I couldn't buy tickets to a show I didn't know about. That way I can pick the events I want to go to w/o investing lots of money in season ticket plans. Essentially, this will mean that StubHub, Ticketmaster or other sites would have to set up shop somewhere in the state, a relatively easy proposition. (this may not be the same place you live), Faulty/Defective Products/Services (Auto, Drug), Investments (Annuities, Securities, IPOs), Online Law I paid about 2000 for two season tickets, but ended up seeing most of the games for much cheaper. The Commonwealth alleged that Secure had been selling tickets online for years without following the requirements for online ticket sales. [35] Ticket resale on the premises of the event (including adjacent parking lots that are officially part of the facility) may be prohibited by law. ".. crime without a victim in fact, it is a crime where both parties are agreeable to the transaction" is incorrect. These cannot be later resold or transferred via ticket exchanges such as StubHub.[5]. There is a lack of symmetry in logic when it comes to the argument of creating fair, open markets as in an ideal system of capitalism, one creates a product and others are free to create a competing, similar product of their own volition (infers not stealing the design of the first creator) then that in principle is what we know as a fair and open market. In rare circumstances, scalpers may sell tickets for seats that do not exist or have obstructed views, making enjoyment of the event difficult or impossible. @ FrameMaker- I disagree with you. I agree it is not fair. Considering that tickets are sold so quickly, the only way a person may be able to attend an event or buy tickets may be through a broker. Jaclyn started at LegalMatch in October 2019. There are a number of people who do not see any reason why scalping should be illegal. The new law became effective immediately. After several years of working for both criminal defense and entertainment law firms, she enrolled in law school. Seven states Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania require a special license to resell tickets. 162, effective1/1 . The new law removes the cap and requires that the reseller guarantee a full refund if the event is cancelled or the ticket is not valid upon entry. A concern when buying tickets on the street from a ticket scalper or via an online auction is that the tickets sold by ticket re-sellers may themselves be stolen or counterfeit. However, you have approximately 16 states where ticket resale above face-value is restricted. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has entered into a settlement agreement, known as an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC), with online ticket reseller Secure Ticket Purchase, LLC and John Urich, who sold tickets online through the website, Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law. Please provide a valid Zip Code or City and choose a category, Please select a city from the list and choose a category. Reg. The Keystone State joins Connecticut and New York as the most recent states to legalize ticket scalping, but requires resellers have a presence in the state. Someone's got a product to sell, someone else is looking for that product. As some people purchase scalped tickets unknowingly, it would be difficult to enforce many rules against individuals purchasing the tickets. Those who legalized it, should be ashamed of themselves. has been one of the largest ticket resale platforms for Pennsylvania consumers. In Wisconsin, the state law provides that a ticket cannot be sold for more than the original price of the ticket. A person may also buy a ticket and no longer need them. If convicted, it will appear as a misdemeanor on an offenders criminal record. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ticket resale is a form of arbitrage that arises when the number demanded at the sale price exceeds the number supplied (that is, when event organizers charge less than the equilibrium prices for the tickets). Thanks in advance for any answers you can provide. In Pennsylvania, a special brokers license is required; however, it is not uncommon for many unauthorized scalpers to carry out their own illegal transactions. In the United States, the laws regulating ticket scalping varies from one state to another. Licensure, Registration and Delegation Several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina require that anyone who resells tickets must either register or obtain a license from the state, both of which require an annual fee. from Fordham University, majoring in both Journalism and the Classics (Latin). Four states North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Virginia leave the issue up to local municipalities. I have to further the disgust on this issue since I was not able to get online today to try to get on of the few tickets available for the Pens next home playoff game coming up on Sunday. Approximately 16 of the 50 states have a law that makes scalping illegal. The unfair part of scalping is when scalpers buy up a large amount of tickets, making it impossible for enough customers to buy the tickets they want at the affordable price. The BOTS act enforces several penalties and fines for parties found guilty of using bots or other technology for undermining online ticket seller systems with the hopes of selling them on the secondary ticket market. I appreciate how the article presents both sides of the argument with regard to scalpers and the actual practice itself. So to determine if scalping is legal or not, youll need to look at state laws or laws at the municipality or county level. [45], "Scalper" redirects here. You have many websites and platforms offering the possibility for individuals and businesses to buy