Appreciate the commentary. Again, it was just an observation. Couple of thoughts.

Why not just give the out the door price to begin with? Probably wouldn't even raise my question.

I don't think you can go to the box office of a venue and purchase tickets without them charging the fees. I used to do this years ago and they charge you now anyway.

The Historic Preservation fee thing gets me. I guess it's cool in a way in that it is doing something good if you appreciate that. Don Henley used to do that years ago when he had a fee to support Walden Woods if you wanted to buy a ticket. What if you aren't interested in this or that?

Regarding the Theatre, it is a cool place. Of course they were closed when I tried to ask them about it. Just Monday to Friday business hours.

Fortunately its still possible to get tickets with smaller fees. Recently saw Martin Barre band (who's reminiscent of earlier Tull) for $35 tickets with only a $6. fee for both. When we went to the United theatre for that ABB one off show(which we loved), the fees at the door were minimal and all the people who worked there were really nice. SunshineFest fees the 1st year in Ft Myers was minimal too,I think $5 for 2 tickets.(that was the best year too)

The smaller fees are out there but guess its just by luck once in awhile.

In the beginning days of a festival I think the fees are smaller but by the time it becomes known & successful-the fees skyrocket.

Those early festival & smaller venue shows are usually some of the best shows too,like it used to be in simpler times-only about the music & talent.

About eight years ago I wanted to take my nephew to a Los Lobos show for his birthday. It was about three hours from home, so buying at the box office beforehand was out of the question. It was at a small college theatre that I was unfamiliar with, and I did not want to drive three hours with a seven year old kid to a sold-out show.

So.... I bit the bullet and decided to get the tix from Ticketmaster. The only Ticketmaster outlet near my job at the time was at Wal-Mart (separate complaint thread needed), so I head over there on my lunch break. The kid working the electronics desk looks up the tickets and tells me each one is $33 with a $15 service fee (45%). I almost walked out right then, but I had told my nephew we would do this for his birthday. I give my credit card, and the kid swipes it. The computer shows the tix purchased, but they don't print. I stood there for over 45 minutes while six different employees tried to figure out what the problem was, even had to call work and tell them I would be late from lunch. They eventually called Ticketmaster who told them they had had some computer problems. Finally got the tickets.

Then I told the Wal-Mart people that I wanted the convenience fee waived because of the hassle. They told me they were not authorized to do that. I called Ticketmaster and raised hell. I got transferred over and over up the chain - even to where I had to call certain people back during business hours the following day, etc.

Eventually had about seven hours wrapped up in five or six different phone calls when someone relented and said they would send me a Ticketmaster gift card with a $30 credit on it. Which they surprisingly did.

Nobody hates these fees more than I do, and I have gotten one of them back - it is not impossible. I had to argue that I was severely inconvenienced and therefore shouldn't be charged the convenience fee. But the spikes in blood pressure while on the phone with them probably took years off of my life.

About eight years ago I wanted to take my nephew to a Los Lobos show for his birthday. It was about three hours from home, so buying at the box office beforehand was out of the question. It was at a small college theatre that I was unfamiliar with, and I did not want to drive three hours with a seven year old kid to a sold-out show.

So.... I bit the bullet and decided to get the tix from Ticketmaster. The only Ticketmaster outlet near my job at the time was at Wal-Mart (separate complaint thread needed), so I head over there on my lunch break. The kid working the electronics desk looks up the tickets and tells me each one is $33 with a $15 service fee (45%). I almost walked out right then, but I had told my nephew we would do this for his birthday. I give my credit card, and the kid swipes it. The computer shows the tix purchased, but they don't print. I stood there for over 45 minutes while six different employees tried to figure out what the problem was, even had to call work and tell them I would be late from lunch. They eventually called Ticketmaster who told them they had had some computer problems. Finally got the tickets.

Then I told the Wal-Mart people that I wanted the convenience fee waived because of the hassle. They told me they were not authorized to do that. I called Ticketmaster and raised hell. I got transferred over and over up the chain - even to where I had to call certain people back during business hours the following day, etc.

Eventually had about seven hours wrapped up in five or six different phone calls when someone relented and said they would send me a Ticketmaster gift card with a $30 credit on it. Which they surprisingly did.

Nobody hates these fees more than I do, and I have gotten one of them back - it is not impossible. I had to argue that I was severely inconvenienced and therefore shouldn't be charged the convenience fee. But the spikes in blood pressure while on the phone with them probably took years off of my life.

All that sounds painful ...ouch!! 🙁

I think the "historic preservation" fee is bunk. I have bought tickets to shows at PNC/Holmdel (a summer shed venue) with "facility charges" added. Somewhere above, you will also see where this fee was added to someone's purchase.

Whether or not the venue is historic, the venue charges the producer/promoter a fee for use of the venue. There is no reason not to incorporate that fee into their rental charge. If the promoter wants to pass the fee along to the ticket buyers, so be it.

The new Nassau Coliseum is complete up here on Long Island. The parking fee is $40 unless you pay in advance then it is $20.

The new Nassau Coliseum is complete up here on Long Island. The parking fee is $40 unless you pay in advance then it is $20.

$40 to park?!?!

I would be walking, no thanks. 🙁

The new Nassau Coliseum is complete up here on Long Island. The parking fee is $40 unless you pay in advance then it is $20.

$40 to park?!?!

I would be walking, no thanks. 🙁

I was there for Billy Joel. Not only is the fee akin to sodomy; but not even and lubricant. The county will no longer let the Marriott next door sell parking spaces (was always cheaper and quicker exit)