Soldier Field Overhang (MERGED)

[zutopian]

Unfortunately, I'm way beyond freaked out. This is to be someone's birthday gift and now I can't bear the thought of telling my friends they are the worst possible seats at Soldier Field. I spent almost $1000 for seats and presale access and am sick over this.

 

You're int he same boat as me.  I'm absolutely LIVID that I paid over $300 for the worst seat in the stadium, especially when they have better seats available today, for less $$....  Ticketmaster refuses to do anything about this.  My code is used up, so if I want that seat, I'll have to buy another $50 membership....  IT IS A TRAVESTY!!!!   Almost like the VIP Gold package I purchased in Germany and ended up at the very top of the venue all the way at the end, looking straight down (when I wasn't having Vertigo)...  THIS SCAM HAS GOT TO STOP!

[Manohlive]

I bought two tickets to Chicago show during presale and realized they are under overhang in the 100 level, so I called Ticketmaster today for an exchange.  The agent on the phone said I could exchange them for two tickets in the 200 level that would not be credit card entry and I would get tickets in the mail or emailed to me for 'print at home'.  I opted for 'print at home' told her to do the exchange.  Ok so now I have the original 100 level tickets and now two more in the 200 level. She lied to me and sold me two more tickets I don't need.  I have no way to get a refund or exchange these tickets. I'm literally out $1200 for these tickets. 

Call and explain.  If that does not work call again.  If that does not work call and if they don't help you scream (I'm speaking figuratively) for a supervisor.

Are you calling the TM customer service number or the TM sales number?  They are different.  I ask as I've encountered quite a few people who do not know.

They have to help you if it is as you said.  I've no reason to doubt you.  Call and demand and stand firm.  You may be on the phone for over an hour so be patient.  Make sure that every agent with whom you speak has your phone number to call you back in case you get disconnected. (infuriating)  I would demand a supervisor immediately.  You can try emailing them.  I've had better luck at times after emailing them and calling them blundering buffoons, completely incompetent and many other things. That is after hours on the phone only to get a dial tone.

There's no way they can do that to you.  They have to accommodate you.  I would tell them, very nicely, that I want a 100 level seat which is rows 1-9 on Adam's side of the stage (103, 104, 105, etc.) or on the Edge's side where the overhang is not an issue. (From what I can recall.)

The customer service number is:  1-800-653-8000.  Let me know how it ends up for you, please.  I don't work for TM or SF or U2.com ( I wish for the latter)  but I've learned how to get this stuff done and gotten some very helpful contacts along the way after they realized I was sincere or trying to help someone else. 

My answers/posts are very long winded these days.  I'm recovering and waiting to have surgery on 01/31 on my head so everything is as though I smoked too much of something funky and the fog in my brain is quite dense!  ba dumb bum  ( get it, dense?)    corn.  Anyhow, pardon it taking so many words to respond.

Most individual TM agents are quite nice and will go out of their way to help a person but they have protocol.  If one does not work...hang up, call again and try another.  Getting it to a supervisor is the key.  Also the keyword is that you need a relocate and here I go writing more.  sorry.  My beloved Irish Terrier, named Bruff, is licking my ear off trying to get me back on the couch!  Good luck.

Edited January 19, 2017 by Manohlive

[Manohlive]

 

Unfortunately, I'm way beyond freaked out. This is to be someone's birthday gift and now I can't bear the thought of telling my friends they are the worst possible seats at Soldier Field. I spent almost $1000 for seats and presale access and am sick over this.

 

You're int he same boat as me.  I'm absolutely LIVID that I paid over $300 for the worst seat in the stadium, especially when they have better seats available today, for less $$....  Ticketmaster refuses to do anything about this.  My code is used up, so if I want that seat, I'll have to buy another $50 membership....  IT IS A TRAVESTY!!!!   Almost like the VIP Gold package I purchased in Germany and ended up at the very top of the venue all the way at the end, looking straight down (when I wasn't having Vertigo)...  THIS SCAM HAS GOT TO STOP!

 

Unless I am misunderstanding...do NOT buy another membership.  It will not work and you will get all your tickets negated.  You can only have one membership.  You cannot purchase another to get a code to buy more tickets.  That is a huge no-no.  Have you tried calling the venue?

My gosh, I badly feel for everyone going through all of this.  Remember it is not the band nor the venue...it is the promoter.  (Unless I'm horribly misinformed.)

Have you tried calling the venue or tried calling TM and asking for a supervisor?