tickets when the official event organizer has all their tickets sold out. While there are no federal laws against ticket scalping in the United States, many states have their own restrictions against the practice. It is aimed at the instant mass acquisition of tickets to resell them at a higher price and generate a profit. On the other hand, if a scalper is a repeat offender or has a significant rap sheet, then they could receive fines that are greater than $1,000 and a prison sentence for one year or longer. Recently, the state of Florida passed a law that prohibited the resale of tickets that cost more than a dollar extra than the original ticket price. Is anything being done to better regulate the industry and make the ticket-buying process more user-friendly? The ballots are intended to discourage re-selling by making it harder to purchase large numbers of tickets because being at the front of the queue does not guarantee the holder a ticket. Present BTW you could go online at the beginning of the year and buy up tickets and if that team dont make it to the finals your going to be out a lot of money. For example, in Arizona, scalping is prohibited within 200 feet of the entrance of the venue. If you did that and just sold off the other tickets at face value to friend ( or actually use them) you would have gotten them for face value. I personally don't see a problem with ticket scalping. Laws about ticket scalping vary by state, and there is no federal law that prohibits the practice. As a result, many websites are able to provide ticket scalping services online without real consequences even if its in violation of the law. Events that commonly attract ticket scalpers include the following and more: If there is an extreme shortage of tickets for an event that is in high demand, scalpers may go even further than simply buying and reselling authentic tickets. Is Amazon actually giving you a competitive price? There is a big difference between needing to offload tickets you cant use and preventing normal people from being able to afford the ticket price. I agree with the person above. Let me know when you want to give that all up. There are regulations to follow, and fines and penalties if they are not followed. Ten years ago, when Minnesota became the first state to legalize ticket resale (scalping) without any constraints or regulatory oversight, it set in motion one of the most interesting. What are the essential elements you should know! When was the last time the local governments stopped bowing down to lobbyist organizations? It is controversial whether tickets are goods which can be privately resold. In most of these states, scalping is considered a misdemeanor that may result in the offender getting a fine and up to one year in jail. Everyone knows that regular ticket prices for major league sporting events are already too high. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: These criminals and their activities are not to be confused with legitimate ticket brokers and individuals who abide by the law to legally resell tickets on the secondary market. This does not actually get around eBay's selling rules, as they effectively state that the goods that the buyer receives are what the seller is selling, including any free bonuses. This little known plugin reveals the answer. These laws vary from state to state, and the majority of US states do not have laws in place to limit the value placed on the resale amount of event tickets or where and how these tickets should be sold. Another thing is, yes, you should not wait until the last minute. One common form of regulation is the banning of ticket sales within a certain distance of where the event is taking place. The state of Alabama has an interesting twist in its scalping law. Pennsylvania Governor Signs Law Allowing Ticket Resale. . Ticket scalping, also known as ticket brokering, refers to the act of reselling tickets for an art, cultural, music, or sporting event at a price that is higher than the original face value of a ticket. Those who want to make the practice illegal argue that the system favors the wealthy and prompts scalpers to buy large quantities of tickets strictly for resale. Or would this viewed as nothing more than buying and selling to demand like stocks or collectible commodities? For example, some states prohibit the scalping of tickets if a scalper is 1500 feet or closer to the entrance of a venue where a resold ticket can be used. What's been the impact of bots swarming ticketing websites?What are some common scams and issues related to ticket reselling and scalping? Secure previously guaranteed ticket buyers a full and immediate monetary refund for a canceled event. Disorderly Conduct Lawyers Near Me, Georgia Reckless Conduct Causing Harm or Endangering Bodily Safety Lawyers, Georgia Second Offense Interference of Custody Attorneys, Georgia First Offense Interference with Custody Lawyers, Nevada Obstructing a Public Officer Attorneys, Nevada Bullying by Use of Electronic Communication Device Lawyers, Nevada Misdemeanor Evading the Police Attorneys, Texas Obscene Display or Distribution Lawyers, Texas Possession of Alcoholic Beverage in Motor Vehicle Attorneys, Texas Funeral Service Disruptions Attorneys. Prior to joining LegalMatch, Jaclyn was a paralegal and freelance writer. NEVER. It is unlawful in several states, such as New York and California, to resell tickets for more than face value without a license. Buying tickets from a scalper is riskier and more expensive than purchasing them from an authorized vendor. your case, What to Do to Have a Strong Misdemeanor Defense Case, What Would Be Considered Disorderly Conduct? It's not "fair?" Scalping in Pennsylvania is legal, as long as the seller doesn't collect $5 or 25 percent more than face value on the ticket, whichever is higher. The state of New York has adopted a law known as the Arts and Cultural Affairs law, which prohibits the reselling of tickets for an amount that is ten percent or five dollars more than the original cost of the ticket. It is not intended to provide legal advice or opinions of any kind. