Ticketmaster Shells Out $350,000 Over Springsteen Ticket Complaints

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Quite a few Bruce Springsteen fans were angry – very angry – when they attempted to purchase tickets to some New Jersey performances that are scheduled as part of Springsteen’s upcoming tour. Some fans report being re-directed from the main Ticketmaster website to a site known as TicketsNow, a ticket re-selling site that normally commands a higher price for tickets.

TicketsNow, not surprisingly, is owned by Ticketmaster.bruce-springsteen

The re-direction tactic didn’t just anger fans, it also drew the ire of “The Boss” himself, who was not at all pleased with  what may have appeared to be an effort by TicketMaster to hold back tickets to his shows in favor of directing fans to a site where the tickets were more costly.

Springsteen did not hold back when it came to his feelings about the issue. The Jersey rocker described the move as an "abuse of our fans and our trust."

For its part, Ticketmaster has offered up an olive branch in the form of a $350,000 payment to the state of New Jersey. This is, presumably, the company’s way of saying “we’re sorry.”

Ticketmaster is also planning a random ticket drawing for 1,000 fans who filed complaints regarding the TicketsNow re-direction tactic, and were unable to obtain tickets to Springsteen shows scheduled for May 1st and 23rd at New Jersey’s Izod Center.

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram started to look into the allegations regarding Ticketmaster’s practices after receiving an avalanche of complaints from angry fans.

5 Comments

  1. William Geyer March 3, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Oh please. Here in Los Angeles it is common knowledge that Ticketmaster “sells” tickets to so-called “legal” ticket brokers before they go on sale to the general public. It happens all the time. Of course, the ticket brokers then “resell” the tickets at a price that the market (the ticket brokers) determines. It’s a big scam and it’s been happening for decades. The average fan can never get good seats for concerts unless he or she goes through a ticket broker. All ticket brokers (including TicketsNow) must be outlawed. Please, do not do business with any ticket brokers, “legal” or not. They are scum.

  2. Melanie March 22, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    I have been a BS fan for 25 plus years. Not only have my husband and I enjoyed his shows, but even my children are now fans. I have always been able to purchase very good seats through TIcketmaster. I will not go through a broker. I could spend the money if I wanted but I feel it is manipulative and a rip off. If people submit to these practices it creates a place for the arts to be available only for the elite and I will not be a part of that. I have tried to purchase tickets for the show in Los Angeles. I have not been successful. My husband wanted to purchase tickets through TicketsNow as a gift for my birthday. I told him I would not go if he did. I will only pay face value. I will support your request. I will only see Mr. Springsteen if I can get the tickets through the face value and that is it. I may not see him and the E- Street band this time around. And though I am saddened and disappointed, I feel very angry and disgusted with the ticket scams and won’t be a cog in their wheel

  3. blither June 1, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    Its always the riches and connected who get those premo seats and reserved seats and eve GA seats super close for usually nothing…Ironic considering the soul of the lyrics that the 20 something madison ave chics seem to have such a clever understanding of

  4. VIPTICKETS June 7, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    Ticketmaster recently won the most hated company in the World contest. lol

    • Real Rock News June 7, 2009 at 5:29 pm

      Your link has been deleted, spammer. lol

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