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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
How to Score Eagles Tix Tomorrow
OK, this is verrrry stupid of me. I mean, if I do this, and further empower hundreds of rabid fans, no way I'll score four sets of Eagles tickets tomorrow, the way I did last year. But it's my business to share info. And, besides, this isn't exactly top-secret information. So here goes.
First, put together a team of at least three people with a computer and two phones, at least one of the phones with a crystal-clear connection. Be ready to roll into action by 9:30 a.m., a half-hour before tickets go on sale. They're only offered by phone or Internet through Ticketmaster. And be prepared to buy extra trickets (which you can always sell) because NEVER LISTEN to any co-conspirator who says, "Hang up, I got through." Things can and do go wrong after "getting through." Phone Game Plan A Stall a Helpful Agent 1. Plan your stalling tactics. Be ready to either (a) buy tickets for another concert or event, or (b) ask about events with no affordable tickets left. 2. Have your Eagles schedule handy. Circle the least popular home games. Get greedy (gotta have the T.O. game!) and you're more likely to get nothing. 2. Be ready to call early, even 20 (some say 30) minutes in advance of the 10 a.m. deadline. 3. Call a Ticketmaster in a town with no NFL franchise. Here's the link to the "Find a ticket outlet" list. 4. Start your stall, watching your time. If you want to-the-second time, go to the U.S. Naval Observatory website. 5. Be alert for signs this agent will be a stickler and refuse to sell Eagles tickets to anyone who calls before 10! Agents are told to refuse. I've had it happen. But some agents will do you a favor, if you kind of make friends with them. Don't come straight out and ask, however, because they are on recorded lines. You have to be subtle, drop hints, and hope you get lucky. If agent does hang up, quickly try Phone Plan B below. 6. At 10 a.m. ask for Eagles tickets. Be specific, not just about opponent and number of tickets but the DATE! Don't be like the guy who bought four Giants tickets only to find out they were PRE-SEASON games!!! 7. If the agent offers seats, take them. Do not dicker or waste time checking seat locations or otherwise consider changes. Buy the tickets. 8. If the agent asks, "Anything else?" try another game. Again, take whatever is offered. Phone Game Plan B Try Tricky Automated Buying System 1. About 9:55, using a very good phone, call a Ticketmaster in Arizona. Or Colorado. Some state in another time zone. Again, check "Find a ticket outlet" list. Yes, it'll be closed. That's the idea. No one else will be calling. You're not out to talk to an agent, but use the automated ticket-buying system. 2. If you get through too quickly, just keep hitting the selection for "Return to Main Menu" as often as needed. 3. If you're lucky, Ticketmaster will have a selection like Press 1 for "Philadelphia Eagles." (A reason to call another NFL city?) If not, when you do try to buy, speak very clearly. And good luck. Sometimes this system is ridiculously off-target. You say "Philadelphia Eagles" and it says "Bruce Springsteen"? Computer Plan 1. Sign up in advance for a Ticketmaster account so your credit card information can be on file. This saves time and ways for things to go wrong. 2. Know exactly how many tickets you want for which games. (Again, the less popular the game, the better your chances.) 3. Check out the exact time on Naval Observatory site. 4. Find the right page on Ticketmaster.com. Keep clicking "Refresh" if you're not seeing the right message that tickets are on sale. 5. At 10 a.m., or as soon as your find the right "order tickets" link, click it, and follow the instructions. If you seem to be getting through, and the process stalls, do NOT hit "refresh" or "back," but simply cross your fingers and wait. Does trying on multiple screens help or mess things up? Sorry, I'm not sure, but I do know the system is finicky. If you get tickets, come back here, post a comment and gloat. GOOD LUCK! Anything you disagree with? Post your comments here.
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