Pricing, Timing, And Secondary Ticket Markets -- Anybody Know How It Works As The Event Draws Nearer? (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

So, I'm looking to go to a show. Right now a face vale $22 ticket is going for a minimum of $105. The show is February 16th. Is there a standard to how this works? Should I expect the ticket price to move up or down as the show approaches, or is this solely a function of supply and demand? The price seems artificially high, and I haven't seen a ticket sold at the pricing they -- several secondary brokers -- want within the past week, if that helps. Anybody got any ideas? Any help would be appreciated. 

 

[Gally]

It is very event-centric.  I typically use it for hockey games and they usually start out expensive and then eventually start going down a bit and then may go up because a few tickets get discounted and then get purchased.  There are usually a couple different plateaus that happen as it gets closer to game time.  For the games I look at usually they make another drop the day of the event and continue to drop as the game time gets closer. 

It is definitely a game to play especially if you aren't set on going and only will go if it's a deal. 

 

[rockaction]

It is very event-centric.  I typically use it for hockey games and they usually start out expensive and then eventually start going down a bit and then may go up because a few tickets get discounted and then get purchased.  There are usually a couple different plateaus that happen as it gets closer to game time.  For the games I look at usually they make another drop the day of the event and continue to drop as the game time gets closer. 

It is definitely a game to play especially if you aren't set on going and only will go if it's a deal. 

Thanks for that information. That's really helpful. I guess what I'll have to do is check in frequently and figure out what price point over face I want to pay and how important it is  -- it's too far away for attempting a day of the event thing. 

 

[Gally]

Thanks for that information. That's really helpful. I guess what I'll have to do is check in frequently and figure out what price point over face I want to pay and how important it is  -- it's too far away for attempting a day of the event thing. 

I am in the same boat for the games I go to so if I cut it that close I have to decide fairly early in the day if I am going or not.  I have just gambled and started down to the arena knowing I would buy something and just monitor the whole drive down until I think it has bottomed out. 

Like I said, it is a game of chicken but you should be able to spot some plateaus in pricing.  Usually it takes a couple sellers to drop their price to start the cascade and once all the sellers worried about selling drop and sell it will go back up for a bit.  This is where the event comes into play.  If there is a high demand for tickets you may not see the large drops in pricing especially if it is a one off event.  Lucky for me there are 41 home hockey games so usually there is always another one to go to in the not to distant future. 

 

[rockaction]

I am in the same boat for the games I go to so if I cut it that close I have to decide fairly early in the day if I am going or not.  I have just gambled and started down to the arena knowing I would buy something and just monitor the whole drive down until I think it has bottomed out. 

Like I said, it is a game of chicken but you should be able to spot some plateaus in pricing.  Usually it takes a couple sellers to drop their price to start the cascade and once all the sellers worried about selling drop and sell it will go back up for a bit.  This is where the event comes into play.  If there is a high demand for tickets you may not see the large drops in pricing especially if it is a one off event.  Lucky for me there are 41 home hockey games so usually there is always another one to go to in the not to distant future. 

Thanks again. The price actually spiked today to 140 bucks. Not going to see hardcore bands for that amount of money. 

 

[Gally]

Thanks again. The price actually spiked today to 140 bucks. Not going to see hardcore bands for that amount of money. 

I am guessing this is a one off event with some serious groupies that don't care what it costs.  In those instances all bets are off and you just have to pick a price you are willing to pay and monitor to see if it comes down to that level and then buy. 

 

[rockaction]

I am guessing this is a one off event with some serious groupies that don't care what it costs.  In those instances all bets are off and you just have to pick a price you are willing to pay and monitor to see if it comes down to that level and then buy. 

It is a one-off with co-headliners, etc. Yeah, I sort of figured when you said that before about the one-off that the price might not come down, but I still can't justify that much money over face, really. Thanks for your help, though. I think you've been pretty spot-on from what I've seen and read so far.

eta* They can still be had for 110 or so on Stub Hub, so no big deal. If I really wanted to do it, I'd do it, but I'm sort of old and standing through four hardcore bands seems more like a chore than a festive night out at this point in my life.