Using the following steps, I have never been shut out of a concert or event that I wanted to attend. This includes getting tickets for the hugely popular Pearl Jam in Atlantic City show, both nights of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts at Madison Square Gardens, playoff hockey games etc.
Please read the disclaimer if you plan on using this method to buy tickets with the intent of reselling for profit.
First up, I have consistently found that using the Internet and ticketmaster.com and/or livenation.com is the ideal way to get the best tickets possible. Using the phone to call Ticketmaster when the tickets go on sale will only lead to you hearing a busy signal. Lining up at a Ticketmaster or event outlet is never a good idea, and here’s why. If the person at the ticket booth/cash register is at all slow, ie. tickets go on sale at 10AM and the person selling the tickets isn’t ready until 10:05AM, all the good seats will be gone by then. If you’re even second in line, by the time the first purchase has been completed by the person in front of you, all the good tickets will be gone. Always use the Internet to get the best possible seats/tickets. Here’s how you go about doing just that –
1. Setting the clock
2. Advanced Ticket Sales
3. Using Ticketmaster
4. Multiple browsers, with proxies
5. Go to work
No, not your alarm clock – the clock on your computer. I couldn’t possibly count the number of times I’ve heard someone say “I got to Ticketmaster.com right at 10:00AM when the tickets went on sale, but they were already sold out!”. What really happened was they got to Ticketmaster when they thought it was 10AM. Just because your watch or PC time says it’s 10:00AM, doesn’t necessarily make it so. Even being off by 3 or 4 minutes can make the difference between a great seat, and one way, way back.
To fix this, sync your computer’s time with the Atomic Time.
Select your Operating System from the list below to setup/confirm you’re using Atomic Time sync.
1. OS X
2. Windows Vista and/or Windows 7
3. Windows XP
Setting up OS X with Atomic Time Sync
- If you’re using OS X 10.4 or higher (maybe even 10.3 but I don’t have it installed), you can check to make sure you’re using Atomic Time by selecting the date/time section of the menu bar, and then click Date & Time Preferences.
- From here, confirm that Set date and time automatically: is checked. Then select Time Zone and confirm that your Mac is set to the correct location.
- You’re done this part – you can jump down to the Advanced Ticket Sales section now.
Setting up Windows Vista and/or Windows 7 with Atomic Time Sync
- Click the time/date section from your Taskbar and select Change date and time settings… from the pop-up menu.
- On the Date and Time tab, confirm that you have the correct Time Zone set. If you don’t, click the Change time zone… button. Note: if your time zone is already set correctly, skip the next step.
- Select the correct time zone for your location from the drop-down menu, and click the OK button.
- Now select the Internet Time tab from the top. Click the Change settings… button.
- Make absolutely certain that Synchronize with an Internet time server is checked. Then click the Update Now button.
- You should now see that Windows has updated the time. You’ll also want to do this step 10 or 15 minutes before tickets go on sale so that your PC’s clock is set exactly perfectly.
- You’re done this part – you can jump down to the Advanced Ticket Sales section now.
Setting up Windows XP with Atomic Time Sync
Windows XP has a built-in feature that allows you to sync your PC with an atomic clock, although the default server that it uses has been problematic in the past. Because of this, I suggest using Atomic TimeSync, a free Windows utility (for 95, 98, NT, 2K, ME and XP).
- Run Atomic TimeSync 10 or 15 minutes before the tickets go on sale (make sure that you’re online)
- Double-click its icon in your system tray
- Click the Get Atomic Time button, and then the Synchronize button
- If everything was successful, you can skip the next few steps and move on to the using Ticketmaster section.
- If you had a problem getting the Atomic Time, first make sure your Internet connection is working. If you’re certain that you’re online, you might need to switch the server that Atomic TimeSync uses. To do this, right-click the Atomic TimeSync icon in your system tray and select Config
- The default Atomic Clock server should be time-a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov in the Network Time Server field. If you live elsewhere, visit this site to find an Atomic Time server for your area.
- Repeat step #3 and you should be set.
- You’re done this part – you can jump down to the Advanced Ticket Sales section now.
Make a list of all the bands (teams, events etc) you like. One by one visit their official home pages and sign up for their mailing list. If they have a forum, give it a read and see if there’s a Fan Club or something similar. Many bands will do an advanced “pre-sale” for fan club members only. Fan club members will receive a password and then use it to sign in to Ticketmaster at the time of the pre-sale. I would still strongly suggest following all of the steps outlined in this tutorial even if you have access to the fan club pre-sale, because those special pre-sales often have a limited number of tickets available.
Ticketmaster also has some form of partnership with American Express, and many events have an “American Express only” pre-sale, where you must use an AmEx to purchase tickets. If you’re really serious about getting tickets, consider getting an American Express card.
