Telecharge VS Ticketmaster

[jonah3500]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 6:48am

I was wondering which ticketing service people like more. I left TodayTix out because it isn't an authorized source.

 

 

 

 

I like Ticketmaster more because 1) you have more time to buy tickets and 2) you do a ReCaptcha after you decide to buy.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 6:52am

I prefer Ticketmaster, since it seems more automated and you can learn how to game the system. Like premium tickets convert to regular on schedules based on inventory, etc. I also like the idea that it is one site for buying regular and discount tickets, unlike Telecharge spinning off Telecharge Offers so people who see somewhere to put a discount code don't Google "A Doll's House Part 2 discount code" before paying $155.

Telecharge is more geared to theater, since I can look for every Saturday matinee of a show for the next two months, and see what seats they have for a single show. Ticketmaster got started for concerts and sporting events, where that is less of a thing.

But ultimately it doesn't matter. If I want to see Hamilton, I'll use Ticketmaster. If I want to see Dolly, Telecharge is fine.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 9:11am

For me Telecharge is easier. My family can only watch shows in the weekends and it's easier for me to search for only matinees on sat and sun for a range of dates  on Telecharge than on ticketmaster.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 9:23am

For me, Ticketmaster is better, because it will show you every available seat on the seating chart for any given performance. Telecharge will only give you choices based on what the system considers the best available at the time, and, once they're sold, they'll give different options. I like having all the choices in front of me before I make a decision. Often, I'll buy tickets on Telecharge, then seats that I would have preferred will pop up. It's pretty infuriating.

Updated On: 4/22/17 at 09:23 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 9:47am

But it doesn't really matter as shows are either on one or the other, dependent on who owns the house, I believe. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 10:03am

dramamama611 said: "But it doesn't really matter as shows are either on one or the other, dependent on who owns the house, I believe. 

That's correct. Shubert uses Telecharge, while Jujamcyn and Nederlander use Ticketmaster. I prefer the ticket-buying experience on Ticketmaster, though, so it's unfortunate for me that Shubert, the most prolific organization, doesn't use it.

 

Updated On: 4/22/17 at 10:03 AM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 1:27pm

Ticketmaster has recently changed their map/seat function for at least concerts.  I'm finding it harder to find the option of which seats are available (on the map) for upcoming concerts.  As far as which one I prefer I would say Telecharge.  Their fees are not as high and their customer service, on average, is better than Ticketmaster.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 1:32pm

ArtMan said: "Ticketmaster has recently changed their map/seat function for at least concerts.  I'm finding it harder to find the option of which seats are available (on the map) for upcoming concerts.  As far as which one I prefer I would say Telecharge.  Their fees are not as high and their customer service, on average, is better than Ticketmaster.

 

Their fees are about the same though, I prefer to buy through ticketmaster. Much easier and you pick your seats.

 

[clb10162]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 3:46pm

muscle23ftl said: "ArtMan said: "Ticketmaster has recently changed their map/seat function for at least concerts.  I'm finding it harder to find the option of which seats are available (on the map) for upcoming concerts.  As far as which one I prefer I would say Telecharge.  Their fees are not as high and their customer service, on average, is better than Ticketmaster.

 

Their fees are about the same though, I prefer to buy through ticketmaster. Much easier and you pick your seats."

 

Actually, their fees are not the same.  Ticketmaster fees depend on the ticket price; the higher the ticket price, the higher the fees.  For "Hamiton," for example, the fees for the more expensive seats can run into hundreds of dollars.  Telecharge charges the same fee for all seats, no matter what the face value of the ticket.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 4:49pm

clb10162 said: "muscle23ftl said: "ArtMan said: "Ticketmaster has recently changed their map/seat function for at least concerts.  I'm finding it harder to find the option of which seats are available (on the map) for upcoming concerts.  As far as which one I prefer I would say Telecharge.  Their fees are not as high and their customer service, on average, is better than Ticketmaster.

 

Their fees are about the same though, I prefer to buy through ticketmaster. Much easier and you pick your seats."

 

Actually, their fees are not the same.  Ticketmaster fees depend on the ticket price; the higher the ticket price, the higher the fees.  For "Hamiton," for example, the fees for the more expensive seats can run into hundreds of dollars.  Telecharge charges the same fee for all seats, no matter what the face value of the ticket.

 

"

Telecharge started charging lower fees for tickets under $50 a couple of months ago.

Also, all shows hold back seats so it's not the ticket seller's fault that new seats pop up closer to the performance.

I don't like that Ticketmaster encourgages people to resell tickets for a profit and that Ticketmaster increases that resell price so that they can make even more off those tickets.

Updated On: 4/22/17 at 04:49 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 5:35pm

PThespian said: "Telecharge's customer service  is light years ahead of Ticketmaster's."

I absolutely concur. If I buy a ticket and then something unforeseen disrupts my plans, Telecharge is FAR more helpful and accommodating. Ticketmaster, on the other hand, just tells you to sell it yourself.

I've not compared the fees for the two sites in some time, but the last time I checked Telecharge was the more nominal. Ticketmaster fees have always been outrageous in my opinion.

I also like that Telecharge allows you to check availability for multiple dates and times at once; Ticketmaster makes you navigate to separate webpages for each date/time.

Also, Telecharge always offers a Will Call option; Tickemaster only allows Will Call if the performance date is within a certain number of days.

I much prefer to do business with Telecharge.

Updated On: 4/23/17 at 05:35 PM

[stevie3]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 12:12am

Telecharge is more corrupt. When theatres release seats to the general public Telecharge puts their website on a hold so you cant buy the seats but in the meantime some of the managers up there are busy buying the tickets for Brokers. Its been going on for years. Don't know how they get away with it, but they do

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 1:04am

I prefer Telecharge as I like to pick up my tickets at will call. Much prefer real ticket stubs to the "at home" printed tickets. Also keeps you flexible if you need to change your dates etc.  

Ticketmaster doesn't allow will call option to Canadian purchasers. You either have to have the tickets mailed to you (making exchanges/refunds impossible), or you print out your tickets. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 1:09am

The user interface on Ticketmaster is 10,000 times better than Telecharge.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 4:46am

defyingravity11 said: "I don't like that Ticketmaster encourgages people to resell tickets for a profit and that Ticketmaster increases that resell price so that they can make even more off those tickets."

Missing an important distinction here, though.

When you buy a resold ticket through Ticketmaster, it voids the old bar code and generates a new one. So, when you buy a resold ticket there, you know you're 100% getting into the show. StubHub and such, you have to hope that the seller didn't sell the ticket more than once, in which case you have to hope you're in line ahead of the other people with the same ticket.

Reselling tickets exists with or without Ticketmaster or anyone's help...

https://www.stubhub.com/hello-dolly-new-york-tickets-bette-midler-in-hello-dolly--new-york-shubert-theatre---ny-4-29-2017/event/9669824/

Updated On: 4/23/17 at 04:46 AM

[10086sunset]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 8:47am

Telecharge has the better customer service. 

Ticketmaster has the resale function, which can be useful if your plans change and you simply need to sell your tickets. Also, like haterobics said, the old ticket is voided and you get a newly generated barcode, allowing you to feel 100% confident you will get into the show with no problems. 

My biggest issue with ticketmaster was raised earlier by Artman. The change has been horrible. 

"Ticketmaster has recently changed their map/seat function for at least concerts.  I'm finding it harder to find the option of which seats are available (on the map) for upcoming concerts. "