The University Ticketing Office announced last Tuesday the launch of a new online ticketing program in partnership with Tickets.com, a company which specializes in handling online ticket sales.
Tickets to athletic events, concerts and theater performances can now be ordered online as well as by phone, mail or in person from campus ticket offices. A $1.50 fee is included if tickets are purchased by phone or online. There is also a $5 processing fee for every purchase.
The new online service was started because "we decided to do what every other college or university was doing," University Ticketing Manager Stephanie Valcarcel said in an email.
According to Valcarcel, online ticketing will provide the University community with a convenient method of purchasing tickets. And the surcharge covers the mailing cost of tickets, she said.
Valcarcel has received many positive responses from people living out-of-state who are unable to buy tickets in person, indicating the importance of online ticketing.
In the 11 days the online service has been operational, 232 tickets have been sold.
The tickets for all events on the online system can be purchased at the athletic ticket office, the Frist ticket office and the Richardson ticket office. For example, students can buy tickets for Richardson events at the athletic ticket office.
Some students did not know about the availability of online tickets.
Julianne Bruno '07 said it "might make life easier because I live in Forbes. I'll use anything that means that I don't have to walk [to Frist]."
However, when informed that there was a surcharge, she changed her mind. "I'd rather walk," she said.
Most students agreed, including the performers themselves. Before finding out about the surcharge, John Mitchell '07, a Bodyhype dancer, was enthused about the new, easier way of buying tickets.
"Now people don't have to go to Frist early and wait in line for choice tickets," he said in an email.
The new service is especially important to dance groups because their performances are popular and high demand for tickets coupled with disorganization can sometimes lead to disaster. According to Mitchell, ticket sales to last semester's performance were dismal because "advertising posters didn't go up until one, or perhaps two, nights before opening."
However, he said the University surcharge for online purchases is "outrageous" because it nearly doubles the price of a ticket.
Ticket office employee Cherice Landers '06 believes there is an advantage to online ticketing and does not think a surcharge significantly affects the market.
"It's just like any other online buying service, like Ticketmaster," Landers said. "I feel like it's something standard."
Landers said parents and members of the community who live elsewhere will benefit the most because they will not have to come to campus to buy tickets.
Ronee Penoi '07, director of Theatre-Intime's "Fair Game," sees both sides of the surcharge argument.
"I find it to be very personally frustrating, but I know it's necessary," Penoi said. Because her family lives in Pittsburgh, buying tickets for them in the past has been complicated, she explained.
She also said the online ticketing service may help fill seats. "As a director, I'm really happy it's there because we will have more people in the audience."
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