Legal scalping.....

[S2M]

...i.e. - ticket brokers. What, if anything, would you like to see done about this industry. Why can a broker buy a block of tickets and charge $4,500 for ONE ticket, yet *I* can't stand outside a venue and make even $50 over FV?

This the MAIN reason people can't get decent seats to a favorite show. I understand people WILL pay that amount. But my concern is with the industry itself. Why aren't there laws against charging 3000% for a concert ticket?

What do you think about this, and what do you think should be done?

[Don]

It's the same thing with the way the oil industry is regulated. Libya only put's out 1.2 million barrels a day, which Saudi Arabia can cover with their 5 million barrels a day held in reserve yet, speculators are allowed to force the price of gas up through the roof for absolutely no reason. We need more regulation!

[S2M]

It's the same thing with the way the oil industry is regulated. Libya only put's out 1.2 million barrels a day, which Saudi Arabia can cover with their 5 million barrels a day held in reserve yet, speculators are allowed to force the price of gas up through the roof for absolutely no reason. We need more regulation!

Doesn't really answer my question, but you go Gunny!

[Michigan Girl]

Perhaps bands will tire of their shows being full of assless seats!! I mentioned the more than 30-40
empty seats at a Journey show (just around me) a few years ago, when the show was advertised as Sold Out ...
people here thought I was nuts!! Although, it was abnormally hot, and I had been in that heat for hours!!
Who knows, a little Arid Extra Dry may have changed things!!

[Don]

It's the same thing with the way the oil industry is regulated. Libya only put's out 1.2 million barrels a day, which Saudi Arabia can cover with their 5 million barrels a day held in reserve yet, speculators are allowed to force the price of gas up through the roof for absolutely no reason. We need more regulation!

Doesn't really answer my question, but you go Gunny!

No,it doesn't but I have no desire to participate in the political threads as I am a terrible debater so this seemed like a great place for me to drop that little tidbit into the mix.

[S2M]

Perhaps bands will tire of their shows being full of assless seats!! I mentioned the more than 30-40
empty seats at a Journey show (just around me) a few years ago, when the show was advertised as Sold Out ...
people here thought I was nuts!! Although, it was abnormally hot, and I had been in that heat for hours!!
Who knows, a little Arid Extra Dry may have changed things!!

I bet you had your Enjolie on, Cookie....

[Rip Rokken]

Perhaps bands will tire of their shows being full of assless seats!! I mentioned the more than 30-40
empty seats at a Journey show (just around me) a few years ago, when the show was advertised as Sold Out ...
people here thought I was nuts!! Although, it was abnormally hot, and I had been in that heat for hours!!
Who knows, a little Arid Extra Dry may have changed things!!

If those seats remain empty... fill 'em!

[Don]

I don't lend credence into reports of sold out shows until Billboard releases their year end charts. Then, you can see what was and what really wasn't.

[RocknRoll]

Perhaps bands will tire of their shows being full of assless seats!! I mentioned the more than 30-40
empty seats at a Journey show (just around me) a few years ago, when the show was advertised as Sold Out ...
people here thought I was nuts!! Although, it was abnormally hot, and I had been in that heat for hours!!
Who knows, a little Arid Extra Dry may have changed things!!

I hope a broker was stuck with those seats and not the lack of the Arid. The prices and fees brokers charge are outragous!! I have bought from a broker and not only is it high-priced but the fees are around 30% of the price plus the FedEx shipping. It was awful and won't do it again. I don't know how they get away with it, but I know laws are different in every state. Brokers are a legit business, scalpers are not. I'm not sure ebay sellers follow the regulations, I'm betting most don't even know they exist. I know the laws are more strict around things like college games.

From the Consumer Protection Agency

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/rpt/2006-r-0761.htm

[Hollywood]

This is a big issue and a complicated one. Yes there are sold out shows with a lot of empty seats. These are some of the reasons.

There are venue hold backs or what I call throw-up seats. These are semi-decent seats they can move people to if there is an issue. Generally, somebody barfed in your seat. Happened to me at a Scorpions/King's X show.

Artist hold backs for artist guest that may not show up.

Casino hold backs for high rollers that do not show up or leave.

If a venue says the event is sold out, it is sold out. They would not want to turn away business. Seat may open up when casino, venue, or artist gives back holds they may have.

[Hollywood]

...i.e. - ticket brokers. What, if anything, would you like to see done about this industry. Why can a broker buy a block of tickets and charge $4,500 for ONE ticket, yet *I* can't stand outside a venue and make even $50 over FV?

This the MAIN reason people can't get decent seats to a favorite show. I understand people WILL pay that amount. But my concern is with the industry itself. Why aren't there laws against charging 3000% for a concert ticket?

What do you think about this, and what do you think should be done?

Depends on the state or locale on what you can and can't do. In Nevada you cannot sell or give-away tickets on the venue property or within so many feet. I totally agree with this law. It would be like standing at the door of Wal-Mart on May 24th selling Eclipse for more or less or the same that Wal-mart is selling it. The person is coming to Wal-mart to buy that item and you are on there property poaching their customers.

If the customer comes to your property to buy this item then fine.

Secondly, the ticket broker thing is annoying as they are taking good tickets away from consumers and selling them, but I can't say it is wrong as long as they are not given unfair advantage over any other fan.

There are cases where the venue is taking tickets and selling them at a premium to the ticket brokers before on sale dates. This is a bad faith.

There are cases, like Neil Diamond, where the artist buys his allotment of tickets to give to his people or managers and instead sells them to a ticket broker for a premium price. Again, this is bad faith.

Simple solution to this crap that would never happen is nobody buys tickets from them and they go out of business. Period. Consumers have so much power, but selfish people with money keep them in business by buying from them.

[Michigan Girl]

Perhaps bands will tire of their shows being full of assless seats!! I mentioned the more than 30-40
empty seats at a Journey show (just around me) a few years ago, when the show was advertised as Sold Out ...
people here thought I was nuts!! Although, it was abnormally hot, and I had been in that heat for hours!!
Who knows, a little Arid Extra Dry may have changed things!!

If those seats remain empty... fill 'em!

Contrary to popular belief, my ass only fills one seat ...granted, there may be a little overflow/
spillover and perhaps I could/should use two seats, but 30 or more?!?!
I'll need to eat a few more Ding~Dongs!!