Ticket Tips
You Deserve ALL THE INFO when Buying Concert Tickets!!!
Instructions and tips below will give you the best chance of getting the tickets to the shows you want:
Searching for Information
You are not required to register with most ticketing agents to search for event information. When you click on the "Buy Tickets" link to purchase tickets online ticketing agents require that you pre-register with them. This will provide you a Login ID and password that you can use anytime you buy tickets. It also allows you instant access to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. If a show is expected to sell out quickly, you do not want to waste time registering your personal information when you could be buying tickets.
Major Ticketing Agents
Ticketmaster.com - Largest national online ticketing agent for music and other recreational events that can also be accessed via telephone by regional area.
Livenation.com National concert and venue promotions that includes ticketing links and information to many major venues. You can search for shows regionally by entering your zip code.
Tickets.com - National online ticketing agent for music and other recreational events that can also be accessed via telephone by regional area.
Ticketweb.com - National online ticketing agent for concert events that feature many independent artist shows.
Some events may only be found on one ticketing agent listing, when others can be found on more than one. Contractual agreements between venues, artists, and agents, determine this and it can be confusing.
Options Before Purchasing Tickets
If there is a particular artist coming to the area that you enjoy, most have their own websites. eMusiConnect provides links to artist or tour official websites on our venue pages and on our HomePage. Shows are posted on eMusiConnect.com venue pages once "officially announced" and ticketing information can be obtained. As concert dates get closer info and links can also be found on the HomePage. If you want to search for additional artist or concert info use Google to type in the artist name. It will point you to the "official website". Beware of non-official sites most are not in the best interest of music fans trying to buy tickets. Many artist and band websites have special ticketing promotions with VIP or Fan-Club Pre-Sales that some ticketing agents don't list, so it's worth checking into.
Pre-Sales & VIP - What are they and how to get access. If you are a sporting team season ticket holder or by joining your favorite artist's fan club, venue concert clubs, credit card concert programs, or radio station fan clubs you may by able to access concert ticket pre-sales. It allows venue regular customers and pre-registered users to purchase tickets to concerts before the general public. The passwords are provided via e-mail to members in advance of public ticketing sales. Most artist fan clubs have priority over all other pre-sales. If you are looking for the best way to access pre-sales for a certain artist check their website as soon as your hear about a possible tour. If you are interested in a certain genre of music you should go to your favorite radio station's website. Most have concert listings and clubs that you can join that include e-mail announcements and cell phone texts for concert events. If you just want good seats for a show here and there pre-sales do not always guarantee the best seats and your choices can be limited. VIP seating packages that include parking and suite or box seating are sometimes available through the venue.
VIP Tickets
Some larger venues have box seating and preferred parking that can be purchased online directly through the box office or ticketing agent. Most packages are sold by the season but individual packages may be available online or by contacting the venue directly. Popular nightclubs have VIP seating and information on "Skip the Line Passes" posted on their websites and via the telephone. Major concert venues listed on eMusiConnect.com have info on preferred seating (if it's available) on their venue pages. Artist websites and local radio stations may also have VIP or backstage tickets by registration or call in contests, so be sure and check their websites or tune in for info.
Where Are My Seats?? - $$Service Charges$$
Ticketing agents will have a stage diagram posted for most large venues. If you want seats in a particular section, you can request them. The "best available" option should provide you with a seats in the lower section if they are in stock. Some shows have open general admission for all sections or certain sections, such as the floor. Be sure to check the ticket price ranges that are listed, and the service charge for each ticket. These charges vary depending on the venue and event promoter. Before you complete the ticket purchase, the price for each ticket plus the service charges will be listed and added all together. Some events limit the number of tickets that you can purchase in one transaction. Seating availability and service charges vary by event. Note: To avoid online service charges purchase tickets in person at the venue box office or from local ticketing agents like The Beat - R5 Records - Dimple Records. You may still have to pay a small fee, but it's usually less than online.
