Online Concert Ticket Sales: You May Never Buy Tickets The Same Way Again

There are some changes afoot in the online concert ticket sales industry, and the way things are going this may affect tickets for all concerts.

First, in the UK, consumer advocacy body Which? has suggested that they will refer online ticketing companies to the regulators at the Competition and Markets Authority unless they justify the fees they charge.

Second, acts like Arcade Fire and Wiz Khalifa have started selling their tickets direct -- through sites like LivingSocial and Groupon, and doing it at deep discounts.

Does this mean concert tickets might be getting cheaper if you know where and when to buy? Let's take a look at the stories in more detail.

Booking fees facing scrutiny in the UK

According to British consumer body Which?, online ticketing firms add an average of 18% to the face value of ticket prices. 8 in 10 buyers believe this much markup represents a rip-off.

Normally companies add these charges for booking and delivery, though they're given names like "transaction fee," "service charge," or "fulfilment fee." In some cases the prices get as high as £16 per ticket, with delivery fees up to £7.50 -- and in some cases delivery fees are charged even when people collect their tickets at the box office or print them at home.

According to Which? executive director Richard Lloyd, "consumers can often feel ripped off," so the body has put the firms on notice they need to justify the fees and start treating customers fairly or face regulatory scrutiny.

The highest fees in the study were charged by Stargreen, which added 37% (or £9.25) to the £25 face-value price of a ticket to see a performance of Shakespeare in Love last July. Since the Which? action, Stargreen has added an option where buyers can collect tickets at the theatre box office at no charge.

Three different companies also charged "delivery fees" up to £3 to pick up tickets in person at the box office, and four companies charged up to £2.50 to print tickets at home.

Which? wants venues and ticketing companies to show their compulsory charges up front, clearly explain what they're for, and set prices fairly. The Musicians' Union agrees -- according to live performance official Kelly Wood, high and unexplained fees damage the relationship between artists and fans, as consumers often do not understand who has set the fees.

Arcade Fire, Wiz Khalifa offer Groupon, LivingSocial ticket deals

Music fans are discovering a new place to get deeply-discounted tickets and CDs for top-name acts: everyone from Arcade Fire to Color Me Badd has started going to Groupon to offer deep discounts on tickets in order to sell out concerts.

Tickets sold on Groupon are normally sold at anywhere from a 30 to 45 percent discount, and according to GrouponLive general manager and vice president Greg Rudin, the site started out focussing on last-minute inventory when they started selling tickets for Live Nation.

Now, more than a year later, they've persuaded the promoter, and other acts, to let them start selling advance tickets and sell them as a full partner. Previously tickets only reached Groupon when the promoter was "in trouble."

LivingSocial too has sold a variety of discounted tickets for everyone from Bruce Springsteen (in a one-off deal) to being an exclusive partner for six weeks hawking tickets to Oprah Winfrey's new tour.

Car Specials

Caring for our automobile is a MUST. Keeping it properly cleaned and checking it up all the time will ensure that it can perform well and for many years as well. Nothing beats driving a vehicle when you know that it is safe to use on the road. Check for the break, tire, coolant, engine, gas and more all the time. It also helps if you read manuals and have it check by the professionals if you noticed something is wrong.

The internet is a great place to look for auto shops and even place where you can find supplies and accessories for your automobiles.   Specials are also available at various auto shops where you can get good discounts for your shop/business or for your own personal use.

Fashion Inspired by Rockstar

For a lot of us music is our life and soul. I can't imagine life without music for it will be a very boring place to live in. Music lovers and those that have great passion for music probably will try to learn how to play musical instruments like playing the guitar using products, violin, drums, flute, harp, harmonica and other musical instruments that they love. Buying musical instruments like yamah guitar is now convenient and faster. Others will opt to sing and become singers while others will just be contented on wearing music or rockstar inspired outfits for they are fashionista.

What ever your passion is, always s put your best and heart into it. If you feel like wearing black leather pants and boots with a lot of bling then go for it. Match it with black nails and lips to look like a hard core rockstar.

Learn More about Dress Necklines

Women often wear dress for parties and other special occasions and its always pretty to see women look elegant on those dresses. Here's an illustration made en.paperblog.com to show different necklines.

Image via: en.paperblog.com/

Ways to Promote your Products or Services

Every business owner knows that reaching out to more clients or costumer is always on top of their priorities. With the tough competitions on business, one must be on the edge and be unique in presenting their products. No one will ever know that your company exists if you don't advertise at all. Word of the mouth is not enough to make your business grow so marketing is always the best.

