I have been a licenced theater ticket broker my entire career now, just short of 32 years. Although the original business plan my partner Bill and I had was to provide a high level of personal service for visitors to New York City and those that used hotel concierge for their Broadway ticket needs, the business changed dramatically over the years.
After the hotels starting using us, they soon considered us a reliable source for Broadway show tickets. We would even deliver as little as 1 ticket to a hotel a mile away, and for no extra charge. Then came the Travel industry. Travel agencies from all over the world would call us for Broadway show tickets all the time. They also used computer terminals to electronically send us Broadway ticket orders. Then, very well known tour operators that sell hotel packages that include hotel rooms, Broadway show tickets, sightseeing tours and some restaurant meals started using Applause to provide the Broadway theater ticket ingredient of their hotel/theater packages.
Before not too long, Bill and I looked back and we had a solid business. We kept working on developing a reputation for outstanding service. We took our time with shoppers and customers and charged reasonable service fees giving outstanding service and free delivery (still do). The hard work paid off and we grew like crazy over the years.
Then came the Internet and that changed everything almost overnight really. Consumers all over the world started seeing the Applause web site. Several other industry web sites liked the service we provided and linked their web sites to Applause's, then we added the shopping cart that allowed people to see their tickets on a seating chart, view a price and make an on-line order. Amazing when you think of the progress we have all made.
Still we really feel the Internet is a good tool to use to gather information about Broadway. The problem is that now anyone with $125.00 or so can start their own web site and try to sell Broadway tickets too. Still this is not necessarily the way the public wants to purchase their Broadway tickets.
For instance if you "Google" for a Broadway show name, you will see hundreds of "Google answers". How will you know which web site to click on and then you have to search several web sites hoping to find the information you need. This is often a frustrating task indeed.
Thankfully the Applause Theater Service web site has been getting millions of visitors over the years. I must say that I am so glad I have had the chance to keep our company up and current on business practices. I've read lots of business books and they have taught us well. Still every time I pickup the telephone or I hear one of our staff talking to our customers, I feel in my heart that we really are the best at what we do. There is no substitute for great personal customer service, is there?
Of the thousands of companies that sell tickets throughout the world, I'm sure there are many local providers that subscribe to the "Applause way to treat customers handbook". In fact, so many so called ticket agencies say they sell tickets but simply buy tickets from other ticket providers, add on a markup and then resell them to the public. I'm not really sure if this can continue for a long time as in my opinion, there is only so much money that people will pay for tickets, then one of two things will happen. Either they will stop going to live Broadway or other events or they will simply do what lots of shoppers are doing these days. And that is to look around for the "lowest price", giving up on the need for service. Personally, when I shop, I would rather consider paying a little more but getting great personal service.
So for anyone out there that loves Broadway just like we do, and wants the best seats for the best shows at the best prices, I can make you a guarantee today. Our service and our prices cannot be beat.
Simply give a call to Applause Theater Service in New York, the company I co-founded nearly 22 years ago with my friend and partner Bill Stolting. You'll experience service they way your parents and grandparents used to give and receive in their lives. Applause is licensed by the New York State Licensing Division of our home state (license # 71AP1001029) and we are open for business 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We even call forward our phone lines on the weekends so our customers will have service 24/7. How's that for "customer service".
For quite some time now we have been actively promoting our Applause Theater Service BELOW FACE VALUE special on our home page. Consider checking this out friends. We offer the public a way to get the very best seats in most of the Broadway theaters for upwards of nearly 30 Broadway shows. And for prices that are below what anyone can regularly buy them for, even if they were to go directly to the box office. Simply check out the BELOW FACE VALUE special on our web site.
Could you ask for anything more?
If you want to talk Broadway theater, restaurants or anything about New York, feel free to give me a call at 212-307-7050 in New York City or toll free at 800-451-9930. Just ask for the Broadway Ticket Man.