Ticketmaster and Live Nation have implemented a number of tricks to stop you from getting the tickets you want. Actually, what they’ve done is try to keep things “fair” and avoid system crashes on their end. Here are some ways to maximize your chances of getting those tickets.
- Most important – create your Ticketmaster account, and sign in to it, before the tickets go on sale. This ensures that you 1) won’t find out at the last minute that you’ve forgotten your Ticketmaster password and 2) decreases the number of steps you’ll have to go through when buying tickets.
- Do not use your browsers Refresh button, at all, on Ticketmaster.com. Ticketmaster uses cookies, your IP address and who-knows-what-else to track exactly what you’re doing. Going to the event page a minute before tickets go on sale and hitting refresh will almost certainly guarantee that you do not get tickets.
- Instead, enter the artist/team/event name in the search field, and as soon as your computers clock changes to the onsale time, click Search.
- You’ll be presented with either a page to narrow down your search (image 1) or a list of events (image 2). To find out which of the screens that you’ll get, try this search ahead of time (the day before the tickets go on sale)
Your goal should be to get to a screen that says Find Tickets directly next to the event you want to attend, 1 (one) click after the time the tickets go on sale.
4. Multiple Browsers, with proxies
If you’re very quick with your keyboard and mouse, something you may want to try is using multiple web browsers at the time of sale. I use 3 each time I know that the event will be hard to get tickets for. For Windows I would suggest Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera. For Mac, I’d suggest Safari, Firefox and Camino.
If you’re going to try using multiple browsers, you’ll want to make sure they don’t share cookies and they’re each coming from a different IP address. For example, if you use Avant Browser and Internet Explorer, they share cookies, and Ticketmaster will recognize both browsers as being the same.
Proxies have a variety of uses, one of which is that they can “hide” your actual IP address from the site you’re visiting. Some proxies require that you specify the address in your browsers settings, others you can use via the web. If you work for a company that requires you to use a proxy when checking your email or to access internal resources, I’d strongly suggest using it. Finding “free” proxies via Google can be a chore, and if you find one that’s working the day before tickets go on sale, it might not be working during the sale time.
Make sure to visit http://www.whatsmyip.net from each browser, and make sure that your IP shows up differently in each.
Literally. If you work somewhere that has a broadband connection, and it’s better than your home dial-up, DSL or cable, use it. The added bonus of doing this at work is that you can recruit some of your co-workers to help. Make sure they all have Ticketmaster accounts already created, with their own credit card added to the account etc. If one of your co-workers ends out getting the best tickets, you can just pay him/her back and have them follow through with the ticket purchase.
My parting piece of advice is to try this with an event you don’t really want to go to (just don’t actually purchase the tickets at the end). Use a Rolling Stones, Madonna or Britney Spears concert or playoff sporting event as a test. They’re usually very difficult to get tickets for, and make for excellent practice runs until you have the process down pat.
Disclaimer: If you use the above guidelines to buy tickets with the intent of reselling them for profit (scalping) that’s just not cool. I have published this info to help good people not have to deal with scalpers like you. Note: most professional scalpers use tactics much more advanced than this anyway. Like paying street-people to stand in line at Ticketmaster outlets (I’ve seen it).
YOU ARE HONESTLY SERIOUSLY THE BEST,
Im using this to get JONAS tickets, thank you thank you thank you
My IP shows up the same on Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera. x_x
It’s also a good idea to plug your cable modem directly into your computer – DO NOT use a wireless router, they are much slower.
thank you for the tutorial. i was first time user and your counsel helped me get good seats.
mike – awesome!
Thanks for the heads up….gotta try this next time tickets go on sale
I find with the Advanced ticket sales it always warns that it can’t tell me where the seats will be before I purchase them – so I haven’t used it. Are they the best seats?
I am planning to get Glee tickets next Saturday
What time zone do I set for since I am trying to get Chicago show tickets?? Is it my timezone or is it different for ticketmaster.com site
I am hoping to get tickets so I don’t have to paid high price tickets on StubHub:(
kelsey – YOUR time zone. Make sure the clock on your PC/Mac is set perfectly to your own time zone.
So when it turns 10am hit search for the concert I want to got to
and then click find tickets for the city I want to attend to??
I don’t want to mess up
Thanks Ross
I am a bit new on buying tickets online
I already set up a account on Ticketmaster
I have a Mac so any other tips I should know
kelsey – make sure your PC/Mac is set to YOUR time zone, and if tickets go on sale at 10:00AM EST, calculate the difference between the two time zones (yours and EST) – and then be on ticketmaster.com at 10:00AM EST ready to buy your tickets – not 10:00AM your time zone (unless your time zone IS EST).