Print Ads/Media
Having a 30-second or more commercial on TV and even on radio is a good way to promote but it can be expensive for many business owners esp. those that are into small or medium scale business but this works.

Social Media
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the way to go these days for most of the clients can be reach through this format. If you have not yet made an acct there you better make one for your business.

Promotional Give-Away
During Christmas and other events, companies can give promotional custom logo products to their customers.

Flyers/ Billboards
This is the traditional way but it's working still. Just make sure that your signs and leaflet are catchy enough.

Cat Face Black Dress by Romwe Design and Sewing

Browsing through some websites and online stores today like Amazon and others stuff , it made me want to browse for more since I have not shopped since January.. yey. I thought I did a great job not shopping for 2 months in a row this year for my budget is kinda low sine the year started. I'm praying that my work will pick up once gain so I can save and shop even just for a small item to give myself a reward. I'm not complaining if I have not shopped since I really don't need anything at the moment. The 'want' is just surfacing but I know I can handle that.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this "Cat Face” Black Dress by Romwe Design and Sewing which I found sexy. Available at romwe for $50.

The Loewe Year of the Horse Amazona Bag

For bag lovers and true fashionista, this The Loewe Year of the Horse Amazona Bag, is certainly a perfect bag for this year as it being the Year of the Horse. The golden horse padlock  is said to bring good luck and good fortune to whoever carries it so if you believe in charms and superstitions then this red quality  made bag is certainly a keeper.

Available now at Rustan's and Accessory Lab at Rockwell Power Plant Mall at the 2/F Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Makati City.

Smart Shopping Tips

Image via: David Castillo Dominici -freedigitalphotos.net

Every consumer wants to save even just a little when they shop so they wait for sale season to find a good one.

Compare prices
Smart shoppers will not usually go shopping in a store without strolling or canvassing for various prices on different stores on items that they will buy. This way, they can compare prices and they have a lot of option before buying. Whether you are buying shoes etc. at Target or wherever, just make sure that you know the price of another store to see if you'll get a discounted price.

Ask for Discount
We don't usually ask for discount at the counter, right? However, if you ask the cashier if there's a discount on that item, you'll be amazed that often than not the cashier will give you 10-20% discount. I have tried this once when I bought a router for my computer, amazingly, I got 10% discount!

Look for Bargains
There is always a bargain or marked down area in every store so you might want to check it our first. Just makes sure to look for damages or any discrepancy on the item and see if the price is worth it.

The Much Awaited SM 3-Day Sale

One of my fave SM Store will be having another 3 Day Salethis weekend and this is something to watch our for. It's been a while since I shopped (the last time was before NewYear) so I definitely need to visit my nearest SM mall.

The SM Store branches in Cubao, Southmall, Manila, Fairview, Taytay, Pampanga, Bacolod & General Santos will have the said sale and it will start from from February 28 – March 2!

See you at SM malls!

Bed and Bath Fair at SM Homeworld

SM store is one of the leading chain of sores here in the Philippines and their branches are all over the nation now reaching to more Pinoy customers. It is also one of my fave stores to go to many many years already.

I'm also looking forward to their sale: whether regular sale or midnight sale that they are having because I can get good discounts on some items. The small savings from 10- even 50% off from items that I get is good enough and every consumer are happy to get discounts.

Here's another sale that they are having at their HOMEWORLD. 30% off on their bed and bath items from Feb. 17th till 23, 2014

Uniqlo's Valentine Crazy Bottoms Sale

This February 14, don't miss UNIQLO'S CRAZY BOTTOMS SALE because you'll get big discount on pants..

These are on sale!
Women's Leggings Pants, P290
Women's Print Leggings Pants, P290
Women's Ponte Leggings Pants, P290
Women's Faux Leather Leggings Pants, P290
Women's Ankle Length Leggings Pants, P290
Women's Ultra Stretch Cargo Pants, P290

If you have no date on Feb. 14 why not just go shopping at UNIQLO because shopping is also LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Shopping for Wholesale Items

These days, shopping has become a lot easier with the advent of online shopping. Aside from saving consumers from expenses on gas or fare to go the mall, customers are flooded with lots of online stores to choose from offering wide range of clothing, accessories and just about anything.

