Saving Money at the Box Office

My family loves going to big events that come to Jacksonville, but sometimes they can get a little pricey. Ticket cost, fees, and surcharges and then what you spend on parking, merchandise, and food. Yikes!

My Crew Enjoying the Globetrotters
Globetrotters at Veterans Memorial Arena 2013

Even before we were a family of six, I was always looking for ways to save money: cutting coupons, price matching at Walmart, creating a budget, shopping at consignment shops and sales, meal planning. I was so excited when I discovered how much money I could save on live entertainment by simply organizing a group order. Group sales have helped me (and my friends) save money on tickets to Disney On Ice, Barnum & Bailey’s Circus, Harlem Globetrotters, Scooby Doo Live, and Monster Jam.

Most recently, my hubby and I put together a Monster Jam order. We sent out an email to some friends and found about 17 people that were interested in joining us for the show. I plugged our order into Ticketmaster – total price $532. Through our group order, we got those same 17 tickets for $333. Do the math. That’s a $200 savings, almost $12 per ticket! For fun, I also put in an order for seats at the price a step-down from our seats.  The total for those was over $400.  Wow!

A Savings of $200

Although it may be too late to buy tickets at discounted group rates for this weekend’s Monster Jam, there are several events coming to Jacksonville if you want to give a shout out to your friends and family and organize a group! Coming up: Disney Junior Live, Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, and MLS Soccer.

group tix

Things to remember:

  • For most events, group orders are due 7 days before the event.
  • Minimum for group tickets can sometimes be as low as 10 but usually requires 15 – 20 tickets.
  • Handling fees apply to each order (NOT each ticket), currently $10.
  • Allow time to distribute tickets to your friends and family before the show.
  • Ask to subscribe to the email distribution list announcing upcoming shows.

Most of my experience with group sales have been through SMG Marketing for events at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Even though Monster Jam is at Everbank Field, our order was still handled by them. They also are handling the Disney Live Show at the Times Union Center.

I have also purchased group tickets through The Artist Series (for Scooby Doo) with similar success, but I had to do it over the phone!

Have you had similar success with group ticket orders? Any tips for other readers?

Kathy Waller
Kathy is a Georgia girl who followed her surfer husband Chuck to the beaches of Jacksonville where she became mom to elementary-aged twins Sophie and Will, preschooler Lainey, and baby Henry! Stay at home mom and avid volunteer, Kathy truly believes in teaching her children to embrace the community, to depend on each other, and to serve one another. Kathy served for a decade in the Junior League of Jax and is in her third year serving on the executive board of the PTA where her children attend school. She is very active in her church, Neptune Baptist and has been involved in the MOMS Club of Jax Beach for over eight years. Kathy has learned so much in her career as a software consultant for Oracle, but is always amazed at the skills she has acquired as a mom and community volunteer. Kathy also enjoys running and completed her last marathon (#9) in 2011, but always wonders if she shouldn't just do another to have a good even 10 under her belt!

1 COMMENT

  1. One year Jax had circus tickets for $80+(4 of us) I found Circus tickets in Orlando for $10 each in the suites section (coupon code), so we drove down and stayed Saturday night using my hotel points it only cost us the gas and we had a nice little vacation.

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