New Ticketing Process - Sneak Peek

[culasthewiz]

With the advent of the new ticketing system, I was playing around on the See Tickets website and noticed Planet Bluegrass had a test post up.  Obviously the specifics of the page will change for TBF but I wanted to share a few of the screenshots to help Festivarians familiarize themselves with the new platform.

Search Results:



Ticket Selection Screen:



Checkout:



Here's a photo of what the Queue-it system might look like:

[BluegrassBrian]

Nice sleuthery!

We don't have anything to hide here.  But to avoid any confusion, I disabled that test event (as it was intended to be from the start). 

[culasthewiz]

Nice sleuthery!

Sleuthery is my...middle name.

[Jaci]

  Thank you for answering my questions, Lucas!

 Listening to: Sam Bush

[Pass Port]

Lucas is a slithery master!

Sure hope this new SOP doesnt undo the town park vibe. Without the camps bringing continuity and festivation, could be a whole bunch of 1st timers that dont know.

[culasthewiz]

Lucas is a slithery master!

Sure hope this new SOP doesnt undo the town park vibe. Without the camps bringing continuity and festivation, could be a whole bunch of 1st timers that dont know.

I mean if you think about it, this isn't really that different from the traditional lottery.  It's just in electronic format.  I don't really see much changing...

[Australian fan]

Lucas is a slithery master!

Sure hope this new SOP doesnt undo the town park vibe. Without the camps bringing continuity and festivation, could be a whole bunch of 1st timers that dont know.

I mean if you think about it, this isn't really that different from the traditional lottery.  It's just in electronic format.  I don't really see much changing...

Um, no.  Actually, it is a MASSIVE change for those of us who live outside the US. Trying to get a ticket online at 2am -3am my time in a work week is beyond what is possible for people like me who work. I’m very sad to see it happening at this hour. I’m crossing my fingers there will be some options that work. Good luck festivarians

[Pass Port]

Lucas, I have to agree with Lesley. Of course she and others have a huge time difference which adds to it. For the normal festivarian, having to camp at a computer is a time suck especially if your job doesnt have you sit at a desk. Instead of a window of time to enter, it seems we have to log in to get into the que, which gets randomized, then monitor until it is your turn to purchase. A big time suck! How long will it take, who knows. We will find out and yes, I'm hopeful that it works. But definitely not at all the same process!

[pattyowe]

So, this is a bummer. For those thinking it will be similar to the lottery format...It was way easier when you had a two day window to fill out a form that completely randomized chances and entries. Now, I have to sit in front of a computer for a chance to get a ticket? What if you don't sit in front of a computer at work all morning (Thank God I do not), or don't even own a computer, or don't have a trust fund to not have to work? This is weeding out us common folks. It really is unfortunate. I do not think this is the right thing. But, I guess I will have to take a sick day from work to go sit at the public library computer...See where I'm coming from?

 Listening to: Neal Casal

[barrywcarry]

What if you don't sit in front of a computer at work all morning (Thank God I do not), or don't even own a computer, or don't have a trust fund to not have to work?

Same as if you lost the lottery.  Hope one of your friends won or that you will be able to find one on the secondary market.

You would hope SeeTickets eventually figures out a way to allow joining the queue in-advance while avoiding scalper bots.

[BuckeyeDog]

Have to agree with PP and Les. The process is not the same, so the statement that folks still will have the same chance for TP tickets as before may not be exactly true. From the information available, especially how See Tickets works with other venues, your chances improve with the number of computers and accounts you have access to. While See Tickets may eliminate the bots, if you have access to 40-50 computers, your odds sre better than just having access to one.
Due to the limited amount of TP tickets, am guessing they will be gone in minutes. We need to prepareaccordingly. 

[culasthewiz]

Certainly some valid points above and I understand the frustration and concern - especially given the nature of how non-corporate PB/TBF have historically been run.  This is a significant change in the ticketing structure.  There is a certain unknown in this change and of course some folks are going to be at an advantage and some will be less fortunate.  Time zone, computer savvy, availability at time of sale, etc will all influence the likelihood of scoring tickets. 

My intent was not to downplay the new challenges some might have in acquiring tickets from the lottery but simply to suggest that based on my research of the new system and understanding of how the old lottery used to work, on average we should have pretty similar chances at getting tickets.  I've never won TP tix myself but have been afforded the opportunity to go because this community is strong and we make sure others are taken care of.  I don't foresee THAT changing.

[Pass Port]

Certainly some valid points above and I understand the frustration and concern - especially given the nature of how non-corporate PB/TBF have historically been run.  This is a significant change in the ticketing structure.  There is a certain unknown in this change and of course some folks are going to be at an advantage and some will be less fortunate.  Time zone, computer savvy, availability at time of sale, etc will all influence the likelihood of scoring tickets. 

My intent was not to downplay the new challenges some might have in acquiring tickets from the lottery but simply to suggest that based on my research of the new system and understanding of how the old lottery used to work, on average we should have pretty similar chances at getting tickets.  I've never won TP tix myself but have been afforded the opportunity to go because this community is strong and we make sure others are taken care of.  I don't foresee THAT changing.

We are counting on you to give us beta that will help! For instance, do we have an hour before to get into the que? I didnt see an exact  time. PK Smith posted some helpful advice. With RG going first we should have some experience before TPs go on sale. I'm not nearly as worried as I was ... thanks!

[Skubes]

Has anyone seen anything from the Planet regarding the transfer process?

[culasthewiz]

We are counting on you to give us beta that will help! For instance, do we have an hour before to get into the que? I didnt see an exact  time. PK Smith posted some helpful advice. With RG going first we should have some experience before TPs go on sale. I'm not nearly as worried as I was ... thanks!

Just like PK mentioned, be in there between 8 and 9 - not a minute outside that window.  You'll be put into a random queue there.  I'm not sure you'll know your number until ticketing opens at 9.  Once there you'll want to immediately add the tix you want and move to checkout.  Once you're in checkout you have 10 minutes where the tickets are held while you complete the checkout process.  Should be pretty straightforward.  I'd encourage everyone to check out the RG/FF sales which should be nearly identical (except for demand) to the TBF process.

Has anyone seen anything from the Planet regarding the transfer process?

Not a peep.  I really hope they do away with See's standard 10% transfer fee.  I wish they'd provide a little more information on the intricacies of the process so we're not all left to put it together ourselves.  Perhaps they will as we get closer to sale date.