Sincerely,
Rich Gladstone
Applause Theater Service
311 West 43rd Street, suite 601
NY,NY 10036
web site
follow us at twitter.com/applausetickets
After the hotels starting using us, they soon considered us a reliable source for Broadway show tickets. We would even deliver as little as 1 ticket to a hotel a mile away, and for no extra charge. Then came the Travel industry. Travel agencies from all over the world would call us for Broadway show tickets all the time. They also used computer terminals to electronically send us Broadway ticket orders. Then, very well known tour operators that sell hotel packages that include hotel rooms, Broadway show tickets, sightseeing tours and some restaurant meals started using Applause to provide the Broadway theater ticket ingredient of their hotel/theater packages.
Before not too long, Bill and I looked back and we had a solid business. We kept working on developing a reputation for outstanding service. We took our time with shoppers and customers and charged reasonable service fees giving outstanding service and free delivery (still do). The hard work paid off and we grew like crazy over the years.
Then came the Internet and that changed everything almost overnight really. Consumers all over the world started seeing the Applause web site. Several other industry web sites liked the service we provided and linked their web sites to Applause's, then we added the shopping cart that allowed people to see their tickets on a seating chart, view a price and make an on-line order. Amazing when you think of the progress we have all made.
Still we really feel the Internet is a good tool to use to gather information about Broadway. The problem is that now anyone with $125.00 or so can start their own web site and try to sell Broadway tickets too. Still this is not necessarily the way the public wants to purchase their Broadway tickets.
For instance if you "Google" for a Broadway show name, you will see hundreds of "Google answers". How will you know which web site to click on and then you have to search several web sites hoping to find the information you need. This is often a frustrating task indeed.
Thankfully the Applause Theater Service web site has been getting millions of visitors over the years. I must say that I am so glad I have had the chance to keep our company up and current on business practices. I've read lots of business books and they have taught us well. Still every time I pickup the telephone or I hear one of our staff talking to our customers, I feel in my heart that we really are the best at what we do. There is no substitute for great personal customer service, is there?
Of the thousands of companies that sell tickets throughout the world, I'm sure there are many local providers that subscribe to the "Applause way to treat customers handbook". In fact, so many so called ticket agencies say they sell tickets but simply buy tickets from other ticket providers, add on a markup and then resell them to the public. I'm not really sure if this can continue for a long time as in my opinion, there is only so much money that people will pay for tickets, then one of two things will happen. Either they will stop going to live Broadway or other events or they will simply do what lots of shoppers are doing these days. And that is to look around for the "lowest price", giving up on the need for service. Personally, when I shop, I would rather consider paying a little more but getting great personal service.
So for anyone out there that loves Broadway just like we do, and wants the best seats for the best shows at the best prices, I can make you a guarantee today. Our service and our prices cannot be beat.
Simply give a call to Applause Theater Service in New York, the company I co-founded nearly 22 years ago with my friend and partner Bill Stolting. You'll experience service they way your parents and grandparents used to give and receive in their lives. Applause is licensed by the New York State Licensing Division of our home state (license # 71AP1001029) and we are open for business 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We even call forward our phone lines on the weekends so our customers will have service 24/7. How's that for "customer service".
For quite some time now we have been actively promoting our Applause Theater Service BELOW FACE VALUE special on our home page. Consider checking this out friends. We offer the public a way to get the very best seats in most of the Broadway theaters for upwards of nearly 30 Broadway shows. And for prices that are below what anyone can regularly buy them for, even if they were to go directly to the box office. Simply check out the BELOW FACE VALUE special on our web site.
Could you ask for anything more?
If you want to talk Broadway theater, restaurants or anything about New York, feel free to give me a call at 212-307-7050 in New York City or toll free at 800-451-9930. Just ask for the Broadway Ticket Man.
Sincerely,
Rich GladstoneApplause Theater Service
311 West 43rd Street, suite 601
NY,NY 10036
web site
follow us at twitter.com/applausetickets
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