Ticket Scalping

[spiritmom]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is fed up with trying to buy concert or sports tickets and finding out the only way possible to get ticket is to go to one of the many ticket sellers online. Why is it that I can never get the seats I want through Ticketmaster for the going price, but can get them through any number of online ticket sellers for 4 or 5 times the price?? Why is this allowed to continue.

[Lester]

Here is the actual NJ law regarding ticket sales by brokers:


56:8-33 Price charged printed on ticket, maximum premium for reseller.
8. a. Each place of entertainment shall print on the face of each ticket and include in any advertising for any event the price charged therefor. Tickets printed prior to the enactment of P.L.2001, c.394 (C.56:8-35.1 et al.) shall have endorsed thereon the maximum premium not to exceed 20% of the ticket price or $3.00, whichever is greater, plus lawful taxes, at which the ticket may be resold. Tickets printed on or after the effective date of P.L.2001, c.394 (C.56:8-35.1 et al.) shall have endorsed thereon the maximum premium not to exceed 20% of the ticket price or $3.00, whichever is greater, plus lawful taxes, at which the ticket may be resold, except for tickets resold by registered ticket brokers or season ticket holders.

b.No person other than a registered ticket broker or season ticket holder shall resell or purchase with the intent to resell a ticket for admission to a place of entertainment at a maximum premium in excess of 20% of the ticket price or $3.00, whichever is greater, plus lawful taxes. No registered ticket broker or season ticket holder shall resell or purchase with the intent to resell a ticket for admission to a place of entertainment at a premium in excess of 50% of the price paid to acquire the ticket, plus lawful taxes.

L.1983,c.135,s.8; amended 1983, c.220, s.3; 2001, c.394, s.6.

56:8-34 Reselling tickets prohibited in certain area; exceptions.
9. a. No person shall resell or purchase with the intent to resell any ticket, in or on any street, highway, driveway, sidewalk, parking area, or common area owned by a place of entertainment in this State, or any other area adjacent to or in the vicinity of any place of entertainment in this State as determined by the director; except that a person may resell, in an area which may be designated by a place of entertainment in this State, any ticket or tickets originally purchased for his own personal or family use at no greater than the lawful price permitted under this act.

L.1983,c.135,s.9; amended 1983, c.220, s.4; 2001, c.394, s.7.

56:8-35. Special treatment in obtaining tickets; prohibition
Any person who gives or offers anything of value to an employee of a place of entertainment in exchange for, or as an inducement to, special treatment with respect to obtaining tickets, or any employee of a place of entertainment who receives or solicits anything of value in exchange for special treatment with respect to issuing tickets, shall be in violation of this act.

[spiritmom]

Well, I was trying to purchase tickets to a NJ Event through Ticketmaster which will be held at the PNC Arts Center. The best tickets I could get would be in the uncovered section, Section 40 or lawn seats.

However, through Ticket Hug, Ticket Liquidator, Tickets Now or many others, I could purchase orchestra seat tickets ranging from $150.00 - $500.00.

Is this not ticket scalpng or am missing something?

[Lester]

Here is a more clear explanation:

Remember, the law changed in 2002. Until January 8, 2002, the 20% or $3 markup was based on the face value of the ticket. Before the law was changed, the most a ticket broker could charge for $85 Devils tickets was $102, plus tax. Now the 20% $3 rule is based on the price the ticket was acquired for - not face value. Also, a registered ticket broker or season-ticket holder can sell a ticket for up to 150% of the price paid for the ticket – in other words, a 50% profit.

Suppose Broker A buys a ticket for $150. His legal limit for resale is $225.

But if Broker B is the buyer, his limit becomes $337.50.

He could sell to Broker C, or maybe back to Broker A, and the price is over $500. The more middlemen, the higher the price, and all the transactions could be on paper, with neither tickets nor cash changing hands.

So you can see why your tickets can be so expensive and why the brokers can get away with charging so much.

[spiritmom]

Lester,

Thank you for explaining about the ticket re-selling process.

I still don't like it and think it borders on illegal no matter what the law says, but I do understand it now.

Lorraine

P.s. I'm going to start a new career I think - my own ticket broker business