Complaint Review: Ticketmaster - Internet

Ticketmaster knows that putting a name like "Platinum Tickets" would make a customer think that they are getting more than they actually are, granted Platinum is an extremely valueable metal. Furthurmore, Ticketmaster's explanation of what Platinum Tickets are is as follows: "Official Platinum Seats are some of the best seats in the house, set aside for fans by artists and event providers. Official Platinum Seats offer safe and equitable access to up-close event experiences, however they don't include additional amenities like merch or VIP perks." THEY DO NOT INCLUDE ANYTHING EXTRA. In fact, they actually give you less. Lets face it Ticketmaster, it is obvious that VIP seats are the "best seats in the house," NOT "Platinum" seats, so that right there is a flat out lie. Next, you are unable to resell (on Ticketmaster, which is the better option since that is the first place everyone looks for tickets), they are non-refundable, and you get absolutely nothing extra for the exorbitant price. 

Getting back to the deceitfulness, when purchasing a ticket from Ticketmaster, you are redirected to a screen titled "LiveNation" to choose from an assortment of red, blue, and gray dots that are scattered throughout a map of the venue. Red dots mean certified resale tickets, blue dots mean facevalue tickets, and gray dots mean sold or unavailable. I like to know that the option to sell my ticket is present just in case that I am unable to attend. It gives me a good state of mind. I am sure most customers are the same way, hence why Ticketmaster offers a "Verified Resale" page. So the first thing that I did when I saw "Verified Resale" and a bunch of red dots all over the venue map, I looked up how to resell my tickets on Ticketmaster. Mind you, this is BEFORE ever purchasing a ticket. 

In big letter on Ticketmaster's FAQ page, it states, "Can I sell tickets for any event on Ticketmaster?" Ticketmaster's response is this:

"Only tickets with the Sell option in the Order Details of your account are eligible for resale through Ticketmaster. In some instances an artist, team, or venue may not allow resale for certain rows/seats. Tickets purchased over the phone with Ticketmaster or through a third party are not available for resale through Ticketmaster."

To me (the customer) this meant two things. One, I will not find out if I can sell my ticket until after I purchase my tickets - which seemed a little odd to me. The second, is that there are ONLY SOME instances when tickets are not available for resale if the artist, team, or venue does not allow resale. To me, seeing all of those red dots show up on the venue map was enough to confirm that the artist, team, or venue was allowing resale tickets. So I went ahead and made the purchase. 

Are you ready for the worst part of the whole story? I try to save the best for last. I wish I knew how to post a picture to show you, here it is. When you go to purchase your ticket, and you happen to have one of the notorious "Platinum Tickets," a blue hyperlink with the words "Platinum Ticket" will appear. Ticketmaster actually added a hyperlink for customers who did not know what a Platinum Ticket was, to click on in hopes of finding out what one actually is. This is what Ticketmaster says a Platinum Ticket is under this link:

"Get some of the best seats in the house. Live it up with Platinum Tickets and savor special bragging rights before and after the show! Please note that Platinum Tickets are ticket-only purchases."

Can you believe that??? Classic click bait intended to discourage customers from doing further research, completely dodge the question about what a Platinum Ticket really is. The wording used is an old sales technique which literally tells a salesperson to decieve the customer to close the sale faster. I mean seriously??? Bragging rights??? What on earth would you possibly have to brag about?

Overall, it is safe to say that I am disappointed in the sales tactics that Ticketmaster chooses to use. What they are doing is unethical from anyone's standards, and legal action must be taken. Please let me know if you are willing to back me, or if the same thing has happened to you in the past. Lets stop this before more people get ripped off.