Bowl Tix: Watch Out for Location Based Pricing?
My sister and I stumbled on a “feature” on SeatGeek the other day while looking for Fiesta Bowl tickets: it looks like you may see a different price for the same ticket based on where you log in. She is in LA, I’m in Phoenix. More or less simultaneously, we looked at exactly the same 2 tickets in the upper bowl. She was shown a price of $496 plus $100 in fees. I saw, for the exact same seats, $376 plus $76 in fees - 3/4 the price! We can’t think of any difference other than where we logged in.
Maybe this is old news but I certainly wasn’t aware of it - I knew they did dynamic pricing based on demand, but not that you’d see a different price based on location. Has anyone else seen this before? Do other sites do it or is it just SeatGeek? Are the prices even higher in Michigan?
So if you’re searching for tickets on secondary, maybe try using a VPN to set your location in Glendale AZ. And of course I’d recommend the stickied fan to fan ticket thread here, where we eventually got a great offer from a fellow MGoBlogger, or the alumni ticket exchange forum. Screw secondary sites (screw TicketIQ slightly less, they sponsor this place and I don’t think they do this).
December 23rd, 2022 at 12:56 PM ^
You both should use TicketIQ, dude.
December 23rd, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
Not every ticket is on both sites - all else being equal TicketIQ will have the better price, but depending on inventory you’ll still come out ahead if you search multiple sites. I like supporting MGoSponsors, but not enough to set $50-100 on fire for no reason.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:00 PM ^
Fair enough. Good post btw.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:17 PM ^
As a quick example, looking right now the best price for 2 together in section 445 (upper bowl “Michigan” sideline) is $494 each on Ticket IQ and $393 on Seat Geek, fees included. They are different seats, the Seat Geek ones are marginally better (row 21 vs row 23).
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
TicketIQ???
Isn't that the ticketing website with the no-nonsense approach to third-party ticketing of events? No hidden fees. No sneaky price schemes. Just WYSIWYG ticket pricing.
I've heard about them. What a refreshing approach to what has been such a scurrilous industry.
Do you happen to know the URL?
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
I found the ticketIQ rep
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:18 PM ^
Nah just the guy that has the dulcet tones of Seth reading ad copy on the podcast burned into his subconscious.
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:45 PM ^
Oh... so ticketiq.com you say? Thanks! I'll be sure to check them out!
Also, unrelated question.
I have some custom printing and branded apparel needs in southeastern Michigan. Do you perchance have any recommendations for someone I might be able to use?
December 23rd, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
But do you also need a place to put your aged parents and have an appreciation for oddly placed references to the British History Podcast?
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
Not quite as simple as you make it sound. Just like when stores bump the price up and then put them on sale for 20% off you kinda gotta look more into it... (I know it's not the exact same seats but my point stands.)
Top is TicketIQ bottom is SeatGeek.
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:10 PM ^
You've correctly pointed out that different sellers can request different prices for similar goods. This is good and useful intel.
In case you're unaware, JMo impersonated Seth's ad reads from the podcast. Because TicketIQ sponsors it.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:29 PM ^
Logged on to ticket IQ to try to sell some tickets the other day - eventually figured out you have to list them on TickPic, which has different fees, to get them to come up on Ticket IQ, which is some kind of secondary aggregator. Very weird setup
December 23rd, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^
I wouldn't put this past them.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:11 PM ^
Want to do an experiment? Here’s a couple randomly selected listings right now:
Section 445, row 21 - $393 with fees
Section 135, row 25 - $579 with fees
both are the best price listed for 2 together in their respective sections.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:06 PM ^
Looking for 2 tickets to the championship game for my son & I. Didn't have enough priority points to get them through the ticket office, but would love to sit by Michigan fans if possible. If you were selected & can't use yours we're open to any seating level.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
Post on the fan to fan thread and alumni threads I linked in the OP with your email. I got multiple offers within 24 hours, so there are definitely some folks out there still looking to move extras.
December 23rd, 2022 at 3:33 PM ^
Thanks! That's great to hear! I'll do that now. Not an alum (just lifelong fan), so I can't post there, but I'll definitely post on the fan-to-fan.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
Perhaps California is tacking on some additional fees? It would be out of character, I know, but it's possible...
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:34 PM ^
If that were the case I’d expect the difference to show up in “fees”, but it was a difference in list price as well.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
I apologize for my non-responsive comment, but I'd strongly recommend waiting until the 28th or 29th to buy tickets.