Edited January 19, 2017 by Manohlive

[mchoosier]

I had a pair of crappy overhang tickets, row 15 of section 107 for the first night in Chicago via the Red Hill presale.  Here's my story:

 

After reading the posts about bad sound and view (although I'm not sure the view will be bad for this set up), I decided to call Ticketmaster Monday night, the night before tickets went on sale to the general public to see if I could exchange my tickets.  After about 5 minutes on hold (which was after 5 minutes of answering automated prompts), the first representative I talked to said my tickets could not be exchanged, so I asked if there was someone else I could speak with and my call was escalated.  The second person I talked to said they would have to get authorization from the venue to allow an exchange and they would call me back with the results of that request.  I said fine.  A couple of hours later I got a call.  The person said the tickets could be exchanged but this would have to be done after tickets went on sale to the general public the following morning.

 

The next morning I called Ticketmaster, 10 minutes before tickets went on sale to the general public to allow for answering the prompts and waiting on hold.  I reached an actual person about 10:05 am, 5 minutes after tickets went on sale.  I told her I wanted to exchange my tickets and relayed my experience from the night before.  She said I could exchange the tickets and checked what was available.  By that time only single seats in the 400 level were available.  So I thanked her and said I'd take my chances with talking with someone at Soldier Field and getting moved the night of the concert.

 

Then a day or so later a second night night was added for Chicago.  I was on my computer on Wednesday evening, the day the Red Hill Group presale started for the added second show.  On a lark I thought I'd check Ticketmaster.  I was not eligible for the Red Hill presale for the second show because in addition to the 2 tickets I had for the first Chicago show, I had also bought 2 GA tickets for the Cleveland show so my allotment of tickets for my presale code had been used up.  But what the heck, I liked poking around on the site.  I found that in addition to the Red Hill presale, there was a Bears Club presale going on.  I clicked on it and was prompted for the password.  I guessed "TOUCHDOWN" and bingo, I was in.  I tried to request 2 Red Zone tickets, no luck.  I tried 2 100 level tickets.  What came up was similar to the tickets I already had for the night before, under the overhang.  I tried 2 200 level tickets and Shazam!!, row 1 of section 234.  I had similar seats for the 360 tour and liked the seats.  I went ahead and purchased the tickets thinking I'd see if I could get a refund for the first night's crappy seats.  Worse case I'd either go to both nights or sell the second night's tickets since they were physical tickets (the first night were credit card entry) and try to get relocated from the crappy seats.

 

So I immediately called Ticketmaster.  I explained to the rep that I would like to see if I could get a refund for the first night's crappy seats.   I also relayed my story, that I had called earlier in the week as I had been told to do to see if i could get the seats exchanged with no luck.  She said she'd have to get authorization for the refund from the venue.  I had expected this and told her that was fine.  She said she had to fill out a form.  I made sure she relayed my entire story, especially that I had tried to get the seats exchanged and that I had bought tickets for the second night.

 

I got an email today from Ticketmaster telling me my refund was approved.  So, no crappy seats and front row of the 200 level for night 2!

 

So it pays to at least try to get things settled with Ticketmaster.  I was never abusive with anyone I talked to.  I explained calmly my situation and my reason for wanting an exchange and eventually a refund.  I did ask to have my call escalated when I did not get the response I was seeking.  I found everyone I talked to at Ticketmaster helpful and they wanted to be accommodating.

 

I had bad seats at the United Center for the IE tour and went to the box office to see if I could be moved.  They moved me from $90 seats behind the stage and a tree truck of cables, to $270 tickets, literally 2 rows in front of George Lucas, 8 rows off the floor, 20 feet back from the front of the stage: http://zootopia.u2.com/topic/31572-limited-view-seats-advice/

Edited January 20, 2017 by mchoosier

[Manohlive]

The only tickets that I was offered in the 100s for Red Hill presale for Chicago 2 were the highest rows in section 104.  At least I learned here not to take those.  Unfortunate that in both Red Hill presales that upper rows of 104 and 105 were the only tickets made available to me for best available.

I would have taken those and gotten a relocate, to be honest.  I really do not think it's going to be a huge problem.  I was trying to figure it out and there's only about 300 people that need to be relocated.  They kept a lot of seats for 360.  I saw stacks of them.  They know it's gonna be an issue.  I'm still trying to find out more about this for TJT, but I saw Coldplay last Summer and that would have been an issue then too.  The same for other shows.  They are ready for it.

The lady in the article above probably got front row that far into the show because it was 5 or 6 numbers into the show. He was probably pretty much done relocating. I think he was and just handed them to her.  She did not mention having to go back and get her husband and his ticket. I had to do that when I was relocated, but it was always early. 

