Interesting article about Calgary scalpers. Sounds like a lot of them simply scour the net for underpriced tickets, buy them for cheap then resell them for a profit.
This brings up an issue I wanted to. In my group I had tickets to game six and once we knew there was a game six I told one of the other guys that I was probably going to sell them (calm down...no way I was going to do that!)
He immediately freaked out and said I had to sell to one of them first. I disagree because they're my tickets; we split them but if I want to sell my seats then I should be able to. If someone wants to pay a ridiculous amount to go, why shouldn't I sell them?
Its purely a hypothetical in the sense that I'm not selling anyway.
In that situation they are yours to do whatever you want with. Being a STH means that you sometimes take a beating on games you can't make. Why should you not profit when times are better?
Another group that shares seats behind us has a draw for the rights to sell Toronto every year, how is that any different? I think if you paid for the tickets then they are yours to do with as you please.
Interesting article about Calgary scalpers. Sounds like a lot of them simply scour the net for underpriced tickets, buy them for cheap then resell them for a profit.
Sorry - I was not clear. I found his pricing strategy odd (or surprising).
Average ticket price in the section was just north of $500 per ticket (second bowl, centre ice), and mine were at the very top of the section.
After mine sold, the buyer listed them for $770/ticket, then ultimately $800, and now they are listed at $650. I wouldn't have even noticed they were my tickets except I was showing a friend what the top price in the section was (he has tickets in the same section) and he noted that it was my tickets that I just sold. We both thought it odd, and best we could come up with.
1. Someone bought tickets, with intent to go, but thought, if they could make a buck why not
2. Someone believes that I had significantly undervalued my tickets (possible) and was trying for arbitrage
Again, I find it odd, because now at $1300 for the pair (minus $130 for TM) he is only going to make $120 (and the cheapest tickets in the section are now $420 - and you can get lower bowl for $550/ticket)
And part of me is wondering what is up for someone to price them so badly (I don't think I can be scammed, I believe the risk is on TM).
My guess is said person probably will go, but if someone bites, then they'll sell.
There's also the chance that it was a first timer, who had no idea that TM took a chunk off the seller as well, when they bought yours. When that extra fee was realized as they re-listed, they suddenly inflated their price, trying to make their original intended profit.
If anyone is interested in the ticket re-selling market, sports illustrated did a piece during the Super Bowl where they followed one of the top resellers in the USA around for 4 days. I thought it was a great read.
I have nothing against fans that financially support the team all year long by being season ticket holder, that sell their tickets for a profit.
I do hate those people though that treat scalping like a business and buy up tickets before fans who actually want to see the game can have an opportunity to buy them. I think those people are #######s. Even though it is not illegal in Alberta to do so, I think it just really sucks for both the Flames and the fans.
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Would love to, but my wife would kill me - I was on a boys trip on the weekend and golfed last night, and she has a thing tonight and is expecting me to spend time with the our children (and not passing them off to a sitter).