Ticketmaster apologises to European U2 fans

U2.com have published an apology from Ticketmaster to European U2 fans, as well as an explanation of the problems users experienced:

Ticketmaster would like to apologise to those U2 Fan Club members who experienced problems in purchasing tickets via the Ticketmaster website today. […] Unfortunately some customers were timed out of the website and found that when they attempted to continue with their transaction, the six-digit code was no longer valid.

Ticketmaster says they are working to resolve the issues and will contact users with further instructions.

‘There is still ticket availability at all UK venues and we are confident that all those affected by the problem today will still be able to purchase tickets.’

That’s good to hear. But how about the Belgian venue? And will they ensure there will be GA/floor/standing (whatever your flavour of language) available to fans originally locked out of the online sale?

Could Ticketmaster also explain why GA tickets in Europe now cost €85 as opposed to USA prices of around $50? And why the lovely people of Glasgow have to fork out no less than £85 for the same?

60 thoughts on “Ticketmaster apologises to European U2 fans

  1. That’s completely unacceptable, both as an excuse and an apology.

    1. The good seats are gone.
    2. People have paid $20, spent time and energy on the process, and gotten nothing from it.

    The excuse is as laughable as any I’ve ever heard: when the BIGGEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD announces their first tour in four years, you expect there to be a large crowd of people interested in going.

    That’s why they are the biggest band in the world: they have the most fans.

    To say that the web-site timed out is ridiculous: it’s true, but how can that be allowed to happen?! I’m sure Ticketmaster can afford a server-farm comfortably equipped to cope with the demand for U2 tickets. How on earth nobody at either U2 or Tickemaster can have anticipated these problems is beyond me.

    I bought 2 tickets for Oasis this summer in December. They sold out very quickly from wayahead.com. I had absolutely no trouble whatsoever – the site ran as quickly as normal.

    Presales are a good idea if you know how to do them.

  2. That’s completely unacceptable, both as an excuse and an apology.

    1. The good seats are gone.
    2. People have paid $20, spent time and energy on the process, and gotten nothing from it.

    The excuse is as laughable as any I’ve ever heard: when the BIGGEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD announces their first tour in four years, you expect there to be a large crowd of people interested in going.

    That’s why they are the biggest band in the world: they have the most fans.

    To say that the web-site timed out is ridiculous: it’s true, but how can that be allowed to happen?! I’m sure Ticketmaster can afford a server-farm comfortably equipped to cope with the demand for U2 tickets. How on earth nobody at either U2 or Tickemaster can have anticipated these problems is beyond me.

    I bought 2 tickets for Oasis this summer in December. They sold out very quickly from wayahead.com. I had absolutely no trouble whatsoever – the site ran as quickly as normal.

    Presales are a good idea if you know how to do them.

  3. Of course no Dutch people succeeded in buying any tix, as the presale for u2.com members only starts next Tuesday @ 10am, as is clearly stated on the website. Read your email!
    And somewhere I read, but I don’t know if this is true, that GA prices are the cheapest. But still… it’s gonna be an expensive experience overall. And in the Amsterdam Arena, my gowd. I’m praying for a show in Paradiso, they got ‘nough time to do that!

  4. Of course no Dutch people succeeded in buying any tix, as the presale for u2.com members only starts next Tuesday @ 10am, as is clearly stated on the website. Read your email!
    And somewhere I read, but I don’t know if this is true, that GA prices are the cheapest. But still… it’s gonna be an expensive experience overall. And in the Amsterdam Arena, my gowd. I’m praying for a show in Paradiso, they got ‘nough time to do that!

  5. Dear PopTart, not sure what you mean by ‘ofcourse’. We – Dutch people – were trying to buy tickets for London and Brussels, not Amsterdam.

  6. Dear PopTart, not sure what you mean by ‘ofcourse’. We – Dutch people – were trying to buy tickets for London and Brussels, not Amsterdam.

  7. From the tour announcement on U2.com: “Once again, U2 will offer General Admission floor tickets giving fans the best view in the house for the lowest ticket price.”

    I’m pissed off.

  8. From the tour announcement on U2.com: “Once again, U2 will offer General Admission floor tickets giving fans the best view in the house for the lowest ticket price.”

    I’m pissed off.

  9. Hm, but I guess it doesn’t matter anyway since it seems that the €85 tickets will sell out in the presale anyway?

    It’s outrageous that you have to pay an extra 40 dollars in order to get the most expensive tickets.

    Oh wait, i forgot, of course for those 40 dollars you’ll also get a crappy site and an ‘exclusive’ membership card. Well woo hoo.

