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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think ticketmaster are being totally unreasonable

77 replies

OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:24

And not just for taking 30 mins to answer the phone.

Have Hamilton tickets for next week. DD's treat before uni. I paid - in January.

I have asked if DH could go instead of me; taking credit card, id and marriage certificate. I have a significant reason for not going which I explained. The answer is no regardless of the reason in case we are touts. They will not even let me go to box office, collect tickets and send DH in instead of me.

This doesn't feel like good customer service and has left a bitter taste. I'd have expected a bit more flexibility.

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 23/09/2018 14:27

Just looked at the website, whatever your reasons the information is very clear.

TM have a monopoly for many events/ venues. They don't need to be flexible.

cardibach · 23/09/2018 14:28

It’s very clear in the TandCs when you book. It prevents touting, so people can actually afford ford to go to see Hamilton here, unlike on Broadway. They are re perfectly reasonable. I’m sorry for your disappointment, but in this case, as in some others, a few have to be disappointed to protect the rest.

Original poster
OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:29

It's not as though it's Royal Ascot. Anyone can go if they can buy the tickets.

OP posts:
Original poster
OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:30

It can be proved we aren't touts though.

OP posts:
Gazelda · 23/09/2018 14:31

But their policy is very clear. I understand your disappointment, but I don't think TM are being unreasonable in putting this policy in place, and sticking rigidly to it.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 23/09/2018 14:32

I'd just go, collect tickets and swap places with dh if you can. I'd be surprised if ID is checked after the box office!

Original poster
OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:33

Covent Garden doesn't behave like this. They are far more elite and much more helpul. It's only a musical. Never jad this trouble with other big musicals.

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 23/09/2018 14:33

Why should they go to all the effort of checking you're not touts? If they do it for you, what about the next person that asks?

This is your problem, not theirs.

Bombardier25966 · 23/09/2018 14:34

Covent Garden doesn't behave like this. They are far more elite and much more helpul. It's only a musical. Never jad this trouble with other big musicals.

Then go to your far more elite Covent Garden instead.

Sparklesocks · 23/09/2018 14:34

My friend couldn’t go to Hamilton anymore but we were able to refund it. I’m afraid i don’t think transferring is an option, they check your ID and ticket confirmation before you get in so I don’t think you’d be able to sneakily swap on the day I’m afraid.

JupiterDrops · 23/09/2018 14:34

All they do on the door is swipe your credit card. No ID checks. I was worried too as my names changed since I booked but they just whizz everyone through really quickly. I can't see him having a problem getting in if he takes your credit card.

cardibach · 23/09/2018 14:34

On Broadway you can’t buy the tickets unless you have a lot of disposable income. Here the tickets are much more affordable. That’s because of this policy. It’s the simplest way to prevent touts without it taking the door staff hours to vet everyone. Like I say, it’s unfortunate in your case, but the rules have to be repeated to protect everyone else.

Amanduh · 23/09/2018 14:34

Just collect them and send dh in. Never known them check.
But I don’t think their policy is u reasonable

RibbonAurora · 23/09/2018 14:35

I don't see how they can prevent you handing over your ticket to DH at the venue once you have it in hand. You don't have to provide the names of the attendees when you buy multiple tickets and if you're picking up at will-call you then dish them out to the others in your party.

Mexicantiger · 23/09/2018 14:37

I’ve heard of other people returning the tickets over the phone then re-buying them with the other person’s card there and then. Can’t you do that?

FleeceDetective · 23/09/2018 14:37

Everyone knows Hamilton is like gold dust right now. Everyone who buys tickets should have read the same blurb about the person paying for the tickets has to be the one attending/no exceptions.

Why do you feel so special?

cardibach · 23/09/2018 14:37

Stereophonically you can’t get in without ID of the ticket purchaser. All the group must go in at once. I’m guessing if the OP could get there for the start she’d stay. Jupiter that wasn’t my experience - photo I’d and credit card. I made a mistake about which credit card I’d used and had to go to the main desk to sort it - with all my party with me.

eurochick · 23/09/2018 14:39

Any chance your daughter looks a bit like you? Driving licence and passport photos are pretty small...

peachgreen · 23/09/2018 14:40

Hamilton isn't just "a big musical" though - it's a phenomenon. The T&Cs were very clear on booking and it states no exceptions. It's a slippery slope once they start making exceptions. And I say that as someone who also couldn't use her Hamilton ticket (I would have been about to give birth!) so had to just return it for a refund - and tbh I felt very lucky I was able to get a refund as that's not always the case!

Original poster
OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:41

I don't think I'm special. I think a little flexibility and understanding in extenuating circs would be helpful and it's called customer service Especially when I could take in three people off the street if I fancied because there aren't names fir the whole party.

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NameChangeMagee · 23/09/2018 14:42

They check ID and the payment card method - they've done it both times I've gone. The final check is inside, you're not going to get an extra person through the first two lots of people that run checks. It sucks, I've had to get one lot of tickets refunded due to personal reasons. But if it was NYC prices of never be able afford it!

cardibach · 23/09/2018 14:44

You could take 3 randoms in, yes. But you would have to also at least queue and go in with them, which would deter most touts I’d have thought - and reduce possible profits.

Good customer service in this case is keeping the prices at face value for everyone. Sometimes that means disadvantaging a few.

Hadjab · 23/09/2018 14:44

I’m in exactly the same position. Back in January, my husband bought me tickets for my birthday, next Wednesday. He passed away in April. I called Ticketmaster and explained the situation, they said no problem, send us the death certificate, which I did, over a month ago. They responded via email to say they would contact me to swap the card details over to my card, as obviously, the cardholder won’t be present. I’ve had to call them five times over the past week alone, and they still haven’t swapped the details - the show is next Wednesday, and tbh, I’m pretty pissed off now. I’m probably just going to turn up with the death certificate, marriage certificate and his card and ID.

cardibach · 23/09/2018 14:46

Hadjab now that is bad service. I’m very sorry for your loss.

Original poster
OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 14:46

Hadjab that's horrendous. I am so sorry. Their Computah must say.

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