How we saved $20.00 by NOT ordering online

“Let’s go to the rodeo.”

You know how you’ve been married for awhile and your spouse says something you never thought you’d hear come out of their mouth?

Ah, yes.  I’m still wondering what got into Jeremy‘s head that made him decide we should take the kids to a rodeo.  I halfway expected there to be some sort of big surprise or something, because it was just so unexpected.

Anyway.

So we went to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo on Thursday night and had a great time, though we’re pretty far-removed from anything cowboy-related!  (Last weekend we were at a blogging conference, if that tells you anything!)

Jeremy started to order tickets online from Tickets West, but was shocked at the amount of fees we’d need to pay.  An extra $2.50 for each adult ticket, another $2.25 for the child’s ticket, plus a $3 “order charge”?

Plus, we weren’t sure what age needed a ticket.  Did both our 2-year-old and 5-year-old need a child’s ticket, or would they be free?  Jeremy called and was told yes, they would both need a ticket.

We couldn’t imagine that they would really charge us all of those fees if we bought them in person, so we decided to take a chance and just purchase tickets at the event, knowing they definitely wouldn’t charge us any more, at least.

At the ticket window, we were told that no, our 2-year-old didn’t need a ticket as long as they were OK sitting on our lap.

Saved: $7.50

There was no fee for each ticket.

Saved: $9.50

There was no order charge.

Saved: $3.00

Plus, we got better seats than we were going to be able to get online, for the same price.

By not ordering online, we saved $20.00!  Now, of course, we did run the risk of not getting seats at all, but on Thursday night there were plenty of seats available.  I’m all for online shopping, but paying $23 for the convenience of not having to wait at the ticket window?  Not worth it!

This post is linked to Money Saving Mom’s Super Savings Saturday.