Tickets to the general public went on sale at 10 AM this morning. And a large number of fans came up empty, despite being online with a credit card in a holster right on time.
So what happened?
Two things: 1) Tickets were limited. Only about 2,200 tickets were released to the general public. And between fans, scalpers and anyone else trying to get them, that’s not a lot. You know, supply and demand and right now, the demand is pretty darn high. 2) Online ticketing isn’t perfect. One person emailed in saying they scored a pair of tickets almost 30 minutes after they went on sale? Why? Because the horde of fans were on at 10 AM, “reserved” tickets but didn’t actually make it all the way through to purchase confirmation. So that ticket was opened back up. This happens all the time. So I’d say keep checking periodically. I scored sixth row tickets to a sold out concert once literally eight hours before the show.
Regardless, it’s a little disturbing to hear stories of a person being on at 10 AM sharp, looking for only ONE ticket only to come up without anything. Even with demand so high, 2,200 tickets isn’t nothing. There should be one seat somewhere 15 seconds after 10 AM. Right? Here’s the deal: Season ticket members got first dibs. Clever marketing by the Thunder because talk about incentive for folks to buy season tickets next year. You want Western Conference Finals tickets? Too bad, shoulda had season tickets.
Secondly, fans that bought tickets for Games 3 and 4 and were ALSO partial season ticket holders got priority as well. Tickets were reserved for those fans at they have until 3 PM to follow-up and buy tickets again. So there could be a large number of seats that are currently tied up right now. I really don’t understand the reasoning behind this tactic, but if you’re reading between the lines, there could be some more tickets available at 3 PM. Season ticket members deserve first dibs too. They’re the ones paying the big bucks to the team and they should get that luxury. Plus, if the Thunder did a wider release, MORE scalpers would have the opportunity to swoop in and steal your tickets. By giving the bulk to season ticket holders, the Thunder assures that THUNDER fans will be filling the seats for face value costs. I think that’s absolutely the way to go. And I applaud them for that move.
But I know what some are thinking. Freaking scalpers. And yes, freaking scalpers. They’re the scum of the earth in my estimation. Nothing is worse. Buying up tickets with no intention to use them just to inflate prices and screw out a fan that is DYING to go because they want a 200 percent profit. It’s ridiculous. If I had it my way, scalpers would be dragged behind one of those Bricktown bicycle buggies down Reno.
And it’s fishy to me as well that just 30 minutes after tickets went on sale to the public, a scalped set of $12 tickets pop up on StubHub. That doesn’t look right. I jokingly tweeted about a “conspiracy” going on with Ticketmaster and StubHub, but rest assured, there’s no foul play here. I spoke with Thunder VP of Communications Dan Mahoney and he was adamant that all this was, was a case of a fervent fan base buying tickets as fast as they could. And as a result, some willing purchasers came up empty. And I agree.
As much as I loathe scalpers, it’s simple supply and demand principles. The demand was high so what are you willing to pay for a Game 6 ticket? If you can meet that, you get to go. That doesn’t excuse the fact that some jerk gets to make far more money than he paid just because he was fortunate enough to get through Ticketmaster’s clunky system, but still, it’s his right. It sucks, but it’s life.
I asked Mahoney what the Thunder’s stance is on scalpers and he said the Thunder does their best to avoid ticket brokers ending up with mass quantities of tickets. And that was evidenced by them limiting to only four tickets available for purchase at a time. Plus, if you really think there was something fishy going on, don’t you think the Thunder would’ve put out more than 2,200 tickets that could’ve been scalped? Like I said earlier, by giving priority to season ticket holders, the Thunder really puts a pretty good kibosh on scalpers.
More than 250 fans lined up at the Ford Center box office, despite being told to purchase online. In a press release, the Thunder said there will be limited tickets available before Friday, including Lower Level tickets 24 hours before the game. Why does this happen? Well, because they are being held for potential NBA higher-ups, media and other very important people. So if they don’t show, you may get a ticket.
Also, there will be the Fill up the Ford promotion where 200 tickets are made available two hours before the game. 25 pairs will be put up for raffle with 75 being sold. So if you go that route, good luck with that.
