Okay, so last week I really wanted to grab Sebastian Tide tickets when they announced their tour stop near me. Prices on the main ticketing site? Oof. Like $200+ for nosebleeds. Nope. Started digging around for tricks to score cheaper seats without getting scammed.
First thing I did
I signed up for the venue’s email list right when tour dates dropped. Sometimes they send presale codes to locals. Got a code! But when presale opened? Already saw jacked-up “official platinum” prices everywhere. Presale felt like regular sale prices with extra steps. Felt kinda ripped off.
The waiting game backfired
Heard people say “wait till last minute!” Tried that. Checked prices 48 hours before showtime. Big mistake. Only “VIP packages” left – $400 for a tote bag and “early entry” (lol). Refreshed like crazy day-of-show. Prices actually went UP. Panic set in.
Switched tactics completely
Ditched the big resale platforms. Focused on fan groups instead:
- Scrolled local Facebook event pages – people posting last-minute emergencies
- Lurked in subreddits for the band – fans reselling at face value
- Checked venue’s own resale board (buried in their site footer)
How it finally went down
Saw a post Wednesday night: Someone’s kid got sick, couldn’t go Saturday. Selling pair for what they paid – $80 each, lower bowl. Met them Friday at a coffee shop near the venue. Cash only, checked the transfer email together on my phone. Felt way safer than some rando app.
Key takeaways: Paying “convenience fees” to bots sucks. Actual humans having emergencies? Best prices. Face-to-face beats gambling online. Saved $240 total by treating ticket hunting like finding a rare used couch.
