This. I happen to be a season ticket holder, but the only reason to get them is to guarantee yourself good (and relatively cheap) seats to the playoffs. The after-market on playoff tickets is insane - seats going for five times their face value. For the regular season, there are always deals to be had on FlashSeats on a game-by-game basis. And you're not left scrambling to give away/sell your season seats for a particular game when you can't make it.
I have a very unique perspective on this thread. I work for a secondary market ticket broker. I'd like to shed some light on this. Some of the posts are correct in saying "it's supply and demand: demand goes down, so do prices". However, the unique aspect of event tickets is that unlike other durable goods (TV's, toasters, cars) their value has a specific expiration date. So most box offices (the Rockets aren't alone in doing this) price their tickets at the top of their pricing structure early (3-6 months from the game time). Better to sell a few tickets for top dollar than to sell ALL of the tickets at half of what consumers are willing to pay of course. As the game date approaches, the tickets have less and less expected value. Here's what I've learned. 9 times out of 10, tickets are cheaper the day before the game than 6 months out. Also, I've literally never seen a ticket sold from the Houston Rockets box office for a cheaper price than a similar ticket purchased from a secondary market ticket broker. This isn't the case for every event, but I go to a lot of Rockets games, and I scalp tickets at a lot of Rockets games (yes, I scalp tickets), and I can always, 100% of the time buy and sell tickets out on the street for about 25% less than what the box office is asking. When they want $15 for uppers for a Grizzlies game on a Wednesday, I can get tickets all day for $5-7 each. When it's New years Eve and they're asking for $90 for lower level tickets that are behind the baskets and 25 rows up, I can get tickets that are similar for $50 and sell them for $70. It never fails. I do think that buying from the Rockets only is noble, as it supports the team we all love and not Average Joe standing on the corner. I point this out only to highlight this fact: the Rockets are a business. Although they're a public-domain type enterprise, they are not a non-profit. They try to maximize profits same as any other business does.
The rockets also increased prices for the "premium" lower level seats next year in the club level. Went up 10 dollars a ticket. We probably won't be getting as many as we have in the past.
And how is it possible that I'm still jermaine taylor - no rep at all? That bothers me EVERY TIME I make a post. /grumble.
well, what about the nets tickets holder for this season, I dont know how much they cost, but I bet the Nets are so desperate right now to sell a single ticket.
My preseason prediction was that Rockets will end up either 8th or 9th seed, borderline playoff contender. I thought Hornets would be better, and the Suns would miss the playoffs, but they kinda evened out. Around the time we had that hot start (16-10 I think?), I bought the tix for the Lakers game this coming Saturday. Playoff implications or not, it'll be a great game. That and the south regionals coming up, can't wait till next weekend!
All true. Rockets got in on the action this year. They adjust prices depending on demand. Because of this and flash seats, it makes ZERO sense to own a season ticket
I disagree, I understand that fiscally in certain situations one may say that it makes less sense to own a season ticket, but there are many other moving parts with being a season ticket holder. I have been a season ticket holder since the Toyota Center opened. It was also the first season that I moved back home after living in St. Louis for 5 years. First, I love the idea of being a season ticket holder. Additionally, there is cost certainty to every game that I am going to go to. While yes, I might be able to get a better seat for a cheaper price on a certain game, there is a value in knowing that I have a ticket for every game for a price for which I deem I can afford. I attend 30 plus regular season home games a year. For me, it is absolutely worth having the ticket and not trying to hustle on a game by game basis. I also love the fact that my playoff tickets are sent to me. When our Rockets are making a deep run next year, all my Finals tickets will be at face value. I know this is probably for personal and other posters will feel differently, but I enjoy having the same seats for every game. I have had some of the greatest times at Rockets games; date night with the wife, taking my daughter to her first games and countless other nights. Being a season ticket holder only added to those experiences.
I wish I had the luxury of complaining about tix prices... I don't live in Houston so I can't even attend the games...