Mahoney said officially, tickets sold out in 10 minutes. But he said online, realistically, that was more or like three or four minutes. Which is insane. People want tickets for what could be a series clincher. Again, in my eyes, this was nothing more than a case of people wanting tickets so they went after them. I don’t understand Ticketmaster’s process and how one person can get through and another can’t, but that’s not the Thunder’s fault. They want you to have tickets. They don’t want a scalper to be able to sell them to some Laker fan. The best PR in the world for the team is another wild blue-out with almost 19,000 rabid, bloodthirsty Thunder fans screaming at the tops of their lungs. So don’t blame the Thunder. Blame the entire ticketing process. Some fans are left out in the cold and that’s just the way it is. Doesn’t make it right, but it’s life and we’ve got to deal with it.
So the question is: How much do you really want to go to Game 6?
The problem with offering them to season ticket holders is that many of the ticket brokers have many sets of season tickets, which they sell throughout the year and then clean up during the playoffs. How else do you think they are scalping 2nd row tickets. The system is completely flawed but unfortunatly there is not much that can be done about it. Personally, I plan I running full speed by a scalper and grabbing all of his tickets out of his hand and making a run for it. Those guys are the scum of the earth. Thunder up!
I'm a ten game package holder and I was offered presale for games 3-4. I bought 4 tickets to each game and I had tickets reserved for game 6.
The statement that partial season ticketholders were allowed to pre-purchase tickets is false. I was a half-season ticket owner and was never notified of any oppurtunity to purchase playoff tickets early. I even contacted a ticket rep and was told I could only purchase them when they went on sale to the general public.
I live near Tulsa but am moving back to OKC this summer. I've been to 10 games this year but decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on 2 season tickets for next year in the loud city section, 314. row L. I've set in that area a few times and am fine with it, plus I know it's not too hard to move up to better seats against the lesser teams in the NBA, although it should be harder in the future.
I think this may be the last time you will even be able to easily get Thunder season tickets for a long time, a lot like OU football season tickets. But this is a MUCH better investment, it practically will pay for itself if you just sell tickets for 10-15 of the games on stub hub or something. I can't go to all of them as I am a HS basketball coach, but I can definitely make 25 or so. I am very excited, I love this team and will probably look to make some profit of those games I don't goto next year and upgrade seats the following year.
Plus I've heard quite a few different people talk about how their reps call them to upgrade their seats for free for certain games which is another great deal.
The Thunder are an excellent franchise and I am proud to be a fan.
The market will go down from here. These prices make OU/Texas look cheap. People need to pace themselves it could be a long post season. Royce did I hear Mrs DT correct, you don't have seats for Friday? The Thunder Organization should send you as an ambassador.
I just asked my ticket rep for two more tickets. They showed up on our account. Pretty easy actually. Ended up being pretty good seats, which suprised me.
I have season tickets in 105 and its been a blast. Looking forward to game 6. I split the season with a good friend. It works out great splitting it with only one other person because if you both want to go, you both get to go (you just go together).
Question: To those season ticket holders who elected to buy EXTRA playoff tickets, how did that process work?
I didn't do it because I was afraid they would give me tickets where I didnt want to sit (and I'd be obligated to buy them). Can anyone explain how the process worked for extra tickets? (I missed out but maybe next year I will consider it).
I was one of those who got shut out on tickets, again. It's very frustrating because like a lot of folks I'd love to go, and I consider myself a pretty good fan. Been following team since before they got here. But I understand they can't satisfy everyone. And to be honest, even though I hate not being there, I'd much rather watch at home and know the place is packed and crazy then be able to get a ticket because there was little interest and no demand. To see the way the city has responded to this team and vice-versa, that's some pretty good compensation. So to those of you who'll be there Friday, be loud and proud again. You're representing all of us home-sitters and watch-partiers who will be there in spirit.
I don't see why they just can't have tickers go on sale at real world locations an hour before they go online. let the scalpers fight over what's left online. At least then scalpers woiuld have to wait in line to make their money and loyal fans will get what they deserve.
@billyadams
Oh now I'm even more flustered. lol I can't do anything until I get my G.I. Bill on the 7th. It's gonna be a long week and a half. Thank you.
