By Abbey
I’m not sure what it is about summer concerts; maybe the warm weather or the barbecuing at tailgates. All I know is that when I move out of my dorm each May, I’m looking to fill my calendar with all of my favorite artists. But with the price of tickets on top of the food, drinks and merchandise inside the venue, how can we survive the summer and not be stressed about money!?
1. Know Where to Buy: There are two markets to buy from when purchasing tickets, primary and secondary. The primary market includes the direct sources (the box office, the venue or artist’s website, etc.). The secondary market includes any resale sites, such as StubHub, where fans themselves can buy or sell pre-purchased tickets. SeatGeek states that almost 40% of all tickets are actually cheaper on the secondary market, so do your research to save money today!
2. Know When to Buy: For major artists, wait. SavvySugar states that when tickets first drop for big artists like these, the prices in the resale markets are high because sellers haven’t started to price competitively. If you wait, the prices tend to decrease, giving you a better deal. Knowing when to buy is a good way to save money on your experience!
3. Become a Fan..Literally: If you know who your favorite artist is, like their page on Facebook! A lot of times artists will offer exclusive deals and updates to their fans through Facebook, giving you a leg-up on the competition!
4. Choose Music Festivals: The price of a General Admission ticket to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival ranged from $209.50 to $259.50, depending on when you bought it. That may seem like a lot of money at first, but it’s a great way to save more money and get the most out of your concert experience. I saw over 15 artists (ranging from Skrillex to the Red Hot Chili Peppers) over a 4-day period - that’s around $15.00 a show!
5. Be Wary of Scalpers & Craigslist: Craigslist can be great but it’s hard to save money shopping for tickets here, as it’s easy to be ripped off, particularly with print-out tickets. If you do buy from Craigslist, be sure you meet up with the seller in person! Also, be on the lookout for scalpers. It’s easier than ever for them to replicate one ticket using the same barcode, leaving you stranded, out of cash and unable to rock out!
Summer is the season for fun and concerts can be a huge part of that, but how can we go to as many as possible and still control finances (and, for all those going back to school, save some of that college spending cash!)? Start impulsesaving now so you can avoid the money stress concerts can bring. Now, isn’t that music to your ears?
