Johnovox said:
Propaganda was a way around the system because once Prop pulled the tickets, the brokers (and promoters) couldn't get them.
This is really the heart of what we're all so upset about, isn't it folks? The band closed up shop with Propaganda and went to Ticketmaster (likely as a way to cut costs and increase profits)--and Ticketmaster failed us. Propaganda had the fans' best interests at heart. Ticketmaster, as decades have shown us, clearly does not. The band's management made a terrible decision, and we're all suffering as a result.
Now that I hear k-rider's defense, I'm kind of on his side (and I started this thread). The people paying $500 aren't a bunch of suits with a passing interest in the band. Overwhelmingly, they're just like you and me. They just want to see the band so bad that they'll shell out some serious coin.
To be quite honest, I was able to get through to Ticketmaster 7 or 8 times for tickets. But they were pretty miserable seats, so I passed. I just don't enjoy arena shows anymore unless I can actually see the band--especially at $170 a pop.
Everyone wants those precious GA tickets, and I would pay a premium to get them. I was hoping my $20 to u2.com would get me that advantage, but it didn't. I used many of the same techniques k-rider used above. I was on two computers at once, with four browser windows open, both on high-speed connections. But it just didn't work out. K-rider was lucky, and he was one of the few to get through. His $20 got him that advantage.
Now, I'm not going to pay him $500 for those tickets. That's too much. But you'll see. Prices will come down in a few weeks, like he says. Will I pay $300? Sure. I'm paying k-rider for the advantage of getting GA tickets. It costs more that u2.com, but it's much more of a sure thing. And in the end, I'll feel that I got a good deal from k-rider, but got screwed by u2.com. Because at least I knew what I was paying for from him.