What exactly is a "service charge"?
What exactly is a "service charge"?
#1What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 4:44pm
What costs does this charge cover, and why are they allowed to rip us off like this?
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#2What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 4:53pm
Well surely all the overheads with running these businesses* + the profit they want to make too? It's a business....can't you buy from the box office without the charge? (I'm not sure I've never been able to).
* E.g. the bandaids holding Telecharge's early 2000 IT infrastructure together and the team that pays themselves to lead, maintain and run it.
** And in the case of Ticketmaster, well that's classic big corporation money making machine there
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#3What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:00pm
Lmao. Taxes, fees, etc. aren't "ripping you off".
#4What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:00pm
Am I allowed mention a certain broadway dot com?
I can have no resentment to honest brokers just trying to get by, but some con artists are contributing to the downfall of Broadway.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#5What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:09pm
Jay Lerner-Z said: "Am I allowed mention a certain broadway dot com?
I can have no resentment to honest brokers just trying to get by, but some con artists are contributing to the downfall of Broadway."
Any consumer who doesn’t read small print or do their research is responsible for their own stupidity. Broadway.com and every third-party reseller clearly states they are not affiliated with any show or box office and that their prices are above face value and include a service fee. At that time, it’s up to the consumer if they wish to purchase tickets. If you feel you’re being ripped-off with the service fees - DON’T BUY FROM THEM. So simple a theory.
#6What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:28pm
The business model of broadway.com is the URL name is prime real estate and easy to trap unsuspecting people into buying things at a high price (think of rip off tourist trap restaurants etc.) - a different kind of business model to telecharge and Ticketmaster. But ultimately yes I guess people are free to buy or not buy, no one is forcing them and there are clearly many better alternatives to buy closer to the source.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#7What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:36pm
Not everybody is as highly intelligent as us.
This does not mean it is right for vultures to prey on their ignorance or stupidity.
Like binau says, the name of this website give it an air of authority. It makes it seem like the go-to site, one that everybody uses. Which is not true. They rip people off, deter them from going to any show at all, or make it a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This harms theatre as a whole and should not be allowed. Shows should not be facilitating this site.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
yyys
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/14
#8What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 5:46pm
Aka convenience charge.
Aka additional income for the venue. This is true with concert venues so I'm sure it's not any different.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#9What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 6:04pm
Like binau says, the name of this website give it an air of authority. It makes it seem like the go-to site, one that everybody uses. Which is not true. They rip people off, deter them from going to any show at all, or make it a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This harms theatre as a whole and should not be allowed. Shows should not be facilitating this site."
If people are stupid enough to not do their own research or simply search here and see the 5834384339 posts telling them never to buy from that website then.....well you get it.
This does not mean it is right for vultures to prey on their ignorance or stupidity.
Welcome to America.
#10What exactly is a "service charge"?
Posted: 7/10/23 at 6:32pm
Can an actor in a show refuse to give them an interview?
I would not want to support them, even if it means promoting my show. Why do producers give them invites to everything, and facilitate their YouTube channel so much? No wonder visitors to Broadway are so taken in by them.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#11What exactly is a
Posted: 7/10/23 at 7:23pm
We can have a convo about how expensive these charges are until we are blue in the face. But si
Official ticket sellers exist to provide tickets online (a service) so you don’t have to go to the box office. I’m not saying I agree with the model, but these are companies. Income has to come from…somewhere. If not, go to the box office. Where’s the confusion?
#12What exactly is a
Posted: 7/10/23 at 7:37pm
There's no confusion.
I'd just like a detailed breakdown of how these figures are reached. Just what is expenses and what is profit. Some charges are obscene and I don't understand how they are justified.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#13What exactly is a
Posted: 7/10/23 at 7:41pm
It's like charging $60 for an egg.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#15Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:10pm
Jay Lerner-Z said: "There's no confusion.
I'd just like a detailed breakdown of how these figures are reached. Just what is expenses and what is profit. Some charges are obscene and I don't understand how they are justified."
And I want an oompa loompa right now
#16Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:20pm
In all seriouness, Biden's doing fee transparency stuff so you know what the fees are for - but you're not entitled to a review of a private entity's annual operating budget just because you don't like their pricing model.
#17Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:30pm
Facility fees are far more egregious - they’re pure profit for theater owners tacked onto tickets under the impression they’re going to facility upkeep. They’re not.
