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Subject: OT: THE SCALPING game
Posted by: velvet rose
- [47042822] Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:07
whats up everyone....
is anyone familiar with scalping tickets...i was just curious to see if anyone had any insights about it...i went to the giants game on sunday, needed two tickets and paid 70 bucks each for tickets that retail at 40 bucks...i bought them about 2 hours before the game, but realized that people were still selling them right up until game time....what is a fair price for tickets and how does the "game" work....i know the price is based on supply and demand, but how can I neogiate to get i need...im thinking about going to the games against ST Louis, so any advice would be helpful..... |
| 1 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 56935818
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:11
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I have some Mariners playoff tickets, interested?
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| 2 | biliruben
Sustainer
ID: 3502218
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:13
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It depends on the game. You are better off if you go in willing to miss the 1st inning and also willing to walk away and watch the game from a bar if you can't find a reasonably priced ticket. That said, it all depends on supply and demand. If more people want to see the game than their are tickets available, you are going to pay over face. If it is less, you "should" end up paying less than face. It depends on your determination and strength of will at that point. For a playoff game, unfortunately, it is often the case that it is a seller's market and you are going to end up paying a premium. Not always, however. Weekday day games, you may have a good chance of getting less than face.
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| 3 | Mike D
Donor
ID: 13823206
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:15
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velvet rose, you pretty much hit it on the head. Whenever you wait until game time, or just after the game starts (even by minutes), you can usually pay face value because people don't want to get stuck with the tickets. They at least want their money back.
If you are not familiar with the stadium seating, study it beforehand so that you do not get lied to about locations. You'll hear "these are great seats" and end up in the top row. Bottom line is there is no maximum, and like you said, it's usually supply and demand.
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| 4 | Seattle Zen
Donor
ID: 554192913
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:22
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I have to think that getting a ticket in St. Louis for a NLCS game is going to be TOUGH! St. Louis is such a baseball town, I would think that if Joe Blow season ticket holder can't make the game, he has 15 friends clamoring for his ticket.
When I was in Kansas City, I remember a store in the mall that was a ticket broker, it seemed that scalping was legal. I don't remeber if the mall was in Kansas or Missouri, so you may be able to get a ticket before you choose to fly out there, but you'll be paying BIG $$.
Act non-chalant when dealing with the scalper, don't let his manic behavoir scare you into paying what he asks for. Low ball the guy, it is a negotiation after all.
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| 5 | rockafellerskank
Sustainer
ID: 337443111
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 19:23
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#1) check the laws in your area.
#2) be willing to miss the first 1/2 inning and walk around and observe the sellers with the biggest selection of tickets. You can tell as they normally display them to potential buyers like a deck of cards.
#3) Offer face value-- take it or leave it!
#4) be prepared to walk away
#5) Walk away if the don't fold.
#6) Go to next seller. No one wants to get stuck with tickets
#7) It should only take 2-3 attempts to get them at face value.
Also, Mike D has a good point about stadium seating. I usually print my own page from the Internet showing seating chart and take it with me.
rfs
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| 6 | Mike D
Donor
ID: 13823206
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:25
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I learned the hard way on more than one occasion....many moons ago.
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| 7 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 56935818
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:28
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I scalped the free tickets I got from the Mariners this past year. I was really hoping they made the playoffs so I can make the big bucks!
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| 8 | J
Leader
ID: 49346417
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:31
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also, going to a game in STL, make sure you have no Giants gear showing!!!
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| 9 | Micheal
ID: 12744225
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:43
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Scalping free tickets. For some reason that does not surprise me.
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| 10 | rockafellerskank
Sustainer
ID: 30831210
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:46
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buy 2 tix, get a free basketball!
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| 11 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 56935818
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:47
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why not michael? 100% profit.
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| 12 | Micheal
ID: 12744225
Tue, Oct 08, 2002, 21:49
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Yes it is 100% profit, but for someone who has a little money and doesn't really need it, giving them to friends and letting them enjoy the game is worth more than a couple a dollars.
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| 13 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 331381323
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 00:34
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I woulden't sell them to friends!!! I only sold them to people I didnt know. I gave allot of tickets for free about 12.
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| 14 | Micheal
ID: 12744225
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 03:33
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Who said anything about selling to friends?
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| 15 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 14919911
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 11:35
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you were telling me to give them away to friends as if I were selling to them instead.
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| 16 | StLCards
Sustainer
ID: 4431816
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 12:08
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Warning - scalping tickets is illegal in St. Louis and they will have agents roaming the streets, though very few people actually get arrested from my understanding. You can legally buy tickets from ticket brokers in IL, but you will pay a hefty price.
