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Overheard in the Lobby: Can The Concierge Get Broadway Tickets?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 132 W 45th St, [map], New York, NY, United States, 10036-4003
August 20, 2009 at 4:33 PM | by markj | 6 Comments

A couple approaches the concierge of Night Hotel looking for Broadway tickets for the following night. The conversation went something like this:

Couple Guy: We want to see Billy Elliott tomorrow night.

Concierge: That show is sold out. I can get you tickets, but they will be over $200 a piece, maybe $250

Couple Guy: $250? That is way too much money. Why are they so much?

Concierge: Like I said, it is sold out -- every night. However, we go through ticket brokers and can get you seats, but it will cost more.

Couple Guy: Ok fine, what about if we go see Chicago?

Concierge: That would be easier, but you are still looking at around $200 if you go through the hotel.

Couple Guy: But it isn't even sold out?

Couple Girl: Let's just line up at TKTS tomorrow and take our chances -- half price face value I think

Concierge: Yes, she is right, that is probably your best bet.

Lessons Learned:
Hotel concierges mark up their ticket prices and not only pass the broker costs on to you, but more than likely the hotel gets a cut of the mark up as well. Oh, and Billy Elliott is way more popular than Chicago.

6 Comments

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Return to » Overheard in the Lobby: Can The Concierge Get Broadway Tickets?

  1. Lo R

    HotelChatter Member

    Commissions...

    The hotel doesn't get a cut, but the concierge will get a commission from the broker. The comission is already factored into the price the broker quotes the concierge.
    August 20, 2009 at 5:35 PM
    #Permalink

  1. juliana

    HotelChatter Editor

    The same thing applys with car service

    If you book through the hotel, it's usually much steeper than calling a town car service yourself. The concierge/hotel will split the profits with the car service.
    August 21, 2009 at 5:10 PM
    #Permalink

  1. londontown

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    memories

    glad it's not just me who didn't know that - the first time i went to new york i was naive enough to ask about show tickets from the concierge at the waldorf. she quoted me $250, i went down the street to the box office and got a $100 ticket for $50 as a same day sale. DIY from then on.
    August 28, 2009 at 11:29 AM
    #Permalink

  1. tellsthetruth

    HotelChatter Member

    DIY or pay

    This principle applies to lots of things.. getting your hair cut or colored costs more when someone else does it for you; going to a movie theatre costs more than renting at home - if you are asking someone else to do something you can do yourself you should expect to pay more or DIY.
    September 1, 2009 at 8:27 AM
    #Permalink

  1. size8dresswoman

    HotelChatter Member

    DIY

    I will DIY rather than pay too much.
    September 19, 2009 at 4:57 AM
    #Permalink

  1. jenaefraba

    HotelChatter Member

    DIY for everything

    I tend to leave the hotel to get anything done really
    September 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
    #Permalink

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