I'd really hoped that I wouldn't have to post something like this, but alas, I do: Getting Bruce Springsteen concert tickets to upcoming 2012 Wrecking Ball shows was a total and complete disaster for some fans. Lots of people were shut out completely as Ticketmaster errors caused horrible headaches.



Shocking? Probably not. Irritating? Yes. Especially if you were one of the unlucky people who tried and tried to get tickets to see Springsteen today, especially for East Coast shows.

Here we go again, anyone? Problems buying Bruce Springsteen tickets are nothing new. Something similar to this happened two years ago, as fans tried to buy tickets to shows in...you guessed it...New Jersey and New York. The same thing happened today: Error messages and time outs. I pulled several GREAT seats for shows at New York's Madison Square Garden, clicked "purchase" (or "buy now" or whatever it said) and then, after about two minutes, got error messages.



Shut out? You are not alone. I'm right there with you. I'm ready to take a Wrecking Ball to my computer at the moment (well, not yet, I'm still writing about this which is, surprisingly, therapeutic). And while this is not necessarily a Bruce Springsteen problem - I mean, it's not like Bruce sat there with us today and ran the ticket buying process - Bruce's people did acknowledge the issues in a brief post on the singer's official Facebook page and website. Interestingly enough, however, those posts have both been taken down.



Ticketmaster issued an official statement about today's ticket buying disaster, saying:



"We have been experiencing highly abnormal traffic patterns on our site this morning that have impacted the fan buying experience for some customers. We are investigating the source of the problem and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible, but tickets are selling so please stay patient. We will update fans as we know more."



That's all fine and good, Ticketmaster, but how exactly does that help anyone shut out today? The shows are sold out now. Of course, those fans with particularly deep pockets can always go the scalper route. Not I. I've never paid a scalper for a Springsteen ticket and I never will.



Congratulations to everyone who got a Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball tour ticket today. Apparently, you are even luckier than you thought you were...