Websites using Eventim

Okay, let s break down Eventim, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing considerations, and customer care.

Eventim: An Overview

• What it is: Eventim (CTS Eventim) is a major European event ticketing and live entertainment company. They sell tickets for a wide range of events, including concerts, festivals, theater, sports, and more. They also own and operate venues and promote events themselves. Think of them as one of the dominant players in the European ticketing ecosystem, similar to Ticketmaster in the US.

• Key Features & Services:

  • Ticketing Platform: The core business. They provide the platform for selling tickets online, via phone, and at physical box offices.
  • Venue Operations: Eventim owns or operates many venues, giving them control over the ticketing process and event management.
  • Event Promotion: They promote events, taking on the responsibility of marketing and organizing shows.
  • Marketing & Analytics: They offer tools for event organizers to market their events and track ticket sales data.
  • FanSale: A secondary ticketing marketplace where fans can buy and sell tickets fairly.
  • Eventim.Pass: Digital tickets stored in the Eventim app

Revenue:

• Scale: Eventim is a large, publicly traded company. Their revenue numbers are substantial.

• Source: Revenue comes primarily from:

  • Ticketing Fees: A percentage or fixed fee charged on each ticket sold. This is the largest source of income.
  • Service Fees: Additional fees for things like delivery, insurance, or payment processing.
  • Event Promotion Revenue: Income from ticket sales and sponsorships for events they promote.
  • Venue Revenue: Concessions, merchandise, and other revenue generated at their venues.

• Key Metrics:

  • Number of Tickets Sold: This is a primary indicator of their business volume.
  • Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): The total value of tickets sold through their platform.

Alternatives:

The best alternative depends on what kind of user you are (event attendee or event organizer).

• For Event Attendees (Buying Tickets):

  • Ticketmaster: (Strong competitor in some European markets, especially as they ve expanded).
  • SeeTickets: A UK-based ticketing platform with a growing presence in Europe.
  • Dice: Mobile-first ticketing platform, known for its focus on music events and anti-touting measures.
  • Resident Advisor (RA): Focuses on electronic music events.
  • Local Ticketing Agencies: Smaller, regional ticketing companies. Often good for local events.
  • Venue Box Offices: Buying directly from the venue can sometimes avoid fees.
  • Fan-to-Fan Resale Platforms: (Use with caution and verify legitimacy). Viagogo, StubHub (but be aware of potential issues with inflated prices and validity). Eventim s own FanSale is a better option.
  • Gigs and Tours: Focused on music concerts and tours, primarily in the UK.

• For Event Organizers (Selling Tickets):

  • Ticket Tailor: A good option for smaller events, with a focus on affordability and ease of use.
  • Universe (owned by Ticketmaster): Self-service ticketing platform.
  • Brown Paper Tickets: (Considered ethically driven, but has had financial difficulties).
  • Eventbrite: Popular for a wide range of events, especially smaller to mid-sized ones.
  • DIY Ticketing Solutions: Platforms like WooCommerce (with ticketing plugins) or custom-built solutions. This requires more technical expertise.

Pricing:

• Complex and Variable: Ticketing pricing is notoriously opaque. The final price you pay as a customer is rarely just the face value of the ticket.
• Key Components:
  • Face Value: The base price of the ticket, set by the event organizer.
  • Service Fees: Charged by the ticketing platform (Eventim, etc.) These can vary widely depending on the event, venue, and ticket type.
  • Booking Fees: Similar to service fees.
  • Delivery Fees: For physical tickets.
  • VAT (Value Added Tax): Applicable in many European countries.
  • Insurance (Optional): Ticket insurance in case you can t attend.
• Dynamic Pricing: Eventim, like other major ticketing companies, may use dynamic pricing (also known as surge pricing ). This means the price of a ticket can fluctuate based on demand.
• Hidden Fees: Be aware of fees that may not be clearly disclosed until the final stage of the purchase.
• Comparison Shopping: It s always a good idea to compare prices across different ticketing platforms (if possible) to see if you can find a better deal. Remember to factor in all fees.

Customer Care:

• Reputation: Like many large ticketing companies, Eventim s customer service reputation can be mixed. Some customers report positive experiences, while others have complaints about long wait times, difficulty getting refunds, and unhelpful responses.
• Channels:
  • Website: They have a help section/FAQ on their website.
  • Email: Typically the main channel for support.
  • Phone: Often available, but wait times can be long.
  • Social Media: Some companies offer limited support through social media channels (Twitter, Facebook).
  • Physical Box Offices: If you purchased tickets at a box office, that may be the best place to resolve certain issues.
• Common Issues:
  • Refunds for Cancelled or Rescheduled Events: This is a frequent area of complaint.
  • Ticket Delivery Problems: Issues with receiving tickets on time.
  • Technical Issues on the Website: Problems with ordering tickets.
  • Questions about Event Details: Inquiries about timings, venue information, etc.
• Tips for Contacting Customer Care:
  • Be Prepared: Have your order number, ticket details, and a clear explanation of your issue ready.
  • Be Polite: Even if you re frustrated, being polite and respectful can help.
  • Keep Records: Keep copies of all emails and correspondence.
  • Escalate if Necessary: If you don t get a satisfactory response, ask to speak to a supervisor or escalate the issue.

In Summary:

Eventim is a dominant player in the European ticketing market. While they offer a wide range of events and a convenient platform, be aware of the complexities of ticketing fees and the potential for customer service challenges. Always compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase. For event organizers, carefully evaluate whether Eventim s reach and features align with your needs compared to alternative platforms.