Not sure why Jay is being mocked for questioning these sort of practices. They’re entirely reasonable questions. It’s not entitlement to question why exactly you’re paying $20 dollars in fees on top of ever increasing ticket prices. Everybody dismissing him just comes off as a privileged corporate bootlicker.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#18Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:40pm
It’s called capitalism and capitalism is about greed. Period.
It’s bizarre that some of you seem really into it. You want to pay bloated prices and mock those who see the problem with it? Uhh, okay.
#19Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:41pm
hearthemsing22 said: "Lmao. Taxes, fees, etc. aren't "ripping you off"."
That settles it!
RunnyBabbit
Stand-by Joined: 2/3/20
#20Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 9:57pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "Any consumer who doesn’t read small print or do their research is responsible for their own stupidity. Broadway.com and every third-party reseller clearly states they are not affiliated with any show or box office and that their prices are above face value and include a service fee."
I just went on broadway.com and went through the ticket buying process. The only place they make it clear that they’re a reseller is if you click on the Ts&Cs link at the end that has the standard “by checking this link you agree to the Ts&Cs” language. You know, the one that literally no one ever clicks on when they’re buying things online.
I don’t think it’s stupidity that’s at fault. I think it’s entirely that Broadway.com makes a huge effort to hide that they’re a resale site in order to scam customers. The majority of people going to see shows aren’t people who spend all their time on message boards obsessing over the intricacies of Broadway like we are. They see “Broadway.com” and see that it looks legit, has tickets for sale, and maybe even notice that there are interviews with actors. All of that lends credence to the idea that it’s a first party site.
Years ago a friend bought me a gift card from Broadway.com as a birthday present because he thought it was a legit site. I can’t blame him. If you don’t know anything about Broadway you would have no idea. Telecharge isn’t exactly a popular, known site.
#21Mind your Business
Posted: 7/10/23 at 10:17pm
Kad said: "Facility fees are far more egregious - they’re pure profit for theater owners tacked onto tickets under the impression they’re going to facility upkeep. They’re not.
Not sure why Jay is being mocked for questioning these sort of practices. They’re entirely reasonable questions. It’s not entitlement to question why exactly you’re paying $20 dollars in fees on top of ever increasing ticket prices. Everybody dismissing him just comes off as a privileged corporate bootlicker."
Everything costs more to operate year after year, whether running a musical or running a ticketing company.
A $13 fee on Telecharge is not egregious. It costs money to operate a business at a profit and this is how they make their profit.
A $100 fee on a $100 ticket, however - looking at you, Ticketmaster - IS, and that is under review at the national executive and legisative level already. Maybe someday it will be better regulated.
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#22Mind your Business
Posted: 7/11/23 at 10:17am
Anything you buy-tickets, clothes, food, etc- will have taxes and fees. And they do not owe you a breakdown in slightest. With tickets, yes they can provide that. But be realistic. What have you purchased that doesn't have fees?
Islander_fan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#23Mind your Business
Posted: 7/11/23 at 11:22am
It really is simple. A venue/theatre makes a deal with an online service like telecharge or Ticketmaster to sell tickets for a show. The ticket seller does this for a cut of each ticket. Say you’re paying an additional 15 bucks per ticket for a show on telecharge (not going to go into the fee issues with ticketmaster though the basic concept is still the same.) You’re paying the fifteen bucks to cover the cost the producers have to pay to use telecharge. But, you save money at the box office because you’re buying from the production directly leaving out the middle man that is telecharge or Ticketmaster or whatever. So they do have the box office option as a way to save on fees. Hell, that’s not just on Broadway that is the same thing for bigger venues like Madison square garden.
Better example would be using credit cards instead of cash. Some small stores have signs that say that there is an additional percent for card purchases than if you used cash. Stores have to pay a little bit to the credit card companies to use their services so using a card over cash at someplaces have you pay a little more with a card to offset that cost. Yet, in both examples there’s options to not have to pay extra. Pay in cash at the store or buy your ticket at the box office directly.
#24Mind your Business
Posted: 7/11/23 at 11:38am
I've often wondered why some enterprising college students haven't started a business going around and buying Broadway theater tickets at the box office on behalf of out-of-towners. With very little overhead, it seems like they could charge $5-10 a ticket and make a good profit while still underselling the ticketing services. If there was some way to establish trust, I would absolutely take advantage of such a service on a regular basis. I can think of some complications, like payment and seating choice, but I can also think of some ways of addressing them.
sassylash3s
Stand-by Joined: 7/5/11
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