Did anyone confirm if the Rio tickets went up too or was it just TM? I haven't seen an answer to this.

2elijah said:

I'm not sure if that's the case because he raised the prices during All-Star weekend to $312 and ended up having to reduce it a few days later because they didn't sell. So I think he's trying to get his money and run.

I was told that the club barely broke even and the restaurant lost tons of money because most regular people (re: non-orgers) didn't know he was associated with the restaurant due to bad/lack of marketing.

2elijah said:

yes, I knew it was in June (after GMA). I know how big Butter is---I ate there when it was Belgo (before Butter). I know I'll see him, it's just frustrating to plan for months and then have it fall through. If tickets would have been sold/advertised as $250 from the beginning it's one thing, but to do it in the middle of the last sale is super annoying.

I have a feeling it's gonna be cut throat out there anyway...all the purple hippies have been saving for this, everyone knows it the last month, they know the aftershow tricks, etc. so it would be a big fan fight to get in line first, to get to the front, to get in the aftershow (if there is one). I don't like to play those games...

2elijah said:

yes, I knew it was in June (after GMA). I know how big Butter is---I ate there when it was Belgo (before Butter). I know I'll see him, it's just frustrating to plan for months and then have it fall through. If tickets would have been sold/advertised as $250 from the beginning it's one thing, but to do it in the middle of the last sale is super annoying.

I have a feeling it's gonna be cut throat out there anyway...all the purple hippies have been saving for this, everyone knows it the last month, they know the aftershow tricks, etc. so it would be a big fan fight to get in line first, to get to the front, to get in the aftershow (if there is one). I don't like to play those games...

Ticketmassa<- .. - $250 plus $21.00 convenience charge = $276.00 per ticket. 2 tickets would cost you $552.00 to see 2 shows.

Another thing, I somehow think the reason for the quick upgrade in the ticket prices, (now this is just my speculation) was to avoid the scalpers from scooping up the $125.00 tickets and selling them for $250 and $300.00+, as ticketmassa allows you to purchase 8 tickets, so the $125.00 was low enough for scalpers online and off, to purchase and sell for higher prices. Could be that Prince/or his staff/or the Rio staff caught on to this early and beat the scalpers online and off to the punch (no pun intended);smart move.that's of cours, if that was the reason for the price hike and especially after the Superbowl with people knowing he's in high demand. With that "high demand," of course Prince/his staff/Rio staff more than likely were aware the scalpers would be out there, trying to sell those tickets to people who desperately want those tickets..not to mention scalpers possibly scamming some customers at the same time, especially now that a lot of people are finding out this is supposedly Prince's last month performing in Vegas.

I guess they figured, why pay a scalper $250 or $300.00+ for a ticket, when you can get it straight from the source (Tktmassa) or (the Rio) for that same price? You buy from the source and you don't have to worry if your ticket is valid or not, unlike the scalper's ticket. I think if they kept the price at $125.00 long enough, they figured it would give the scalpers more time to get tkts at that price and sell them for double the price plus more. So I think that is the reason they had a time limit on selling the tickets in the beginning at $125.00 then doubling it to avoid scalpers online and off from scamming the prices. I know the speculated reason given doesn't make anyone feel better about the increase in ticket price, but it just seems like that would be one of the reasons for the price increase.
.

Well, now with a rumored (and I stress "rumored" because nothing official has been announced from the Prince camp, just hearsay) tour, for those interested, it's time to start saving a Prince Concert fund for yourselves if you can, Now I'm not saying use your mortgage money/rent money, but if your budget allows you some extra cash that you could put on the side, then save with that;if not, then you know the answer to that, it's all up to you and there is no one else to blame for whatever decision you make about going to the concert, xcept you especially if you complain about the money you spent to go.. (by the way people...include the airfare/train/ hotel/taxi/food costs, if you plan on going to more than one concert in and outside your city/state, especially if airfare/train/bus fees applies to your planned travel )....I mean I'm just sayin'..may as well start saving early...just in case..
[Edited 3/8/07 13:23pm]

2elijah said:

This isn't the problem. Brokers and scalpers want nothing to do with this for the most part because of the will call thing. They don't operate like that and the Rio will not allow actual scalpers near the actual club, so it would be discreet. It's eitehr greed or the addition of an opening act. My opinion, but living hear and hearing what I hear...

rocklush said:

Well, there was will call during the musicology tour and the scalpers were everywhere...online and off. I bet the scalpers are there in the Rio, they pick up their ticket at will call and go off the line and sell it to other people for probably the same asking price that tktmaster and the Rio just raised it too. but with tktmaster and the Rio increasing the tkts from $125 to $250 and up, makes it harder for a scalper to sell it for that price to the customer. Then again, there will be people in Vegas, just finding out about the show, which may be sold out that night, and will try to find someone that will sell them a ticket. Whose to say no one can purchase a ticket for you off Ticketmaster or the Rio. Doesn't Tktmaster allow you to purchase 8 tickets? Many people buy more than one ticket.

