Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Sad response to International Bowl

Well the international bowl appears to be a poor excuse for a bowl game. Tickets are going for below cost on Stubhub - and according to some reports are cheaper than UConn allumns are required to pay. Very unfortunate that UB finally gets to go to a Bowl Game after waiting 50 years and no body is going to see it.

http://www.torontoticketbrokers.com/

Friday, December 26, 2008

The Root to getting great tickets

The Ticket-Masters of the world have decided that it will be their practice to only release a percentage of the total tickets that are available for a show. The reasoning being that there is much more many to be made on tickets in the secondary market. Tickets as a result are being treated more like a commodity by TicketMaster and less like a means to provide fans with access to see their favourite groups. By holding back tickets - they are instantly creating a hyper eager market for the tickets. Even those who are online at the initial offering, usually don't receive on opportunity to buy tickets. We must ask, is this better for the consumer or just price gauging?? Does this give more people access to see the shows they want??

It may just represent a hit to the secondary market and ultimately takes the profit that ticket brokers would normally derive and puts it in the pockets of Tickets Now type sites. Which is owned by TicketMaster. Ultimately they are only creating a business model that is best for their bottomline. It is hard to blame a corporation for increasing their profit. As more acts strike up their own delivery deals, ie Madonna. And less work with dedicated ticket delivery engines like TicketMaster. They will be forced to relinquish more of the pie.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Brittany Spears Coming to Canada

With Brittany Spears announcing her up coming Canadian Dates. This will be a great show. Tickets are going to be expensive - like her or not - she is a great entertainer and puts on an amazing light and sound display. The cities she picked include Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Toronto Show is set for March 18th - with Montreal hitting the stage on March 20th. The fact that she isn't doing that many shows in the US - must mean that she is testing the water about her return to touring. Having an undersold show can do a great deal of damage to someones career.

Her US stops include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and concluding in Chicago.

These destinations must be hotspots from a Fan Club perspective. Ensuring that her show is sold out. It is also surprizing that other major markets like New York, St Louis, Philadelphia weren't included.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New Engine for Searching Tickets

Hey Guys,

We have just added a great way to search tickets - the link is http://tickets.torontoticketbrokers.com

This should help you find even better selection of hard to get tickets on the web.

Let me know if you have any questions.

T

Friday, November 7, 2008

Mobile Ticket Purchasing

As we rely more and more on our personal data devices. We are going to see the ability to offer tickets on the go. Whether for a concert, movie or sporting event. This will cut down on the number of people that are need at event venues, reduce lineup times, provide a better overall customer experience. In most of Europe the use of bar-code readers is a huge part of what makes up the mobile shopping experience. Even in Asia you can scan a billboard for a special product code and then send a text with that offer to receive a coupon or pre-register for a product. This will help marketers identify their target audience is and how to most effectively reach and communicate with them.

Our growth as an industry will rely on building better pathways for customers to get their tickets fast and easy. As we go wireless and more mobile with our purchasing - consumers will want the ability to buy everything on the go.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Tickets for Lion King - NYC - Minskoff Theatre

So after spending the going rate for Mezzanine seats to see the Lion King - this was my first time seeing the show. I have to say that it was a little dead. Some of the costumes were beat up and the enthusiasm of some of the characters left a little to be desired. Still a pretty good show and if you are coming to NYC, I would recommend seeing the show.

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Saturday, August 23, 2008

GTA Ticket Sources - Locate Tickets in the GTA

If you need to actually buy tickets from an Actual person - Toronto really doesn't have retail location for this kind of thing. They probably should - If someone knows of a location that offers this kind of service. Please let me know.

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Monday, August 11, 2008

Rise Against Toronto - Sound Academy - Oct 3rd, 2008

Rise Against is coming to the Sound Academy - Here is a link to hard to get tickets for the Show. Check it out, this the easiest way to get tickets.

Rise Against - Sound Academy

Thursday, July 31, 2008

How are Ticket Brokers different from Scalpers??

Ticket Brokers work as a business - they work on supply and demand. They do this the understand that they will follow a strict code of ethics. Ultimately it is how they go about there business that differs from the practice of scalping tickets. Using a reputable broker ensures that should the tickets you purchase be a fraud you would have little recourse if you bought them from someone on the street. Where as, a web site like stubhub will give you an avenue for getting a refund.

