Buying Tickets From Scalpers
Six Tips to Buying a Ticket from a Scalper | Bleacher Report
November 4, 2008I’d like to preface this article by saying that I’m not a fan of scalpers, although I’ve used them on a handful of occasions (less than 10, more than five). This article came to me because a buddy of mine is going to the ‘Bama- LSU game in Baton Rouge without a ticket to see her buddies and party for the game. I told her to keep $100 with her just in case the ticket comes up. Remember Cajuns, you can use $100 for something other than drive-through daiquiris—I’m serious! Anyway, so here’s VFA’s quick guide to getting hold of a ticket somewhere other than the ticket office… (For a mere $200 more, we can give you a seat in the nosebleeds! ) 1) Avoid the guy with the tickets in his handOn your way to a game/tailgate/car park/on the highway, you’ll probably hear people yelling “need tickets. ” He’s not asking for one—he wants to sell them. More often than not, the tickets you buy are copies of an original ticket—which means that as soon as you get into the stadium, you’re screwed. I’ve heard the story a number of times. It’s not this happens, you can always do what a guy I know did at Penn State when he was given fake tickets. He found the guy and got his money back. It doesn’t usually happen though. What are you going to do, ask for a receipt? 2) Don’t avoid going into people’s tailgates. Remember—they can’t stop you! If you’re in need of a ticket, then going to people’s tailgates is a good place to start. Generally in the case of tailgates and tailgate parties, there’s always someone who couldn’t make it/was working/getting married/visiting their in-laws/needed to fulfill their marital I’ve experienced, those are the sort of people that will give you the ticket for face value—and may even give you a drink while you’re at it. Unless you bring four beers with you and offer them to the guy who gives you the tickets… 3) Know the teams Sounds stupid, but there are a lot of college football tourists who have no idea how a team’s performing when they show the standard of the opposition. They are the type of people that say paying $200 for Penn State vs. Temple was a good idea. I’ve seen it the home team is sliding—like Tennessee—loads of tickets will be on sale for virtually nothing. It’s the credit crunch, but it’s actually good for the likes of fans. 4) Know what you are prepared to pay It’s like Vegas. Bring along $100 (or however much are prepared to spend) on the tickets and say that you’ll spend no more—and stick to it. Even after 14 tequilas at 12 pm. Generally you’ll get one for the price. 5) Get something if you don’t get the ticket A friend of mine in 2005 was looking for PSU vs. Ohio State tickets and couldn’t find one. He knew he would, so he went around people’s tailgates with this line: “Have you got a ticket? ” The answer was no. “Beer to ease the pain? ” The answer was yes. By 8 pm that night he had one ticket and very blurred vision. 6) Remember to walk about with a finger in your hand Remember, you’re looking for a ticket, not saying that your team’s No. 1. A slightly begging look with it works too. Be prepared to walk around the stadium. A lot. You’ll get to know the “B” entrance intimately. Can I recommend avoiding the Cotton Bowl for this? The fairground entrances aren’t that big! Your sports. our content? Join our newsletter to get the latest in sports news delivered straight to your inbox!
Is Ticket Scalping Illegal? (with pictures) – My Law Questions
Scalpers are generally greedy.
In the US, ticket scalping is the practice of buying and reselling event tickets by private citizens, rather than by the sponsoring venue or organization, usually at a much higher price than their face value. Laws about ticket scalping vary by state, and there is no federal law that prohibits the practice. Approximately 16 of the 50 states have a law that makes scalping illegal. Seven states — Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — require a special license to resell tickets. Four states — North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Virginia — leave the issue up to local municipalities.
Certain laws make ticket scalping illegal.
When ticket scalping laws are broken, consequences are often not enforced. As with crime in general, police officers handle the offense according to severity. Scalping is a nonviolent crime without a victim — in fact, it is a crime where both parties are agreeable to the transaction. Therefore, cops are often hesitant to get involved.
In addition to state laws, other laws make scalping illegal in raceways and the NFL. Those who can enforce the law at races or football games include box office personnel, supervisors, venue managers, ticket agents, security agents, event promoters and seat holders. At other events, reselling tickets is not illegal, but it’s not permitted on stadium grounds. This is why scalping often occurs in close proximity to events, such as concerts or baseball games, but not within the grounds or stadium.
Box office.
Laws became even more difficult to enforce when the practice became widespread online. Internet sites that resell tickets are regulated, tax-paying websites that capitalize on fans’ eagerness to buy tickets at any cost. If the official website for the event sells out, these sites promote themselves as a second chance. Efforts to make the practice illegal are overshadowed by such websites.