Im from IL
so central time
Start: Sat, 02/19/11 10:00 AM CST
So go by my time zone
and crossed your fingers for me
Hopefully I’ll get my 3 tickets
kelsey – yes, if you’re in CST, make sure your Mac is set to CST. At 10:00AM CST (as long as that’s when Ticketmaster says tickets go on sale), get started
Good luck.
Is there an easy way to enter those random security word/letter combinations? Some of them are really hard to decipher, and it takes valuable time to enter them or to refresh for a more legible set.
Thanks for the great info. I’m trying to get 3 Taylor Swift tickets tomorrow through the XL Center Presale (I was on the email list and got the code). Won’t be able to be online Friday when they go on sale to the general public, so tomorrow’s really my only chance.
2 Questions:
1. In my ticketmaster account, I have Taylor Swift as a “favorite artist.” When I go to My Ticketmaster, there is a link for “Find Tickets” next to her name and the name of the venue (XL Center). Should I click this button tomorrow because it seems to me that would be the fastest way, or should I stick with the Taylor Swift search instead?
2. If I’m aiming to get lowers, floor, or pit tickets, should I select the highest price point when I search, or just do “Best Available”? If I do the highest price point, will it just tell me that no tickets are available?
Thanks!!!
Abby –
1. Your way sounds good – I’ve never tried it myself, but the logic is there (I’ll try it soon!).
2. Best Available. Highest Price Point can (and often) does mean a “VIP Box” or a seat in a “VIP Box” – which are often not only insanely expensive, but not really the best seats. Unless you want to be in a private box.. Also, Highest Price Point can also sometimes mean a ticket + a parking pass + something else – a “package” deal that costs more, but doesn’t mean you’ll get the best ticket.
Hey there,
My IP is blocked with Ticketmaster because I hit refresh too many times, because the seats I was getting sucked.
Any suggestions on how to clear this?
Craig: it’s almost certainly a temporary block that will be lifted in.. 24 hours? Probably less. For now I’d try going to a friends house or another location (WiFi hotspot at Starbucks etc)…
Thanks Ross. Unfortunately, tickets are on sale tomorrow to Gen. Pop.
Guess I’m going to Starbucks and slow Internet connection. Good idea. Thanks.
Craig
Thank you so much for creating this page. I’m a huge music fan and avid concert-goer and have noticed that it’s been getting harder to get tickets to some shows lately. I’m using your advice to get tickets to see Adele tomorrow morning (this will be my 4th attempt after venue upgrades and another show was added to her tour). Crossing my fingers that it works this time! Thanks again. People like you are helping the fans get the better of scalpers.
Would a wireless college network be better than a home network? I go to LSU and am about to buy tickets
how do you find out when tickets go on sale
Good look, just grabbed my Mom Paul McCartney Tickets at Yankee Stadium for her birthday. So psyched I got them, appreciate the advice!
Not all “scalpers” are bad guys. I work at a ticket reseller – we are a small family-owned company. Reselling tickets (within certain guidelines, of course) is legal in many states, and for us, a license is required.
Ticket sales are like the stock market – supply and demand and consumer perception. Like all goods and services in a capitalistic economy, it’s all about market value. We have invested in club or “VIP” memberships with certain venues. We have season tickets for some professional sports teams. Please let me know if you would like to spend $15,000 or more to commit to buying our seats for a year, or if you would prefer to buy seats for one or two games/concerts. Just something to think about.
And are we trying to make money? Ummmmmm….YES! That’s usually the point of owning a business in America. Just sayin’. People complain when they buy tickets for “inflated prices” vs. the face value printed on a ticket. It’s interesting, though; when we sell tickets for 20% (or even 50%!) under face value, no one seems to complain or question their ticket purchase. This happens more than you would think. Also something to think about.
But do I agree with everything that goes on in our industry? Oh hell no! But I think there are few people, whether priests or janitors or bankers or cashiers, who would say that their industry is perfect either.
Well…I just wrote a book; thanks to anyone who bothered reading!
But remember that for some of us “scalpers”, screwing people over isn’t our goal, nor is it the end result of our transactions with customers.
I’m going to try this tomorrow morning when tickets go on sale for a concert I want to attend. Thank you for the tips. Even if I end up without tickets, I have the feeling that I understand this process much better than I did before reading your article. Thanks.
I am going to attempt this with Red Hot Chili Peppers for floor tickets, keeping fingers and toes crossed it works.
hey Ross.
Thank you so much for this advice. I’m bowing to you right now cuz I always get screwed buying concert tix and finally went on line to see if any advice like this existed. Your a life saver for a music buff like me.
I am hoping to get Tool tix tomorrow at 11 am. I really want the best tix available. I read your reply to Abby about the different price selections. What is your final suggestion on the options for selecting the price and section ? Also if ticks come up and they aren’t desirable is searching again a sure way to miss out entirely?