  10. Hm, but I guess it doesn’t matter anyway since it seems that the €85 tickets will sell out in the presale anyway?

    It’s outrageous that you have to pay an extra 40 dollars in order to get the most expensive tickets.

    Oh wait, i forgot, of course for those 40 dollars you’ll also get a crappy site and an ‘exclusive’ membership card. Well woo hoo.

  11. Dear Caroline, as the small minded bastard I am I was of course not thinking any further than the boundaries of my own small country. And my comment about ticket prices were unconfirmed, as I stated. But prices are outrageous, that is true. I don’t exactly remember prices for the Zoo TV shows, but they were much cheaper… and I’m sure we’re not getting that sort of show again, damn!

  12. Dear Caroline, as the small minded bastard I am I was of course not thinking any further than the boundaries of my own small country. And my comment about ticket prices were unconfirmed, as I stated. But prices are outrageous, that is true. I don’t exactly remember prices for the Zoo TV shows, but they were much cheaper… and I’m sure we’re not getting that sort of show again, damn!

  13. Its plain disgusting. What has happened to the London GA – all allocated tickets gone? Given the problems many people were experiencing, useless ticketmaster should have stopped selling tickets to people that got through. That way we all could have had an even chance when its all working again. BUT NO! The self indulgent B******** had to let people buy and ruin it for everyone

  14. Its plain disgusting. What has happened to the London GA – all allocated tickets gone? Given the problems many people were experiencing, useless ticketmaster should have stopped selling tickets to people that got through. That way we all could have had an even chance when its all working again. BUT NO! The self indulgent B******** had to let people buy and ruin it for everyone

  15. I’m sure there are still GA tickets for London, but the ones allocated for the presales seem to be sold out. The rest of the batch is kept for general sales.

  16. I’m sure there are still GA tickets for London, but the ones allocated for the presales seem to be sold out. The rest of the batch is kept for general sales.

  17. Just to clear up a few things. We’ve been getting a lot of mail from people who missed out on both EU and US presales, and it’s easier to answer them here in one go.

    Unfortunately, we know not a iota more than any of you. We are also left in the dark, like everybody else out there. We don’t know who to contact if you failed in the US presales, or only crap seats. Hell, most of the u2log.com staff didn’t manage to get tickets at all, and trust us when we say we’re as pissed off as you are.

    We’re also aware of all the Ebay brokers that did manage to get tickets, and all the other brokers that are asking exuberant prices as well.

    The best advice we can give you is to keep bugging u2.com’s customer services department using their brand spanking new contact form (let’s hope THAT works at least) and bug them into coming up with an acceptable solution.

  18. Just to clear up a few things. We’ve been getting a lot of mail from people who missed out on both EU and US presales, and it’s easier to answer them here in one go.

    Unfortunately, we know not a iota more than any of you. We are also left in the dark, like everybody else out there. We don’t know who to contact if you failed in the US presales, or only crap seats. Hell, most of the u2log.com staff didn’t manage to get tickets at all, and trust us when we say we’re as pissed off as you are.

    We’re also aware of all the Ebay brokers that did manage to get tickets, and all the other brokers that are asking exuberant prices as well.

    The best advice we can give you is to keep bugging u2.com’s customer services department using their brand spanking new contact form (let’s hope THAT works at least) and bug them into coming up with an acceptable solution.

  19. Poptart, I hava a vivid memory of the Zoo-TV tickets. They were 45 guilders, which equals about 20 euro these days ;-(

    And for that money they were designed, printed and hand sold, instead of nowadays (crappy prints sold through online chaos) ….

    I’must be getting really old 😉

  20. Poptart, I hava a vivid memory of the Zoo-TV tickets. They were 45 guilders, which equals about 20 euro these days ;-(

    And for that money they were designed, printed and hand sold, instead of nowadays (crappy prints sold through online chaos) ….

