What is a Convenience Fee?

 

Internet ticketing is often attacked as being too expensive because of "convenience fees". This has gotten some negative press due to some ticketing companies that really tack on the fees. However, it is validated by being a "convenience" for customers, by saving them the time, effort and money to physically obtain the tickets by some other means.

Occasionally, a start-up ticketing company will charge very low convenience fees, proclaiming that there is no need for higher prices. I say "occasionally", because such companies come and go with disturbing frequency. Often leaving their customers scrambling for a new Internet ticketing service. Do you want to trust your ticket sales to a company that may not exist next month? 

Such start-up companies never get a chance to become established. Why is that? Generally because they are created by people who don't understand the ticketing industry and are under the assumption that starting up an Internet ticketing company is an easy way to make a fast buck. What they soon discover is, it's not even remotely easy. Between understanding what the market requires, developing an excellent user interface, tying the Internet to the venue's database, order processing, billing, delivery, security, ongoing support, and many technical issues, it's an extraordinarily complex and resource-demanding procedure that an Internet ticketing service company must undertake daily.

The prices may seem high, but the need to remain profitable is important in order to stay in business - and so few companies in the ticketing industry have stayed in business for any notable length of time (Box Office Xpress, by Corporate Consultants, being one of the very few exceptions). We believe our fees are reasonable. Reasonable enough for your customers to except. And reasonable enough for us to continue to serve you for many, many years to come.