Ticket prices

"value decay" is a good term

You can compare costs various ways.  This festival vs. that festival (Lockn vs. Peach) on a value basis.  Which is less than the sticker price difference due to Peach having higher fees, being a much longer drive, and Lockn having a better lineup (not far superior, but I think markedly stronger).  That is close, though and if Lockn keeps going up, Peach looks better especially for people coming from the North.  You can compare based on prices for a festival vs. prices for individual shows (which show that just about any festival is a major value).  We spend many (most?) of our discretionary dollars on music, so Lockn is not even a large percentage of our music budget even if it is our largest single ticket purchase.  Or you can compare it as I do, in terms of total vacation cost.  Again a value proposition to me at current prices.

I have no idea of Lockn profitability, or about festival logistics and budgeting in general, so I was not trying to make any specific claim.  I will say that if a promoter is "losing" money on the promoter end but then raking it in through "associated products, other vendors, outside investments, etc" then that is exactly the kind of false overall reporting that the music business is long known for.  Oh, I understand separate corporations and accounting standards, etc that would bolster such a claim but if the promoter is using the idea that they are losing money to squeeze patrons and bands while his overall profit is high, well, then that is scummy.  Although this is all a side issue, as I don't have a problem with the promoters making as much profit as they can get, only with any misleading propoganda they might be spreading.  I personally evaluate my end of the value proposition and leave it at that.  

I have a question in to Lockn about this very thing. Still waiting on an answer. 

I thought the option would pop up when entering CC info, but no dice.

It varies each year. Maybe 25 for GA and 50 for VIP. There is ticket insurance available. Not sure what it covers. Probably similar to travel insurance.

The way I look at it, if I buy cheaper tickets and end up not going, they will be very easy to sell.

Here is a link to trip insurance terms from Secure Ticket if you are interested. It is based on your state of residence. 

secureticket.desk.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2912186-secure-ticket%E2%84%A2-policy-terms