Ticket Re-sellers

[crownjules]

I'm a huge Red Sox fan now living in Boston. I would love to get my hands on some tickets to a couple games. The problem is that everyone else in town wants Sox tickets as well. Red Sox tickets are also the most expensive in all of the major leagues (the cheapest ones are $25).

We all know about the scalpers that buy some extra tickets in the hope that they can make some extra cash. My question is for the "legal" reseller companies. These jackasses will buy hundreds of tickets. Those $25 tickets are marked up to $45 (and even more ridiculously to almost $70 for a Yankees game). That's almost a 100% profit for "regular" games and 200% for "hot" games. We won't discuss the premium seats, but it's even worse.

Why are these companies allowed to operate when it is illegal for an average joe to do the same exact thing? I know with scalpers you also have to be worried about fake tickets, but I thought the idea of buying tickets and selling them at prices higher then face value was plain illegal. Not to mention, these companies rip off honest folks who just want to see a game. Between all of them that exist, I'm sure several thousand tickets per game disappear into their money-grubbing hands, making it that much harder for people like me who try and buy tickets at face value when they first go on sale.

Maybe a bit of a vent, but I would like to know the laws and rules on ticket reselling and what legitimizes it for these groups.

 

[fitzov]

A "friend" of the family is a vendor who sells fine cuisine. The guy makes a killing. You have to know people to be allowed to do it--I'm sure scalping works the same way.

 

[keeleysam]

Corruption.

 

[shopbruin]

in some states it is not illegal to resell a ticket for more than face value. i know this is the case in california.

 

[mugs]

I don't know, but I'd rather see the team/venue get the extra money if there is extra money to be made. They're actually offering you something of value, all the scalpers/resellers have to offer is that they got the tickets first.

 

[AZGamer]

I like ticket scalping companies - finally, supply meeting demand, instead of camping outside a box office or doing the Ticketmaster online game. Obviously, people feel the service provided is worth it or they wouldn't patronize such places - as for me, I like front row seats, and online sites that have premium seats are the first place I look when I hear about an upcoming event.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't know, but I'd rather see the team/venue get the extra money if there is extra money to be made. They're actually offering you something of value, all the scalpers/resellers have to offer is that they got the tickets first.

fvck them, they already overcharge so much for their sh1t...its supply and demand and if the scalper is smart enough to know what the tickets are worth to him, then more power to him.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't know, but I'd rather see the team/venue get the extra money if there is extra money to be made. They're actually offering you something of value, all the scalpers/resellers have to offer is that they got the tickets first.

fvck them, they already overcharge so much for their sh1t...its supply and demand and if the scalper is smart enough to know what the tickets are worth to him, then more power to him.

It's funny how you demonize the venue but applaud the scalper for doing the same thing.

At least the venue is providing you with entertainment.

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: AZGamer
I like ticket scalping companies - finally, supply meeting demand, instead of camping outside a box office or doing the Ticketmaster online game. Obviously, people feel the service provided is worth it or they wouldn't patronize such places - as for me, I like front row seats, and online sites that have premium seats are the first place I look when I hear about an upcoming event.

It's not merely supply and demand when Bugsy comes up to you and clubs you over the head because you are in Joey's spot.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: freesia39
in some states it is not illegal to resell a ticket for more than face value. i know this is the case in california.

If it wasn't legal then you'd have to do the dirty work yourself. I see this two ways:

1.) You spend your time and effort to get the tickets you want at face value

2.) Pay a scalper/broker to get the tickets you want for you.

I usually fall under the 1st category but have bought from scalpers on a couple occassions.

And don't bitch about Fenway. You guys love your tiny ballpark...how else do you expect the team to operate if they charged $9 for a nosebleed and kept a 100mil payroll?

 

[quikah]

Ebay has a page where you can look up the ticket resale laws for your state:

http://pages.ebay.com/buyselltickets/rules.html

Mass seems to have a rather BS law where you can sell for higher only if you are a licensed ticket broker.

 

[Brackis]

The largest ticket reselling service in Chicago is owned by the Cubs ownership....

 

[PlatinumGold]

it's illegal to resell tickets in front of the venue on the day of the event.

there are a couple of good plaxes to buy tickets online.

 

[JS80]

the venue would rather sell the tickets at face value and get guarenteed monies from the broker/scalpers who assume the risk of prices dropping.

the reason why scalping by average joes is illegal is that they are more prone to sell fake tickets, while a legit business that brokers tickets cannot sell fake tix. it makes perfect sense economically and legally.

