Fans vow to beat brokers

Patricia Christner has been a fan of Bruce Springsteen since before “Born in the USA” came out. And she vows to beat out online scalpers and ticket brokers so she can be at the Blue Cross Arena when “The Boss” hits the streets of Rochester in March.

“I dislike them intensely,” she said, “and the amount they're charging for these tickets is obscene.”

That’s why Christner stopped by the Blue Cross Arena Friday morning to get a wrist band that allows her to stand in line for tickets Saturday morning. She doesn’t want to go through what fans of Hannah Montana went through.

After tickets sold out last month, mom’s and dad’s are forced to spend hundreds of dollars online if they want in on the December show. But managers at the arena say they don’t expect Springsteen fans to have the same troubles.

“I think it's just a different demographic,” said Jeff Calkins, the general manager at the Blue Cross Arena.  “There may be fewer tickets per purchase.”

Another thing that should ease the minds of Springsteen fans -- unlike the Hannah Montana show, seats will be available around the entire arena, and that means you won't be dancing in the dark.

“We haven't had the final count but we’ll have well over 11,000, maybe 12,000,” Calkins said.

It also helps that Springsteen will perform a show in Buffalo, so Western New Yorkers won’t be competing for tickets, but for some Springsteen fans that still isn’t enough.

“I have my wife home online, I'll be using my cell phone while I'm in line calling ticketmaster,” said Dennis Cannioto.

“I'll be on the computer at home, and I have friends that are trying to get in line and get a good number,” said Jay Quinn.

And Christner says it’s those extra steps that will help true fans beat out the brokers.

“I'll get my Bruce tickets,” she said. “I'm confident I'll get my Bruce tickets!”