Hartford Civic Center Box Office / Scalper DISGRACE

[twochordcool]

Re: Re: Re: Hartford Civic Center Box Office / Scalper DISGRACE

No, he's complaining about scalpers who use homeless people to wait in line, then jump ahead in big groups when the windows open, then buy a bunch of tickets up so they can resell them at a much higher price (which is illegal).

The seats he first turned down (maybe over the computer, I don't know) were not what he wanted/far away so he wanted to try to see if any GA became available that day.

It's not that "other people" are buying the tickets. Scalpers, who have no intention of seeing the show and are going to resell the tickets at a huge markup, are buying up all the tickets - after he and other people waited in line for hours.

PRECISELY.

Even if I could not get the tickets that I wanted or could afford, they ought not go to people that intend on ripping off the genuine fans in the streets.

 

[twochordcool]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Hartford Civic Center Box Office / Scalper DISGRACE

Scalpers suck, there's no doubt about that.

The only two shows where I had to wait for a ticketdrop this year were the Atlanta shows. The scalpers were there, of course, but the arena staff did a decent job of keeping things somewhat orderly, and there were even a number of real police (not security) who kept an eye on all the scalpers. The scalpers who were in line got their tickets, but I got mine, so it worked for me.

I just don't see the problem in the original post. All he wanted were GA's. No GA's were released. Why blame the scalpers?

You're totally missing the point -

or are WWAAYY to lenient with your attitude towards scalping.

I WAS frustrated because the tickets that I wanted did not come available - and perhaps I was more pissed off because of it -

but all of that is irrelevant - it still does not excuse the fact that the box office sold so many tickets to people who were so obviously intent on ripping off the fans.

 

[twochordcool]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hartford Civic Center Box Office / Scalper DISGRACE

I guess at that point it's about scalper behavior in general I guess .

The same thing happened in Miami 2 - I don't think they ever released GAs, but the scalpers were intimidating people and it was not a pleasant atmosphere to say the least. I would have been mad to if I had seen scalpers buying up tickets over and over again right in front of me to the point where there were no more tickets at all left, even though there were no GA's to begin with.

It's not like "I'm pissed I didn't get GAs", it's "I'm pissed that this is so blatanly going on and no one is doing anything about this illegal stuff".

But that's just my opinion, not speaking for twochord cool .

No, you're exactly right - you hit the nail on the head.

I guess some people are just too tolerant of injustices or are not bright enough to know the difference.

And if you really know and love what U2 is about then you should understand what I am trying to say.

 

[twochordcool]

I call shenanigans. For the venue box office management to condone this behavior implicates them. Someone is getting a kickback or payoff to look the other way. If this happens to you, call a local news crew or radio station and try to generate some publicity or get some coverage of the chaos. If you have a camera phone, record the scene and offer it to the media. That would be a real black eye, generate some bad press for the venue operator. After the fact, there isn't much you can do besides write letters, try to cause them some public embarassment. Someone just might lose their job and you just might get some measure of justice/satisfaction.

That is a VVEERRYY GOOD suggestion.

IF this happens at ANY of the remaining shows it is EXACTLY what I suggest you do - it would DEFINITELY be a news story - especially in a smaller market.

I did not have a cell phone otherwise I might try to get ahold of some people.

I tried to point out what was going on to the civic center security, but they told me that the box office was separate and that the box office did not care who they sold tickets to as long as they had money.

Also, I am sure some of these dangerous, shady characters saw me approach security and knew what I was talking about - it could have been dangerous to me.

It should not have been my responsibility to point out the obvious.

 

[twochordcool]

Such hate from a guy who ended up with free tickets in section 104?

And when you say they were "obviously" scalpers, you mean they were obviously black, don't you?

I'm not dissagreeing with your premise, but geez. Calm down. You seem like a very angry man!

Dude, I don't know if you have ever waited in line for U2 tickets on the day of the show - it is stressful enough - it's usually a long day (12 hours) of chewing your fingernails down to your knuckles.

NOBODY should have to deal with competing with scalpers - I am sure the band would be outraged if they could put themselves in my shoes on this day.

 

[twochordcool]

And when you say they were "obviously" scalpers, you mean they were obviously black, don't you?

A lot of them were black - but even more importantly they looked like street thugs.

Don't make it a black or white thing.

There are a lot of clean-cut African Americans that are U2 fans that I would not suspect were scalpers simply by looking at them.

Let's keep it real - U2 fans are generally clean-cut, educated, bright, clean, law-abiding citizens.

One-third of the scalpers were white - dirty, trashy, red-neck, burnt-out, teeth missing white people.

My son is 14 years old and I think he could point out the scum from the non-scum, regardless of race.

 

[Imarocker]

[/QUOTE]
U2 has the best intention with the ticket releases. They always have. Unfortunately, I think they need to take the extra step of instituting a policy for ticket releases the day of a show. People should be told in advance that if tickets are released, they will be allowed to purchase such tickets but must be escorted directly into the building upon purchase. This is the only way to stop the scalpers. [/B][/QUOTE]

Just use the Springsteen method,
your tickets are in will call, you pick them up with your ID & CC, then you go directly into the building..this works for all the Prime seats & GA
Scalper Scum should be jailed & have the IRS on their AZZEZ, I tell them to go F**k off & get a job at burger king, I'd rather them eat a ticket then buy it from them. They're nothing but crooks as far as I'm concerned.

