are imprinted with a number and have a pull-off tab, which is imprinted with the same number as the wristband itself. Whether for a high-demand sporting event or live concert, the sale process that accompanies pre-ticket sales wristbands is efficient and fair. Following is a sample of how that process might work to ensure all enthusiasts are given an equal opportunity to purchase tickets: • People are allowed to begin forming a line for pre-wristband distribution two hours before the tickets go on sale. For instance, if tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m., then people can start standing in line beginning at 8:00 a.m. that same morning.
• Upon showing proof of payment ability, one nontransferable pre-ticket sales wristband is placed around each person’s wrist.
• A distribution cut-off time is set about an hour after it starts. So, if pre-ticket sales wristbands started being distributed at 8:00 a.m., then the cut-off time might be 9:00 a.m.
• Half an hour after the cut-off of pre-sales wristbands distribution, a random drawing takes place. Each person with a pre-sales wristband on their wrist has one entry in the random drawing.
• The person who is wearing the pre-sales wristband with the number that corresponds to the number on the tab that was randomly drawn gets the first spot in line.
• The person wearing the pre-sales wristband with the number that immediately succeeds the randomly selected number is next in line. All remaining participants fall in line sequentially—all the way through the person wearing the highest numbered pre-sales wristband. From that point, the line continues with the lowest numbered pre-sales wristband up to the randomly selected number.
To increase efficiency and alleviate overcrowding in line, one rule that ticket vendors or venues might want to enforce is that only people wearing a pre-sales wristband can stand in line. Any pals that are tagging along should step away from the line.
There are other processes that can be implemented. It depends on the type of event and the number of tickets available. It might be necessary to use the process described above, but add a few waves to it. Maybe the first 100 people in line are in the first random drawing; the next hundred people are in a second random drawing, and so on. Since it is unknown how many tickets each person might purchase—even if there is a limit—not everyone wearing a pre-sales wristband would be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase tickets.
One fun and effective way to bump up sales with pre-ticket sales wristbands is to hold a contest. Some professional baseball clubs have put this system to use already:
• Make a large number (let's say 8,000) of pre-sales wristbands available on a first come, first served basis during specified hours on a specific day or two—for example, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday and Sunday.
• Team up with a local radio station and have winners of a random drawing using the numbered tabs from the matching numbered pre-sales wristbands announced during a broadcast as well as on the team’s website.
• All the winners get first dibs at purchasing tickets before open selling begins.
Pre-sales wristbands add efficiency and fairness to the process of selling high-demand tickets. Click here