    I’must be getting really old 😉

  21. Hi Roeli,

    Let’s get old together – Zoo TV days, those were the days. And indeed: real tickets, which felt great once you had them in your hands and looked wonderful. Progress is not always a desirable thing…

  22. Hi Roeli,

    Let’s get old together – Zoo TV days, those were the days. And indeed: real tickets, which felt great once you had them in your hands and looked wonderful. Progress is not always a desirable thing…

  23. I dont know whats worse. the p*** poor performance of the *hopelessly* inadequate ticketmaster server/bandwidth, or the flannel we are now getting from the ticketmaster corporation.
    I would have had more respect if they had admitted what a COMPLETE FAILURE this has been for the Brits.
    As it is, they are telling us stuff which *just isnt happening*. -ie, words to the effect of -‘We will be contacting/repling to people with invalid codes’ and ‘the problem will be rectified in time for the presales’. Rubbish! If that was true, then how come there are STILL so many tickets left available 12 HOURS after the sales started. Now *that* gives you a MUCH clearer indication as to how many people have actually managed to get through successfuly. Very few by the looks of things. Either that or all those U2 fans suddenly had a change of heart and decided not to go after alll….. NOT!
    I emailed the ticketmaster weblink at 10.45am or so requesting a reset.
    Its over 12 HOURS LATER and-
    I have recievd NO reply AND my code is STILL not valid.
    !!!!!! Its been a very frustrating, exasperating and dissulusioning experience. This ‘so called apology’ is a pathetic attempt to salvage some credibility at the expense of honesty. It’s not helping. They are just digging themselves a bigger hole.
    And the price differences (EU to US) are astonishingly unfair. ??!!!…

  24. I dont know whats worse. the p*** poor performance of the *hopelessly* inadequate ticketmaster server/bandwidth, or the flannel we are now getting from the ticketmaster corporation.
    I would have had more respect if they had admitted what a COMPLETE FAILURE this has been for the Brits.
    As it is, they are telling us stuff which *just isnt happening*. -ie, words to the effect of -‘We will be contacting/repling to people with invalid codes’ and ‘the problem will be rectified in time for the presales’. Rubbish! If that was true, then how come there are STILL so many tickets left available 12 HOURS after the sales started. Now *that* gives you a MUCH clearer indication as to how many people have actually managed to get through successfuly. Very few by the looks of things. Either that or all those U2 fans suddenly had a change of heart and decided not to go after alll….. NOT!
    I emailed the ticketmaster weblink at 10.45am or so requesting a reset.
    Its over 12 HOURS LATER and-
    I have recievd NO reply AND my code is STILL not valid.
    !!!!!! Its been a very frustrating, exasperating and dissulusioning experience. This ‘so called apology’ is a pathetic attempt to salvage some credibility at the expense of honesty. It’s not helping. They are just digging themselves a bigger hole.
    And the price differences (EU to US) are astonishingly unfair. ??!!!…

  25. well, me as a belgian, paid up member of u2.com, been an propaganda member for many years, did not manage to buy tickets for the show in my own coutry!!!!
    Why did I pay $ 20,00 then (i would have been $ 40,00 i I haven’t been a prop member)? Nothing??
    Just a few extra video’s on the new U2 site??

    I am really dissapointed

    In Belium, almost noone got access to the right site.
    We have an mail group of over 220 people, the most of witch are also U2.com members, and only 10 or so got the chance to purchece tickets..

    Love and peace OR ELSE…???

    Niko

  26. well, me as a belgian, paid up member of u2.com, been an propaganda member for many years, did not manage to buy tickets for the show in my own coutry!!!!
    Why did I pay $ 20,00 then (i would have been $ 40,00 i I haven’t been a prop member)? Nothing??
    Just a few extra video’s on the new U2 site??

    I am really dissapointed

    In Belium, almost noone got access to the right site.
    We have an mail group of over 220 people, the most of witch are also U2.com members, and only 10 or so got the chance to purchece tickets..

    Love and peace OR ELSE…???

    Niko

  27. What I want to know: Im moving to UK in 3 weeks. Im trying to get tickets for shows there. My membership is registered with an Aussie address (I still havent got a membership card or anything yet a few months later).

    They said they will contact UK members, does that mean I wont be contacted being an aussie registered member?

  28. What I want to know: Im moving to UK in 3 weeks. Im trying to get tickets for shows there. My membership is registered with an Aussie address (I still havent got a membership card or anything yet a few months later).

    They said they will contact UK members, does that mean I wont be contacted being an aussie registered member?

  29. I am so sick of U2’s crap. WTF $370 later I got 2 tickets in bad seats as far away from the band that you can get. Meanwhile I paid $25 a ticket 5th row to see U2 at Yankee stadium. Inflation aint that high. They better work damn hard for that money because I did, and I don’t like getting ripped off.

  30. I am so sick of U2’s crap. WTF $370 later I got 2 tickets in bad seats as far away from the band that you can get. Meanwhile I paid $25 a ticket 5th row to see U2 at Yankee stadium. Inflation aint that high. They better work damn hard for that money because I did, and I don’t like getting ripped off.

