Bought tix from Broker for PHL - what a scam!

[capetown172]

I gave in and bought U2 tickets for PHL from a broker - 6 seats together, front row of a lower section. $325/each. I'm really excited to see U2 but...it just pisses me off how Ticketmaster can get away with their secretive dealings with the shady brokers...these guys have soooooooo many seats available.

I hated having to use those dirtbag brokers but I couldn't get presale tix with my u2.com code....and I feel guilty for supporting the brokers.... I just can't believe someone like Elliot Spitzer (NY State Attorney General) doesn't go after Ticketmaster or the Brokers.

 

[thousandfold]

Yeah, especially afterthat big old report aboutit that came out of Spitzer's office! What was the point?

I bought tickets from Total Tickets (because my presale code did nada for me) and it cost really a lot. It's a sucky situation.

 

[u2valleygirl]

I wish 60 Minutes or Primetime would do a segment on this.

 

[bonoed]

I'm sorry you had to do that, but it looks like that'll be what a lot of us will be doing as well. Just do without something else instead so that those slimeballs can gas up their Mercedes. U2 doesn't get that money, but those slimes do, with our fan club tickets.

Last night after the Grammy's CBS in L.A. did a short thing on the U2 tickets to go along with what Larry said, they showed a U2 fan on his computer trying to get tickets, then they showed that from the NY Attorney General that we all saw on here. Nothing we didn't know, and they showed that broker woman saying she got the U2 tickets by "redialing over and over." B.S. the fan club tickets they are selling were available only online.

You would think that some show like Dateline or 20/20 would look into the Ticketsfromhellmaster monopoly, especially with all this on the U2 tickets.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

spitzer did something... i can't bid on e-bay for MSG tickets because it's over the percentage new york state residents are allowed, but some scalper or other out of state person CAN bid on the same tickets because they don't have a state law keeping them from doing so

 

[editorinchief]

youre complaining about a problem that YOU are causing.

If you buy tickets off a broker you have no right complain. Its supply and demand. You are increasing the demand by being willing to pay double for tickets.

If you want to blame someone then blame yourself.

I was able to get GA to 5 shows and only one was through presale. Its not just because of scalpers that you couldnt get tickets. There are hundreds of thousands of people trying to get tickets to each show. If no brokers bought ticket that still doesnt mean that you would have got one

 

[Liesje]

I also bought from a broker. I was in Africa during the presale, but my friends didn't get us anything either. During the regular sale, all of us were completely shut out. I got a pretty good price (paid less for two GAs than face value for good tickets). I don't regret going to the broker b/c I was referred to a good one w/ a good price and reliable service and I'm just glad to have the tickets.

 

[editorinchief]

and thats fine...

Its just getting annoying hearing people complain about brokers and then voluntarily use the same service they complain about.

You dont NEED to go see U2. If youre really upset then take a stand and dont fuel the broker business with your money.

Its like complaining about porn on the internet as you jerk off at your computer

 

[doctorwho]

youre complaining about a problem that YOU are causing.

If you buy tickets off a broker you have no right complain. Its supply and demand. You are increasing the demand by being willing to pay double for tickets.

If you want to blame someone then blame yourself.

I was able to get GA to 5 shows and only one was through presale. Its not just because of scalpers that you couldnt get tickets. There are hundreds of thousands of people trying to get tickets to each show. If no brokers bought ticket that still doesnt mean that you would have got one

I realize your point, but disagree with your attitude.

Yes, we are "causing the problem". But unlike you, most of us were completely shut out of either the pre-sale or regular sale for many tickets. This was especially true in the U.S. The fact that you were able to get GA's for five shows makes you an anomoly, not the norm - and I hope you realize that.

For the rest of us who did not get tickets, what are our options?

1. We can skip seeing U2. O.K., great - we don't give the brokers $, but now we don't get to see U2.
2. We can try for an "honest" fan to sell a spare ticket at face value or hope to get one as a gift. We can also hope for world peace and an end to hunger.
3. We use scalpers.

Sadly, most of us are forced to use choice #3 or not see U2 at all. As a fan, most of us want to see the band. Sure, we can skip the tour, but half the fun of being a U2 fan is seeing them live in concert. So again, what choices does one have if tickets are not available? If you can provide a better alternative, please share! Better yet, if you can provide the details on how you secured GA's for five shows, that would really be appreciated!!

 

[capetown172]

I'm OK with "first come, first serve," "supply & demand," etc....but I don't believe for a second that all of us had an equal shot at getting U2 tickets.

