Extra charges - tickets

Cherokee2015
Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
edited March 2017 in Entertainment #1

Whinge alert!

Wanted to buy some tickets for Evita at The Grand Opera House in York ( we live in Hull).  Booked online at a cost of £34 per ticket in the cheap seats.  The theatre is owned by ATG who charge extortionate amounts on top of the ticket.  £3.90 booking fee for each ticket and then £4 transaction fee.   So almost £12 on top making it an expensive afternoon out.   Only way to avoid charges is to buy in person from the box office.  How do they expect to attract visitors by overcharging them this way.   

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #2

    They seem to think we'll pay 😯. I thought there was something about fee for cards, certainly credit cards recently. How can they justify £3.90 booking fee per ticket? You can't go without a ticket can't book without the fee - catch 22. What about phoning? And I thought the airlines were cheeky 😉

    If I booked I'd be certain not to purchase anything else at the venue as they'd already fleeced me!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2017 #3

    Aren't the Government currently investigating these booking charges? 

    David

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2017 #4

    ATG are renowned for their excessive charges. Some artists won't use venues that they own.

    But I think it is like booking/buying anything - e.g. extras on top of a pitch fee (dogs/awnings etc) - it is the total cost that matters in the end.

     

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #5

    Funnily enough OH and I were talking about this very thing last night.

    We were looking at what was on at the theatre in Oxford, they use ATG and agreed the booking charges on top were extortionate!  It's not as though they need to do much, only post out the tickets yell

  • Cherokee2015
    Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
    edited March 2017 #6

    Phoning attracts the same charges unfortunately - I don't need them posting happy to collect on the day.  Funnily enough just pricing The Lion King in London - also run by ATG - more extortionate prices.  Our local theatre in Hull Is reopening soon after a refurbishment - they charge £1.50 booking fee and £1.20 postage however you can save on this by printing your own or collect at box office. 

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #7

    We went to see 'Bat Out Of Hell' at the Opera House in Manchester on the opening night.  Unfortunately, using ATG was the only option available so, if you want to go, you have to pay.  I loathe ticket agencies and much prefer to book direct with a venue box office as you get a better service and your tickets are sent out immediately instead of having to wait months for them to arrive.

     

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #8

    What really annoys me is the "postage / packing" charge. If you buy 4, they  charge for each ticket, but they all arrive in the same envelope. 😱

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2017 #9

    Sorry for quoting my own post but I think the Government are investigating the reselling of tickets at a large profit rather than charges for booking online. It was featured on the One Show tonight.

    David

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #10

    To save a bit of money I pick up tickets at the box office rather than pay postage (using box office bookings.)

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #11

    Bit tricky when it's in Australia or Canada Brue, unless we go for a recce. smile