Subscriber u2rone Posted March 4, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted March 4, 2017 i still would like to know why U2 can't have a different system for their ticket sales. With the money and resources that are at their disposal, it seems they could avoid Ticketbastard all together!!!! I will always love U2 and go see them, but I have gotten screwed on the presales for MANY tours because of Ticketmaster I have been a fan club member for 29 years, and just don't understand why they can't fix this!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber u2rone Posted March 4, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted March 4, 2017 P.S. I am still in need of 1 or 2 tickets to the 1st Chicago show. As I said earlier, fan club burned me again and couldn't get anything on the regular sale. OK could get COMPLETE crap nosebleeds, but chose not to take them on regular sale. We have tickets for 2nd show. I am the HUGE fan, so he said I could go by myself if we can't find two. THANKS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 23, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 23, 2017 (edited) 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/ The last night is always the best night to see U2 in Chicago. For 360 we got One Tree Hill for the first time in how many years? For the IE tour we got Bad and the full version of 40-I was literally in tears thanking God. So the second night is definitely the best one. I'm hoping to get one GA ticket at the last minute and go. We are going on the first night. Had I known...it would be the second night. I am one of those who is not psyched to see The Joshua Tree live. I want new music or songs they rarely play but that is just me. I've been hearing Bullet and WOWY and the other stuff for thirty years. I want new music. This is just my humble opinion. I did think Bullet the Blue Sky worked quite well in the IE tour. I went to IE four or the five shows in Chicago. They put me in the expensive seats and we were behind the stage as well, but those $95 were still fairly decent seats. I went back to them just to watch Larry drum from behind. I love watching him play the drums. The United Center is an amazing venue. So is Soldier Field until the traffic jam after the show. haha I hope you have fun! Edited March 23, 2017 by Manohlive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 23, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 23, 2017 i still would like to know why U2 can't have a different system for their ticket sales. With the money and resources that are at their disposal, it seems they could avoid Ticketbastard all together!!!! I will always love U2 and go see them, but I have gotten screwed on the presales for MANY tours because of Ticketmaster I have been a fan club member for 29 years, and just don't understand why they can't fix this!!!!! It is the promoter and not the band's fault. Live Nation knows very well that overhang exists. I go to Soldier Field all the time and the same issue comes up with every show. It is not U2. It is not the venue. It is the promoter. I despise Ticketmaster and Live Nation and both are well aware of it. Write letters and bitch. Last one I wrote I told them they were complete and total idiots. That is no lie. If we do not call them out on this crap it is going to get worse while ticket prices double to $600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 23, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 23, 2017 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! Hi. First off, I am sorry it has taken so long for me to answer you. Look for people in vests or ask an usher what you do for seating issues/relocates. They will direct you to wherever you need to go to get it done. I like to show up early and get it done before they even open the venue. That being said, they have helped me many times and know me a bit. Every single ADA person who pays $300 for those seats is affected by this. It's very sad as many are those who can least afford it. That being said...there is a whole team of people who work with relocates. All you need do is ask. If someone does not know then ask someone else. My suggestion is look for the people in colored vests. Keep asking and they will tell you where to go. The person's name is useless until the day of the show and they all know who he is so just ask. They will call or text him or direct you to a room where they have a table set up for relocates and such. Also...Ticketmaster has a policy where you can exchange your tickets for better ones if you see better ones available. I switched my seats for Coldplay at Soldier Field five times last year. All you have to do is call customer service once you see better seats and they will swap the ones you have for the better ones if they are available. Great seats always become available closer to the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 23, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 23, 2017 P.S. I am still in need of 1 or 2 tickets to the 1st Chicago show. As I said earlier, fan club burned me again and couldn't get anything on the regular sale. OK could get COMPLETE crap nosebleeds, but chose not to take them on regular sale. We have tickets for 2nd show. I am the HUGE fan, so he said I could go by myself if we can't find two. THANKS!!! Just keep watching TM and you will find decent seats. I have seen the best seats released the day before and day of the show; including GA tix. The promoter and band and venue and whomever else always hold a bunch of seats which are not needed and then released. I'm in the opposite position. I want to go the second night as well as the first. The last night of a U2 stand in Chicago is always the best night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 23, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 23, 2017 (edited) I found this picture on Twitter by searching Soldier Field 105. It looks pretty representative as it appears to be taken from a high row close to the