Artist Arena

This is probably the WORST ticketing service I’ve ever used. If you’re thinking about purchasing a VIP package for a popular artist from this site, don’t. I was on the site at exactly 4PM for Shawn Mendes tickets to go on sale. I got in the site at that exact time, and got in the website to purchase my tickets. I definitely had a ticket in my cart, when the page refreshed on its OWN and told me they were having traffic problem due to the amount of people on the site. When it finally started working again, the tickets were sold out. When I tried to contact them about it, I could not find any means of communication with them besides email, and they still haven’t emailed me back, 3 days later. I had purchased another package and asked them to switch my package to the other show on the same tour since I had that package, and they still haven’t answered. HORRIBLE service. If you want a VIP package, sell or buy them off of VIPNation or any other better working site.

I will never purchase a ticket from AA again. My niece, from another state, purchased tickets for The Avett Brothers NY Eve concert in my hometown of Raleigh. She did the presale via computer for us, since I teach school and could not do it myself during school hours. They planned on driving to NC and spending two days with us; However, she found out last week that her 8 year old lab was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. They started chemo and the vet recommended radiation as well, which would need to be administered every day for three weeks. Well, needless to say, they had to cancel their trip to NC. She contacted Scott at Artist Arena and he simply pointed out that she purchased tickets to be picked up at Will Call and that there was absolutely nothing that could be done. AA could make no concessions and would not transfer the tickets into my name, even though they have been paid for in full and I live two miles from the arena! She is willing to supply a note from the Onocolgy Vet if needed. I, too, wrote AA and was simply told there was nothing they can do. So, they have our $ 245, there will be four empty seats that would normally have happy fans I them and they have unhappy customers! I am out my half of the $ 245, no longer have New Year’s Eve plans and will miss one of my favorite bands of all time. I find it hard to believe with today’s technology that someone cannot change a name on four tickets! Bad and inflexible customer service!

Recently I won tickets to see Avenged Sevenfold and I am unable to go to the show. I tried to get in touch with multiple people to figure out the problems I was having, and finally I got in touch with Artist Arena. They took their time helping me out with my problem and they were able to change the name on the order to my buddy’s so he is now able to go to the concert in my place. Great customer service once you can get a hold of them.

This is the email I sent to Artist Arena regarding a TRAIN M&G:
Greetings:
I am writing to inform you (and certainly complain) about the Meet and Greet I recently had with the band TRAIN at Darien Lakes this past Saturday. Besides the fact that my package with the laminates did not include instructions as to where to go for the Meet and Greet (I later found that everyone else had instructions on the envelope the laminates came in; mine did not) and no one at the venue had a clue, leading me to almost not find the meeting place until right before being taken backstage) I want to complain of a few things that perhaps you are aware of (or perhaps you are not)
The package that I purchased and the package that was advertised is listed in part as follows:
If cameras are allowed into the venue, you will be allowed to take a picture with the band (*please contact the venue directly about its camera policy). You will also have the opportunity to have your poster (or ONE other small item) signed by the band.
Well, cameras WERE allowed into the venue but we were not allowed to take a picture of the band with it; in fact, we were given stern instructions NOT to request a picture with our own personal cameras and that there would be an official photographer there to take our pictures. Next, when I think «Meet and Greet» I expect a short amount of time to mingle and talk with the band members, not an assembly line where you were only allowed about 30 seconds to get your picture taken and then were ushered out… no chance to talk and barely even a chance to say «hello». The poster we were given was pre-​signed by the band and we were NOT allowed to get any small item signed by the band as printed and advertised in the description of the Meet and Greet.
Therefore, I am writing to say that I am extremely disappointed in what I received for the inordinate amount of money I paid for the individual tickets. In my mind this is truly a scam perpetrated by your company. I know the band members are just instructed to go out and do what they are instructed to do and probably don’t even know how much this is being falsely advertised.
Thus, I am writing to see what comment your company has about this whole charade before I complain further and take this to a higher level, for between this event and the Meet and Greet I purchased for Cleveland this Wednesday (a total of $ 900.00 spent between the two events) a feel that this is bordering on not only a sham but a crime. I’d prefer not to go to online boards to warn people not to purchase these packages in the future, but if something is not done to rectify this problem by Wednesday I certainly will.
As I mentioned in the initial paragraph, the «Company» may not know that this is what is being done at the venues and if it does not I want to let them (you) know. But if it is known that people are not getting what they paid for then there should be consequences.
This is the response I got:
Dear Train Fan,
Please see below for an update regarding details of your upcoming Meet & Greet with Train.
There will be a professional camera used on site to take your picture with the band. Along with your instructions that you pick up at the box office, will be information regarding how to download your pictures within a few days of the concert taking place. Please note, you will not be able to use your own cameras during the Meet & Greet.
Please continue to follow the instructions that were previously sent to you regarding your Meet & Greet process.
Regards,
Artist Arena
To which I wrote back:
Yeah, see, the problem is that is NOT what I paid for, either in Buffalo or
Cleveland!
It was advertised when sold as being able to use your own camera when I bought
the tickets AND being able to get a small item signed, neither of which was
honored when the Meet and Greet actually occurred. To me, this is definitely
false advertisement and a blatant disregard for the «Bait and Switch» rules
that govern transactions such as this.
This certainly was not the answer I wanted or expected, so you can certainly
expect some ramifications in the future.
DEFINITELY THE BIGGEST RIP OFF I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY 55 YRS ON EARTH. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!