Ticket Brokers are supposed to act in your best interest. They should give you as many options as they can - where you can find tickets at the best prices if they don't have tickets that fit your needs. They should also provide you with information about who are the best resources and most reputable.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Upcoming shows in Toronto

Eddie Vedder is coming to Toronto - The date is sold out - so we are a great place to find seats to this awesome show at Massey Hall. Eddie doesn't come to Toronto that often so you don't want to miss the Rock Legend.

Lenny Kravitz will be visiting the ACC on September 22nd. Having been the half time show at the Grey Cup last year - Lenny is really starting to become a regular up here in the great white north. Bring Heather Graham with you this time Lenny and we might forgive the Glasses.

Henry Rollins - the craxy freak who is as strange as he is intelligent is going to be jamming at the Queen Elizabeth Centre on September 27th.

If you need find tickets to shows at smaller venues - Remember to click to our Links Page.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Free Jazz in the Beaches - Beaches Jazz Festival

Well with the end of July brings the Toronto Jazz Festival in the Beaches. A great event and walk through the Beaches will give you access to some of the best talent in the city and north america. This event has grown in size every year. Not at the level of the Montreal Jazz Festival, but definitely close in terms of talent. If you're town this weekend - head over and check out some of the action.

Beachesjazz.com

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Friday, July 18, 2008

Great Sources to see free shows in Toronto

So not everything requires that you buy a ticket. Toronto has some great free or nearly free shows. I have compiled a short list to help you find some terrific activities that won't hurt your pocket.

The Toronto Harbourfront Centre is a great place to be in the summer. They have some great eats and cool shows that are FREE. Yes, that is correct.

HarbourFront Centre - Free Events - Whats On

If you are close to High Park - than check out the CanStage for some Shakespeare in the Park. There is a nominal donation, but its a very reasonable.

Downsview Park is full of great fun and plenty of stuff to keep your weekend having fun. Not really about shows - more about great family fun in the sun.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Toronto Ticket Brokers Saves People Money

Yes this is self serving - but I just received an email from a customer and thought I would share it with everyone.

Dear Ticket Brokers,

Thank you for giving me access to so many online ticket brokers. I called some local services out of the Yellow Pages - I thought the prices they quoted for the upcoming Cold Play concert was a bit much. After finding your site I was able to find great selection on StubHub.ca through your site. I would have not known of StubHub if not for your site.

Thank you -

Name Removed

Friday, July 4, 2008

Stars begin taking back control of the events

Madonna recently worked out a deal that makes her the sole source of all the tickets to her venues. She entered into an agreement with Stubhub - that she will sell the tickets through Stubhub at an increased price. This has angered many fans, who feel that it is a right of passage - if you camp out - great tickets should be a given. Not any more. All the best tickets are sold online for greatly increased rates. Recent preselling for Madonna tickets has seen tickets sell for as much as $7500.00.

Is this fair market? Or is it gauging? In my opinion it's fair market - if this were a fixed good, something that people truly need to live. My opinion would be different. If you don't want to pay the going rate, you have the option of staying home. Madonna is just trying to keep the middle men to a minimum. Currently there are alot sticky fingers taking their percentages before a ticket makes its way into the hands of the average consumer. As Superstars feel the pain of lower album/cd sales - habits like this will be come more common.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Is the ticket market fair for Fans?

We all love to go to a great concert! And with so few touring Bands now, it is getting harder and harder to find tickets, passes for these great shows. Ticket Brokers have automated the entire process - so it is next to impossible to get the best tickets available for your show through TicketMaster.com - you are required to go through a third party, just for the opportunity to buy tickets. And you will be paying a nice increase on the list cost of the tickets.

Ticket Brokers are now just like any other industry - they buy it at one price and sell it for a nice profit. Sometimes they get caught with the tickets. But for the most part they are doing very well see positive margins, or there wouldn't be so many people trying to do it. This practice up until recently was pretty illegal, not anymore! MLB has embraced the entire process, as has TicketMaster who purchased the site TicketsNow.com just to provide ticket purchasers another way to get their tickets. This raises the question, is a system that is setup that handicaps the consumer and helps the ticket broker, a fair means of giving consumers(everyday fans) a way to get tickets??

I think there is a bit of muddy water - when the original source is also involved in the after market. Ultimately, it is an oligopoly - close to a Monopoly.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Where to find cheap tickets !?