I still say it's also because of the high demand for the tickets, the price was raised, and the increase still could have been used as a prevention tool against the scalpers, although you really can't stop them from making a profit, there will always be people trying to make an extra buck, especially in places like Vegas, NYC, DC, LA, etc., in all the big cities .legally or illegally, but don't get me wrong, your opinion is yours and I respect it, although I don't agree with you.
[Edited 3/8/07 18:15pm]

2elijah said:

I'd have to think there is truth to the idea that the will call set up is tough for scalpers. I went to Vegas, and walked around in the Rio, gambled, etc and saw no indication of scalpers anywhere. Plus they have to pick up the tix in person- they do check your ID. So, scalpers would have to pick up and then go sell and I just don't see that happening. Especially since they can't pick up until like 9pm- if first on line- which some weeks people are there from early afternoon. (And then there is the wristband factor as well, but I don't recall if that was given right with the tickets or as you enter the club).
That being said, I guess you should never say never- esp. talking about scalpers!

I'm not able to go back to Vegas, I already spent too much in January- but I'd like to hold out hope for those who are that there will be "special guests" or longer shows for the final weeks.

So, scalpers would have to pick up and then go sell and I just don't see that happening

That being said, I guess you should never say never- esp. talking about scalpers

oh wow im glad i got my tickets early at 125 each...and hopefully they will honor my original price as well

Ok, but who said you have to necessarily see them doing that..."in the open"? we're talking Vegas..city of sin..

Paisley said:


Exactly... unfortunately, the crooks always find a way, but at least with the ticket increase, it will make it harder for the scalpers.
[Edited 3/8/07 18:54pm]

2elijah said:

Yes, but like I said, how much can they really sell between 9pm (if they wait on line all day) and show time? It's such a small venue and obviously most have their tickets in advance. The club holds less than 1000, so to make money, they'd have to be scalping tix to a large portion of the crowd, its not like a 20,000 seat arena where they make money by selling hundreds of tix. There just doesn't seem like there's enough time (or sales opportunity) for a real business there. When I said see, I meant- I don't believe they are doing that, but agree anything is possible. IMHO, I truly don't think that has anything to do with the price increase.

Paisley16, I'm not disrespecting your opinion at all, just saying that it can happen, regardless, even if we don't actually witness it ourselves. What I state is only my opinion and I'm not speaking on anyone's behalf other than my own, nor I am disrespecting anyone else's opinion. You do have a right to express whatever you feel.

As far as the price increase, I guess none of us will ever know, but I personally think that it may be because the demand is high since the Superbowl to see him perform, so the price increase does not surprise me at all.
[Edited 3/8/07 19:12pm]

2elijah said:

I do not wish to disrespect your opinion at all either. (I simply enjoy reasonable debate) And I agree that the "new" demand since the SB, and the end of the "trip" itself is most likely the reason.
I also predict that after this weekend, someone will come back here and post what they were able to find out while there re: this whole situation.

I don't think this has anything to do with scalping at all. There has been no history of scalping in relation to the 3121 shows, as far as anyone knows, because most of the shows have not sold out. So, your argument (which appears to be offered for the sake of argument) doesn't make much sense (you would only have scalping for sold out shows and there have been few of those in the history of this particular club). I also doubt, very much, that the March shows will sell out at these new prices, as many on the board have indicated: it's just too expensive. Moreover, the price of tickets for 3121 were mentioned in almost every press article about Prince's run in Vegas. A lot of people who heard about these shows and wanted to go knew the price was originally 125. Less people will pay these inflated prices, thus we will have the same situation the club originally had throughout its run where it didn't sell out. So, the "demand" factor doesn't really compute when thinking about why this decision was made. Ultimately, this was a decision made about money and how much someone *thought* they could get for tickets. Whoever made that decision, imo, was dead wrong. From a market perspective, it doesn't make sense as it only serves to drive down demand, not increase it.

...but whats not fair is that the 250 dollar ticket buyers will standing in the EXACT same spots as the 125 dollar ticket buyers...

i mean ..how is that fair

i can totally understand raising the prices on the LAST show 'cuz of the last show hype n all that...but it shoulda been better thought out/planned(like starting off with that 250 price)...i know i know we're talkin' prints here

but still

(can u tell im perturbed a bit)

I just compared the current Rio room rates to my reservations, which were made awhile ago. I can't believe how high they are now, wow!

Serena said:

The room rates are going up up up b/c of March Madness which is a much bigger sports gambling weekend in Vega$ than even the Super Bowl.
(And there's a championship fight @ Mandalay Bay too) Room rates going up has nothing to do with Prince, even @ the Rio.

Prince I love you, but I will not pay $250 for standing room only tickets...ESPECIALLY after you hiked them up from $125!

There should be something in the bible about ripping off fans.

CarrieLee said:

That's too bad you won't be there CarrieLee, I would love to meet and party with you.

(I don't post in GD much, but have read some hilarious posts of yours...)

Serena said:

I can't justify spending that much money on a show. I love the man, but I waited for tickets to go on sale so I could make all my travel arrangements. It took to long and flights started getting expensive so I'm going to LA instead. I'll catch him when he tours...I just hope he'll do another club for presale tickets or something.

We'll just have to meet another time!

According to the Rio Box office and Ticketmaster, the 31st is sold out.

Maybe they'll release some additional tickets.

sweet said:

i do a lot of fundraisers for non-profits and we have tickets sold in advance but those who buy after a certain date or at the door pay more. it happens but we do make it known so folks aren't surprised.