How I would fix the ticket system

[gfa]

1 minute ago, gooner1990 said:

 

no worries, i think several people are on about several different angles in this thread. 🙂

 

 

Glad we finally got to the bottom of that - been a painful few hours where we haven't understood eachother's angle!!

[UncleJunior]

21 minutes ago, gooner1990 said:

 

Complete tosh.

 

Save £40 a month and pay for it all in one hit makes no difference you still have to pay the same amount.

Majority of people just won't think/budget like that. Who cares if people get tickets on a whim that week because they've got a spare £70?

[Skip997]

1 minute ago, gfa said:

This isn't a demand thing - this is solely on organisation and capping numbers.

 

Even if 10,000 snuck in (which would be quite a lot higher than it is i reckon), this amount shouldn't tip the festival over the edge.

 

They need to either expand the site / widen footways / program better or cut the amount of people on site in all areas - less stage staff, less artist guests, less hospitality, less punters, less volunteers, less food staff etc.

Agree totally.

 

My preference would be drastically cut the numbers on site at all levels. This may exclude me, but I’m reasonably confident of having several ways in. 

[assorted]

I agree the word “fair” is being incoherently discussed and replied and I think we all have different definition of “fair” and those definitions may not even match with the festival’s definition.

 

I think the fest legit hates ticket resellers, and will act if they think they are cleaning up too much in the sale.

 

Unfortunately, they have now signed on to a globally used system (queue it) that has an entire industry of ticket resellers who dedicate a full time job’s worth of time with collectively in at least the thousands and probably 10s of thousands of humans dedicated to defeating this system.

 

With the above in mind they were far better served continuing to use the old, weird, unique system of smashing the f5 key on an overloaded server. There’s no global ticket selling market trying to game that weirdo sales method every day of the year.

 

Like even if they put some bare minimum effort into stopping the tricks we all just learned, it will only deter us Glastonbury enthusiasts, the ticket resellers will clear those hurdles with ease as they do every other popular sale in the world.

 

On the other hand, if the only way to profit is to sell a live queue position, I do wonder if that can really scale up in a way where it becomes a real problem. In other words, in this system ticket resellers could absolutely crowd all of us out of the sale if they wanted, but is the annoyance of finding people willing to trust them to send them a queue link prepaid too much for it to ever become a thing?

 

On another note, I certainly hope they don’t change “bugs” that allow large groups to get into Glastonbury.

 

This is my biggest reason I may even stop trying to go with a ballot. I firmly believe a lot of the joy and magic of Glastonbury comes from very large groups of friends getting together and celebrating together and the energy that comes from that. For that reason I think the back button bug isn’t really a bug at all, but a nice way to make sure giant groups can stay together for the overall spirit of a festival. (Though like much of the magic of the festival I feel it comes from a kinda good vibe fortuitous incompetence more than intent). A festival of disconnected groups of 2 or 4 that won in a ballot would be a serious vibe shift in a direction I’d find sad.

[Punksnotdead]

1 hour ago, Skip997 said:

Correct, it needs reduced massively, but how? 
 

By announcing The 1975 as headliner? 🤣

[Skip997]

1 minute ago, Punksnotdead said:

By announcing The 1975 as headliner? 🤣

Should work you’d have thought 🤪

[glast0gal]

5 minutes ago, gfa said:

I think glasto when its torrential everythings f**ked, mud everywhere etc VS disneyland not liking themeparks are two quite different levels I must say!

Oh granted there were times in 2016 where I was sore and in pain from not being able to sit down and rest - that wasn’t great, admittedly! But I was so excited and just loved taking everything in so much that the weather wasn’t really bothering me too much. I suppose my point was is that you do get people who go because everyone says how amazing it is only to discover that they don’t really like it. I’ve got a friend where no amount of saying how much of a laugh or good fun Glasto is will convince her to go - she knows it’s not right for her and I respect that level of self awareness to be honest. Just a bit of a grumble really where if you know it’s not your thing, why would you spend (quite a lot of) money on an experience you weren’t 100% on? I suppose I only find that aspect annoying in the sense that you’d like to think that everyone who loves Glasto gets to go each year but it’s a free country and I can’t dictate to people how they spend their money or enjoy themselves.

