last couple year. I feel like 3-4 years ago it was more like $8, now it's up to $12-14 dollars, which is a >30% increase and can't be explained by inflation.

Ticketmaster fees used to be a LOT higher for Broadway shows, now it's not that much difference anymore (I think, not sure what TM fees are now?)



PThespian, excellent point. I live in Germany and will visit NY in June. I doubt I will buy many tickets in advance because I don't wanna pay $13 fees on a $60-80 tickets (side/rear mezz with discount...). I'll either wait till I get there take my discount code to the BO or I'll ask a friend in town to buy it for my when they are in the theater district next time. I would be willing to pay maybe $8, but not more. I don't see why. I don't see much service, certainly less then when I go to the BO and have the BO person help me chose my seat by explaining sight lines etc etc....

Thanks Artman. Just checked my Lionel/Mariah ticket and saw the a $21 service fee. Will have to pay more attention next time. It does seem to be the highest service fee I ever received.

I have NYC on 4/1. I was wondering the same thing. I don't know if it's different depending on the city or, maybe, price level. I got $99.99 tickets and was charged $121

Rangersrule said: "Interestjng, I've never heard of that much being charged in fees. However, they are providing a medium in which you are able to buy tickets from the convince of your home and be able to print your own tickets out at home. They can charge whatever they want to charge when they are one of only a few tickey buying platforms out there. "

ArtMan said: "But see back..back...back in the day you couldn't print your tickets by phone. You contacted Ticketmaster BY PHONE and spoke to a rep who helped you select your tickets. Then they mailed the tickets to you. So the fees they charged then, also went for mailing expenses. So printing the ticket at home has really nothing to do with the fees. Fees have also always been there. Like Haterobics stated the buyer is doing all the work. So again, what exactly is Ticketmaster doing to justify keeping $62 for fees? It is a monopoly and they do charge whatever they want."

It's not "the buyer is doing all the work." Ticketmaster and Telecharge also has to do the work of maintaining Ticketmaster and Telecharge. There are tons of people involved in "doing the work" of making it possible for you to buy your own tickets online, select your seats, and print out your tickets. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they're not there being paid to do it.

The idea that people don't need to be paid if you don't speak to someone in person or over the phone is just false. Websites require constant maintenance and upgrades.

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 11:48 AM

OK, basic consumer economics:

People are compensated based on what they deliver, not on what it costs to make. In the online context, we pay for a platform that someone invented and then built into a valuable resource, not for what it costs them to build and maintain. Just as someone will buy a Maserati rather than a Kia not based on the cost of manufacture. And someone will pay more to see Hamilton than Great Comet, even though the cost of delivering the Comet may be considerably higher per capita.

double post

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 07:35 PM