Papering Service Recommendation?
Papering Service Recommendation?
Courtney2
Chorus Member Joined: 8/7/13
#1Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/23/13 at 8:37pm
I was wondering which papering services you guys would recommend? Broadway + Off-Broadway shows are mainly what I would be interested in seeing, and I'm a teenager, so I don't think I would be able to see cabaret offers.
I was inching towards TM's Gold Club, or TDF. With TM's Gold Club, I've read about the promotion where the 2 tickets they offer when you sign up, and I haven't been seeing that offer lately, and don't know if I should wait for an offer like that to sign up for it?
Also, is it cheaper to just use student rush for shows? Opinions on Play by Play or other services? Which service generally provides the best seats? I'm very new on all of these programs. Thanks!
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#2Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/23/13 at 9:05pmTDF is not a papering service. TheaterMania is pretty great, in my experience.
AntV
Broadway Star Joined: 12/23/12
#2Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/23/13 at 10:23pm
Here is a $60 offer for students: https://goldclub.theatermania.com/gold/index.cfm?partnercode=school
Don't wait for the free ticket offer, you can't get the $60 price and the free tickets, plus that show will be available in the service anyway. The selection is good, not great, but for $60 for the year you will definitely get your money's worth. You have to check very often to be able to snag Broadway shows or popular off-Broadway shows. And there's a lot of Broadway shows that seem very comped when you look at the grosses, but Gold Club hasn't gotten. Do any of the other 3 services get a lot of the Broadway shows that Gold Club doesn't? I'm interested in joining another if they get different Broadway shows.
Updated On: 11/23/13 at 10:23 PM
Cape Twirl of Doom
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#3Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/25/13 at 2:35amI have a question about the Gold Club. Once you sign up, are the tickets you buy actually free, or do they each have a service charge of some sort, so say it would be $60 yearly fee plus $5 per ticket?
"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"
#4Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/25/13 at 5:10am
In addition to the yearly fee, you pay $4.50 per ticket.
Updated On: 11/25/13 at 05:10 AM
Rainbowhigh23
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/12
#5Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 11/25/13 at 11:26amThe seat locations with Theatermania and Play by Play are excellent. You won't be disappointed.
AntV
Broadway Star Joined: 12/23/12
#6Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:39am
I see Audience Extras is running a holiday sale with $25 off the membership price. Which would make it $60 plus $30 reserve fund.
Now, after researching this program I have a question. I saw some complaints from people saying that they had $40 in their reserve fund when they cancelled and those who run the program would not refund it to them. My question is, does the site require you to put a certain amount of money into your reserve account to get tickets? So once I'm through with the $30 required reserve fund, I can't just pay $3.50 per ticket at the time I reserve the tickets? They require an additional lump sum reserve fund payment? That's the only possible way I could see how some people could have had over $30 in their reserve fund when they cancelled. Hopefully someone who uses this program or has used it in the past can explain how this reserve fund works.
And is it worth getting Audience Extras if one already has Gold Club? Do they get shows that Gold Club doesn't?
#7Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 6:51amI'm curious as to what Broadway shows have been available through Play-By-Play...I think I might drop TDF soon
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broadfan327
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#8Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 12:35pm
Audience Extras require a minimum of a $30 charge to refill your account, I think. I did not renew my membership, and they never sent the money in my account ($30), even after calling them. I never pursued it...They had the worst selection compared to Play By Play & TheaterMania Gold Club. I hardly ever used Audience Extras.
I used to be a Gold Club member, but I didn't renew. They are the only ones that don't require you to deposit money ahead of time.
I recently renewed Play By Play. They require $15 per refill. They are the best of the three in my opinion. Don't expect too many Broadway shows though out of any of the three services.
ARTc3
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/13
#9Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 1:52pmMy question is regarding seating location. Obviously, you don't get to pick your seat, but for those in the know, how far back and to the side are the seats for such services like Play By Play?