Beware of counterfeits! I was at a game vs AZ near the end of the season and someone had payed $25 (face value) for scalped tickets that turned out to be counterfeits. They got in to the stadium fine, but were escorted somewhere when it was determined the people already in the seats had the real tickets. For a sold out game, I'm sure you will be escorted out of the stadium and be SOL.
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| 17 | ChicagoTRS
Sustainer
ID: 19325417
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 18:35
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I have bought scalped tickets many times with great luck...here are my dozen scalped ticket rules to live by:
#1 It is always best to buy your tickets after the game has started or near as game time as possible. It is kind of a risk reward thing though...if you wait too long you take the risk of getting shut out and not getting a ticket. I once got floor seats for a Bulls NBA finals game for less than face value after the game had started.
#2 If you find a good deal that you are happy with just buy the tickets...there is always the chance you can find better seats or a cheaper price but if you are happy with the price and seats just buy them. Nothing worse than not finding a better price or getting stuck with worse seats or getting shutout all together after you had your chance to get seats you would be happy with. Know what you want to spend and if you find tix for that price get them...don't be greedy.
#3 Hang around the will call window but be discreet about it. The best person to buy tickets from is a nonscalper...just someone with an extra ticket or two. Best prices and less chance of getting ripped off. Look/dress respectable because someone is less inclined to sell you a ticket right next to them if you are shirtless, drunk, and have your face painted.
#4 Always park in easy out parking unless you are prepared to hang around somewhere near the stadium if you get shutout of tickets. Some places like Wrigley field that is ok but other places like the United Center you really do not want to be walking around alone after game time.
#5 Prices are always negotiable...always try to get the tickets cheaper than they are offerring. Be prepared to walk and look for a better offer.
#6 If you are going to buy scalped tickets have two people. Many scalpers will only want to sell in pairs. One ticket is possible sometimes but can be more difficult. Three tickets together can be next to impossible. Four is sometimes possible. Be prepared to split up if you are a larger group. Try to keep even numbers.
#7 Watch out for counterfeits. Look at the tickets closely...try to compare the scalped tickets to a known real ticket. Playoff tickets are particularly suseptible to this because they are often labeled game A, B, C, D,... make sure you know what tonights game should be. If you get in the stadium and find someone in what you think is your seats and they have the tickets to back it up...do not get an usher (they may usher you out of the stadium)...most likely you have counterfeits...go find somewhere to stand and watch the game.
#8 Know the stadium seating. The scalper will tell you the tickets are the best in the house, do not rely on him.
#9 Know the local laws and be discreet about purchasing tickets. Don't want to get arrested...don't flash money.
#10 If someone is asking to buy tickets...there is a good chance he is a scalper with some to sell...ask him.
#11 Be careful...some scalpers may not be scalpers...do not get too far away from the crowd. Do not be flashing money around...do not put yourself in a situation where you will get mugged.
#12 Have exact change!!! Do not bargain for $50 for a ticket and only have 3 20s and ask for $10 change. One of the best bargaining methods is to say all I have is $50...so then don't try and hand them $60 and ask for change.
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| 18 | Ref
ID: 28045169
Wed, Oct 09, 2002, 18:38
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FWIW, be willing to miss the beginning of the game as already been stated. Scalpers want to "make their money" meaning when it's late, they're willing to take whatever in order not to eat them. I've heard "make your money" as common talk when tickets are plentiful and buying public is scarce or faced with eating them.
Never hand your tickets your selling to the scalper. Make him look at it in your hand. Also, make sure their thumbs are not covering any part of the ticket they are trying to sell you. Ask to see the stadium seating chart. Often they will have these in their hands to show you where the seat is. IF they don't have it, could be that they don't know what they're doing or not being 100% truthful perhaps about the seat locations.
Beware of counterfeits. In many places now you can't even get into the stadium with counterfeits as they are going more to scanning them instead of tearing them (esp in NBA arenas). Make sure they have the hologram on it or if they are from ticketmaster--whatever assurances TM has that proves to be theirs (I don't know what that is, personally).
Scalping is defined as buying/selling above face value. If you offer/sell for face or less--it is legal despite the scalping laws. Commonly people get around this by putting tickets in a program or hat, etc and selling the program, etc. for a lot of money. But I've heard they've cracked down on this too in some places.
Man the things you learn as you wait outside the stadium to be scanned with the metal detecting wands!!!
RFS, I busted out laughing after reading post 10. Hate to laugh at other's expense, but it was funny for sure.
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