  31. Well, apparently all of the Chicago GA tickets sold out in 20 seconds. The only thing I could get was 300 level nosebleed seats. Funny though how the brokers on ebay have an endless amount.

    I have read postings which suggested that only a portion of GA tickets were for sale today, and more were to be sold in the general sale. I was under the assumption that all tickets available would be up for grabs, after all, that’s why I paid $40 to u2.com. That following is taken from the u2.com FAQ section.

    Q – Do I have to buy my presale tickets in a timeframe?
    A – U2.Com have secured the best tickets available for our Subscribers, but
    there is a limit to how many there are so they will be sold on a ‘first
    come first served’ basis. U2.Com has a window of only a few days (details
    will be posted on U2.Com) before all remaining tickets go on sale to the
    general public.

    “BEST TICKETS?” I’m inclined to disagree

  32. Well, apparently all of the Chicago GA tickets sold out in 20 seconds. The only thing I could get was 300 level nosebleed seats. Funny though how the brokers on ebay have an endless amount.

    I have read postings which suggested that only a portion of GA tickets were for sale today, and more were to be sold in the general sale. I was under the assumption that all tickets available would be up for grabs, after all, that’s why I paid $40 to u2.com. That following is taken from the u2.com FAQ section.

    Q – Do I have to buy my presale tickets in a timeframe?
    A – U2.Com have secured the best tickets available for our Subscribers, but
    there is a limit to how many there are so they will be sold on a ‘first
    come first served’ basis. U2.Com has a window of only a few days (details
    will be posted on U2.Com) before all remaining tickets go on sale to the
    general public.

    “BEST TICKETS?” I’m inclined to disagree

  33. Here’s another fun aspect I discovered while looking at various expensive utter crap seats for San Diego (and I assume this is also true at the other U.S. venues). It appears that the side sections, ALL THE WAY TO THE RAFTERS, cost $160-whatever. Only $90-whatever and $50-whatever seats that exist (off the floor) are at the far end of the arena and behind the stage. I don’t know whether to be totally disillusioned with the band at this point or just figure they’ve lost complete control of what’s happening, but either way it breaks my heart.

  34. Here’s another fun aspect I discovered while looking at various expensive utter crap seats for San Diego (and I assume this is also true at the other U.S. venues). It appears that the side sections, ALL THE WAY TO THE RAFTERS, cost $160-whatever. Only $90-whatever and $50-whatever seats that exist (off the floor) are at the far end of the arena and behind the stage. I don’t know whether to be totally disillusioned with the band at this point or just figure they’ve lost complete control of what’s happening, but either way it breaks my heart.

  35. Scalpers offer tickets for sale before they even have them…. they anticipate getting them – probably because of their criminal links within ticketmaster.

    They are offering tickets on EBAY for a SECOND London show on the 19/6 that hasnt even been announced

  36. Scalpers offer tickets for sale before they even have them…. they anticipate getting them – probably because of their criminal links within ticketmaster.

    They are offering tickets on EBAY for a SECOND London show on the 19/6 that hasnt even been announced

  37. are they really not selling anymore twickenham standing tickets now? i cant believe this. still no word from ticketmaster at 9.15am this wednesday. disgusting.

  38. are they really not selling anymore twickenham standing tickets now? i cant believe this. still no word from ticketmaster at 9.15am this wednesday. disgusting.

  39. i can imagine the dublin show – the presale alotment will probably be tiny, and the GA will sell out in 20 seconds……

  40. i can imagine the dublin show – the presale alotment will probably be tiny, and the GA will sell out in 20 seconds……

  41. Guys, its worth trying again today as a few people who couldn’t get their code working or find any tickets yesterday have managed to get in today.

    I really hope something will be done about the eBay tickets.

  42. Guys, its worth trying again today as a few people who couldn’t get their code working or find any tickets yesterday have managed to get in today.

    I really hope something will be done about the eBay tickets.

  43. Just got 4 tickets for twickenham…… section 24, i dont know where the stage is going to be though! anyone know?

    312 pounds later….Im willing to trade for Croke Park Gig

    eamonnfoley@yahoo.com

  44. Just got 4 tickets for twickenham…… section 24, i dont know where the stage is going to be though! anyone know?

    312 pounds later….Im willing to trade for Croke Park Gig

    eamonnfoley@yahoo.com

  45. Yay Eamonn! No idea where that section is, but something is better than nothing, right? I’ll be trying for Croke Park myself, but not holding my breath, really.

    We’re looking into whether it’s feasible for us to set up a ticket swap forum of some sorts, but I’m not sure if it’s a great idea for US to do, since we can’t guarantee people’s identity or prevent people from being ripped off. It may be a good idea for the members only section of U2.com though.