I don' think that this is gonna be a huge issue for anyone who takes the trouble to get there when the gates open or relatively early.  They were in a huge lounge relocating when I did it.  They let me sit in there when the heat got to me for July shows. 104 and 105 are great locations.  If your view is impeded they have to accommodate you and I've always seen them do it.  That being said, there are no guarantees.  I've learned not to jump for shows and get freaked out because seats always get released or sold if one watches for them.  It's a crap shoot nonetheless.

If you are in ADA seating-definitely get there early and get the relocate.  You will not see or hear shit in those seats in the affected sections.  Actually, you will hear shit so get there early!

Edited January 23, 2017 by Manohlive

[Manohlive]

I had a pair of crappy overhang tickets, row 15 of section 107 for the first night in Chicago via the Red Hill presale.  Here's my story:

 

After reading the posts about bad sound and view (although I'm not sure the view will be bad for this set up), I decided to call Ticketmaster Monday night, the night before tickets went on sale to the general public to see if I could exchange my tickets.  After about 5 minutes on hold (which was after 5 minutes of answering automated prompts), the first representative I talked to said my tickets could not be exchanged, so I asked if there was someone else I could speak with and my call was escalated.  The second person I talked to said they would have to get authorization from the venue to allow an exchange and they would call me back with the results of that request.  I said fine.  A couple of hours later I got a call.  The person said the tickets could be exchanged but this would have to be done after tickets went on sale to the general public the following morning.

 

The next morning I called Ticketmaster, 10 minutes before tickets went on sale to the general public to allow for answering the prompts and waiting on hold.  I reached an actual person about 10:05 am, 5 minutes after tickets went on sale.  I told her I wanted to exchange my tickets and relayed my experience from the night before.  She said I could exchange the tickets and checked what was available.  By that time only single seats in the 400 level were available.  So I thanked her and said I'd take my chances with talking with someone at Soldier Field and getting moved the night of the concert.

 

Then a day or so later a second night night was added for Chicago.  I was on my computer on Wednesday evening, the day the Red Hill Group presale started for the added second show.  On a lark I thought I'd check Ticketmaster.  I was not eligible for the Red Hill presale for the second show because in addition to the 2 tickets I had for the first Chicago show, I had also bought 2 GA tickets for the Cleveland show so my allotment of tickets for my presale code had been used up.  But what the heck, I liked poking around on the site.  I found that in addition to the Red Hill presale, there was a Bears Club presale going on.  I clicked on it and was prompted for the password.  I guessed "TOUCHDOWN" and bingo, I was in.  I tried to request 2 Red Zone tickets, no luck.  I tried 2 100 level tickets.  What came up was similar to the tickets I already had for the night before, under the overhang.  I tried 2 200 level tickets and Shazam!!, row 1 of section 234.  I had similar seats for the 360 tour and liked the seats.  I went ahead and purchased the tickets thinking I'd see if I could get a refund for the first night's crappy seats.  Worse case I'd either go to both nights or sell the second night's tickets since they were physical tickets (the first night were credit card entry) and try to get relocated from the crappy seats.

 

So I immediately called Ticketmaster.  I explained to the rep that I would like to see if I could get a refund for the first night's crappy seats.   I also relayed my story, that I had called earlier in the week as I had been told to do to see if i could get the seats exchanged with no luck.  She said she'd have to get authorization for the refund from the venue.  I had expected this and told her that was fine.  She said she had to fill out a form.  I made sure she relayed my entire story, especially that I had tried to get the seats exchanged and that I had bought tickets for the second night.

 

I got an email today from Ticketmaster telling me my refund was approved.  So, no crappy seats and front row of the 200 level for night 2!

 

So it pays to at least try to get things settled with Ticketmaster.  I was never abusive with anyone I talked to.  I explained calmly my situation and my reason for wanting an exchange and eventually a refund.  I did ask to have my call escalated when I did not get the response I was seeking.  I found everyone I talked to at Ticketmaster helpful and they wanted to be accommodating.

 

I had bad seats at the United Center for the IE tour and went to the box office to see if I could be moved.  They moved me from $90 seats behind the stage and a tree truck of cables, to $270 tickets, literally 2 rows in front of George Lucas, 8 rows off the floor, 20 feet back from the front of the stage: http://zootopia.u2.com/topic/31572-limited-view-seats-advice/

They did the same thing for me at IE for multiple shows. I did not ask until right before the show.  See what I mean?  They are almost always wiling to help and will do their best.  I love the United Center.  It's a great venue.