Tickets.
Those in favor of the legality of ticket scalping say that going through brokers creates a safe and reliable way to get tickets. They state that it creates a fair, open market that both parties are agreeable toward. Those who want to make the practice illegal argue that the system favors the wealthy and prompts scalpers to buy large quantities of tickets strictly for resale. If the reseller buys up the tickets, fans may not have the opportunity to purchase tickets at their original cost.
States set scalping laws, and some, such as Virginia, leave it up to municipalities.
Ticket scalpers are motivated by different factors, including greed, the desire to prey on fans’ emotions, and a love of capitalism. When scalpers buy large quantities of tickets, they take the risk of failing to resell all of them, losing money. People who attend concerts or sporting events are usually emotionally invested in that event, and resellers take advantage of those feelings. Others see themselves as businessmen. In an effort to compromise on ticket scalping laws, licenses or permits are often required, and the decision to make scalping illegal is made by individual states or municipalities.
Buying from a Scalper? Five Do’s and Don’ts – Ticket Economist
Who likes ticket scalpers? Pose that question to a room full of average Joe’s and the showing of hands will be few. Call them mean, sharks, cheaters, or the lowest of the low, the reality is, they have little issue with their reputation. And name calling will not get you the tickets they have for the event you want to see. The fact is, most scalpers are very shrewd business people with excellent negotiating skills. Like a stock broker they buy low and sell high. So here is a quick list of five do’s and don’ts when seeking to buy tickets from a street scalper (in places where such activity is legal, of course! ).
Do’s-
1. Do have a seat map for the event you want to attend and know what general area’s you want to sit. If you appear unsure or don’t know what you want, they may walk off.
2. Do approach them with confidence, in a friendly manner, and ask what kind of tickets they have and at what price. I usually say, “hi, what do you have? ”
3. If they do not have the tickets you want OR you don’t feel comfortable buying from the person, say “no thanks” and walk away promptly
4. Only deal with scalpers who are in public, open area’s. Police often herd scalpers around events for various reasons, but it is highly unusual for a buyer to get in trouble for buying a scalped ticket. Be discreet, but do business where it is safe.
5. Let scalpers help you. Often times, they will not have what you want, but one of their buddies will. They usually are very well connected.
Don’ts-
1. Don’t pick an argument. No matter how rude a scalper is to you, always be kind to them. They may come off rude, but that is part of their selling tactic. Ignore it.
2. Don’t buy internet tickets unless you know what you are doing. Always inspect the tickets carefully, front and back. If anything looks odd, just say thanks and walk away.
3. Don’t be hasty to buy the first thing you see unless the price is right. Tickets are usually plentiful for even the most sought after events. Start looking no more than 30 minutes before and buy when you are ready.
4. Don’t keep a big wad of cash in one pocket. I usually keep $100 in one pocket and $100 in another pocket as back up. This is also a negotiating tactic for you, “hey, I only have $100, lets make a deal. ”
5. Don’t work alone. Always buy in groups of two or more. One person negotiates and the other should stand back and observe. The reality is, buying from a scalper can include an element of risk, depending on the event location and amount of police presence.
Finally, in many cities, legit ticket resellers have store fronts close to the venue. They are always a worth a visit before you turn to a scalper as they often have deals on last minute tickets. The rule with them is never take the price they first offer unless it is within $10-15 of face value. If it is more, being willing to walk away never hurt anyone and usually net’s a price cut.
Other suggestions welcome, of course.
Frequently Asked Questions about buying tickets from scalpers
Is buying tickets from scalpers illegal?
In the US, ticket scalping is the practice of buying and reselling event tickets by private citizens, rather than by the sponsoring venue or organization, usually at a much higher price than their face value. Laws about ticket scalping vary by state, and there is no federal law that prohibits the practice.
Can you trust ticket scalpers?
They are always a worth a visit before you turn to a scalper as they often have deals on last minute tickets. The rule with them is never take the price they first offer unless it is within $10-15 of face value. If it is more, being willing to walk away never hurt anyone and usually net’s a price cut.May 30, 2009
Why is it not a good idea to buy tickets from scalpers?
Scalping is buying a product, typically in bulk, and reselling it for prices higher than the initial retail price. If enough individuals do this, it creates scarcity and any consumer interested in the product could now be paying much more than necessary while the scalper makes a profit.Jan 29, 2021