    Fingers crossed! 🙂

    Oh, and PS, let’s not forget it’s good to see something is being done! A step forward anyway…

  46. Yay Eamonn! No idea where that section is, but something is better than nothing, right? I’ll be trying for Croke Park myself, but not holding my breath, really.

    We’re looking into whether it’s feasible for us to set up a ticket swap forum of some sorts, but I’m not sure if it’s a great idea for US to do, since we can’t guarantee people’s identity or prevent people from being ripped off. It may be a good idea for the members only section of U2.com though.

    Fingers crossed! 🙂

    Oh, and PS, let’s not forget it’s good to see something is being done! A step forward anyway…

  47. If the ticket swap forum was in person at a pub or something, with reciepts to prove – it could be a goer…..

    Ill be looking to offload 2 of my london tickets, unless a couple of friends end up coming out from australia….

    my tickets are at the far side of ground, with respect to stage, but front middle block. They look reasonable.

  48. If the ticket swap forum was in person at a pub or something, with reciepts to prove – it could be a goer…..

    Ill be looking to offload 2 of my london tickets, unless a couple of friends end up coming out from australia….

    my tickets are at the far side of ground, with respect to stage, but front middle block. They look reasonable.

  49. are the GA tickets really sold out now for twickenham? do you think its worth waiting to try and get GA tickets on friday?

  50. are the GA tickets really sold out now for twickenham? do you think its worth waiting to try and get GA tickets on friday?

  51. I wouldnt risk not getting tickets at all – i reckon whats left of the GA will go in minutes… Get some seats.

  52. I wouldnt risk not getting tickets at all – i reckon whats left of the GA will go in minutes… Get some seats.

  53. I feel somewhat better after reading over some of your posts as I felt somehow I alone was unlucky and left without the tickets I sooo longed to get! I too hoped the pre-sale meant that “members” would get BEST seats – so my friends and I could really SEE the show and enjoy it as close as possible before resorting to scalpers to buy WAY WAAAYYY overpriced tx.

    I wanted Standing but the pre-sale said those were unavailable when I FINALLY got logged through but I DID get nosebleed seats – that I will offer up to someone if I can get Standing.

    But today (Friday) I spent 40 minutes trying 4 sites and the phone # to buy but was again sadly hit with the overwhelming “too busy” servers. Only to finally get through and ALAS! Standing was Sold Out – yet again. The only hope I have now is that I see the night of Friday is available on their tour – will they add it to the Twickenham show dates and give us all another chance here?

  54. I feel somewhat better after reading over some of your posts as I felt somehow I alone was unlucky and left without the tickets I sooo longed to get! I too hoped the pre-sale meant that “members” would get BEST seats – so my friends and I could really SEE the show and enjoy it as close as possible before resorting to scalpers to buy WAY WAAAYYY overpriced tx.

    I wanted Standing but the pre-sale said those were unavailable when I FINALLY got logged through but I DID get nosebleed seats – that I will offer up to someone if I can get Standing.

    But today (Friday) I spent 40 minutes trying 4 sites and the phone # to buy but was again sadly hit with the overwhelming “too busy” servers. Only to finally get through and ALAS! Standing was Sold Out – yet again. The only hope I have now is that I see the night of Friday is available on their tour – will they add it to the Twickenham show dates and give us all another chance here?

  55. I was told this morning about a ‘person’ who is a fanclub member who is selling 8 fanclub tickets on Ebay.
    I went on ebay and was amazed by how many people are selling tickets, there needs to be a way to verify ownership of the ticket to the person who purchased it otherwise people are joining the fanclub simply to make money.

    I am not a fanclub member nor have any interest in the gig, but I do have their CDs. At least I know the profit made from my purchase is going to the band and not lining the pockets of ‘fans’.

    Wouldn’t it be cool if U2 had to pull a concert and offered to refund the ticket at face value after spening £300 LOL

  56. I was told this morning about a ‘person’ who is a fanclub member who is selling 8 fanclub tickets on Ebay.
    I went on ebay and was amazed by how many people are selling tickets, there needs to be a way to verify ownership of the ticket to the person who purchased it otherwise people are joining the fanclub simply to make money.

    I am not a fanclub member nor have any interest in the gig, but I do have their CDs. At least I know the profit made from my purchase is going to the band and not lining the pockets of ‘fans’.

    Wouldn’t it be cool if U2 had to pull a concert and offered to refund the ticket at face value after spening £300 LOL

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