As anyone who has purchased tickets for a concert, show, or sporting event can attest, there are significant fees attached to the prices of tickets purchased through the Ticketmaster box office system. While some customers have expressed displeasure at the size of these fees, the fact is that this is how Ticketmaster makes all of their money. Rather than charging venues the costs associated with the operation of their business, they pass these costs on to the customers buying the tickets. Even if a venue were to use box office software and sell their event tickets themselves, many of the fees would probably be very similar. Here are some of the specific fees that Ticketmaster charges.
Ticketmaster Service Charge – This is the fee that Ticketmaster charges customers to cover their operating costs; it is essentially what they charge in order to provide their services. No matter how you purchase your Ticketmaster tickets (Internet, box office, or phone), you will pay this fee. Sometimes there is a difference in fees between different purchase and payment methods.
Building Facility Charge – The venue sets this fee as opposed to Ticketmaster themselves.
Processing Charge – This is the fee that Ticketmaster charges for the actual processing of your order.
E-Ticket Convenience, Shipping, or Will Call Charge – Whether you print your tickets at home from your computer, have them shipped to you via mail or another carrier, or you pick them up at the venue the day of the event, there will be a charge from Ticketmaster.