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
broadfan327
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#10Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:10pm
In Play By Play, I have some of the best seats in the house, and then some of the worst seats in the house. It just depends, it is up to each production, not the papering service. Normally the seats are at least decent, as there is less incentive to give away comped bad seats as less of the audience will see those seats are empty if they are not filled.
Just to reiterate, not many of the shows that are talked about on a daily basis on this message board appear on these sites. The terms of service state that I can't talk about the shows that appear, so I won't.
Rainbowhigh23
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/12
#11Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:11pmFor Play by Play it really depends on the show, but I've found the seats better than I expect. They've always been central for Broadway as of late, either orchestra or mezz. Sometimes I've gotten tickets for the last row of orchestra but they're always central. I've gotten better seats than student rush or TDF. I've found Play by Play and Goldclub phenomenal.
ARTc3
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/13
#12Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:19pmSorry for the additional question... at what point do you know your seats? Before or after placing the order? Your help in this, is really helping me make a decision. Thanks.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
broadfan327
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#13Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:22pmYou know your seat location when you pick up the ticket.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#14Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:24pmIf you're worried about where you're sitting, TDF and papering services are not for you.
broadfan327
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#15Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:32pmI agree with neon. You have to be flexible. You have to be willing to go to a show the same day, or even a couple of hours in advance. They do have shows for the next day, but sometimes the best ones only show up the same day. Also, the good shows go fast. The seat location should be the least of your concerns in getting a $4 ticket.
#16Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 2:52pm
It also helps to be familiar with what's happening on and off Broadway so that you can scoop up the worthy shows when you see them.
#17Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 3:05pm90% of the Broadway that Play by play offers now is for actors fund performances where you pay $40-$50 per seat.
#18Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 3:16pmIs that true for Gold Club as well?
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neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#19Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 3:22pmNever seen an Actors Fund event on Goldclub, so, no.
#20Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 3:31pm
Yes, that's true, but there are various "specials" on Gold Club from time to time where you pay $50, or whatever price. For instance, there's something on there now for $27.50.
broadfan327
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#21Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/13/13 at 3:34pm
Besides the Actor's Fund events, the typical Broadway show that will show up on Play By Play or Gold Club will be from one of the non-profit theater groups. And typically from those non-profit groups, you can join a discount program with them if you are young. Even among the commercial shows that have low grosses, they typically don't use these two sites to paper. No Spider-Man or Annie, for instance for a non Actor's Fund event.
Updated On: 12/13/13 at 03:34 PM
AntV
Broadway Star Joined: 12/23/12
#22Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:14pm
To better answer my earlier question about Audience Extras' "reserve fund", I actually was about to join until I read the terms that the site presents right before confirming membership.
It says: "Your Personal Reserve Fund (PRF): This is the money you set aside to cover the cost of your reservation's service charge. You must maintain a positive balance of at least $15 to reserve tickets. If your PRF falls low, you will have to replenish it with a minimum deposit of $40 with a credit card."
Seems very greedy of them to require so much money to be sitting in your account. It would be fine if they would refund you any unused funds if you were to cancel, but reading the messages on this board, including the one in this post, and the yelp reviews it seems like they do not refund even if they claim they will. With people saying they have a bad selection, it doesn't seem like it's worth joining and putting all that extra money into a reserve fund that likely won't get used.
Updated On: 12/17/13 at 11:14 PM
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#23Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/18/13 at 9:16amWhile it's true that the Broadway shows are mostly MTC/Roundabout, I've gotten others.
AllOverNewYork
Swing Joined: 2/13/14
#24Papering Service Recommendation?
Posted: 12/27/16 at 12:22pm
I'd recommend Club Free Time. They usually have good off-Broadway selection, sometimes Broadway shows and more classical music concerts and ballet performances than any other papering services. They are the cheapest ($19.95 a year). There is no "reserved find" requirements. In addition, they give you a list of free things to do (like utterly interesting lectures, staged readings - stuff like that)
Updated On: 12/27/16 at 12:22 PM