@holdmymartian
20% down, so $176 for the two tickets and then I'll pay approx $140 a month for 6 months. Not too bad actually. The only bad thing is that the first $140 comes out on April 30. Haha. But they'll do an auto-debit so it just hits the card on the payment date.
@billyadams
How much do you pay up front?
Just called about an hour and a half ago and picked up 2 season tickets for next year in Loud City. $10 tix. They said at that time they had a total of 20 tickets left in the $10 price zone.
@MartzMimic
Where did you find that?
@Martian
My $10 seats in Loud City cost $440 per this and next season. Looking online, it looks like the cheapest available are in Sect. 307, Row M for $1,333 per seat.
@holdmymartian
405
1-800 or 405?
@holdmymartian
Call the Thunder office @ 208-HOOP and one of the reps will answer all questions. They are usually very helpful.
no luck at 3 for me...
So how do you get season tickets? How much do they cost? Is there a payment plan or do you pay for them up front?
Anyone have any luck at 3?
I don't have anywhere close to the money I need for season tix, but I'm considering trying it and then putting quite a few of them up on the Exchange Marketplace to get some of the money back on the investment.
girlballer :@blake Ebay Gus….Ebay…..
If you sell them, you should give the loyal, DT crowd first dibs or at least a discount!
I mean BLAKE.
@blake
Ebay Gus....Ebay.....
If you sell them, you should give the loyal, DT crowd first dibs or at least a discount!
blake :
gus :
blake :
f5alcon :yeah, i mean for the playoffs everybody wants tickets, people at my job want them and they havnt been to a single game all season, i literally went months with only 2 or 3 people even mentioning the thunder, now its all that gets talked about,T which is great, but tough for people to get tickets.Really the reserved playoff tickets are the only reason I pay for season tickets, because i expected this, i treat that as more of a reserve playoff tickets fee then anything else
this is exactly why i got season tickets last yr in the 1st place. Not that i thought i would get the opportunity for playoff tix this soon. Just out of curiousity how much would a tkt in sect 102 fetch??
There are tickets in that location going for as less as 840 dollars to up in the thousand dollar range
seriously! Holy hell the actual face value of my seats for the 1st rd is 56 dollars. 50 for regular season. And ur telling me that i can sell my tkts in the 800 dollar range for one game? Id be stupid not too that pays for half of my season tkts for next yr.
Ticket stub and ticketcity are having no problem selling what you have right now for 800 plus
The Thunder are the new Sooners. I'm not sure why anyone would doubt we could fill the Ford, we fill Gaylord 6 times a year. Expect this fever pitch to only get more mind blowing, this team is the future of the NBA.
gus :
blake :
f5alcon :yeah, i mean for the playoffs everybody wants tickets, people at my job want them and they havnt been to a single game all season, i literally went months with only 2 or 3 people even mentioning the thunder, now its all that gets talked about,T which is great, but tough for people to get tickets.Really the reserved playoff tickets are the only reason I pay for season tickets, because i expected this, i treat that as more of a reserve playoff tickets fee then anything else
this is exactly why i got season tickets last yr in the 1st place. Not that i thought i would get the opportunity for playoff tix this soon. Just out of curiousity how much would a tkt in sect 102 fetch??
There are tickets in that location going for as less as 840 dollars to up in the thousand dollar range
seriously! Holy hell the actual face value of my seats for the 1st rd is 56 dollars. 50 for regular season. And ur telling me that i can sell my tkts in the 800 dollar range for one game? Id be stupid not too that pays for half of my season tkts for next yr.
@Anonymous I could easily pay for the season tickets, I just live 2 hours away and can't travel that far for every game. I've been to a few games throughout the season and would love to come to a playoff game. Haven't had any luck yet though. If my husband and I lived in or near OKC, we would have season tickets for sure. We've gone to a few games and for the same price, we could have season tickets. So not everyone was snubbing the team by not buying season tickets, its just not feasible with travel.
PNT :Sounds like some DTers need to get together if/when more season tickets become available. I share my 3 tix with 2 buddies and one of the best nights of the year is right after the schedule comes out. We choose our games like a fantasy draft. We have gone to the playoff games together and if someone can’t use their tix for a certain night, 1 of the other 2 can get ‘em. It really has worked out well. We have better seats than 1 of us could have gotten on our own.