I see these VIP Packages as just a way of getting a good seat. The extras included are worthless. I bought the Tom Petty VIP package because I could not otherwise get a decent seat for the 2013 Beacon Theatre residency. The «commemorative ticket» is like a Cracker Jack Premium reflective piece of plastic — which does not even say Beacon Theatre or the date (generic for the tour). The coaster set are Wal-​Mart quality garbage. I would review the Messenger Bag, but it is being manufactured still (a week after the show now). How about at least a t-​shirt? Also, as stated by other reviewers, you will not get a human on the phone. All in all, I paid almost $ 400 for a $ 180 11^th row ticket. Happy to get the ticket, even at that price (scalper prices were at that amount or greater), but it would be better if these good tickets just stayed in the normal ticket pool and were available without a ridiculous mark-​up for these garbage «premiums.» Just another way to milk the ticket buyer and assure that good tickets are hard to come by at face value. Clearly legalized scalping under the guise of a Premium Package.
Oh, and the «crowd free early admission and merchandise shopping» — which does not include any band meet-​and-​greet, is simply laughable.
If you need to pay the inflated price for the VIP Package to get a hot ticket, so be it, but the premiums you get are embarassingly bad.
UPDATE: 6÷27÷2013
Over a month after the show, still no Messenger Bag, the other extra or «premium.» I am sure it will be as awful as the coasters (which I sold on Ebay for $ 6.05– at least someone wanted them), but for $ 220 over face, one would expect that all of the «premium» items would at least be in hand in some kind of timely manner. I wonder who at Ticketmaster is funneling these good tickets over to Artist Arena so that it can add $ 5 worth of junk and mark them up over 200%? A very lucrative little arrangement indeed.
UPDATE 7÷24÷2013
Finally received the Messenger Bags approximately one week ago. Very cheaply made, and on one of them, a strap was nearly entirely detached/​ripped off. Attempted to reach Artist Arena by phone and e-​mail, all to no avail. Of course, no prepaid return label was included. Again, if you want to pay the extra money for a good ticket, fine. But the «premiums» are shamefully bad.

This company is beyond terrible. Aside from not having any human to speak to in case of problems, the fact that I cannot transfer MY will-​call tickets to another family member is absolutely ludicrous.
Terrible Company.

They don’t even deserve one star.
There is no way to contact a human being at this company other than email; even Ticketmaster lets you talk it out with a person when there’s an issue in picking up/​receiving your concert tickets.
It took them THREE DAYS of incessant emailing (and calling the venue and the promoters, separately) to have them tell me yet again that their policies would not allow them to accommodate my request.
At the same time (of the last email), they told me that had I emailed them sooner, they *might* have found it in their hearts to assist me in my needs.
I’m attaching the entire text of the emails back/​forth with these jerks – or at least, those which were captured by their «contact us» website, as they refused to respond to me in regular emails. I strongly discourage others from purchasing tickets from this organization in the future.
Also, reporting them to the BBB. GOOD TIMES.

I recently attended a Pink Martini concert promoted by Artist Arena. When we arrived I was surprised to find that China Forbes was not going to be singing at this performance. And that we were not informed that there was a change.
I purchased tickets several months ago for the San Jose performance and China was not able to sing due to surgery. We were immediately informed and given the option for a refund. I am upset to be caught unaware and stuck after traveling to Oakland on the night of the performance.
China has been the voice of Pink Martini, and I was not prepared nor would I have traveled for a cover band. No refund was given, since the promoter said «it was advertised that way», it left me with a very bad taste — the audience was half full and others remarked that they felt cheated.
The venue and the band themselves were awesome, but was clearly deceptive. It was not worth full price tickets. Read the fine print when ordering from this company.

I recently lost my concert ticket and contacted Dan DiZenzo from Artist Arena about how I can still attend the concert — he took my order number and arranged for me to be able to get in through will call. He was very responsive and helpful! Thank you!!!