In the comments for the Celine Dion review over the weekend, reader Mike wrote:
"BOO to the Sprint Center and/or TicketMaster. The long waiting lines outside have got to go. And then, almost every seat in section 221 was doubly sold. When we finally got in, our section was already filled with folks who had tickets identical to ours. Fortunately, Sprint personnel were able to seat most of us."
This wasn't the first time we'd heard of seats being sold more than once per show at Sprint Center. So we asked Sprint Center Marketing Director Shani Tate Ross for comment:
"Sprint Center’s ticketing system was operating on a construction manifest until Jan. 1, 2008 when the actual seating manifest was confirmed. As such events that went on sale prior to Jan. 1, 2008 did experience a select number of seat relocations. The Celine Dion show went on sale on Nov. 16, 2007 and as such, a limited number of guests were upgraded to lower level seats at no additional charge.
"Upgrades and relocations will continue to be a reality for a variety of reasons including sight lines, lighting, obstructions, camera platforms, staging changes, etc. Sprint Center remains committed to working with artists and promoters to minimize the inconvenience to our guests and exceed their expectations when seat relocations occur."
| David Frese The Star
I don't DOUBT one bit the Sprint Center has 'doubled sold' on certain seats. Come on! We all know there's NO money in fair play, right? REMEMBER: it's ALL corporate. Tell me I'm wrong.
Posted by: Bubba | January 06, 2009 at 05:05 AM
If you're actually trying to explain something to people so that they understand, you don't write things like "Sprint Center’s ticketing system was operating on a construction manifest until Jan. 1, 2008 when the actual seating manifest was confirmed." In other words, the translation is "Shut up and get back in line."
Posted by: Steve | January 06, 2009 at 10:11 AM
At least there's an explanation for the seating issue - can't say the same thing about the sound....
Posted by: greenman | January 06, 2009 at 12:22 PM
coming from a venue background, i understand that seat 'relocates' happen at every show. what i do not understand is that he's essentially saying they've known seats have been double sold since the show went on sale, and have done nothing to remedy the situation with their guests prior to having them arrive at the arena. therein lies the problem.
Posted by: jw | January 06, 2009 at 10:01 PM
JW - I say it's all because some insider at Ticketmaster, Sprint Center, etc. KNOW they can likely get away with 'double-ticket' sales on shows like CELINE DION so they go ahead and DO it. They most likely pull that stunt at shows like AC/DC but there would simply be more people standing around in the nose bleed section(s) - LESS noticed. Heard how they would over-sell tix at a HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH concert at Sandstone in the '90's - it's ALL greed. Bubba said it.
Posted by: Bubba | January 07, 2009 at 05:20 AM