 

[twochordcool]

It would just be a bummer if somehow the only sure way to get U2 tickets - putting in the time and waiting on the day of the show - was taken away because they had no other way to control scalpers.

Cops ought to be more serious and more aggressive when enforcing these laws - even if it means watching who buys tickets, figuring out who is probably not buying tickets for themselves, and then watching these people on the streets - what is so hard about that?

 

[kellyahern]

It would just be a bummer if somehow the only sure way to get U2 tickets - putting in the time and waiting on the day of the show - was taken away because they had no other way to control scalpers.

Cops ought to be more serious and more aggressive when enforcing these laws - even if it means watching who buys tickets, figuring out who is probably not buying tickets for themselves, and then watching these people on the streets - what is so hard about that?

I've seen some news programs where undercover cops do pose as ticket buyers, buy tickets from scalpers, then arrest them. But that's sort of after the fact (the scalpers have already got the tickets) and I don't know how often these arrests happen.

 

[Utoo]

Just use the Springsteen method,
your tickets are in will call, you pick them up with your ID & CC, then you go directly into the building..this works for all the Prime seats & GA

I think this is how most smart shows will be run in the hopefully-not-too-distant future.

Hopefully......

 

[Johnovox]

U2 has the best intention with the ticket releases. They always have. Unfortunately, I think they need to take the extra step of instituting a policy for ticket releases the day of a show. People should be told in advance that if tickets are released, they will be allowed to purchase such tickets but must be escorted directly into the building upon purchase. This is the only way to stop the scalpers. [/QUOTE]

Just use the Springsteen method,
your tickets are in will call, you pick them up with your ID & CC, then you go directly into the building..this works for all the Prime seats & GA
Scalper Scum should be jailed & have the IRS on their AZZEZ, I tell them to go F**k off & get a job at burger king, I'd rather them eat a ticket then buy it from them. They're nothing but crooks as far as I'm concerned. [/B][/QUOTE]

The Springsteen method would not work for seats released the day of the show at the venue. However, I recall that day of show seats were released phone only for the Zoo TV St. patricks day show in Boston and that was will call only - I remember as I got tickets that morning for 2 of my friends - I already had 4th row center from Propaganda : )

I still think if they release tickets at the venue the day of the show, then there could be a policy in place whereby you must enter the arena. One solution would be that you don't get tickets at all but receive a wristband - of course this would only work with GA tickets. I still think my first suggestion could work. They would make the purchase conditioned on entering the arena - you never receive your ticket until you go through gates and its already been scanned. If you disagree, no ticket for you!

 

[Utoo]

It would just be a bummer if somehow the only sure way to get U2 tickets - putting in the time and waiting on the day of the show - was taken away because they had no other way to control scalpers.

I agree with most of your sentiment through most of this thread.. One thing, though--- You really can't expect that waiting for a ticket drop the day of the show is "the only sure way to get U2 tickets." Not that many tickets really are released; the number and availability of any tickets really varies on the location, number of shows there, etc. You can't expect to get a ticket from a ticket drop---you can only hope. I was really amazed when I saw people at a show complaining that all the venue was releasing was seats & no GAs---and this person thought it was so wrong of the venue to do that. When it really comes down to it, whether it's GAs or seats---you're really lucky to get anything at all the day of the event.


Anyhooo...back to the scalper issue...

 

[retro]

wow...

it really sounds like the box office was in cahoots with the scalpers. someone is getting a kickback at the box office. for a box office manager to give you a 'shut up' bribe like that, there must be some serious money exchanging hands here.

i think you should post your complaint on the U2.com message board as well. it might filter back to the band. you may have uncovered a serious scam that is sweeping the north american concert scene.

however, u should probably eliminate the parts where you wish death on the scalpers...and insulting the homeless. your complaint will fall on deaf ears if they think your an angry ignorant man.

granted .. if i saw the same thing you did, i'd probably lose it to.

 

[twochordcool]

I agree with most of your sentiment through most of this thread.. One thing, though--- You really can't expect that waiting for a ticket drop the day of the show is "the only sure way to get U2 tickets." Not that many tickets really are released; the number and availability of any tickets really varies on the location, number of shows there, etc. You can't expect to get a ticket from a ticket drop---you can only hope. I was really amazed when I saw people at a show complaining that all the venue was releasing was seats & no GAs---and this person thought it was so wrong of the venue to do that. When it really comes down to it, whether it's GAs or seats---you're really lucky to get anything at all the day of the event

Well, unfortunately, with tickets selling out completely in 10 minutes for any given show the moment they go on sale there is NO guarantee of EVER getting tickets to ANY U2 show - unless you go through a ticket broker after it sells out - and that is nothing more than legally controlled scalping anyway - and something is very wrong with that.

