How to save money on tickets: Max Deale dishes out advice in Sold Out… So What!
‘œWhat Women Want: To be loved, to be listened to, to be desired, to be respected, to be needed, to be trusted, and sometimes, just to be held. What Men Want: Tickets for the World Series.’ ‘“ Dave Barry
Max Deale is a ticket hound. As a self-described Ticket Jedi, he knows the ins and outs of getting cheap tickets for the best seats in the house. I met Max last weekend at a friend’s summer soiree. When the conversation turned to his pending book tour and the promotional power of blogs, he jumped at the chance to give me an autographed review copy of Sold Out’¦ So What!
As I was still savoring my first cocktail and trying to get my hands on some hors d’oeuvres, I glanced at the cover illustration and couldn’t help but peg him for a fan of Howard Stern or perhaps, Joe Francis, the guy that made the Girls Gone Wild videos. Apparently, his target audience is the twentysomething, straight dude with a love of heavy metal bands and sporting events.
I thought about giving the book back since I didn’t think it was a fit for Queercents readers, but then I decided to be a bit more open minded. After all, he seemed open-minded. Here he was, upon the invitation of his girlfriend, working the room at a party primarily filled with hot-looking gay men. The least I could do is try and have the same inclusive mindset.
So I took the book. And this week I read it in less time than it takes me to get through an issue of The New Yorker. Before you dismiss it as self-published schlock, hear me out about how it can save you money.
I’ve mentioned before that I’ve only been to about 10 concerts in my entire life’¦ and this includes the 3 times I saw Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith as a born-again, Christ-like teenager. Obviously, I’m not much of a concert-goer, although we splurged for Babs back in 2006 (at $200 a pop for her ‘œfinal’ farewell tour). Where was Max then? Sitting in the third row behind Hollywood’s A-List but in front of the D-List. I don’t think he has an affinity for Streisand, but if he did, this would have been the likely scenario.
The chapters in Sold Out’¦ So What! are sectioned into quarters and filled with a lot of sports analogies. He refers to his tips as ‘œplays’ and uses the term ‘œstealing bases’ to describe techniques for landing in a better seat section.
With regards to buying cheap tickets, I was expecting more than the ‘œworking Craigslist or eBay on the day of the show’ ideas, but there are a few other plays to get sold out tickets when brokers and scalpers are grabbing up most tickets before they go on sale these days. Even the New York Times chimed in last year with the same complaint about fans losing out to the inflated prices. Most of his techniques though require you to be flexible and willing to snag a ticket on the day of or hours before the show or event.
That said, the best ideas in the book are his thoughts on getting closer once you get in. But keep in mind, that it takes a certain personality to follow his plays. I remember doing this twice with Partner #2 ‘“ once during Lilith Fair and another at a tennis event ‘“ both times we got caught and were told to leave. At the tennis event, we were with Kristy McNichol and even her 70s star power couldn’t convince security that we belonged in the VIP section.
Needless to say, I’m not one for getting closer. But Max offers some creative ways to make this happen if you’re so inclined. So if you attend a lot of concerts or sporting events, then this book will save you money. You can order it on Amazon or by visiting www.MaxDeale.com.
In the meantime, I have one signed copy that is yours for the taking. Give me a good comment about this ticket topic and I’ll pick the best one so you can get your game on with Sold Out’¦ So What!
My brother swears he’s found the best way to move to better seats at a concert: going with me and my wheelchair. Since the night a sympathetic usher pulled us from so-so seats at a Melissa Etheridge show and told me to “roll right on up” to the front row if I needed to to see over all the standing girls, the bro’s been willing to take me anywhere!
I am a lesbian and I have this book. It doesn’t matter if you are straight or gay…it has good info. I met Max and he is a great guy who got me some great seats to a Dodger game recently.
Vicki Wagner
Author of Get a Gay Date Today! How to Market Yourself for Love
Nina, I started reading this comment and the very first place my mind went was “I must get this book for my wife!” She turns 40 next month, and between the baby and layoff, our birthday celebrations have been scaled WAAAAAAY back.
But she is a concert junkie. Before we met, a huge percentage of her disposable income went to live music. She’s scaled back, and I’ve still seen as many concerts in the 6.5 years we’ve been together as I saw in the previous 20. I’d love to find a way for her to keep indulging in these activities she loves, but for less money.
I enjoyed your review Nina; I checked Amazon and “Sold Out… So What” has a 4.5 star average review- that’s pretty impressive.
Personally with all of our technology I can’t believe we can’t do a better job at preventing scalping. How hard would it be to require a concert attendee to have their matching credit card when they show up at a venue to prove that they were the original purchaser? Have the gate attendants scan the ticket and swipe the card to match the last 4 digits, etc.
Seems so basic. Entrepreneurial venture anyone…?
Liza: “Concert junkie” is pretty convincing. You’re the lucky winner and the book will be on its way to you!
Kellzzz: It sounds like you and your bro already have the hookup in the “getting closer” category. You should contact Max with this unique technique on his call for entries page! I’m sure he would love to hear your story.
Vicki: Thanks for sending me a copy of your eBook. I’ll be in touch soon.
Dwight: It was nice seeing you at the party last weekend. Thanks for stopping by Queercents to read the review. I like how you’re thinking with the technology solution. If you write the code, I’ll figure out a way to get it sold! We’d make a great team…