Why is TicketMaster not considered a monopoly?

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: db
At the very least, both the venue and TicketMaster are complicit in exploiting the ticket selling thing, and splitting the profits. That way the venue has incentive NOT to rat out TM. But it was TicketMaster's idea in the first place, IMHO.

LOL. Why does it matter whose idea it was first?
It's just a matter of this:
From the perspective that we exist in a [mostly] free market, how can one argue that TicketMaster is doing anything "wrong" when all they do is enter into voluntary agreements with venue owners? Is it any more or less "wrong" when the venue enters into a similar contract with one of TicketMaster's competitors instead?

Additionally, other companies exist that do exactly what TicketMaster does, hence TicketMaster DOES have competition. If TicketMaster was systematically buying up every seat to every concert in America, THEN you might have an arguement.
As it stands, venue owners contract with TicketMaster because they see some value in the service that TM gives them.

And they still suck.

Not gonna argue with that

 

[amnesiac]

Also there's nothing to stop you from buying tickets directly from the venue. Ticketmaster is providing a service to make it easier to obtain a ticket. I don't see how they could be a monopoly.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Zakath15
They're being investigated...

More...

Serves TicketBastard right.

 

[Pepsei]

my password to ticketmaster's site is 'bastard'

i wonder if that's a popular password there?

speaking of sites... now that we're in the internet age, venues should start using it instead of ticketmaster so that they can keep all the profits instead of giving ticketmaster a share....

i blew a gasket when i saw the final price for 2 tickets to rush.... but it was well worth it... (would be better if all the money went to rush instead of extra fees)

 

[BlueApple]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Also there's nothing to stop you from buying tickets directly from the venue. Ticketmaster is providing a service to make it easier to obtain a ticket. I don't see how they could be a monopoly.

Ticketmaster runs the box offices at the venues.

 

[TNTrulez]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: Zakath15
They're being investigated...

More...

Serves TicketBastard right.

 

[Soulflare]

Ticketmaster really isn't a monopoly, since most of the events they sell tickets for also
have their own venue box offices that pay nothing to TM. Their service charges though,
most certainly suck a$$!

 

[db]

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Maybe I should look into buying TM stock...

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: jooksing
I remember a while back when Pearl Jam was on a crusade against Ticketmaster. They tried putting concerts at places that weren't in collusion with Ticketmaster. I don't think the tour went very well.

I remember that too. And Pearl Jam was probably the biggest band around at the time. If they couldn't do something to topple Ticketmaster, no one could.