For a lot of fashionistas, it's important for them to be updated with the latest fashion and online stores definitely help them in knowing first-hand the new releases and trends from their fave stores. A lot of business minded people can also avail of the wholesale items or bulk items sold on a much lower price.

Check out the wholesale clothing here where you can find lots of wholesale clothing, bags and many more.

Shopping for the best Musical Instruments

Whether you're just a hobbyist or a professional music artists, one should not compromise the durability and high standard of any musical instruments. Quality music shows more if you have quality instruments and your audience can also notice it immediately if the sound is superb or not. There's no point of buying low quality musical gears for it will not superb sound or it will not even last long because low quality materials are often used.

With the emergence of online store selling all kinds of stuff, buying musical instruments become handy as well. However, you must also know that not all stores sell good quality products so be aware all the time. Also, only buy instruments from well brands or manufacturers that are well-known to have been creating instruments used by many artists around the world. You might want to check out ESP Guitars at musicians friend if you are looking for one. They have wide range of products for your music needs.

Flatform Wedges and more from TOMS

For a petite woman like me, I have to wear something that will give me added height. It's either high heels shoes or wedges. Wedge shoes are much comfortable for me to wear even for long periods of time. Not only it adds few inches on my height, it's trendy and chic as well.

 These are the new flatform and strappy wedges from TOMS. Price range from $60+ and up depending on style.

Valentine Concerts and Shows in Manila 2014

Valentine's Day is coming in few more days and many couples are already thinking on how they can celebrate this special hearts day. For many, going out on Feb. 14 with their gf/bf or spouses is corny while for some it's a great occasion where you can spend the day with your special someone.

Valentine's Day is a day for many concerts and shows for many artists. You not only can hear great voices of your fave singers but also can experience the sound system and production of every concert preparations.Various artists have their own microphones and shure microphones can be one of their best choices while other artists see to it that they have great sound and lights that can also add up to the glam of the show.

Valentine Concerts and Shows in Manila 2014 
~Julia Fordham -February 14, 2014, 8pm at the Grand Ballroom, Solaire Resort & Casino, Entertainment City

~Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid - February 14, 2014, 8pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.

~Ogie Alcasid – Samahang Walang Ka-Valentine -February 13-14, 2014 at the Music Museum, Greenhills with special guest Solenn Heussaff

Dressing Up for the Cold Season

Cold season is really upon us and the weather bureau says it will stay up until the 2nd week of March. It only means that we can still wear jackets and thick shirts for a while. It's not very common for a tropical country to experience cold weather all the time so we can savor the days that we can wear scarves, boots, jackets and more that can make us warm through the chilly days.

So before heading out, don't forget your sweater/jacket or anything that can make you warm. Here are some few styles for the cold season.

Finding Affordable and Stylish Prom Dresses

Just one of the many important events in every girl’s life is the JS (junior/senior) prom. It’s the time to dress up and feel beautiful together with your classmates. Girls will feel elegant and beautiful wearing their prom dresses while boys will be proud to be seen in their tuxedos or formal attire.

It’s a once in a lifetime event so every junior or senior must not let this occasion pass without joining or attending. It will be awesome to reminisce all the good times that this event can bring to any young highschool student.

Start Early
Nothing beats being early looking for your gown so you’ll have ample time to do some repairs or alterations just in case your gown need some. In this way, you’ll avoid cramming in finding a gown as this will save you from stress and frustrations.

Find the perfect gown
Every girl is excited to find the perfect prom dress that they can wear. Start by looking at magazines to find some inspirations. If you have no budget, you can even ask any of your friends to lend you one and just work around it but for those that have the money to buy a dress then, it will certainly great to buy.

Scour different boutiques around town and fit some gowns that you might be interested in. However, some gowns on specialty shops can be so expensive so always look around.

Online stores are also a perfect venue to shop for just about anything. You can find various prom dresses online that will fit your body type, personality and budget. The choices are wide range and buying online can save you more time and money.

Apart from that, some online stores offers more gown selections that you would not normally find n your local stores or boutiques. You can choose from different styles/cut like : empire, mini,  A-line, empire, ball gown etc. just to name a few.

Don’t limit your choice of fabrics to just silk or chiffon because there are gowns made of lace, leather, satin, organza and more. Choosing color of your gown can add to your excitement. Black for classic style? Or choose pastel like watermelon color, sea green or buttercup for a change. The choice is yours. Just remember to have fun and feel fabulous on that day. Choose the best gown that can bring out the best in you.