The Anatomy of Ticketmaster Fees on Broadway Show tickets - Why does Ticketmaster charge them ?
Most tickets sold on Ticketmaster are actually owned by their clients. Although there is a greater number of tickets now coming from TicketXChange and Ticketsnow, which are services that are both owned by Ticketmaster.
So Ticketmaster is generally selling tickets on behalf of their clients including artists, teams, venues, and promoters, though in some rare instances TM may own a small number of tickets as part of our services contract with the individual client. TM clients typically set the face price of their tickets.
In exchange for the rights to sell their tickets TM also usually give their clients a portion of the fees they collect such as the service fee/charge, order processing fee, and sometimes the delivery fee (each described below). Whether it's for the purchase of a ticket or merchandise, the portion TM keeps helps provide the distribution and access network used by fans and clients and, considered with other revenues, earn a profit.
Note: Any extra facility charges are not for (or from) Ticketmaster; TM simply collects them for venues at their direction. Each venue decides whether to assess this charge on transactions, sets the price, and receives 100% of the money collected from it.
Breakdown of a Ticketmaster Ticket Purchase and Associated Fees:
Ticketmaster Ticket Face Price
The face price (also known as the established price or base ticket price) ordinarily is set by our clients. In most circumstances, Ticketmaster sends the amount it collects on the face price of the tickets to its clients, less certain expenses that Ticketmaster may incur on their behalf. In certain circumstances, for example where Ticketmaster presents "all-in-pricing", Ticketmaster may retain some portion of that face price for its services and remit the balance to the client. Other examples where we retain a portion of the face price include TicketExchange and Auctions. Note that in the case of auctions, the winning bid, as set by fans, is the face price.
Service Fee/Charge and Order Processing Fee
There is usually a service fee per-ticket and an order processing fee per-order that varies by event. (The order processing fee is not usually charged on retail outlet and box office purchases.) To the extent we charge a service fee and/or an order processing fee, we and our clients typically set and share the fee.
TM + Resale Service Fee
This fee is charged for every resale ticket purchased for a TM+ event. The fee is based on the price of the ticket, and we and our clients typically set and share the fee. Resale prices are set by fans and other sellers, but occasionally artists, teams, venues, and promoters establish a price minimum and maximum.
Delivery Price
We offer fans a variety of convenient delivery options, and whether fans pay this per-order fee depends on which option is available and selected at checkout. Some examples of different delivery options include: standard mail, Print at Home/Ticketfast, UPS, retail outlet pickup, or will call.
Facility Charge
Facility charges are not for or from Ticketmaster; we simply collect them for venues. Each venue decides whether to assess this charge on transactions, sets the price, and receives 100% of the money collected from it.
Taxes
City, state, and local taxes (provincial and Federal Goods and Services taxes in Canada) are typically included in the face value of the ticket. In some instances, however, taxes may be listed as a separate charge.
