Fuck! Weird Al Tickets at Philly - Many were bought by scalping websites that triple price or more.

[TheBlackAdder]

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This fucking blows.

My kids would mention that they are cut out of concert venues because tickets for their favorite bands are locked by ticket scalping sites, and they effectively hold the tickets hostage to the highest bidder. I'm checking out $39 mezzanine tickets that are $100 at these scalping sites. The $99 tickets are anywhere from $189 to over $400 on those sites. It makes it impossible to take the family out for a night, without spending $500 or more.

All the good seats are taken. Even if I get the available $39 mez seats, they'll be all the way at the back.

I remember the days when scalping tickets was illegal.

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[ret5hd]

1. I think the venues/ticketmaster et al are all in on it...

If the "market value" of a ticket is $100, why would you sell it for $39?

I can think of one reason: If the bands get a cut of the door, it keeps the bands cut down. So you set up a "shell" company, sell all the tickets to the shell company for $39, then resell them for $100.

I'm not privy to the ins-and-outs of the entertainment industry, but I'd bet something like that is going on.

[BigmanPigman]

2. I saw the Ramones play live in Center City

In 1979 after the film Rock and Roll High School played...for $8. I still have the stub. Who can afford shows these days? All tickets are too expensive as far as my budget goes. I guess artists and teachers are always at the bottom of the salary scale.

[Docreed2003]

3. The whole online "batch" buying of got tickets infuriates me

In our area, every single concert seems to sell out within seconds through online buyers, but, interestingly, show up on third party sites like stub hub at marked up prices within mins!!! It's infuriating.

[MichMan]

4. I miss the old days when you had to line up at the box office a day ahead of time to get tickets

[msongs]

5. yet if u try sell your tix in the parking lot you are arrestable as a scalper nt