This is free? Are we mad? How does this help Performing Arts Companies and Venues?

es, in a way we are mad! Mad at other ticketing agencies and providers reaping excessive profits by double-dipping on booking fees.
Most other agencies charge at least two sets of fees - and often three or more. Here's an example:

Example Ticketing Agency

The Fee	What it is?	Who is charged?	Who gets the fee?	Does the customer know?
"Inside Fee"	This is the "service" fee charged to the promoter, theatre company or organisation for the privilege to use the software.	The organsier	The agency	No
"Credit Card Fee"*	This is the merchant fee charged to the promoter to pay for Credit Card processing costs	The organsier	The agency	No
"Outside Fee" or "Booking Fee"	This is the "fee" charged to the customer, for the privilege to use the software.	The customer	The agency	Yes
"eTicket/Ticket Fee" or "eTicket Printing Fee"	This is the "fee" charged to the customer, for the privilege downloading a PDF that they can "print at home"	The customer	The agency	Yes

*Some friendly agencies allow organizers to provide their own Merchant Account (credit card processing facility), but they are few and far between!

How are we any different?

We have two, simple, models.

Model 1 - Amateur, Non/Semi-Professional, Educational - Free!
For these types of organisations, who chose to use their own merchant facility (which they have to pay for anyway!), we do not charge a cent!
For organisations that don't have their own merchant facility, we can provide one, by passing on our merchant facility costs.

Model 2 - Commercial - single, simple fee.
A simple, per-ticket fee is charged - we believe this fee is reasonable, and pays our costs for hosting this system.
For commercial organisations that don't have their own merchant facility, we can provide one with a competitive merchant facility fee.

How do we offer a free service to non-commercial organisations?

Simply! We apply a small margin to our commercial client rates, which covers the cost of providing the service to our free clients. Like any business, we exist to be profitable, but profitable only on our customers who can afford normal fees.

Why are we doing this?

There are many reasons, but to summarize our position:

• Non-commercial organisations, in particular schools and amateur performing arts companies, are being charged exorbitant ticketing rates by the industry
• We want to see non-commercial organisations grow - and this is our way of helping!
• This is a great opportunity to put something back into the community!
• These services help non-commercial organisations promote their shows and events to a much wider audience by reducing operational costs.
• It reduces the budgeting need of non-commercial organisation - the same fee applies for 1 ticket or 1,000 tickets - nothing!
• We're sick of the hidden fees that have become "standard" within the global ticketing industry.
• We hope to make a difference - particular in forcing our larger competitors to be more community spirited!

How does this help Venues?

Venues can also use Virtual Box Office for all the same reasons!