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has entered into a settlement agreement, known as an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC), with online ticket reseller Secure Ticket Purchase, LLC and John Urich, who sold tickets online through the website www.boxofficeticketsales.com for alleged violations of Pennsylvanias Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law. Now yes supply & demand do come into play but it seems some of these people bought a lot of tickets with the intent of just selling them for profit. In the United Kingdom resale of football tickets is illegal under section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 unless the resale is authorized by the organizer of the match. If re-sellers buy the tickets and the tickets are not then sold out, then they risk a loss. I now realize I couldn't get them because resellers were buying them at the exact same time, not even letting us eager consumers purchase the tickets for the event we want! Secure Ticket Purchase, LLC (Secure) offers tickets online for events in Pennsylvania and beyond. The efforts required to shut down these websites illegally selling tickets is costly and time-consuming for the police authorities and law enforcement. It is simply supply and demand. I've had a difficult time figuring out where this scenario fits. By the way those who buy season tickets pay more than face! The penalty to violating the law includes fines of $1,000 to $2,000 for the first offense, and as much as $200,000 for repeated violations. Last Updated on May 27, 2009 by By Alfred Branch Jr. Rhode Island state law prohibits the scalping of tickets for an amount that is either ten percent or three dollars more than the original ticket price, whichever of the two ends up costing an individual a greater amount to repurchase. If I could, I would pay the artist directly, but no, I already have to give ticketmaster x amount in fees, and now some jerks purchase up the tickets I"m trying to buy and want to charge me triple the price! StubHub flourished, becoming one of America's fastest-growing private companies before it was acquired by eBay in January 2007 for a reported $310 million. When I first moved to Phoenix, I bought Season tickets to the Cardinals in the Club Section. [22] As a result, in 2017, Ontario announced legislation to attempt to crack down on scalper bots. Scalping in Pennsylvania is legal, as long as the seller doesn't collect $5 or 25 percent more than face value on the ticket, whichever is higher. Normal hard working middle class people that want to attend a game are being extorted into paying prices that are not regulated. Even in states that do not place restrictions on the act of ticket scalping, there may still be laws on where scalpers may operate to resell tickets. Places where you are likely to see scalpers are: Another form of scalping that has taken a lot of momentum in the past years is online scalping. 28-4101 - 4103. In other words, it is designed to prevent online ticket scalping. People are selling these tickets for $800. Seems perfectly fair to me. In the US, ticket scalping is the practice of buying and reselling event tickets by private citizens, rather than by the sponsoring venue or organization, usually at a much higher price than their face value. Do you or your family attend 90% of the games you purchased? A: Scalping in California is not legal if: a) a person sells a ticket for admission to an event without the written permission of the owner or operator of the property where the event is. I sold the tickets to the Dallas Game because I had no interest in seeing the Cowboys play, and I knew that there were a lot of transplants from Texas who wanted to see the game. Online ticket resellers may bypass the licensing requirement by having a business presence in the Commonwealth, registering with the Department of State, and guaranteeing full refunds to customers if the event is canceled or the tickets are defective. I am sure if you just wanted to go to a regular season Penguins game during the middle of the week against a last place team you would buy the tickets for LESS than face value and never feel guilty that someone lost money so you could go. TL;DR: I realized that if the system of capitalism is meant to act as a defense to the legality of their actions, it should be taken into consideration that it is in no way an ideal model or example of capitalism. A question that comes to mind is whether or not scalping tickets is illegal? Some events have Ticket Transfer which allows the tickets to change ownership and allow for tickets to be transferred through Ticketmaster's proprietary systems. Scalping or ticket touting is against what general customers want. The point of this ridiculous situation is that if the team sets the price for level E seats at the Penguin arena for Round 3 at $90 then you should only have to play $90 for the item. [8] The legislation was signed into law in December 2016 by then President Barack Obama. Another common practice is scalpers that sell tickets that have already been scanned at the venue gate since entry is typically allowed only when a ticket is scanned for the first time. It actually helped me realize something, which would likely be seen as a secondary argument in favor of deeming it illegal: although it operates on foundational principles rooted in capitalism and all is fair in love and war. As part of the settlement, Secure has agreed to fully refund any Pennsylvania consumer who