I get asked often where the best place to find tickets is at the last minute. Ebay is a great place to find passes the day of a big show. Often the seller is going to the show as well and you can meet them there. If you have a few days before the show. Use the links we have provided. You will get the best service and the best deals. Trying to chase down an individual for tickets you have purchased is never fun - use an individual that has sold alot of tickets and has a quality rating in Ebay.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

E60 Piece on Ticket Brokers

I recently watch an interesting Documentary on the industry of Resale Tickets. Done very well by E60, which is an ESPN show from the States. It covered the switch amongst US ticket sellers from illegal to accepting of selling marked up tickets on the web and in person. This is a refreshing change from my youth. When if you bought tickets from a guy on the street - you commiting a crime. Now more than 40 states have legalized the practice of marking up tickets for resale.

Personally, I obviously never had an issue. It is just like a grosser providing me with fruits and vegetables. Do I really want to go all the way to wholesaler everytime i need some pears?? No.

How is this any different.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Who's coming - what's on deck - PRESALES

As summer approaches, here are some amazing acts not to be missed. Elton John will be performing in Calgary and Edmonton - Tickets on sale now. Madonna will be in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver on sale Saturday. She will be also for presale tickets for her Oakland, Atlanta, Las Vegas, San Diego and Denver on Tuesday. Cotto vs Margarito Las Vegas is a fight you don't want to miss - check for seats right now.

We have tickets available for presale for UFC 87: Seek and Destroy in Minneapolis. Here is a list of other presale ticket opportunities. Nine Inch Nails Mohegan Sun, Keith Urban Kelseyville, Monty Python's Spamalot in Vancouver, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins additional Broadway dates available now. The Color Purple in Dallas, Tx, Gavin Degraw in Joliet, Il are both available today.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Online vendors Rock for tickets!

As many of my valued customers will atest. The online ticket brokers are usually the cheapest way to get tickets to sold out events. This happens because the number of people involved is limited. When you buy a ticket from a scalper - he has to pay his boss or the site he bought the ticket from in the begining. When you cut out the middle man - you pocket their cut.

Remember to search around and find the best deal.

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Sunday, April 6, 2008

WWE - Toronto Tickets - Site Reviews

Are you looking to see the WWE in Toronto? We have searched high and wide. The Best prices on the web for WWE tickets continues to be
http://tickets.torontoticketbrokers.com//ResultsGeneral.aspx?kwds=wwe%20toronto

Have a quick click and check to see if you can get close enough to the action.

From time to time - Stub-Hub and Tickets-Now.ca also have great pricing for events with the WWE. Be sure to click around to find the best prices.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Jersey Boys - North York Centre for the Arts

So the Jersey Boys are coming to town. This is a terrific production of all lovers of great vocals. A broadway production - you're sure to love this production. If you are looking to know more about the production and see an indepth review I found this article in the NY Times.

I have also found some great deals on tickets. Enjoy the show and let us know if you had a good a time. Happy viewing.

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Online Ticket Sites - Save you money

What is the best way to purchase tickets?? Appart from going direct to ticketmaster and buying the day they come out, I believe its buying from peer to peer sites like StubHub or Ebay. The challenge with ebay being that you don't know for sure until the auction ends that you have bought the tickets. But a site like Stubhub is not a bidding auction. The price is posted and then people buy the tickets.

After doing some research - asking some ticket brokers over the phone and then reviewing the closing bids of online bid sites. We determined that the lowest purchase price on average was from a peer to peer ticket site. Meaning you won't ever be in competition for tickets and you won't have to wait to find out if you won the bidding. I don't like waiting for anything... Plus, if I didn't win - the cost would increase for the next bidding.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Steve Earl Tickets - Massey Hall - Toronto

Looking for tickets for Steve Earl?? Look no further - we can help. Click on the Concerts listing and have a quick search for some great tickets for Steve's trip to Toronto. What a life and what a career. Married 7 times - should have been a mormon. Hope you find what your looking for - he is a great talent and it will be a great show.

Please remembe that all our tickets are available through affiliates.

www.torontoticketbrokers.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Dirty Dancing - Tickets for Toronto

Dirty Dancing tickets are on sale and the reviews for this broadway production have been unbelievable. Mirvish Productions has done an incredible job bringing this show to town. If you have a chance - Click the link for some great savings on the best show in Town.