Be Advised If tickets go on sale for an event in high demand online systems may be delayed. It is because of the large surge in traffic. Keep re-submitting your request. Even if you get a Sold Out or Not Available message, try hitting the link a few more times. Some online ticketing agents also have the option to purchase tickets via the phone. Keep checking for tickets every few days. Most shows go on sale a few months before the concert date and tickets may become available that were not before. The type of mail delivery can be requested to deliver your tickets and varies in price. Printing your tickets online is usually the least expensive option. Will-Call is being used less but may still be an option. The venue/box office phone numbers are listed on most venue WebPages, try calling directly to see if there are tickets available. Also check for sponsors that may provide coupons or discounts on tickets. Many radio stations that sponsor events will have the information posted on their websites.
Events that Sell Out/You can't get the Tickets You Want
If the "Face Value" seats are sold out there may be a "Day of Show" ticket sale at the venue box office. They will not know until a day or two before the concert if there are more tickets available for release. The box office or contact number is listed on all venue pages. If you are willing to pay over face value for your seats there are several reliable and professional online ticket broker services that give you a variety of choices in seating and price. They guarantee the purchase of the tickets that are usually sent out within 24/48 hours of purchase. They are legally licensed to operate and a reliable way to purchase high demand tickets.
It is illegal to re-distribute tickets for sale on all venue properties (Scalping). Beware of "VIP/Club and Pre-Sale" tickets sold online by a party that is not affiliated directly with the artist or venue. Most have tight restrictions against re-selling these kind of tickets. Beware of unlicensed brokers and scalpers or you may get stuck with counterfeit tickets. All tickets now have "Bar Codes" on the bottom that are scanned as you enter the venue. If the ticket scan code has been copied or does not register you won't be allowed to enter, and will also lose out on the $$ you paid for the tickets.
If you prefer to BID For Tickets online you can search for a variety of events on eBay.com. You will be dealing directly with a private party and eBay does not guarantee the delivery of the tickets.
*Two Broker links that the eMusiConnect.com staff has found useful for most Northern California events*:
StubHub.com - National online concert/arts/cultural/sporting events ticketing broker that include most major events at large venues in the in Sacramento, Northern California, and beyond.
Ticket Liquidator
- National online concert/arts/cultural/sporting events ticketing broker that includes most major events at large venues in the Sacramento regional area, and also includes events for The Broadway Series and Music Circus.
eMusiConnect.com is committed to provide our users with a variety of choices, so you get the tickets you want and enjoy searching through all the great musical events happening.... Where You Live!!
Please "Contact Us" with any further questions or comments.
Instructions and tips below will give you the best chance of getting the tickets to the shows you want:
Searching for Information
You are not required to register with most ticketing agents to search for event information. When you click on the "Buy Tickets" link to purchase tickets online ticketing agents require that you pre-register with them. This will provide you a Login ID and password that you can use anytime you buy tickets. It also allows you instant access to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. If a show is expected to sell out quickly, you do not want to waste time registering your personal information when you could be buying tickets.
Major Ticketing Agents
Ticketmaster.com - Largest national online ticketing agent for music and other recreational events that can also be accessed via telephone by regional area.
Livenation.com National concert and venue promotions that includes ticketing links and information to many major venues. You can search for shows regionally by entering your zip code.
Tickets.com - National online ticketing agent for music and other recreational events that can also be accessed via telephone by regional area.
Ticketweb.com - National online ticketing agent for concert events that feature many independent artist shows.
Some events may only be found on one ticketing agent listing, when others can be found on more than one. Contractual agreements between venues, artists, and agents, determine this and it can be confusing.
Options Before Purchasing Tickets
If there is a particular artist coming to the area that you enjoy, most have their own websites. eMusiConnect provides links to artist or tour official websites on our venue pages and on our HomePage. Shows are posted on eMusiConnect.com venue pages once "officially announced" and ticketing information can be obtained. As concert dates get closer info and links can also be found on the HomePage. If you want to search for additional artist or concert info use Google to type in the artist name. It will point you to the "official website". Beware of non-official sites most are not in the best interest of music fans trying to buy tickets. Many artist and band websites have special ticketing promotions with VIP or Fan-Club Pre-Sales that some ticketing agents don't list, so it's worth checking into.
