Buying A Ticket For A Van Show Can Be Hell

Saw this story and it reminded me of all the times I use to get up early in the dead of winter and wait in line to buy a ticket for a Van concert here in New York years ago. Today it's still a nightmare as buying through the internet is no guarantee of a decent seat. Now Ticketmaster sometimes has auctions for the prime seats in U.S. venues and At over $150 per ticket to see Van these days in the U.S., it can be an exhausting experience!

Van fan miffed after being sent to back of ticket
line

By BOB HOLLIDAY, SUN MEDIA

A Van Morrison fan "was surprised and angry" yesterday when she went from second in line to 40th in mere moments.

Bardee Hupka decided to head to the MTS Centre box office yesterday to purchase her tickets.

Arriving at 9:10 a.m., she was surprised to find herself second in line.

"I stood in line for 50 minutes and then just before 10 o'clock some guy hands out tickets and suddenly I'm at the back of the line," said Hupka,
still miffed about the line bump hours later.

She wasn't aware Ticketmaster has handed out numbered tickets to those in line for years. One number is pulled and the holder, plus everyone behind the person, is moved to the front of the line.

'STOP SCALPERS'

The practice was used by Select-a-Seat for the Winnipeg Arena and has been in place for all events at MTS Centre since the venue opened in 2004. Most
major venues across North America have adopted a similar policy, said box office manager Dianne Gabbs.

"The random draw is meant to stop scalpers who used to be the first in line at all the outlets, and then buy the maximum number of tickets," said
Gabbs. "There is a random draw at each outlet."

It also means fans don't have to stand in line for days in the hope of buying a ticket. In fact, they can call in or grab duckets online through
Ticketmaster's website.

The answer didn't soothe Hupka's anger.

"Because it's a policy doesn't make it right. It makes no sense to me and is extremely unfair," said Hupka.

"I didn't want to use the phone and I don't like buying tickets on the Internet. Besides, noteverybody has a computer."

The Internet has become the favourite method of
fans to purchase tickets, said Gabbs.

"Usually about 90% of the tickets of the major concerts are sold that way. Today, 75% of the tickets were sold on the Internet," she said.