Ticket Reselling. Whats Your View?

[simmy d]

My name is Simon and I am currently working on my dissertation looking at the secondary ticketing market. I would be grateful if you could spare a short amount of time to inform me of your opinions on all/any of these questions. Thankyou.

1) What are your views of people selling concert tickets on auction sites such as eBay?

2) Should the Government legislate against concert ticket touting?

3) Through auctions tickets sell to the highest bidder. Is it fair that only the richest are able to attend the events?

4) One way for the industry to compete would be to get in the game and sell some of the best tickets through auctioning instead. This could mean higher costs for the better seats as is the case through brokers such as Ticketmaster or auctions such as eBay. How would you feel about paying more money into the industry/artist than to the third party? eg. There is a feeling that the artist would be money grabbing whereas the third party is providing a service that is worth more.

5) How would you feel if reselling was made illegal meaning that, in theory, you could not sell you ticket on to a friend if you, for example, broke your leg and could not attend? Is this the same as finding a friend through communities on the internet, such as eBay, that allow you a better chance of finding someone to purchase your ticket from you?

6) Any final thoughts?

[sometimesit]

1. Its not the people buying that I have a problem with - its the sellers.
2. No - We have enough laws already. People know when they are being ripped off.
3. I don't think this is the case. Price of most things is governed by demand. If nobody was interested the price would reflect this.
4. I don't think this is right either. The venues should sell tickets direct.
5. I feel that it should be just a case of getting a refund if you cannot attend. It is not down to you to sell the tickets on.

6. I will say that this problem with tickets has been around for ages. I don't think there are any easy ways to stamp out scams and rackets. On a big or small scale. Most people will "cash in" given a chance. Sad but true.

[Barbega]

1. The fact is that the people who are purposefully buying a few tickets with the intent to sell them on are creating a huge problem, and it is getting out of control pretty fast. There are more tickets in the hands of internet pioneers/touts than actual attendees. Ebay has made selling and profiting on the black market way too easy. Whereas touts that stand outside the actual event selling I have complete respect for, even if i would never buy from them.

2. No, this is not a criminal offence. Internet sites and ticket sellers need to get together and create a solution (Capped rates of profits on auction sites would deter the "quick buck" crowd leaving the touts who actually do stand outside events in all weathers carry on making a living selling at supply and demand rates).

3. The rich and curious are able to go but the passionate but poor have to sit at home... This is unjust.

4. Thats just turning the companies into touts... who ever thought that up that needs to be shot.

5. You should be able to give someone you know first refusal of your tickets and you should be able to get a FULL refund. How this would be governed I have no idea.

6. "Booking fees" should be abolished... If an event is cancelled you should have this refunded (i know its nothing to do with touting but its just wrong)

[Shadow Man]

1) No problem at all. The free market economy is what makes Great Britain great.

2) No. I can understand why football touting is now illegal due to the safety aspect. But not concerts.

3) No it is not the richest, it is the most wanton.

4) Most fansites offer prime tickets to members. If you like the band/.artist, you will get to see them.

5) I couldn't really care either way as if I wanted to go to a show I would get a ticket by leagl means anyway.

6) I have seen David Bowie nearly 100 times on home soil and abroad. His tickets are like gold dust at times (even the iffy tours). However, I have never resorted to buying a secondhand ticket. If you are on a fan site, have your ear to the ground and know when the phonelines etc are open, you will get to see your act.

The only time I have ever purchased a touted ticket was for a Lou Reed concert in Brighton about three years ago. I was in town knowing he was playing and just went by to see how much the touts were charging. I actually got a good seated ticket for less than the face value. Whether he made a profit or not, I do not know. Ergo, I am all for them.

I also sold a pair of U2 tickets once for little more than face value. I gave joy to a couple of fans that I found rewarding.

[Goodsoulette]

1) I have had some great last minute buys from ebay paying way under the fave value. I think it should be restricted to face value and costs incurred though.
2) Without a doubt, the ticket always states that its not for resale.
3) No
4)I dont agree, it should be an event available to all. Muse tickets in good plaes would have rocketed up to the 250 quid they were selling on ticket tout sites leaving us poor folk in the nose bleed section.
5) Not sure about illegal but definitely restricted to face value.
6) nope./