Pre-Sales & VIP - What are they and how to get access. If you are a sporting team season ticket holder or by joining your favorite artist's fan club, venue concert clubs, credit card concert programs, or radio station fan clubs you may by able to access concert ticket pre-sales. It allows venue regular customers and pre-registered users to purchase tickets to concerts before the general public. The passwords are provided via e-mail to members in advance of public ticketing sales. Most artist fan clubs have priority over all other pre-sales. If you are looking for the best way to access pre-sales for a certain artist check their website as soon as your hear about a possible tour. If you are interested in a certain genre of music you should go to your favorite radio station's website. Most have concert listings and clubs that you can join that include e-mail announcements and cell phone texts for concert events. If you just want good seats for a show here and there pre-sales do not always guarantee the best seats and your choices can be limited. VIP seating packages that include parking and suite or box seating are sometimes available through the venue.
VIP Tickets
Some larger venues have box seating and preferred parking that can be purchased online directly through the box office or ticketing agent. Most packages are sold by the season but individual packages may be available online or by contacting the venue directly. Popular nightclubs have VIP seating and information on "Skip the Line Passes" posted on their websites and via the telephone. Major concert venues listed on eMusiConnect.com have info on preferred seating (if it's available) on their venue pages. Artist websites and local radio stations may also have VIP or backstage tickets by registration or call in contests, so be sure and check their websites or tune in for info.
Where Are My Seats?? - $$Service Charges$$
Ticketing agents will have a stage diagram posted for most large venues. If you want seats in a particular section, you can request them. The "best available" option should provide you with a seats in the lower section if they are in stock. Some shows have open general admission for all sections or certain sections, such as the floor. Be sure to check the ticket price ranges that are listed, and the service charge for each ticket. These charges vary depending on the venue and event promoter. Before you complete the ticket purchase, the price for each ticket plus the service charges will be listed and added all together. Some events limit the number of tickets that you can purchase in one transaction. Seating availability and service charges vary by event. Note: To avoid online service charges purchase tickets in person at the venue box office or from local ticketing agents like The Beat - R5 Records - Dimple Records. You may still have to pay a small fee, but it's usually less than online.
Be Advised If tickets go on sale for an event in high demand online systems may be delayed. It is because of the large surge in traffic. Keep re-submitting your request. Even if you get a Sold Out or Not Available message, try hitting the link a few more times. Some online ticketing agents also have the option to purchase tickets via the phone. Keep checking for tickets every few days. Most shows go on sale a few months before the concert date and tickets may become available that were not before. The type of mail delivery can be requested to deliver your tickets and varies in price. Printing your tickets online is usually the least expensive option. Will-Call is being used less but may still be an option. The venue/box office phone numbers are listed on most venue WebPages, try calling directly to see if there are tickets available. Also check for sponsors that may provide coupons or discounts on tickets. Many radio stations that sponsor events will have the information posted on their websites.
Events that Sell Out/You can't get the Tickets You Want
If the "Face Value" seats are sold out there may be a "Day of Show" ticket sale at the venue box office. They will not know until a day or two before the concert if there are more tickets available for release. The box office or contact number is listed on all venue pages. If you are willing to pay over face value for your seats there are several reliable and professional online ticket broker services that give you a variety of choices in seating and price. They guarantee the purchase of the tickets that are usually sent out within 24/48 hours of purchase. They are legally licensed to operate and a reliable way to purchase high demand tickets.
It is illegal to re-distribute tickets for sale on all venue properties (Scalping). Beware of "VIP/Club and Pre-Sale" tickets sold online by a party that is not affiliated directly with the artist or venue. Most have tight restrictions against re-selling these kind of tickets. Beware of unlicensed brokers and scalpers or you may get stuck with counterfeit tickets. All tickets now have "Bar Codes" on the bottom that are scanned as you enter the venue. If the ticket scan code has been copied or does not register you won't be allowed to enter, and will also lose out on the $$ you paid for the tickets.
If you prefer to BID For Tickets online you can search for a variety of events on eBay.com. You will be dealing directly with a private party and eBay does not guarantee the delivery of the tickets.
*Two Broker links that the eMusiConnect.com staff has found useful for most Northern California events*:
StubHub.com - National online concert/arts/cultural/sporting events ticketing broker that include most major events at large venues in the in Sacramento, Northern California, and beyond.
Ticket Liquidator
eMusiConnect.com is committed to provide our users with a variety of choices, so you get the tickets you want and enjoy searching through all the great musical events happening.... Where You Live!!
Please "Contact Us" with any further questions or comments.
