Ticketmaster’s Fees and Service Raise Ire

Re “Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster: Choosing Sides” (June 8):

Ned S. Goldstein states that Ticketmaster “operates fully and squarely within the parameters of all applicable laws.” That, however, does not necessarily make the service fees they charge fair.

I recently bought a $15 ticket for the band Shonen Knife at the Palace; the service charge I paid at my local Ticketmaster was $4.75. This may not seem to be a lot of money, but considering that it comes to nearly 32% of the face value of the ticket, it is clearly outrageous. For the upcoming WOMAD festival, I paid a $6 service charge on a $15 ticket (a 40% increase in the cost of the ticket).

Such abusive fees are unfair to both the fans and many of the bands trying to compete in a market where established bands can command extraordinary prices. I wish the best of luck to Pearl Jam in trying to open up this issue.

ROBERT MULDOON

Huntington Beach

About all the phone sales people at Ticketmaster will tell you is that the available seats are somewhere in the building. We have a firm rule--no attendance at any event that sells through Ticketmaster, including high culture events. Voting with our feet has been our only form of protest to date. Ticketmaster is a rip-off in price and service.

ED PERKINS

San Marino

I am having trouble finding the words to express the pride I feel for the members of Pearl Jam. They have proven that they truly care more for their fans than for the money they would have made had they been able to tour this summer.

As for Ticketmaster--let’s see now: If you want to book a concert at any major venue in the country, you have to deal with them, no choice. If you want to buy a ticket to a concert at any major venue in the country, you have to deal with them, no choice. That sounds exactly like a monopoly.

JEANNE DOUGLAS

Los Angeles