purchased a ticket before November 19, 2021 to a show which was canceled, and has not yet received a monetary refund from Secure. Others see themselves as businessmen. The artist isn't making any more money. Season ticket holders generally receive the same exact seat locations year after year thus they can enter a contract to deliver on tickets that they own the rights to, even if those tickets have not even been printed or sent to the original ticket holder. [36], Some US states and venues encourage a designated area for re-sellers to stand in, on, or near the premises, while other states and venues prohibit ticket resale altogether. I was able to live like the wealthy, eating at the premium buffets, extra wide seats, full bars with lounges and player meet and greets, all for less than the price of a pair of cheap seats for the season. All the complainers dont understand about commitment. If you want to ensure that you do not have to pay over face then get season tickets. I am glad to have brokers. Those in favor of the legality of ticket scalping say that going through brokers creates a safe and reliable way to get tickets. There have been numerous times (this morning included) where I have been online with my finger on the refresh button two minutes prior to the official selling time. There definitely should be a cap to the price. The police may organize campaigns from time to time to enforce scalping laws. You should do some research into the event, and if possible, follow the organization's links to the authorized seller's webpage. When was the the sporting event you attended in Cuba? 19891 Ticket Scalping scalping,9 while others restrict or define the maximum resale profit. Nefarious players in the ticket-buying game take advantage of the increased demand for popular events to swindle buyers, often through price gouging or selling fake or nonexistent tickets. In most of these states, scalping is considered a misdemeanor that may result in the offender getting a fine and up to one year in jail. [17], In Victoria, some events are declared as "major events" and protected by the Major Events Act 2009. Online ticket brokering is the resale of tickets through a web-based ticket brokering service. You want to attend an event with a demand that is many multiples of the number of available seats. The reality is that law enforcement officers and police officers have a limited number of staff and resources and need to deal with a wide range of crimes (and criminals). After that, they resell them with inflated prices. Did I sell the rest.Enjoy your Cuban! Credit Aventus / What should would-be buyers know to protect themselves when purchasing tickets online or from secondary sources? It was a preseason game and the Phillies organization treated it as such providing thoses fans with not as much as a token of appreciation for coming out to a meaningless preseason game. Missing a ticketing platform's initial on sale time for a popular event most often results in one of two outcomes: You don't go or you end up paying many times the face value to get in. They are different from scalpers since they offer a consumer-facing storefront to return to if there is any problem with their transaction. The consequences for ticket scalping vary according to the jurisdiction and the seriousness of the offense. The majority of transactions that occur are via credit card over the phone or internet. In fact, when the next generation gaming console (like the Xbox or Playstation) is scheduled to be released, they may be available only in limited quantities for preorder. Prior to Rendell, a Democrat, signing the bill, the State Senate unanimously approved the measure, which had been sponsored by Republican State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson. Unlike Connecticut, New York, Minnesota or other states that have recently approved the resale of tickets, Pennsylvanias law is a bit trickier by requiring resellers have a presence in the state: A reseller that uses [an] Internet website shall not be required to obtain a license to resell through the Internet website if the operator of the Internet website: Has a business presence and physical street address in this Commonwealth and clearly and conspicuously posts that address on the Internet website, or has a business presence in this Commonwealth and one of the following: a registered agent, a foreign business license or a certificate of authority issued by the Department of State.. RE: higher price because of greed: Really? 717-787-5211 The scalper must also specify the actual cost of the ticket, along with the retail price and section included on the ticket if they advertise to resell a ticket. In 2009, Ticketmaster started adoption of a "paperless" restricted ticketing, in which tickets could not be resold. You can almost argue that the clients consent was vitiated to a certain extent as they purchased based on emotions and they would not have the ability to get a refund or return the tickets if they realized that they made a mistake. It is just the nature of convenience. Bus. Everyone has access to the tickets at the same time, scalpers and non-scalpers alike. It is important to note that not every state considers ticket scalping to be illegal. Customers have argued that this generates an unfair advantage for the scalpers, adding to an already controversial practice, and many sites have begun implementing anti-bot measures to combat such tactics. Generally, the majority of trading on ticket brokering websites concerns itself with tickets to live entertainment events whereby the primary officially licensed seller's supply has been exhausted and the event has been declared "sold-out". To avoid purchasing scalped tickets, it is best to acquire them straight from the official box office or a trustworthy ticket seller. Login. What Is A Motion To Dismiss (All You Need To Know), What Is A Demurrer (Explained: All You Need To Know), What Is Music Law (Explained: All You Need To Know). Im trying to get tickets to a concerts that sold out in a matter of minutes. