Why are transaction/booking fees so ridiculously high?

[binau]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 4:48pm

I hate this.

If you're under 30 you get $40 tickets (A reserve) for the Sydney Theatre company production of Spring Awakening. But there is a $7 transaction fee - what the ****? That's almost 20% on top.

Tickets for Night Music - $9.50 in 'extra charges' (service & handling).

I wish they'd include them in the price of the ticket, so it isn't so misleading..

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 4:50pm

It covers the overhead (and then some) of the ticketing service.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 4:51pm

Because there is nothing we can do about it...

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 4:52pm

Because most people will pay those fees. They don't mention the fees while you are picking out your tickets but in the last part they mention it and most people will go ahead and pay it.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 5:04pm

But you can always go to the box office and not pay any fees.

[singtopher]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 5:54pm

^ I was just going to say that. Best way to get discounted tickets is print out a discount code, and bring it to the box office.

[timote316]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 6:23pm

I'll cover the next two posts.

1: "What if I can't get to the box office? I get screwed!"

2: That's the name of the game. Pay a little extra for the guarantee to get a ticket in advance, or take the chance and buy it later when you can get to the box office. Is the $7 (or whatever) worth that for you?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 7:07pm

It's more like $20, which you have to admit is a little absurd for a $50 ticket.

But yes, that's why they tack on "convenience" charges. For the convenience of guaranteeing a ticket in advance.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/29/09 at 7:10pm

Used to be the same way for booking seats on airlines online. Hidden fees/taxes not included until checkout. Now most of them include the price after taxes/fees right from the get-go and advertise it as thus.

I wonder if one could go to their local airport and purchase tickets in advance and not have to pay those fees?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/30/09 at 3:22pm

Fees =

But it's a business.