Ticket brokers start to lower costs. People realize they have extra tickets. People get sick or plans change. Etc.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
Yeah. Being local and therefore not needing hotel or flights, this is what I had been planning to do, but a) it can be a little sketchier if you need seats together and b) I got a very fair offer from someone on the fan thread.
That said, there are huge blocks of seats in the upper level corner that are clearly ticket brokers (listings for whole rows!) and are currently way over the prices that are actually moving. Guessing these will crater next week.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
I have 1 extra for sale: Section 118, Row 17, seat 7......going rate on the sites is $700-$1000. Face value with fees was almost $500. Make me an offer.....would prefer it goes to an MGOBLOG member!
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
If anyone's looking - I'm trying to sell 4 together for the Fiesta Bowl in section 141 row 35. Would prefer someone here get it, and no one have to pay fees
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
My first reaction was “of course they can and do this in a world of targeted advertising.”
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
I mean I wasn’t exactly shocked, but I’d never heard it talked about before. It was just very stark when we were literally texting each other and looking at seats at the same time. And it wasn’t a small difference!
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^
Thread jacking as I also don't have enough points to create a separate post.
Curious how those that are headed to the Fiesta Bowl plan on getting to the stadium (and more importantly back)? I won't have a car and have found options to be pretty slim.
Obviously, I know about Uber and Lyft but after my experience of getting back from the Orange Bowl after the game last year ( $250 Uber), I'm looking for other options. Uber and Lyft's prices will flex high for the ride home and their app was pretty much unusable after the game last year due to everyone trying to get a ride.
I've thought about using a charter bus share (https://rally.co/fiesta-bowl) but I can't seem to find many reviews. Right now, I'm probably going to take a chance and try this (and no I have zero affiliation with them, just trying to figure out the most affordable way to get back to Scottsdale after the game).
Any Phoenix/Scottsdale locals have experience of using Uber/Lyft after a game or using rally.co?
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
I’ve not tried it myself but based on the crowds I saw even at not-sold-out Coyotes games, trying to get a ride share is a cluster. I have heard that it’s a lot easier to walk over to Westgate and wait for a ride at one of the hotels because the official ride share area for State Farm stadium will have 1000 people waiting.
One crazy idea: the alumni association is hosting a pep rally at Scottsdale Stadium next Friday. If you’re in Scottsdale, maybe show up, make a friend and bum a ride?
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
Good idea... didn't realize the pep rally was in Scottsdale.
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^
Here’s the link to register (it’s free)
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
Why won't you have a car?
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:15 PM ^
Yeah the Phoenix metro is not very accessible without one, especially for this game with the stadium way the hell out on the west end of the valley. For events downtown or in Tempe, yeah the public transit isn’t bad but Glendale may as well be Palm Springs.
December 23rd, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
Staying in old town Scottsdale and there appears to be enough restaurants and bars there to keep me busy for a few days :)
That and I just don't want to deal with having a car that I only need to get out to the game for.
December 23rd, 2022 at 4:21 PM ^
look he's been here for 13 years and exactly half his 6 posts ever have come in this thread.
it just takes him a lil longer that's all
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:48 PM ^
I have 4 for sale on seatgeek. Section 447 Row 2. I got them from the ticket office for some friends that have now backed out. They are listed for $400 each. If someone wants to work out a deal I am open to that. Please email me mporter2183 @ gmail.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:51 PM ^
Weren't they $195 from the ticket office?
December 23rd, 2022 at 7:18 PM ^
On a somewhat unrelated note, how do people plan to transfer tickets bought on Michigan alumni exchange or via boards. I love the idea of buying and selling directly with Michigan fans but worry about getting scammed in either directions. I guess you could try and vet with umich email/ directory/ LinkedIn etc and eventually get pretty confident you are dealing with a good Michigan human but who knows....
Any advice?
December 23rd, 2022 at 10:18 PM ^
So I think the AD issued tickets (via the M athletics app) and all the major broker sites let you do free transfers through their apps. If you think it’s at all sketchy here’s a couple things you can do:
1) if buying multiples, transfer / pay for one ticket first, then do the rest
2) Venmo and PayPal have some degree of buyer protection - it costs a little bit of a fee but if you’re willing to eat that you can be protected if you get scammed.
3) Chat on the phone while you do the transfer. Talk about MGoBlog and Michigan football. Make sure you’re using the same phone number as their Venmo or whatever.