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. 717-787-3391. This is why this country is going to the dogs. If you dont or cant pay the price then dont go. I dont know. I don't know if there is a limit to the number of tickets you can buy at one time, but I'm sure there are ways to get around it. If the official website for the event sells out, these sites promote themselves as a second chance. Finally, Secure will pay restitution to the Commonwealth and the costs of the investigation. When ticket scalping laws are broken, consequences are often not enforced. Thanks, Ticketmaster. If the reseller buys up the tickets, fans may not have the opportunity to purchase tickets at their original cost. Secure has also agreed to immediately take appropriate steps to comply with the Pennsylvania ticket resale statute. I have Penguin season tickets and a guy who sat in my row last season had his tickets revoked for this season because he sold too many games on the internet. During the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent cancellation of events, such as music concerts, Secure Ticket Purchase changed its refund policy to only offer store credit for purchasers of tickets for canceled shows. HALF. For cutting of the human scalp, see, Svartbiljetter kan frbjudas, Sydsvenskan 7 September 2010, Koll p konsertbiljettskpet?, Konsumentvrket, retrieved 18 June 2014, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, "THE TRUNK LINE WARFARE - WHAT THE RAILROAD PASSENGER AND TICKET AGENTS SAY. if you really want the fair price, how about buy the tickets before that night? So, then what separates scalping from something like drop shipping? Scalpers act to distribute tickets to those who value them the most, or, as. Since scalpers only sell to clients willing to pay a high price to get the ticket, the police may not be convinced that the victim was truly a victim of a crime. Additional rules may limit to amount above the original price that scalpers can charge for tickets, or require scalpers to pay fees. I think the problem is that people get GREEDY. I agree that there should be a cap on the price tickets are allowed to resell for. The New York Times reported that this could help the agency determine demand for a given event and more effectively compete with ticket re-sellers.[41]. During the 19th century, the term scalper was applied to railroad ticket brokers who sold tickets for lower rates.[1]. Pennsylvania must make a change that a number of other states have already made, he said. Law, Insurance I wonder if this law limits the actions teams can take against season ticket holders, etc. According to Stephen Barrett of Quackwatch, many online ticket resellers use URLs that are similar to official box-office websites, sometimes implying via their texts or their pictures that they are official, use internet advertising to increase traffic to their website, and don't clearly state the real prices they charge for a ticket.[15]. When the supply of tickets for a given event available through authorized ticket sellers is depleted, the event is considered "sold out", generally increasing the market value for any tickets on offer through secondary sellers. [2] The measure was taken in response to ticket scalping and resale markup of tickets on secondary markets and adopted during Miley Cyrus (2009) World Wonder Tour, although Ticketmaster first experimented it with AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour (200810). Still, if the event you want to attend has been sold out, it can be tempting to look for alternative ways to buy tickets. Official Ticketmaster Site", "Ticketmaster tries to cut out scalpers again", "Miley Cyrus Fights Scalpers with Paperless Tickets", "StubHub begins warning customers that some paperless ticket sales might be refunded", "An underground community of 'sneakerheads' is using bots to corner the market on rare sneakers", "Ticketmaster Sues Broker Over Use of 'Bots' to Buy Up Tickets", "Congress Moves to Curb Ticket Scalping, Banning Bots Used Online", "Ticketmaster's near monopoly challenged as technology changes", "TicketsNow.com, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek", "Don't Get Misled By Online Ticket Resellers", "Stringent Quebec ticket resale law goes into effect", "Newsroom: Ontario Protecting Consumers in the Resale Ticket Market", "'There's a big problem': Two-thirds of Tragically Hip tickets weren't sold directly to fans", "After Tragically Hip show outrage, Ontario moves on scalper bots", "Anti-touting laws would just send business online minister", "Outrage as an official Ticketmaster website allows touts to sell U2 tickets at TREBLE the price", "Polish football official arrested for ticket-touting at Aviva", "Israeli Knesset debate prior to enacting the 67th amendment to the Israeli Penal Code", http://www.sydsvenskan.se/kultur--nojen/svartbiljetter-kan-forbjudas/, http://www.konsumentverket.se/Om-oss/Nyheter-och-aktuella-fragor/Pressmeddelanden/Pressmeddelanden-2014/Koll-pa-konsertbiljettskopet/, "BBC NEWS - Entertainment - Q&A: Ticket touting", "Inside Wimbledon's Black Market Ticket Trade", "The surreptitious rise of the online scalper", "STATE v. CARDWELL - 246 Conn. 721 (1998) - Leagle.com", "BIG DAY OUT 2010 - Music Festival - Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth", "M2006 > Ticketing > About the Ticket Ballot and Special Ticket Offer", Ticketmaster Auction Will Let Highest Bidder Set Concert Prices, "Somerset - Glastonbury Festival - Glasto until 2010?
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