aisle next to 104, which is where I am. $303 for a ticket and this is what I get??? I am calling Ticketmaster tomorrow to ask for a refund. If they won't, Amex is very good about cancelling charges if the product is unacceptable. I have sat in section 105 and this is what the overhang is like when further back in any of the sections. If you get a refund are you just not going to go? I have already written this but if you watch TM and see better seats become available (which will happen) you can call TM and swap the seats you have for the better seats which are currently on sale. I've done it many times until I'm right up front in the first couple of rows. If you are willing to keep checking and checking...it works. I'd wait and then get the refund from AMEX later if necessary. Once Soldier Field's season begins you can call them and ask. The operators are a bit pushy because they get so many calls from people expecting something for nothing. I've had to really push to get connected with the box office but it is possible. You can then ask them. Usually they take your name, etc. and you will end up being a very happy camper because they will give you the best seats they can. Do as you wish. All you hear under that overhang is bass and muffled drums. They know this and are ready for it. Again, do as you wish but giving up the show entirely seems a bit silly to me. We are still three months out and Soldier Field's season starts in May, if memory serves me. Edited March 23, 2017 by Manohlive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted March 28, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted March 28, 2017 Those will be good seats if it rains. Even if it was a torrent...those seats suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber casteelak Posted May 31, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted May 31, 2017 so if it rains a lot during the Saturday show is the overhang a blessing now. seems sort of ironic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted June 1, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted June 1, 2017 (edited) Manohlive: THIS IS THE LATEST I COULD FIND OUT AND SAY ABOUT THE OVERHANG AND RELOCATES; I spoke with someone at Soldier Field about several things earlier. (49 hours before showtime) Saturday's show is completely sold out. Relocate tickets will be less available, he said. He went on to say that the sight/sound is not that bad under the overhang. He also spoke of how remarkable U2's sound people are in making the sound good way back in that overhang. He was not happy with my response. I told him bullshit. (I'm not a jerk. I'm tired of corporations screwing people who have to deal with them. This is not Soldier Field's fault but the dude did not know that of which he spoke or was fibbing.) The sound sucks. The view is obstructed and they are contractually bound to relocate people unless the ticket clearly states obstructed view. He told me that would be a matter for TM. I told him they were still going to have to deal with it the night of the show. He was informed yet still seemed trained to give out generic answers. (I'm not a jerk. I'm tired of corporations screwing people who have to deal with them. This is not Soldier Field's fault but this dude did not know that of which he spoke or was fibbing.) With the show being completely sold out...I suggest getting there especially early and finding your seat. If it is way under the overhang than ask an usher where to go for a relocate. If they say no relocates I would calmly point out that your view is obstructed, you are a U2.com member and bought the seats in the presale and politely ask if they could not make an exception. If that does not work then ask to see a supervisor. Over by section 104-107, when in the main corridor where the vendors are and everyone walks around...there is a stairwell leading up to a room. (Not the stairs leading to the next level.) This room is between levels. There should be a guard with a vest or something different from the ushers. That is where the head relocate people were during the 360 tour. The guy in charge of it all is named Mike Docalis or something of the sort. (Please don't say I said this as I'm worried I'll irritate them by posting this.) He looks miffed at times but is very busy so don't be intimidated. He also has several other people working under him. They were great. The 360 tour was supposedly sold out as well yet I saw stacks of tickets for relocates. This tour, on Sat, looks like it is sold out completely which will put relocates at a premium. Keep asking. If you get nowhere and your seat sucks...go ask again once the Lumineers start playing. Don't give up and ask another and another until you get what you need. If that does not work...I'd go look for an empty seat and plop my behind down in it. If an usher asks you to move say your seat is obstructed and you cannot hear or see well and the ticket does not say obstructed view/sound. Don't despair and don't get angry unless U2 is about to begin or has begun and your seats suck. I was also told that Soldier Field has never had CC only entry for a show like they do for U2. It was highly suggested to get there especially early because the lines may go slowly. That being said, I've never seen a will call window move as efficiently as I have at Soldier Field. I've stood and watched them and they fly despite all the people who do not have their ID and confirmation number and credit card ready. Then they dig through their pockets or bag or purse and laugh it off while those behind them wait. Somehow the staff keep that line moving. Perhaps the lines to get into the venue will be equally as efficient. We are allowing even more extra time to spare just in case. The doors to SF open at 5 pm. Good luck to everyone affected by this. They know those seats suck and deal with it every single concert. Edited June 2, 2017 by Manohlive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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