Great idea. I'll have a post about that in the offseason for sure.
@Anonymous
I was there for 3 and freaking 29 and I don't have tickets. This one guy I know, his name is Royce I think, was there as well and he doesn't have tickets either. We'll be ready for round 2! :)
@Anonymous
yeah i agree season tickets are a nonbrainer for the cheap ones, even the $30 and $50 tickets are worth it without question. I plan on renewing every year until i cant go anymore. Slowly upgrading as i can afford it and seats become available, even if i leave OKC i will.
@blake
300+ depending on row, but by thursday, fri morning probably a 1000+
Welcome to the life of an average Boston sports fan, man we have to deal with this crap everytime the Redsox release their ticket's online, or the Celtics, or Patriots, whoever. One time I sat waiting in the "virtual waiting room" for Redsox tickets from 9 am to 10 PM!!! And guess what no tickets, imagine knowing that people who don't even know what baseball is or what an infield fly rule is or what a 3 second violation is are taking what is rightfully yours. I hate all the effing rich season ticket butt-faces, and oh ya SCREW THE SCALPERS.
blake :
f5alcon :yeah, i mean for the playoffs everybody wants tickets, people at my job want them and they havnt been to a single game all season, i literally went months with only 2 or 3 people even mentioning the thunder, now its all that gets talked about,T which is great, but tough for people to get tickets.Really the reserved playoff tickets are the only reason I pay for season tickets, because i expected this, i treat that as more of a reserve playoff tickets fee then anything else
this is exactly why i got season tickets last yr in the 1st place. Not that i thought i would get the opportunity for playoff tix this soon. Just out of curiousity how much would a tkt in sect 102 fetch??
There are tickets in that location going for as less as 840 dollars to up in the thousand dollar range
f5alcon :
yeah, i mean for the playoffs everybody wants tickets, people at my job want them and they havnt been to a single game all season, i literally went months with only 2 or 3 people even mentioning the thunder, now its all that gets talked about, which is great, but tough for people to get tickets.
Really the reserved playoff tickets are the only reason I pay for season tickets, because i expected this, i treat that as more of a reserve playoff tickets fee then anything else
this is exactly why i got season tickets last yr in the 1st place. Not that i thought i would get the opportunity for playoff tix this soon. Just out of curiousity how much would a tkt in sect 102 fetch??
ticketmaster is dirty....there are back links that make it easier to get tickets that only big time brokers get for a fee. also there is software that you set up with the link to start say 10 seconds before tickets go on sale and will gobble up tickets. I have a copy of this software but forgot about the onsale this morning. I have season tickets so it wasn't a priority for me. When i got laid off last year I started buying and selling tickets to pay the bills, its a business just like any other and i have to say i don't feel guilty at all.
@f5alcon
Toby Keith's openly invites you to park in their lot based on the assumption that they'll receive some business from their good will.
I don't park in the Bass Pro lot, though lots of people do. The lot that is south of the Bass Pro is open to the public tho.
I dont have season tickets because i dont live in OKC and driving in all the time is way too expensive. But my sister and her boyfriend do and they got two extra tickets for the playoffs to give to me. I've already spent a ton of money just going to game 3 & 4. I bought a ticket to go see coheed and cambria this friday shortly after the thunder locked up a spot in the playoffs. Needless to say i'm selling that ticket and going to the game. Can't abandon my team now. I wish i lived in OKC cause you better believe i would be there every game. But i have to say the Thunder organization does take very good care of its fans, my sis got free courtside tickets to the 76's game back in november...or was it early december? I was the one wearing the NWA shirt behind the Thunder bench. I thought no game could ever beat that experience until i sat in section 305 for game 3....ears are still ringing! See you all at Game 6! BEAT LA!!!!
@MartzMimic
yeah i agree, i am not making the same mistake next year of not grabbing extra seats when i renew, i wont even make a profit, ill just sell them at face to DT members to make sure we pack the house.
When season ticket holders renewed in March, we were asked if we wanted our seats for the playoffs, and if we wanted extras. I'm kicking myself for not getting extras.
