Robert Reich

Run into trouble trying to buy Taylor Swift tickets?

Blame Ticketmaster.

They have a monopoly over the live-event industry, which lets them get away with providing terrible service, charging exorbitant ticket prices, and tacking on unnecessary service fees.

Nov 18, 2022 at 4:34amWeb
Show threadOK ProductionsNov 18, 2022
@rbreich not quite a monopoly as AXS is also a major ticketing service owned by AEG. interestingly the Taylor Swift tour is promoted by a subsidiary of AEG. Live Nation is not involved.
Show threadnickNov 18, 2022
@rbreich Time to start Tayketmaster.
Show threadKevin LaRose,aka GrumpasaurusNov 18, 2022
@rbreich No exaggeration, last concert I attended was in 2001. Even then it was hard to figure out how tickets that allegedly cost $30 actually wound up being $50 plus after service fees, transaction fees, because we can fees, etc., etc.
Show threadUncle CharlieNov 18, 2022
@rbreich wasn't there also something along the lines of them limiting the number of ticket sales for the public?
Show threadJulio 🏳️‍🌈 🇨🇺 🇪🇸 🇺🇸Nov 18, 2022
@rbreich need competition.
Show threadXochitlNov 18, 2022
@rbreich I think it's worse when you get charged for printing your ticket at home. How is that possible that's like being charged at the grocery store for bringing your own bag.
Show threadPTEC3DNov 18, 2022
@rbreich oooh has Leon Smuk bought Ticketmaster too?
Show threadbeckNov 18, 2022
@rbreich didn’t #Prince fight them like the devil? #ticketmaster
Show threadDave DarbyNov 18, 2022
@rbreich Swift has been a leader in the streaming revolution, artist rights, and customer service for her fans, giving unique access and intimate shoutouts. What is to stop her from influencing the ticket/live-event model as well? #antitrust
Show threadJHadleyCNov 18, 2022
@rbreich Same applies to food manufacturing, meat packers, baby formula manufacturers etc...
Show threadTheReelHacklerNov 18, 2022
@rbreich never thought I’d live in a world with $10 lettuce and $10,000 Taylor Swift shows…part of the issue maybe that artists don’t have album sales revenue like they used to. Is that related to high concert prices?
Show threadjgerdomNov 19, 2022
@thereelhackler @rbreich 100 percent. With streaming they make only a fraction of what they did with physical media.
Show threadScruffolkNov 18, 2022
@rbreich More accurately, blame monopolies; the default end state for unregulated capitalism.
Show threadRaven's EyeNov 19, 2022
@rbreich Destroy the monopolies.
Show threadLambanlaaNov 19, 2022
@rbreich imagine if they had used those service fees to strengthen their infrastructure for surges…
Show threadJuan Abbas🇺🇦Nov 19, 2022
@rbreich needing regulation.
Show threadjgerdomNov 19, 2022
@rbreich I think something that is missing from the conversation is that it's Ticketmaster's role to be the bad guy so fans don't hate the artists or venues. They have no incentive to get better if the artists and venues want them to take the heat. The artists have more control over their tickets than most think. It's a fascinating situation that likely isn't going to get much better for fans unless there are massive changes to the entire industry.
Show threadSpacehound2012Nov 19, 2022
@rbreich I remember back when Eddie Vedder was protesting them back in 90s / early 2000s.