Like I said, I've been buying tickets online for about the only venue I go to, the Cat's Cradle, probably the biggest indie venue in eastern NC, for a few years now at eTix.com. They charge $1.40 per ticket. (I have to print them out, but big deal.) I can also buy at the box office and at a collection of local record stores. I've never had any problem. There's no reason that Ticketmaster needs to charge that much. I understand, but disagree with, your "what the market can bear" standpoint.
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Bitt Faulk