SHE’S a US pop sensation, famous for bringing procedings to a halt with her outrageous outfits, including one sculpted from cuts of meat.
Now the self-titled “fame monster” has brought her specially-designed section of Computicket’s online booking system to a standstill.
On Tuesday, thousands of South Africans rushed to Computicket’s website and joined a virtual queue to secure tickets for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball, set to hit SA shores in November.
But, instead of ensuring their place alongside screaming fans, they ended up screaming in frustration as queues and timeouts marred their attempts.
“I actually don’t think I can do this any more. I am so over it,” tweeted Veronique Palmer.
Camilla Rose-Copeman said she started queuing at 7.30am and, by 6pm, had still not managed to purchase a ticket.
Computicket’s Facebook page was also flooded with complaints.
“Worst experience ever. Called and asked them (what) is going on, to be told there is nothing they can do,” wrote Henlo Webber.
Computicket had implemented a queueing system in anticipation of the traffic the concert would generate.
The ticket vendor announced on its Facebook page that FNB’s Arcot server, which manages credit card security checks, returned more than 4 300 timeout errors, meaning many were unable to purchase tickets.
Computicket has announced that ticket sales will be available through its call centre from 9am on Wednesday.
The Shoprite Group has also said it will be selling tickets at its in-store Money Market counters on Wednesday – a day earlier than initially intended. The company’s CEO, Whitey Basson said he was unhappy with the tour promoters’ insistence that ticket sales be reserved for internet users for the first 48 hours.
Lady Gaga will perform at the FNB Stadium in Joburg on November 30 and on December 3 at Cape Town Stadium.