To have a whinge about this

[BeyondPreparedForHell]

Trying to buy tickets for a concert.

They went on presale to fans on wednesday, second presale on thursday to people who are members of the promoters. General sale today. Because i require a carer and wheelchair access, not only did i have to wait til today to buy tickets, rather than get any presale, i have to call and speak to the venue direct to do it. I have been redialling for an hour.

The promoters already have proof of my disability from a festival they also promote.

If i dont get tickets, i will scream.

And also, surely this is discrimination?

Afraid I don't know much about concerts. Are there only selective seats that are accessible? Or are all seats accessible but they just need advanced warning?

Oh no, this is the Slipknot tour isn't it? Nothing constructive to say, just wanted to wish you luck in getting through. I would offer flowers but it's not the metal thing to do

Ideally, the wheelchair space is best, which are limited. However i could book seating, as i can walk a little so could transfer to a seat if needed. Its the carer ticket that seems to be the big problem. But as i said, the promoter know i need one due to doing a festival too and having all my paperwork already.

Yep pervy, its slipknot.

MrsLH has MS, and uses a wheelchair, but as she prefers to transfer, we're able to take "normal" seats, as long as they're by the aisle. Which means we can use online booking sites, as long as we can see a seating plan (and ideally where the entrance is). OK that means you can't get the D&C discount (where the carer goes free) so it is a trade off.

Over the past few years we've gotten to know all the local venues, and try for our "favourite" seats where we can.

Shameless big-up for the Artrix in Bromsgrove here. It's only a little venue, yet has a fantastic online streetview tour on their website where you can actually look around the theatre online. We used that to note where the level access seats were, and booked direct using the online seat plan.

Totally feel your frustration. It's just lazy thinking on the venue/promoters part. For myself, I hate doing anything on the phone. Much prefer online where you do things at your convenience.

Discrimination ? Clearly. But unlawful discrimination ? I couldn't say.

To end on a positive, in all the venue we've been to (mainly stand-ups) over the years, without exception, the staff have always been helpful and friendly.

Would be £90 if i didnt use it, just too much for me :(

The most annoying thing is, i cant just go to a different venue if mine sells out, as only mine has my proof of disability. Would take about two weeks to arrange another if i needed to go to a different venue.

Ohhh, we have a whole new level of annoyance. It seems the line i have been ringing may be set to send all incoming calls to answer phone. So i've been ringing for nearly two hours, with no chance of getting through. I've left a voicemail and sent an email, if i'm too late now, i will cry.

Beyond that's crap :(

I think you should email them once this is over and explain the difficulties you are facing and ask if in future it would be possible to book at the same time the 'Thursday' people do (if not the Wednesday).

Could you get 'set up' at other venues so that in future you also have more choice?

LurkingHusband I can see why you'd do that (even though you shouldn't have to) but I think it's a bit different when you are paying for a couple who (presumably) both want to see the concert than if you are single and paying for a carer because you need to (iyswim). Though, for all I know I suppose, you could be going to concerts you wouldn't choose to... I'm sorry about your wife's MS

Id be inclined to tweet about it and copy the promoters and Corey Taylor into the tweet...I'm very pro doing this kind of thing as I've had great success where an injustice has been done and tbh this is discriminatory as you can't access the same seats as the rest of us and have limited ways of purchasing the tickets which again smacks of discrimination

They bloody rang back while i was on the school run, also rang my mobile but i had no signal. I think fate really doesnt want me to go to this gig!! :(

I will be tweeting it. This is the first time i've done a "proper" concert since i became ill, i've done festivals and little gigs and both have been completely accessible - disabled access on sale at the same time as the rest, your "validity" is checked after purchase.

Tickets are how much???

I just got a seating plan on TicketMaster and the only available tickets are £118?? That can't be right surely?

Touts

Rang back again, sold out. The bloke on the phone disagrees that it is discriminatory and tells me I could have bought tickets yesterday. Not what i was told. Annoyingly, I now cant find where i was told i had to wait til today, to use it as proof.

Am so angry at them, and then on top of that feeling ridiculously sorry for myself and crying. How "metal" of me. :(

Oh, that's awful

Do you mind saying which venue it is? Perhaps someone on here knows someone who could pull some strings and/or address the discrimination issue.

Yeah no problem at all, it was motorpoint arena in cardiff, all dealt with via livenation.

Looks like the GM's name is Phil Sheeran. Not sure if they have standard email addresses but it might be worth a shot.

Fab, thank you. I've started a separate thread about it now, see if i can draw in any more help :)