[GoDawgs0708]

 

 

  I have been to many shows at Soldier Field. There is a very bad overhang with 100 level seating.  The 200 level juts out over the last 5 or 6 rows.  It can affect one's view and sound quality. For the 360 tour...when we sat down we could not see but 1/4 of the stage.  Granted, it was a tad large.

  I am not one to just sit and deal with it.  If the ticket does not say obstructed view then one's view should not be obstructed.  I got all fired up ready to argue the fact and had no need.  Soldier Field is very accommodating.  The staff is excellent.  I asked an usher and was told where to go and to whom I should speak. 

  I was put in the first row of our section and we were right by the stage.

My point:  If you already have seats where the overhang exists...don't freak out as I would be doing.  If you politely ask, you will be accommodated.

I am not an official spokesman for Soldier Field.  I speak with no authority but can speak from my experience. AGAIN...I cannot officially speak for Soldier Field. 

  The overhang is its worst on the side of the stadium where sections 104, 105, 106, etc. are located.  It is less severe on the other side.  My experience is that if one does not act entitled or aggressive or angry or bitchy...they will do everything they can to make it right for you.  Please don't use this to get better seats if you are under the overhang but can see and the sound is good. I've seen many do it only to return to the same seats.

  If you look on the map and see where the disabled dots are located in these sections...about five or six rows in front of that are the seats I highly suggest avoiding.  However, I'd rather be up front than way back no matter.  It is a personal preference.

  My advice is get there early and check out your seats and address the issue as soon as you can.  I cannot give you his name but the man in charge is quite busy but they always call him and I wind up very happy if it is an issue.  Don't freak out if you already have those seats.

  Please remember those who are in the handicapped section and let them go first if applicable.  The staff will get to you.

  Good Luck.  May we all have a great view and safe travels. 

  Sorry I could not post this sooner.  I hope it helps.

                            GO BLACKHAWKS!  GO Packers!  I would not say that if the Bears were contenders.

Do you happen to know if the 400-level hangs over the 300-level. I'm in 332 for Chicago - last row. Also, my wife and I try to stand throughout the whole show, which is why we try to get last row seating as to not obstruct others' views. I noticed that my section has accessible seating behind - do you know if standing would obstruct the view of fans using wheelchairs at Soldier Field, or is the accessible section elevated enough? Thanks for any info you have!

 

If the accessible seating is behind you then standing will affect their view.  I don't know what to say.  It sucks.  I can stand and even dance but when the pain hits, I need to sit or I will fall. A fractured skull taught me that but I recovered and finally listened to my friends.   Some are in wheelchairs.  I don't want to tell you what to do.  When U2 was at the United Center, I sat in section 108 for all but one of the shows.  They left the row in front of us open so we could see.  Maybe the same will be true for Soldier Field.  Even with that row open; I had to be a pit viper getting people from taking those seats and standing.  I would tell them no and they would go stand in front of someone in a wheelchair.  I kept the row open but got called a number of colorful names.  One of the accessible seating people told me, "David, nobody should be in those seats.  If they do not leave call/text me and I'll send security."  If security would have come, I'm not sure what happens so I just growled louder than they did and everyone left. 

I'm not sure what to say about this venue.  I don't speak for either but I go to the United Center all the time.  I was right next to one of the U2 camera men for the IE tour.  I'm not sure what he thought.  It would be interesting to find out because after a while it got very tiring.  I became a jerk because I was missing the show.  I've been writing all day and am wired.  I need to go before I write another book.

I would use my judgement.  Usually in stadiums and in this one, if memory serves me correctly...the accessible seats were actually a couple steps up and we could see over others but that was 100 level seating.  It may not be an issue and I'm writing more so time to go.   Have fun!

 

Thank you for the input - I appreciate you letting me know. The last thing I want to do is negatively impact another fan's U2 experience!

[rixchix]

I'm section 231, row 9.  i couldn't find this online.  I suspect it's blocked by the overhang

[Manohlive]

I'm section 231, row 9.  i couldn't find this online.  I suspect it's blocked by the overhang

The overhang starts maybe somewhere above you but probably behind and I seriously doubt your view/sound will be affected. 

You also will be looking down so everything is better than the 100 level under the overhang.

Edited February 6, 2017 by Manohlive

[Dr_Barbie]

Manohlive - Thank you so much for the info! I'm on the very back row under the overhang. Booo! I plan to take your advice and ask for a relocate the day of the show. Who do I talk to at the venue in order to ask for a relocate? I wouldn't even know where to begin. Thanks in advance!