Concert Ticket Layaway
As credit card usage popularity wanes and people try to stick to paying cash, layaway is becoming an option at more than just the traditional shopping venues. Now you can start making payments for that big concert or festival event you have your eye on by choosing their payment plan instead of coming up with the entire admission price at once.
Whether they’re called “layaway,” “installment plans,” or “payment plans,” they are all basically the same in concept and will allow you to save up for big ticket events without running up debt on your credit cards. Plus you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you already paid for your upcoming fun.
In particular, big shows and multi-day festivals with high price tags are making it easier for people who prefer not to rack up debt and interest paying with credit. This is also a great option if you don’t actually have a credit card to begin with.
How to find out if an event you are considering offers layaway is easy if you get online and check it out.
Go to the Web site of the event you want to attend. There, you’ll find a link to click to “buy tickets” or even a dropdown menu offering payment options. Either on the “buy tickets” page or in the dropdown menu, you’ll be able to find out if they have layaway or a payment plan for the event. If none is obvious, try looking for a link saying something like “other options.”
In the payment plan or layaway section you will find information about how their particular plan works. Sometimes you’ll encounter a down payment or plan processing fee which will explain the charges involved with this service.
You will also find out if there is a fixed amount and number of payments for the payment plan, such as five payments at $40 each. In most situations, the fees involved with the payment plan will be required up front along with the first payment plan installment. Some plans will give you an option of, for example, 50% down upfront with associated ticket-purchasing fees (such as those assessed by Ticketmaster), and then the second 50% at a later date. Or they may also offer a different plan, with more payments, starting with the first as a 10% down, plus applicable ticket fees, and then the balance divided up over the next few payment dates.
On Dec. 10, 2010, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival began offering layaway for the 2011 festival. Ticket buyers can pay half now and half on March 1, 2011. Or, they can choose to pay 10 percent down and make equal payments until the tickets are paid off. Service fees are added to the first payment. No refunds will be given, and the layaway (the 50 percent down option) must be initiated by Feb. 1.
If you have more questions about a particular plan, you can contact the event’s box office through contact information on the plan’s information page.
Some events and festivals currently offering layaway or payment plans include: Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Coachella, All Points West Music & Arts Festival, and Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival.
This is not an all-inclusive list. If you are interested in finding out if an event you’d like to attend provides a layaway, installment, or payment plan option, go to their Web site and check under ticket prices to see if it’s available. If in doubt or in need of further clarification, it never hurts to contact customer service to find out if layaway is an option, so find their number on the website and give them a call.