We would like to know if there are other sites that have implemented some type of online ticket lottery program, where customers enter for a chance to purchase discount tickets. And if they are willing to share their implementation process.
While it isn't for discounted tickets we do something similar for the Last Night of the Proms Ballot.
If people buy 5 concerts or more during the season they can enter the ballot to buy tickets to the Last Night of the Proms (LNOP). They check a box when they purchase to say they have qualified (which writes back to an interest on their account) or our Call Centre do this if they book by phone.
When the date has passed we take everyone who has the interest and double check that they do qualify. Once we have this list we use it in SQL to pull out the number of customers (randomly) we can allow to buy tickets.
We then assign contact the customers via email with the details of how to obtain tickets. Those with an email we email with a hidden irl link in the email, those who bought by phone are sent a letter with both the online details and the phone number.
When the tickets go on sale we allocated a temporary ranking to all the customers who have qualified, attach this to a LNOP Mode of Sale, so when they log on to the website they are pushed into the LNOP MOS, which allows them to buy tickets to the LNOP (as this show has the MOS attached). We do a regular check via SQL to see who has bought tickets and remove the ranking from their account once they have.
It's a little long winded to explain, but it works perfectly for what we want to do.
I'm happy to go into more detail if you want, just let me know.
Caryl
Hi Carol,
We would like to do something similar in the new year for a show e have coming up, and I'd be grateful of any info you would be willing to go into further detail on?
Best wishes,
James