Thanks in advance for your reply
Ross, I’m hoping you still respond to emails as I realize this is an old site that I just came across. Ticketmaster has blocked me! Not once but twice. I have purchased tickets in the past and never had a problem. I logged in this pass Friday and once the tickets went on sale I started looking for seats. I had picked 6 sections that I would be happy sitting in I only wanted 2 tickets. So after awhile none of the 6 sections have come up and all of a sudden a window comes up “The website declined to show this webpage” etc. and if you click on help it says FORBIDDEN error http403. I shut down re-booted still the same. I called TM and was told if you try more then ten times to get tickets TM will lock you out to prevent scalpers and you will be locked out for 24hours! I was so upset I explained I was not a scalper I’m 60 years old and wanted to tickets that this never happened to me before.He told me he could do nothing for me but asked if I wanted to purchase tickets from him online, the tickets he offered where opposite the stage.So Saturday I tried again still looked out, tried again at 10:44am got on and looked at the same four seats seations were coming up so I logged out not wanting to go over my 10 try’s. When I went to log in yesterday I was shocked to see I was LOCKED out again! I called TM and was told that they dont lock people out if it’s like 10 times it quote “A Lot More then that” the girl I talked to said they had a meeting on it last week. I told her no way I’m I a scalper only want two tickets and she said there was noting she could do, I’m blocked. even thou I only tried 6 times on Sunday. Now it’s Monday I go on at 10:49 tried 3 times and logged off because I’m scared they will lock me out for another 24 hours. Do you know who I can talk to about this? TM phone number customer service is of no help getting the run a round. Thanks so much
Hi Jackie
I was having this problem last year. All I had to do was email ticketmastersocialmedia@ticketmaster.com – explained my situation and provided them with my IP address (go to; http://www.whatismyip.com to find yours) and I was released.
Craig
Any idea if creating an account in another persons name, address etc but with the same Amex card would allow you to order more then the maximum pre sale tickets allowed? I own an Amex but normally they only allow a maximum of 6 tickets for pre sale (could be even less for her!), I’ve got a bunch of us really interested in going to the Lady Gaga concert. If my sister creates an account but has my Amex you think she can order 6 additional tickets under her account? Do you think Ticketmaster blocks you based on it being the same card # as another account user who has just ordered? Anyone!?
Meg –
I would not try it. I suspect even if the transactions went through, they’d be cancelled at a later date and the tickets would be re-released to the public. I’ve had this happen to a friend using the same credit card on two accounts (though I don’t know specifically if it was an AmEx).
Thanks so much I hope this information will work well. I am going to try and get tickets for the One Direction concert in Glasgow.
question
1. If i’m following a band and am buying tickets for multiple days. do i need multiple ticket master accounts/credit cards
2. If I’m on different computers and the IP adress is the same does that matter?
I’m logged into TM, and I’m trying to get 2 tickets for my friend if I get the tickets does TM allow me to put my friends credit card/address etc I’m not going to event? Or since it already has my account info will it not allow me to use hers
When I go to find tickets on ticketmaster, I can’t see or hear the security code? Do you know how to fix this?
Thank you sooooooo much. I was able to get VIP package for the one direction concert!
Thanks Ross. This seems like a great technique. I’m going to try it in a couple of weeks for the Phish shows at the BGCC. Getting tickets for the Greek a couple of years ago was a nightmare. I’d like to re-ask a couple of questions that have yet to be answered.
1.) Can accessing the same account from multiple devices/browsers cause you to be blocked? I’m guessing that as long as your only purchasing no more than the maximum amount of tickets you should be fine, but I will be using this technique to buy tickets for multiple nights.
2.) Is having multiple accounts/credit cards a good idea. This could be a problem if your shipping address is the same on all accounts (again, I’m still only talking about purchasing the max amount per person).
3.) If you have any more information on understanding proxies, it’d be a huge help. All my IPs come up the same in different browsers. I’m connected wirelessly to a router and have a cable modem. I’m trying to decide whether to do this at home or at work (which I’ll test beforehand). I’ll also probably be trying to use the 3G connection on my devices to safeguard from having anything blocked.
Thanks again. Great info.
I am trying to get tix for my children and I to go to a concert and i did everything you stated and it went well up to the point of searching for tix. I needed 3 and was on at exactly 10 am and it said it would be like 3 minutes for a wait time. When the search was up it said there were no tickets avbl!!!! There was a limit of 4 tix allowed and after I tried a few times for 3 It would let me get one at a time, but not more than that. My kids are too young to be sat randomly across a stadium… is there something I can do?
I’m trying to get One Direction PreSale Tickets tomorrow. Do you have any advice for the presales? Specifically for purchasing Ultimate VIP Packages. Usually when I try to purchase tickets it says the tickets that I want aren’t there after a minute basically. But I guess that’s because I refresh the page and not do what you said. Thank you so much! I’m trying all of this out tomorrow at 10 am