[gfa]

1 minute ago, glast0gal said:

Oh granted there were times in 2016 where I was sore and in pain from not being able to sit down and rest - that wasn’t great, admittedly! But I was so excited and just loved taking everything in so much that the weather wasn’t really bothering me too much. I suppose my point was is that you do get people who go because everyone says how amazing it is only to discover that they don’t really like it. I’ve got a friend where no amount of saying how much of a laugh or good fun Glasto is will convince her to go - she knows it’s not right for her and I respect that level of self awareness to be honest. Just a bit of a grumble really where if you know it’s not your thing, why would you spend (quite a lot of) money on an experience you weren’t 100% on? I suppose I only find that aspect annoying in the sense that you’d like to think that everyone who loves Glasto gets to go each year but it’s a free country and I can’t dictate to people how they spend their money or enjoy themselves.

I get what your saying completely don't worry - was just pointing out its quite different levels. Disney may be boring but its not strenuous, you aren't cold wet, unshowered, hungry etc

[glast0gal]

Just now, gfa said:

I get what your saying completely don't worry - was just pointing out its quite different levels. Disney may be boring but its not strenuous, you aren't cold wet, unshowered, hungry etc

Yes you’re quite right with it being hard at times (I’m always freezing cold and forgot to pack a coat one year for a night shift - I didn’t talk for about 6 hours as I was too annoyed lol). 

[gfa]

1 minute ago, glast0gal said:

Yes you’re quite right with it being hard at times (I’m always freezing cold and forgot to pack a coat one year for a night shift - I didn’t talk for about 6 hours as I was too annoyed lol). 

That sounds like a nightmare - don't envy ya!

[glast0gal]

2 minutes ago, gfa said:

That sounds like a nightmare - don't envy ya!

A lesson learned the hard way, that’s for sure 😂

[stuie]

37 minutes ago, gooner1990 said:

Complete tosh.

 

Save £40 a month and pay for it all in one hit makes no difference you still have to pay the same amount.

 

Easier said than done when there's a load of other things that could do with that £40.  Luckily not a position I find myself in and I'd guess the same applies to you, else you wouldn't have made that comment. 

[Nobody Interesting]

52 minutes ago, Leyrulion said:

The only worry is the rise of the secondary market on WhatsApp etc for people selling queue spots. 

 

 

This is called Touting. Not ticket touting but touting none the less and that is something the festival says it does not want on the ticket page so you would hope they will close that door.

[gooner1990]

7 minutes ago, stuie said:

 

Easier said than done when there's a load of other things that could do with that £40.  Luckily not a position I find myself in and I'd guess the same applies to you, else you wouldn't have made that comment. 

 

No, it doesn't anymore.

 

I would say since about 2019 I've been in the fortunate position that I can just afford my ticket (even if it means doing a couple of less things that month).  However before that I used to keep a holiday and festivals (kinda the same thing) fund that I put into all year round so when payments were due I could use that.

[stuie]

30 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Good point. I wonder how many go each year and regret it. The festival has been overhyped ( don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here folks) to hell by the media, newspapers, music press, influencers and even Michael and Emily (every year “this was the best ever” which is obviously not always true). Television coverage, while helpful financially, is the biggest culprit. Obviously it looks amazing on television especially the Pyramid (quote for an old friend of mine who has been nearly every year since the 80’s, but was sadly omitted this year “we watched LCD Sound System on TV, it was like being on stage with them”). And it can be like that, but that doesn’t show the whole story. 
 

It’s become the UK’s biggest “bucket list” event, on some levels another Wimbledon, Last Night of the Proms etc.

 

While I absolutely hate wet ones (2016 wasn’t actually that bad), maybe we could do with a 1985/1997/1998. Or can we find another Jay Z and another Noel G to moan.