 

[daveshel]

Same as credit card companies are licenced to perform usury.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: crownjules
I'm a huge Red Sox fan now living in Boston. I would love to get my hands on some tickets to a couple games. The problem is that everyone else in town wants Sox tickets as well.

There's your problem right there

 

[zanieladie]

That sux! I don't think the companies should be allowed to sell them above face value!

 

[crownjules]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
And don't bitch about Fenway. You guys love your tiny ballpark...how else do you expect the team to operate if they charged $9 for a nosebleed and kept a 100mil payroll?

Hey buddy, read my post and don't make an ass of yourself. I have no problem paying $25 for the cheapest seats or a little extra more for better. I *DO* have a problem when these seats get bought up by companies that then jack up the prices anywhere from 100% - 300%. Fenway does not see any of that profit.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: crownjules
I'm a huge Red Sox fan now living in Boston. I would love to get my hands on some tickets to a couple games. The problem is that everyone else in town wants Sox tickets as well.

There's your problem right there

<---going to 5 games this season

I have bought from resellers before, they were legit.

It is illegal in MA, but it is not stopping anyone.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: crownjules

Originally posted by: NutBucket
And don't bitch about Fenway. You guys love your tiny ballpark...how else do you expect the team to operate if they charged $9 for a nosebleed and kept a 100mil payroll?

Hey buddy, read my post and don't make an ass of yourself. I have no problem paying $25 for the cheapest seats or a little extra more for better. I *DO* have a problem when these seats get bought up by companies that then jack up the prices anywhere from 100% - 300%. Fenway does not see any of that profit.

You are gonna be pissed at me then....

I have 2 opening day tickets and 4 day after opening day tickets i need to get rid of.....

what sux is that everybody who bought them wants to resell them. the market is oversaturated now.

 

[PlatinumGold]

http://www.stubhub.com

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: crownjules

Originally posted by: NutBucket
And don't bitch about Fenway. You guys love your tiny ballpark...how else do you expect the team to operate if they charged $9 for a nosebleed and kept a 100mil payroll?

Hey buddy, read my post and don't make an ass of yourself. I have no problem paying $25 for the cheapest seats or a little extra more for better. I *DO* have a problem when these seats get bought up by companies that then jack up the prices anywhere from 100% - 300%. Fenway does not see any of that profit.

If you'd all relent and go for a larger park then scalpers wouldn't have their way so easily. But hell, it happens everywhere. Hell, nosebleeds for opening day in Anaheim were going for about $50 each ($9 ticket). No thanks.

 

[crownjules]

A few responses:

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
There's your problem right there

Supply and demand is one thing. I have no problem with the amount of tickets, if they were all sold directly from the box office to the fans. The internet has done away with the need to camp at the box office. When tickets go on sale, you hop on the web and you can get them just like someone in line at the box office.

These middleman companies that jack up prices tremendously aren't necessary. Before the internet, I can see some justification. Not anymore.

Originally posted by: JS80
the reason why scalping by average joes is illegal is that they are more prone to sell fake tickets, while a legit business that brokers tickets cannot sell fake tix. it makes perfect sense economically and legally.

No it doesn't. I already mentioned the selling fake tix, which is why scalping is obviously illegal, but what service do these companies offer that are not already available directly through the box office?

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
there are a couple of good plaxes to buy tickets online.

Thank you, Sherlock. These online retailers are exactly with whom I have a problem.

Originally posted by: daveshel[/i]
Same as credit card companies are licenced to perform usury.

The perform a viable service to me. I borrow money for a fee. That's completely reasonable. What service do these companies provide, other than hoarding tickets that sell for many times the face value?

Originally posted by: quikah[/i]
Mass seems to have a rather BS law where you can sell for higher only if you are a licensed ticket broker.

Ahhh...so the BS is uncovered. I'll have to write to my local representatives and find out just what justification exists for such a law.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: crownjules

Originally posted by: daveshel[/i]
Same as credit card companies are licenced to perform usury.

The perform a viable service to me. I borrow money for a fee. That's completely reasonable. What service do these companies provide, other than hoarding tickets that sell for many times the face value?

Hmmm...

Not sure if you'd call this a "service" but they sort of allocate the limited resources (the tickets) to the people who want them the most, e.g. the people who are willing to pay the most for them.

They've gotta be allocated someway...if you'd like, I could make a graph that shows that this method generates the most utility (when compared with some method more arbitrary like an internet line)

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: freesia39
in some states it is not illegal to resell a ticket for more than face value. i know this is the case in california.

Not true. Even a little bit.

You can resell tickets in California all you want for any price....as long as you are not AT the venue. It is only illegal to resell tickets if you're at the place of the event.