posted on June 8, 2001 06:30:53 AM
I just found over 70 auctions on ebay of sellers scalping tickets to the new broadway show THE PRODUCERS.
I believe it is illegal to scalp tickets for more than 5% or 10% of the face value. I sent an email yesterday to [email protected] but so far, all the auctions are still listed.
posted on June 8, 2001 08:05:40 AM
This is no surprise. Ebay entered into an agreement with the Olympic Committee to scalp, er auction, a limited number of tickets to Salt Lake City. Tickets are expected to go for several times their face value.
posted on June 8, 2001 08:09:16 AM
There are only certain states that do not allow scalping. As long as the auction is not from one of those states, eBay leaves it on. They definitely remove those from states where it is illegal.
Susan (swoose on eBay)
posted on June 8, 2001 08:09:32 AM
In the U.S., this is regulated by the states. In some states, it may be perfectly legal to scalp, though I don't know of any examples. In Massachusetts, it is illegal to sell a ticket for more than its face value, but you can sell it for face or less. Defeats the purpose of scalping, but allows someone who bought a ticket to be able to unload if they can't get to the event.
posted on June 8, 2001 08:18:25 AM
Well.... where does the eBay transaction take place ? In California ? Where the buyer lives ? Where the seller lives ? Where the ticketed event takes place ?
posted on June 8, 2001 01:55:17 PM
eBay maintains a list of many states' ticket resale policies--it should pop up when you attempt to list in the relevant categories, and is accessible to buyers as well. New York allows the resale of tickets for not more than 10% of the face value of the ticket, plus any handling/service fees. Any ticket for any event held in the state of New York is subject to the restriction, even if the transaction is completed in other state(s). HOWEVER, the eBay loophole is that while the seller must include a statement to the effect that the auction will be ended when the bidding hits 110% of face value, the seller can declare any given amount as the value of the ticket. eBay can't/won't cross-check declared values to published values, though they will cancel auctions which don't contain the required verbiage--if the auction is reported to them in sufficient time to do so.
posted on June 8, 2001 02:03:22 PMNew York allows the resale of tickets for not more than 10% of the face value of the ticket, plus any handling/service fees.
It's reassuring to know that elected officials are putting in the time required to evaluate and decide a "fair" price for concerts and sporting events. What country is this again?
posted on June 8, 2001 05:38:39 PM
Here in florida, they get around "scalping" laws by selling "packages". Like "1 superbowl ticket & motel room, $3000.00".
posted on June 8, 2001 07:01:50 PM
New York laws only hold in New York. There is no other way. No matter what New York state says on the matter.
There are many ticket services in New Jersey and Connecticut that sell events in New York for whatever the market will bear. However, in respect to their own state's events, the state laws apply.
For example, a ticket broker in New Jersey can sell a New York event for anything they want, however on New Jersey events they are restricted to a small markup.
posted on June 8, 2001 08:12:40 PM
Totally legal in California. Check out eBay's current auctions for the "free", no face value tickets to the Antiques Roadshow in San Diego. Highest bidder pays for shipping only!
posted on June 9, 2001 01:09:13 AM
There was a story about eBay sales of these tickets in the San Diego Union-Tribune today. They said that in California, it's only illegal to scalp AT THE VENUE--so it's perfectly legal to sell them on eBay and not have to cover it up by "selling" the shipping charge.
I've also seen Southwest Airlines frequent flier tickets (which are not to be sold) being auctioned as a "free" ticket when you purchase the drink coupon book. I even saw one of those auctions where the description said "you are bidding on a beautiful white envelope" with the free ticket inside!!!
posted on June 9, 2001 05:35:16 AM
Ebay's rules for sales of tickets to entertainment events can be seen here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-tickets.html
What's the most common selling method that sellers of tickets to events taking place in states where ebay limits the price? That's easy - the seller just lies about the face value of their tickets. I sent an email to SafeHarbor about a Powerseller that specializes in tickets that lies about the face value of EVERY auction for tickets they have (example, tickets to NY Yankees home games in the outfield bleachers cost only $8 each for every game, the Yankees official home page clearly shows this at http://yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/ticketing/nyy_seating_pricing.jsp?club_context=nyy , but this seller said in his auctions for Mets at Yankees tickets that the face value was $95 each - that's more than a 1000% markup!!!). When I called this to SafeHarbor's attention and included the links to the Yankees and Ticketmaster pages where the TRUE face values of all seats in question were clearly shown, i.e. I gave 100% concrete proof that the seller was breaking ebay's anti-scalping rules, I received this reply from SafeHarbor:
"We have reviewed the auctions you have brought to our attention and taken appropriate action. We would also like to explain eBay's policy with respect to reports like yours. eBay is not in a position to make judgments about the authenticity or authorized nature of auction items, except in the most extreme circumstances. This may mean that we cannot remove the item about which you contacted us. In some cases, we refer the information to the owner of the rights (copyright, trademark, etc.) involved, if we know who they are and how to contact them. Although you may be extremely knowledgeable about these types of items, we often cannot remove items upon the representations of third parties whose credentials we cannot verify, unless of course the alleged infringement is obvious on its face. That is why we strongly urge you to notify the rights holder or law enforcement agency of the suspected infringement and encourage them to join our Verified Rights Owners (VeRO) Program (formerly called Legal Buddy Program). This program enables them to request the ending of allegedly infringing auctions. We appreciate your vigilance in helping us to keep inappropriate auctions off eBay.
Regards,
XXXX
Investigations Team
eBay Powerseller Support "
The bottom line is that even when presented with 100% infallible proof that their ticket sellers are breaking their rules ebay is unable (or unwilling) to do anything about it. As a result there are tons of shady sellers making tons of money by telling lies about the face values of their tickets in their required ebay disclimers, to see a bunch of them just type in the words "yankees mets tickets bleachers" in Search Title and Description box and you'll see dozens of auctions that come up - virtually none of them tell the true $8/ticket face value.
posted on June 13, 2001 06:27:19 PM
I went to a live auction a couple of years ago where the auctioneer put a pencil in the finger grip part of a revolver and held the gun out in front of him, held by the pencil. He said, "You are bidding on this beautiful pencil. Isn't it lovely? I will start the bidding at $50."
I think the winner paid about $100 for the pencil ... and happily trotted home!
posted on June 13, 2001 06:34:57 PM
Heard on the local news tonight that quite a few sorry people bought Lakers & Sixers tickets from scalpers only to find out they were counterfeit. Not on ebay, but it could happen & probably will.