 

Either way something needs to give, because regardless of the oversubscription, there is IMO a real chance of a bad crowd crush incident 

 

To be honest, I think the idea of it being a massive bucket list activity talked up by the BBC is a load of nonsense. 

 

The vast majority of people don't just land at Glasto having not done gigs or festivals or BST etc. 

 

Most people you meet have been before and/or have an interest in festivals generally. 

 

 

[Skip997]

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

 

To be honest, I think the idea of it being a massive bucket list activity talked up by the BBC is a load of nonsense. 

 

The vast majority of people don't just land at Glasto having not done gigs or festivals or BST etc. 

 

Most people you meet have been before and/or have an interest in festivals generally. 

 

 

You don’t believe that a significant number arrive there having watched the BBC coverage or heard Radio 1 hype it up, having never been to a festival before? 
 

Even the Daily Mail talk about it.

[Nobody Interesting]

11 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

You don’t believe that a significant number arrive there having watched the BBC coverage or heard Radio 1 hype it up, having never been to a festival before? 
 

Even the Daily Mail talk about it.

 

2019 we were camping in Hospitality - the place was packed with day trippers and people who had never been to a festival before. Borrowed tents or brand new ones they had never put up before and not much practical stuff bought with them - but tons of make up, mirrors and fancy wardrobes.

We didn't look up the top of the hill where the pre pitched were, dread to think what some of those were like.

Most soulless place in the whole festival IMHO.

[Nice hymer]

GFL appear to want a global brand and to be able to give large sums of money to charity.

Regardless of what we think, they're running the show and can easily justify the decisions they make.

 

If they want to take this path, I think they should introduce something similar to dynamic pricing, with people choosing which 'queue' to be in.

 

Say 50% of tickets sold at face value.

25% of tickets available at 25% premium (£475ish)

10% of tickets available at 50% premium (£550ish)

5% of tickets available at 75% premium (£650ish)

5% of tickets available at double the price (£750ish)

2.5% of tickets available at triple price (£1,100ish)

2.5% of tickets to the highest bidders.

 

Perhaps proportions/costs could be tweaked, but you get the drift.

More money for the festival to spend, option to cut capacity if they wanted.

Charities get more money.

 

Being realistic, those with money are already paying a premium to gain entry and those without money are mostly excluded.

 

I don't think a system like this would dramatically alter the make up of the audience or vibe.

There's enough going already who would happily pay more, just as well exploit the festival's potential to the maximum (it's giving to charity after all).

 

I'm not suggesting VIP tickets, exclusive facilities, privileges and all that nonsense. A ticket remains a ticket and people are just buying admission, same as ever.

 

The festival could very much justify their actions, as ultimately charities get more money...

[stuie]

2 minutes ago, Nice hymer said:

GFL appear to want a global brand and to be able to give large sums of money to charity.

Regardless of what we think, they're running the show and can easily justify the decisions they make.

 

If they want to take this path, I think they should introduce something similar to dynamic pricing, with people choosing which 'queue' to be in.

 

Say 50% of tickets sold at face value.

25% of tickets available at 25% premium (£475ish)

10% of tickets available at 50% premium (£550ish)

5% of tickets available at 75% premium (£650ish)

5% of tickets available at double the price (£750ish)

2.5% of tickets available at triple price (£1,100ish)

2.5% of tickets to the highest bidders.

 

Perhaps proportions/costs could be tweaked, but you get the drift.

More money for the festival to spend, option to cut capacity if they wanted.

Charities get more money.

 

Being realistic, those with money are already paying a premium to gain entry and those without money are mostly excluded.

 

I don't think a system like this would dramatically alter the make up of the audience or vibe.

There's enough going already who would happily pay more, just as well exploit the festival's potential to the maximum (it's giving to charity after all).

 

I'm not suggesting VIP tickets, exclusive facilities, privileges and all that nonsense. A ticket remains a ticket and people are just buying admission, same as ever.

 

The festival could very much justify their actions, as ultimately charities get more money...

