Thanks to TextMeTix, buying discounted tickets on the fly and for low prices just got a whole lot easier.
TextMeTix is a company developed by former BYU student Mark Harmsen and acts as an intermediary between consumers and businesses in discount ticket sales.
The service is free and accessible at TextMeTix.com where consumers can tailor the type of ticket sale notifications they want to receive. The company’s deals include everything from VIP passes for Taylor Swift concerts to Utah Jazz games.
Texting the word “TIX” to the shortcode 53535 will also automatically subscribe a person to the service.
Harmsen said he got the idea when the American Red Cross unveiled a system whereby individuals could donate to the relief efforts in Haiti every time they texted the word “Haiti” to the number “90999.”
The idea for TextMeTix grew and took shape when Harmsen began selling Utah Jazz tickets through Facebook updates which read: Text me for tickets.
“This really generated the idea of a service where people could sign up for free to receive discounted ticket alerts,” Harmsen said. “We specialize in sending out last-minute ticket offers to people that subscribe to our service.”
Harmsen warns that for those eagerly awaiting a specific event, TextMeTix might not be the way to go; the company never knows what tickets businesses will hand them to sell.
“It works really well for students who have embraced the technology and feel comfortable being spontaneous,” Harmsen said. “They want it conveniently right there on their phone.”
BYU student Aaron Linford said he subscribed to the free service not only because of the tickets but also for ideas when brainstorming for upcoming weekends.
“It’s kind of like a college student’s dream come true,” Linford said. “All you have to do is sign up and right there on your phone are cheap date ideas.”
Harmsen also said “it’s not like spam” and most people will receive one text per day.
Harmsen also made it clear indivdiuals can sign up and off at any time. “We want it to feel transparent,” he said.
This past summer, Harmsen said TextMeTix teamed up with, among other companies, the Salt Lake Bees.
About the experience, Bees corporate sponsorship account executive Chris McIllece said, “It was fantastic working with Mark. He is a very intelligent guy and knows how to create and present a solid business plan. The partnership we entered into with TextMeTix was very beneficial for both sides.”
Examples of local companies involved with TextMeTix are Lagoon,Trafalga, Seven Peaks, Utah Jazz, Utah Flash, Snowbird and UCCU Arena Concerts & Events.
