Hi Guys -
For at least a couple of weeks now, we haven’t been able to access the Ticketmaster online site from home - we get a “Forbidden - You don’t have permission to access / search on this server” error whenever we try to go there. Any ideas what is going on and how to fix it? We need lacrosse tickets for tomorrow night. 
We’ve tried the usual, re-booting the computers, but it has not helped.
It looks like ticketmaster does this on purpose. Googling “ticketmaster forbidden” turns up many similar questions, and a number of people saying they do block IPs: http://www.martinogawa.com/2012/02/ticketmaster-is-blocking-ips-403.html
Apparently you can order by phone. Here’s the number for Canada: 1-855-985-5000.
ETA: Lacrosse? If it’s The Roughnecks you can order tickets on their website. Which directs you to Ticketmaster. :smack:
Why would they do this for a house IP? It’s not like we’ve been buying huge blocks of tickets or anything. ETA: I see that they just block IPs willy-nilly, and we seem to have got caught in the crossfire somehow. Jerks.
Either one - they’re both blocked.
I think I’ll have to try the phone number - thanks, Leaffan. I’ll try to get us un-blocked - we buy concert/game tickets half a dozen times a year, and this is a hassle (yeah, I know, why would we expect TicketBastard to NOT be a hassle?).
Upon reflection, I may have left a Ticketmaster window open for a couple days while deciding whether or not to purchase tickets to some recent event, so its possible that I’m responsible for our current lockout from their system. However, since I didn’t actually buy anything during that time (until right at the end, when I grabbed up a whopping TWO tickets), I’m not sure why that would flag us as being a problem.
My guess is that they’re run by assholes.
I think you nailed it, Jimbo. After spending some quality time on the phone with them, they have reluctantly agreed to try to unblock our IP, which they have no idea how it possibly could have become blocked (they apparently do a 24 hour block, then it’s supposed to reset, not stay blocked forever). We’ll see.
You shouldn’t get IP blocked for leaving a window open, anyway - you should just get timed out and kicked out, like every other site in the world. It must be nice to be a monopoly.
Well, it was supposed to be reset, but it isn’t. I guess I’ll be calling TicketMaster again tomorrow.
OMFG, I am still fighting with them over this. Clear the cookies and re-start - done. Wait more than 24 hours to try to access the site - done. Do a bunch of stuff on your Windows PC that can only be done on a Windows PC, after telling the technical service guy we have all Macs in the house - not done, because I’M ON A FRIGGIN’ MAC!
This is from the email from TicketMaster (with my comments interspersed):
"Thanks for reaching out to us." :rolleyes:
**"Our Internet Production Team requires the following information to aid in their investigation:
This is where I get stuck -
**"b) The output from ipconfig /all –
Click on Start button > Run > and Type command cmd > Press [enter] key
At DOS prompt type the command:
C:>ipconfig /all
c) Go to http://member.dnsstuff.com/includes/ToolHandler.php?ToolFormName=vu800113
and copy the name of the DNS server (i.e. the part “The DNS server at …”
This may give us some insight into what is happening.
If this does not fix the problem, you could try the following:
Click on Start button > Run > and Type command cmd > Press [enter] key
Enter the following commands:
tracert api-secure.recaptcha.net
tracert api.recaptcha.net
Then please send us the text output."**
Does anyone know how to give them what they’re asking for from a Mac?
Ha! No, but that was a surprise ending to the post.
Can’t you “reach out” to them again and ask them for Mac instructions?
A surprise ending? Sorry, I’m not following.
I have “reached out” to them again - I’m waiting on a reply now. I was hoping one of the Doper smartypants’ would have a quick answer.
At least they gave you the common courtesy of a reach out.
Well, there is that.
For the output of “ipconfig /all”: go to Systems Preferences, Network, and give them a screenshot of all the tabs you see in “Network”.
In part 2)
They are suggesting that you use a different name server. I would try the Google Public DNS servers (that’s what I use).
You can find instructions on how to use Google Public DNS here:
http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html
Okay, this is getting too complicated for me. Thanks for the advice, Arnold - I’ll see if I can get my brother-in-law to go through it with me.
All the stuff they are looking for is in the Network System Preference pane, under Advanced, TCP/IP
So, the IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, Router, etc.?
Yes. Do you know how to take a screenshot? Just go to System Preferences->Network, click on the Advanced button, send them a screenshot of the TCP/IP information and the DNS information.
If you don’t know how to take a screenshot, just write it all down and send them the information from those two windows.
Shortcuts for taking pictures of the screen (docs.info.apple.com).
Yup - I use the Grab application.