 

 

No.

 

To be honest, I stopped reading when I got to the second paragraph when you basically just said bigger % of tickets for rich people.

 

[stuie]

32 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

You don’t believe that a significant number arrive there having watched the BBC coverage or heard Radio 1 hype it up, having never been to a festival before? 
 

Even the Daily Mail talk about it.

 

Not as a first time festival, not anywhere near a significant percentage.  It's too hard to get tickets and too big for most people to see it as an entry point.  

 

Of course BBC attract people - that's the whole point of them. 

[NotAnInsider]

First thing is they don't really want to sort this. headlines like 6 million try for tickets help the festival, even if its about 350k real customers with an average of 15 devices.

 

If they did, it's about tightening up the registration system. That means collecting more data on people and maybe even verifying identity to an extent. At the very least manually reviewing those with the same address to check they aren't the same person, and have a higher burden of proof for changing the address post sale. That'll cost some money - like all of this.

 

Then overhaul ticket day. Something like:

 

9am - open groupings. You get your group of six set up prior to the ballot; each registration may only be in one group of six and each member of the group of six must be online to approve their entry into the lead bookers ballot.

9.30 - the groups of six move forward into the ballot and are assigned the opportunity to pay their deposits. They have until 10am to do so, at which point it goes to the lucky losers.

 

Its a mix of a totally random ballot, but keeps groups and mean you have to be online at the time so there is a bit of effort. It'll cost a load to toughen up the registration process and lose headlines around the chaos that the festival loves.

 

That or spin the SE corner off into a totally separate festival. From look at reddit it seems there are a good chunk of people who go for that and that alone.

[Nice hymer]

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

 

 

No.

 

To be honest, I stopped reading when I got to the second paragraph when you basically just said bigger % of tickets for rich people.

 

The festival's already full of rich people.

Head up to the camper fields to see the rows of £50k Transporters, the £50k motorhomes / car & caravan combos, all those hire vans at £2-3,000 per week. The number of people buying £100 rounds, the people sniffing coke like it's flour, all of the glamping options....

 

We need to accept what the festival is, rather than what we want it to be.

[Leyrulion]

53 minutes ago, Nobody Interesting said:

 

This is called Touting. Not ticket touting but touting none the less and that is something the festival says it does not want on the ticket page so you would hope they will close that door.

Yes I know. The festival know this happened before, and probably know it happened this year. Incredibly hard for them to stop it entirely so all they can probably do is just emphasise the scam aspects and hope that keeps the tours pretty small scale.

[Skip997]

2 minutes ago, NotAnInsider said:

 

That or spin the SE corner off into a totally separate festival. From look at reddit it seems there are a good chunk of people who go for that and that alone.

That thought has crossed my mind before, or maybe even a separate charge that includes SE corner entrance. It’s become IMO a bit of a problem area. The one way system barely functions and we’re having to amend it every year, there were even times this year they were holding people at the Block 9 entrance opposite Unfairground. Shangri-La has become an almost unmanageable bottleneck with 1000’s just aimlessly wondering around 

[Avalon_Fields]

2 hours ago, stuie said:

Devils advocate here, but is a system that shifts all of the tickets to genuine registered customers in 37 minutes even broken? 

 

Subjective opinion from someone who doesn't need a ticket but has group of friends that do.  3 groups of 6 this year to be precise and no one got a look at a booking page on both Thurs and Sunday. Now, those people have all been at the recent Glastonbury's I remember, through F5 determination. 

 

I honestly feel that once the glaring loopholes are closed, this is the fairest system available.

It can still be gamed by adding more people, helpers and devices, but the 9am in the waiting room business is the way forward. 

 

They must make sure every bastard is in the queue though, not sneaking around the back of the queue, like a bunch of ticket robbing ninjas.

 

 

I’d agree with this. Our groups accepted the new system, but aggrieved by the loopholes. We were dumb enough to play by the rules.

 

I’d also say there’s little consensus on this thread for any alternative which demonstrates how hard it is to have a fairer system.