If you called many of the brokers or checked their websites immediately after tix went on sale, they had among the best seats in the house available, and I'm sure they were obtained though illegal means. That's my issue.

Anyway, like it was already said - I did not want to miss seeing them and I just hope that all those who can't see them this spring/summer will have a fair opportunity this fall.

 

[U2Bono269]

I also bought PHL tix from a broker. 200 each for behind the stage. But I wanted to go so bad, 200 seemed like nothing.

I agree that it sucks, but its people like us buying these tickets that keep it in business.

 

[editorinchief]

I realize your point, but disagree with your attitude.

Yes, we are "causing the problem". But unlike you, most of us were completely shut out of either the pre-sale or regular sale for many tickets. This was especially true in the U.S. The fact that you were able to get GA's for five shows makes you an anomoly, not the norm - and I hope you realize that.

For the rest of us who did not get tickets, what are our options?

1. We can skip seeing U2. O.K., great - we don't give the brokers $, but now we don't get to see U2.
2. We can try for an "honest" fan to sell a spare ticket at face value or hope to get one as a gift. We can also hope for world peace and an end to hunger.
3. We use scalpers.

Sadly, most of us are forced to use choice #3 or not see U2 at all. As a fan, most of us want to see the band. Sure, we can skip the tour, but half the fun of being a U2 fan is seeing them live in concert. So again, what choices does one have if tickets are not available? If you can provide a better alternative, please share! Better yet, if you can provide the details on how you secured GA's for five shows, that would really be appreciated!!

Tickets for every show, except MSG, were easily attainable. GA tickets may be hard to come by but you could have gotten in the building if you had a broadband connection or T1. Unfortunately for some people they have dial up or waited in line at Ticketmaster. These are no longer viable options to purchase tickets to popular shows.

If I buy a Porsche and you buy a Ford Focus will you complain if my car goes faster? The ability to purchase tickets is no longer luck of the draw like it was 10 years ago. There are tools and skills that can provide an advantage. The people that utulize those advantages usually benefit from them.

We are talking about seconds here so any edge you can get will help you. Outside of MSG, if you couldnt get tickets (I mean get in the building not a specific area) then its nobody fault but yours.


I dont mean to come off as an a**hole but everybody complains that they were swindled and its not true.

(I am also referring to US fans. I know European fans encountered problems out of their control)

 

[JOFO]

if u2's management doesn't do anything about the ticket fiasco with ticketmaster I'd just as soon not even go.

 

[beatlesboy]

There's been a few threads about the scalpers (aka brokers) and a few people accusing others of whining because brokers get away with what they do.

I am one of the majority who believes that what brokers get away with is entirely immoral and with all the ridiculous, trivial crap that is illegal (especially in the U.S.) I think it's hilarious that it continues...

 

[editorinchief]

I just dont understand why tickets to concerts are the one scared thing is this country that people feel others shouldnt be able to buy on speculation?

If I bought a house and sold it to you the next day for $20,000 more than I paid would labeled a scumbag or a smart business person?

I think it sucks that some people might be priced out of seeing the show. However, I believe strongly in the principle of supply and demand that this country is founded on.

Brokering is a risky endeavor. Especially in today's climate with a mediocore economy and bands charging astronomical amounts for tickets. Brokers have had losses in the tens of thousands on big name acts like Madonna. Did anyone cry for them?

I dont want to be an advocate for scalpers but I just feel that if someone wants to take the risk, like buying stock, that they will be able to resell at a higher price then more power to them.

It could just as easily go the other way and you could be buying seats for less than face on Ebay

 

[zooholland]

I just dont understand why tickets to concerts are the one scared thing is this country that people feel others shouldnt be able to buy on speculation?

If I bought a house and sold it to you the next day for $20,000 more than I paid would labeled a scumbag or a smart business person?

I think it sucks that some people might be priced out of seeing the show. However, I believe strongly in the principle of supply and demand that this country is founded on.

Brokering is a risky endeavor. Especially in today's climate with a mediocore economy and bands charging astronomical amounts for tickets. Brokers have had losses in the tens of thousands on big name acts like Madonna. Did anyone cry for them?

I dont want to be an advocate for scalpers but I just feel that if someone wants to take the risk, like buying stock, that they will be able to resell at a higher price then more power to them.