The ticket reps are outstanding, as the organizational culture runs through EVERYTHING the Thunder does. I shared four seats with a friend last year, then we upgraded and dropped to two seats this year. Life is simply too busy for 41 live games. With the free tickets you get offered and they way my friend and I divyed up the season, I've attended nearly 30 games.
@Trey
yeah probably what happened, but at least you could get them now.
@Mark!
yeah i mean i park that far out but really your not supposed to park at those businesses unless you are going there, now obviously lots of people do it, and im actually surprised the bricktown association hasnt cracked down a bit because of lower revenue at other lots. I only paid about half the games, most games i could find street parking during the week.
But yeah you are right you can do it for the ticket price, i just doubt most people do, a lot of people also pay for the sanata fe garage that they offered $200 or so for the whole season.
@f5alcon
Strange, I've checked several times and it says sold out for the season, I check now and they're available. Maybe it was tons of fans also looking at season tickets and the system "reserving" them for a set amount of time.
@f5alcon
I can count on one hand the number of times I've paid for parking. Only on the rare weekend where other things are going on in addition to Thunder + clubbing have the free lots been full. Toby Keith's is free, Bass Pro is free. You have to walk, but it's not that far unless you have health issues preventing you from making the trek.
I parked for free at game 4 and there was a Redhawks game, clubbers, at least one prom somewhere, and a good number of people just milling outside the arena.
The food is really expensive, but I eat before the game. The food options are all pretty unhealthy as a rule anyway.
@SmackDaddy
how does somebody default that late in the season? i guess they didnt pay their last bill. How did you find out it was available?
Sounds like some DTers need to get together if/when more season tickets become available. I share my 3 tix with 2 buddies and one of the best nights of the year is right after the schedule comes out. We choose our games like a fantasy draft. We have gone to the playoff games together and if someone can't use their tix for a certain night, 1 of the other 2 can get 'em. It really has worked out well. We have better seats than 1 of us could have gotten on our own.
i just went on the website and looks like single seat season tickets for next year are still available and some in pairs, just not many options left.
@Anonymous
The total cost ends up being higher, parking adds a few hundred more, if you buy food/drink. I am actually curious to see how much the average fan spends. I never buy anything there always eat before or after the game. It is a good $1000+ commitment and a fair chunk of a lot of peoples income on one thing, and a 41+ day a year time commitment, so i can see why people dont buy season tickets.
@Mark1 - I agree wholeheartedly about the ticket reps. They will take your call, call you when they have tickets, etc. you might be interested in and sometimes just call to check that everything is OK. Customer service has been unmatched in my experience.
SD
You only had to pay up front for playoff tickets if you didn't already put down your deposit for next season (AKA, you promised to renew). If you made your deposit, they will charge you at the end of each round for the games actually played.
Smartest thing I ever did was pick up a pair of seats from a defualted season contract for the last 8 games. That got me those seats for next year and the playoff rights for this year.
Woo hoo!
SD
I have season tickets in the "cheap seats"... Loud City on the ends. Cheapest tickets in the house. I've been extremely pleased.
I called in before this season and just said sign me up. Over the course of the next couple weeks, I got multiple calls from different sales reps saying they found some seats in the same price range that were a little closer to the front, little closer to the sides and asked me if I wanted to move, rinse repeat (I assume as taken seats emptied as people upgraded their seating.) Ended up as close as I could to the next price range and 7 rows up a few rows up from the balcony. All due to extra effort put in after the sale had already been made.
During the season, you're assigned an account rep. I got several extra tickets in Loud City for free to give away to friends, and I even got to sit courtside once. Nice little bonus.
I have guaranteed tickets to every playoff game at list price ($15 each for first round, $20 each for second, etc. for where I'm at); I like my seats, they're hardly nosebleed. The Ford Center isn't THAT big. Just cost $437 a piece for 41 home games + however many preseason games will be at the Ford.
Considering the prices some people are paying at resellers like StubHub for a single playoff ticket, $437 for the whole season + list price playoff tickets is a steal.
Just plugging because I've been so happy with the team + service of the staff. I don't regret getting season tickets for one second and already renewed for next season.