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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 23/09/2018 15:41

So what happens if you no longer have the original card? My card was cloned recently and was therefore replaced but surely they wouldn't refuse entry because of that?

cookiesaurus · 23/09/2018 15:43

@PinkSparklyPussyCat you receive an email a week or so in advance reminding you if the T & Cs and if your card has changed you have to contact TM to change it before attending the event. But it must still be in your name.

PomBearWithoutHerOFRS · 23/09/2018 15:44

They can @pink
There's a bit in the t&c about it can't even be a new card with the same number. If your card expires between buying and going, you have to contact them to sort it out before you go.

MissCharleyP · 23/09/2018 15:55

What happens if say I wanted to buy tickets as a present for someone and not go myself? Is that not allowed? I’m only know what it is from hearing Frank Skinners review of it on his radio show.

Southwest12 · 23/09/2018 16:03

I’ve been twice and they didn’t check ID, just wanted to see the confirmation email that they send a couple of days before and swiped my card. I wouldn’t want to have risked it without though as if they check then that’s it, no entry. As others have said you can’t even join the queue to get in unless the whole party is there.

I did take out the ticket insurance they offer when I booked, as I’ve been in and out of hospital this year. It was £5 which when the tickets were £200 each was well worth it.

Original poster

OhTheRoses · 23/09/2018 16:03

DH can't do the repurchase trick because he isn't here with me at present and it would have had to have been done by 4pm.

Will contact Cameron Mackintosh and their CEO.

OP posts:

PawneeParksDept · 23/09/2018 16:05

@MissCharleyP no you can't do that, the instructions on buying tickets say so

@PinkSparklyPussyCat there is a mechanism/workaround for that but I can't remember what it is

MissCharleyP · 23/09/2018 16:25

Ah, right. Seems a shame if you wanted to surprise someone though. Never heard of shows being this strict, but I don’t get out much!

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 23/09/2018 16:43

I THINK Hamilton is the only London show currently doing this but TBH I think it’s a great idea as it means people can buy the tickets at face value instead of agencies and touts getting rich.

I understand the OPs frustration and also the frustration of not being able to buy tickets as a surprise for someone unless the purchaser is also going but the terms and conditions are all very clear.

I went with DD earlier this year. Confirmation email and photo ID (hers as she booked) were checked first in the queue to go in and then she had to present her card and ID again to someone with a machine who printed the ticket once we were inside. You aren’t allowed to leave and then go back in and they made that very clear too.

It is a fantastic show.

SweatyFretty · 23/09/2018 16:58

Will contact Cameron Mackintosh and their CEO.

Contact the theatre!! They sorted it for me with ease! Cameron Mackintosh will just forward you on to TM.

LIZS · 23/09/2018 17:02

Can you rebuy on dd's card? More hassle than it should be though.

notsokeen · 23/09/2018 17:17

I went back in June, purchasing the tickets January 2017. My brother booked the tickets for himself, my two nephews, myself, my partner and our daughter. A day before the show, we realised it was the same night as my nephews football presentation in which he was going to get a special award for 100 goals for the club, so had to go. My brother was the one to book the tickets, but was desperate to go to the presentation, so rang ticket master and they of course said he has to be present, and it’s too late to get a refund, he suggested multiple of ways for them to know we’re no part of ticket touting but they wouldn’t have it. In the end he came into the theatre with us all and left as soon as we all went in to the presentation, so had one seat unoccupied. But, they didn’t even check his id, just looked at the card and printed out our tickets so we could of actually brought someone in his place which is annoying.

jcyclops · 23/09/2018 17:45

Some of the restrictions on tickets are crazy. A few years ago I bought 4 tickets for my nieces and their friends to see One Direction. They were all 15-17yo so had no credit cards. I was roped in as the one with a credit card and net/phone access at the time they went on sale. Tickets were posted out with my name on them and the terms said one of the party must be me and I had to produce the credit card on venue entry. Needless to say the vendor and venue received thousands of complaints and did eventually relax the rules.

rightreckoner · 23/09/2018 17:48

I think Ticketmaster are part of the problem. They seem to make a lot of money reselling tickets on their own resale sites...

rightreckoner · 23/09/2018 17:58

Story here

Ticketmaster buy up tickets before general release and resell them to the public at inflated prices on their own site GetmeIn. They are touts and they don’t want anyone else getting in on the deal.

oliviatrivia · 23/09/2018 18:13

I don’t think they make it clear enough when purchasing tickets. There was no pop up or anything when I bought mine making it obvious.

I went recently and had my ID checked against the ticket confirmation and then my card swiped to get the tickets.

Sparklesocks · 23/09/2018 18:40

rightreckoner the difference here is Hamilton tickets are sold exclusively via ticketmaster, so it’s not the same as standard west end shows.

MzAnnie · 23/09/2018 19:04

We had a similar situation last year. My husband was originally going but couldn't.
I rang the theatre and they were really good about it. I think they requested some information by email. Sorry. I can't remember what it was now. Do ring the theatre and explain your situation. I am hopeful all will turn out well.

rightreckoner · 23/09/2018 19:08

I think a lot of shows are effectively exclusively sold via these ticket companies. They buy them all up before ordinary punters can get online. Have had this three times in the past year trying to buy various rock concert tickets - everything sold out within seconds apart from huge swathes of the arena mysteriously only available on GetMeIn at several multiples of their face value. Those are not legitimate resales.

I see their statements about preventing ticket touts and just find the whole thing risible. They are a huge part of the touting problem.

StoorieHoose · 23/09/2018 19:23

I went to see it on August and they defo checked my ID and the card I booked the tickets with

NO Hamilton tickets will appear on resale sites - nothing to do with Ticketmaster it’s all the theatre who has requested the system. It is pointed out to people buying Hamilton tickets several times that the purchaser must be present when entering the theatre

MzAnnie · 23/09/2018 19:52

I found the info.
Dear Annie,
Thank you for your email. As a general rule the cardholder must be attending the performance at Hamilton. However, if you husband can email us a picture of your photo ID, the reference number plus permission for you to collect the ticket then we may be able to assist. Please get him to contact us asap.
Kind regards,

It's really worth a try

Buxtonstill · 24/09/2018 13:37

Cameron Mackintosh owns the Victoria Palace Theatre. He also co-produces Hamilton, and chose to appoint Scamitfaster to sell the tickets.

Original poster

OhTheRoses · 24/09/2018 23:20

All sorted. A lovely lady in the box office was very kind and very helpful

OP posts:

PawneeParksDept · 25/09/2018 01:35

Great outcome !

DesperateElf · 27/01/2020 20:14

Has anyone been able to get a refund for Hamilton tickets purchased through ticketmaster? Just realised we can't go and sick to my stomach with regards to their policies. 4 great tickets (a box) for February.

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