Our theatre is facing some opposition about purchasing and installing a compete ticketing system for under $1000.  We really need your opinion!

Thanks,

John D. Haller
Gratiot County Players
http://www.gratiotcountyplayers.com - www.gratiotcountyplayers.com

We don't presell tickets - it is always first come-first seated at the door.  We don't have the people to staff a box office and paying someone else to sell the tickets was too complicated to coordinate.  We have 66 seats and can seat 80 when necessary, after that it is standing room only.  If we are full and have another show, we will presell to people willing to come back for another performance.

I know it is strange but it works for us.

I am wondering what your ticket sales are like, Doug. Do you often sell out?

We pre-sell a lot of tickets and make a big effort to do so.  I really think that preselling helps us to have a bigger house, too, especially when we have done a very popular show, sold out, and people have missed seeing the show. They are the first people to buy tickets to the next show.  Maybe we're too "hands-on" but we like to know where we are with ticket sales and it is nice to be able to let the cast know how ticket sales are going. 

We don't do on-line ticket sales, we have thought of it, but don't know if it would be a big benefit to us.  We aren't sure if our audience would utilize it.  But we do take two major credit cards and take phone and mail in orders that way. Maybe we are going to more work than is necessary.  In general we do get pretty good size crowds and sell out all of the musicals and some straight plays.

There are several positives that really need to be explored in this question.

First question: Does your theater really have enough seats to warrant tickets?  If you have more than 120 seats, and you are selling at 80% capacity and hire, then it would certainly seem like a positive way to track tickets.

Second question: Do you sell season memberships? If yes, then do you plan to provide a bonus to your subscribers, and allow them to pick their seats, or do you plan to sell certain seats for an increased price?  This can complicate your sales, but it can also increase revenue by selling certain seats for an increased price.

Third Question:  Are you trying to attain a more affluent patrons?  Pre-assigned seating and ticket appeal to a wealthy patrons who view the seating as a stuatus symbol.  I know this sounds crazy, but it is quite true.

Good luck in your endeavor.

Nick

Hi johnc,

I am a new member and was reading through this thread. I happen to work for TSD Consulting, the developers of the Bow! Box Office Ticketing Sotware system. I noticed that you are looking for a system and invite you to contact me at 613.266.3350 or mailto:fredp@boxpro.com - fredp@boxpro.com . Our web address is http://www.boxpro.com - www.boxpro.com . I would be happy to help determine if Bow! is right for your requirements. Bow! is a reasonably priced package that offers both ease of use and many features.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Fred