It could just as easily go the other way and you could be buying seats for less than face on Ebay

It snot a complete comparison. If you have lived your whole life in a house that been in the family for decades. Then it was sold to someone else and you decided you want to buy it back. It had to be exactly that house...Now someone you know ,knows you would pay any price to buy that house and bought it just seconds before you could so that he can sell it to you for double the money...wouldnt you feel a litt;e bit screwed..

I'm not saying nobody here is whining but if you pay 325 $ for a tickets your either very rich or a die hard fan....for the die hard fan to complain a little bit about scalpers and brokers is fair to me since they make money with doing nothing at all but find sleazy ways to get a lot of tickets (and ive seen one using sleezy ways!!) because they know that way they increase the demand by themselves. If the money was going to U2 or anybody in their organisation (you know the ones that really did all the work to make such an event possible) it would be a whole other issue..

 

[Chrisedge]

I just dont understand why tickets to concerts are the one scared thing is this country that people feel others shouldnt be able to buy on speculation?

If I bought a house and sold it to you the next day for $20,000 more than I paid would labeled a scumbag or a smart business person?

I think it sucks that some people might be priced out of seeing the show. However, I believe strongly in the principle of supply and demand that this country is founded on.

Brokering is a risky endeavor. Especially in today's climate with a mediocore economy and bands charging astronomical amounts for tickets. Brokers have had losses in the tens of thousands on big name acts like Madonna. Did anyone cry for them?

I dont want to be an advocate for scalpers but I just feel that if someone wants to take the risk, like buying stock, that they will be able to resell at a higher price then more power to them.

It could just as easily go the other way and you could be buying seats for less than face on Ebay

I have "used" brokers both ways. Bought tickets over face value, AND underface value. Many times shows (Like Madonna) are thought to be "good" by scaplers, only to have them end up with too many tickets.

U2 has MANY fans and they just can't play enough shows to meet demand (unless they did stadiums here) and face it, people that have money get the tickets.

Free Enterprise is what this country was founded on. Yes, it sucks that some tickets are diverted to brokers, but I bet the majority of tickets on eBay are people that saw the opportunity, bought some, and are selling some. No "Shady" ticketmaster scam, just someone that got online, and bought them.

 

[oliveu2cm]

The thing that is frustrating is the RIAA got so bent out of shape about illegal downloading, yet NOTHING ever seems be done about this type of scalping!!!

Obviously it's because the illegal downloading takes money out of their pockets- and the scalping only takes money out of the fans pockets, and no one really cares enough to protect the fans.

The whole situation is so infurating.

 

[Chrisedge]

The thing that is frustrating is the RIAA got so bent out of shape about illegal downloading, yet NOTHING ever seems be done about this type of scalping!!!

Obviously it's because the illegal downloading takes money out of their pockets- and the scalping only takes money out of the fans pockets, and no one really cares enough to protect the fans.

The whole situation is so infurating.

One of those things is illegal, the other is free enterprise.

 

[sboow]

I'm curious as to how exactly the brokers/scalpers are able to get their hands on the tickets that they do. If you go to the broker sites there are large quantities of tickets available (albeit at outrageous prices - sadly I have no doubt that there is a market for people who will pay these prices).

This has to be much more than the scalpers inflitrating the U2.com presale. I've got to think that the brokers have greased the wheel with ticketmaster to get first access to large blocks of the best tickets. How else are they doing it?

 

[zooholland]

i think it depends on the scalper. They probably have more than one way to get tix. At the post office where i bought them there was also a scapler. He was 3 places behind me in line (he spend the whole night there i have to admit). He knew the peolple who worked there so he made some arrangements with them to keep a list who was first second third etc in line. During the night he went off in his car and get several people to the post office and sign their name to the list. Those people left within half an hour.

When the general sale started he went towards the counter and sort of arranged the line up (he did indeed do it in the order of the list did wait for his turn). But when it was his turn he had a whole lot of tickets cause he bought for all people he had put on the list and the employees of the PO did nothing about that. They printed out the max amount of tix per login and if someone didnt take all 6 allowed he had the rest put aside for him to buy too....i think he left with 40 tickets or something. I was lucky cause it was my turn before him and he had everything under control so for me (and my 2 friend) everything worked out fine (even more relaxed because of him). But i can understand that people who didnt get tix would be sort of pissed

It only shows that you can never ban this thing completely, cause how do you get people not to use their contacts to get priority in getting tix. I mean it doesnt only happen at the local post office but probably also with ticketmaster, mojo or any other organisation involved...