Fun with Online Movie Tickets

[bhskittykatt]

Took Hubby to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D the other day (well done, Mr. Burton). Since it's a new movie and we went on a weekend, I ordered the tickets online (and judging by the lines, it was a good thing I did!).

When you order online, it says VERY CLEARLY on the confirmation page to CLICK the link to print your tickets, or if you can't print them to BRING THE CREDIT CARD that you used to buy the tickets with to the theatre. I know during my purchasing that it was made painstakingly clear, and I followed directions accordingly, but apparently not everyone is as observant as I am (and I'm famous for taking 4 hours to notice a 4-foot high wooden camel in the middle of my living room, so...).

I went in to save a seat for Hubby, who was purchasing yummy goodnesses at the concession stand, and he relayed this to me when he came into the theatre.

While Hubby was waiting in the ticket taker's line, he was behind someone who apparently had printed the confirmation page (at least, based on Hubby's description, I presume that's what it was) and not the tickets. Nor did she have the credit card that was used to buy the tickets, since it appeared her boyfriend had purchased the tickets for her.

TT (ticket taker): I'm sorry, if you don't have the tickets printed out then you need the credit card that was used to purchase the tickets.
SC: This is ridiculous! I just spent $24 so I wouldn't have to wait in line! You need to let me into the movie! I can't believe this! Blah blah blah

Hubby didn't hear the end of the conversation, as TT was keeping the line moving while SC stood off to the side and proceeded to berate the poor soul.

The thing is, if what she was clutching was indeed the confirmation page, then she could read it and it would say exactly the same things that TT was trying to tell her.

Bonus side sighting

While waiting outside for the theatre to open, I overheard two ladies who had purchased online from the same site I did and were complaining that they weren't able to get rewards points by doing so. Odd, because when I order online not only am I able to enter my rewards card number to receive points, but the site is so kind as to remember it for my next ticket purchase. As I said, not everyone is as observant as I am...

[underemployeed]

One word:
ostrages

[vstorevigilante]

ARGH!!

Just reading this made me want to tear my hair out, because I have been there.

When the online-ticket-purchasing first came in to existant at The Evil Empire, I was mainly a box office clerk, so as soon as the idiots were rejected trying to get in with their confirmation slips, they were sent to wait in my line. Half the time, they'd just stand behind my box office looking at me, clearing their throats and stuff trying to get me to ignore their line and just swipe their cards to print the tickets. Uh, yeah, not happening buddy.

When they complained over and over that they did this specifically not to wait in line, I'd gently remind them that hey, at least this meant they even HAD tickets, particularly if the show was popular, as you said with Alice in Wonderland.

[spookysonata]

Oh god, this is my weekend right here.
"Do you have the ticket printout?"
"No."
"Do you have the credit card you used to make the purchase?"
"No."
"...do you know what the credit card number IS so I can retrieve the tickets manually?"
"No."
"Well, then I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do."

And they stare at you in disbelief. Why don't people THINK for the love of god? Or at least read the directions? Oblivious much?

[Mystic]

The only thing I can think of is that the tickets have numbers on them. I could easily save a confirmation page and edit it anytime I wanted to see a free movie.

...but then, I suppose I could do the same with printed out tickets. lol