This is the whole reason that I have waited in line on the day of the show - it has given me the best chance of getting tickets in the past.

And fucking scalpers did not take advantage of this method until this tour - as far as I am aware of.

At least it's the first time I'VE experienced competing with the slime for tickets day of show - and I've done this a few times on different tours.

 

[twochordcool]

Re: wow...

it really sounds like the box office was in cahoots with the scalpers. someone is getting a kickback at the box office. for a box office manager to give you a 'shut up' bribe like that, there must be some serious money exchanging hands here.

i think you should post your complaint on the U2.com message board as well. it might filter back to the band. you may have uncovered a serious scam that is sweeping the north american concert scene.

however, u should probably eliminate the parts where you wish death on the scalpers...and insulting the homeless. your complaint will fall on deaf ears if they think your an angry ignorant man.

granted .. if i saw the same thing you did, i'd probably lose it to.

1) I can't say for sure whether it was "sympathy" that got me tickets - or if it was something to try to get me to shut up - and the tickets came from the band will call window - and we were quite upset - perhaps someone in high places pulled some strings and gave remaining leftover tickets to the most pathetic fans they could find? Many thoughts crossed my mind.

2) As far as wishing death on scalpers and insulting the homeless -

a) The scalpers are ruthless, slimy street scum with no conscience whatsoever - thiefs with a twist of thug / gangster / hip-hop mentality. No sympathy here.

and -

b) I did not mean to come off as though I was insulting the homeless - although a lot of homeless people are homeless because of poor decisions in life - I merely pointed out how the scalpers used the homeless people to use up places in lines at the box office.

I am generally not an "angry ignorant man" - I am a HUGE U2 fan that goes through a lot of stress and puts in a lot of time to try to LEGITIMATELY get my tickets...it's not right to see such massive cooperation between the box office and scalpers.

 

[retro]

Re: Re: wow...

1) I can't say for sure whether it was "sympathy" that got me tickets - or if it was something to try to get me to shut up - and the tickets came from the band will call window - and we were quite upset - perhaps someone in high places pulled some strings and gave remaining leftover tickets to the most pathetic fans they could find? Many thoughts crossed my mind.

2) As far as wishing death on scalpers and insulting the homeless -

a) The scalpers are ruthless, slimy street scum with no conscience whatsoever - thiefs with a twist of thug / gangster / hip-hop mentality. No sympathy here.

and -

b) I did not mean to come off as though I was insulting the homeless - although a lot of homeless people are homeless because of poor decisions in life - I merely pointed out how the scalpers used the homeless people to use up places in lines at the box office.

I've also stood in line waiting for tickets to become available on the day of the show. So I know what that is like. However, it's still wrong for a scalper to take advantage of the situation. It is still taking tickets out of the hands of the public.

While I agree that ticketmaster themselves are just legalized ticket scalpers...they only tack on an extra 5-10%. A scalper usually has a 100% markup on the price. (in some cases much much more) And those guys you see online or in the newspapers who call themselves 'ticket brokers'....well they are the guys who run the scalpers on the streets. At least that's how it works in Toronto where I'm from.

The scalping business is like the mob, or a gang. You'll see 5-10 of them on one side of the arena....and they'll all be working together for the same guy. On the other side of the arena, u see the same thing, but they'll be working for another guy. They all have their territories. It's rare to have 'lone' scalpers.

As far as sympathy goes.. I wasn't really asking you to have sympathy for anyone. i was merely saying that if you were to post this somewhere else, that perhaps you left the insults out so that you don't come off in a certain light. that way more people would take it seriously and perhaps something could be done about the problem.

 

[U2IrishOne]

So Hartford was definitely interesting. It wasn't very organized, and was nothing like previous venues I have attended where they get more high traffic shows like U2, such as at the garden. I arrived in the AM, and thought I would just be in for a bit of a wait, and hopefully grab a ticket. Whenever I saw guys with lawn chairs literally in front of the box office windows to the left of the active lines selling tickets, I couldnt believe it. And there definitely was enough security to catch that. You could see them standing behind the lines. I mean you would have people buy tickets in the front, and then come to the end of the line, and pull the "want to buy this for double what i just paid for it" move, i was frustrated. And I know some of these guys were most likely the homeless hired space so to speak, but there were plenty of guys in the broker world too. I saw them with the actual printouts that they have from their sites, it was like the lawn chairs represented the mobile office, that a true professional would have. It was interesting. So I just couldnt take the confusion, true fans getting mad, and the scalpers owning the lines. So as soon as the box office women came out and said this is it all tickets sold out now, maybe more later on, I left. Just could not deal with it. I badly wanted to see the band, especially so close to my home, but not for this, The civic center is a terrible venue. Its why we virtually get no big acts in town. And I think when an event happens to this degree, Hartford doesnt know what to do. The civic center, must hire the quickest temp staff going, I mean I actually saw a security guard sleeping in a folding chair! That has to tell you something. I will just take my memories of the other several shows I have seen this passed year, and still keep my Australia planning in tact. Good luck to everyone else still in the ticket game for now!

 

[Gen. Chat]

I've seen some news programs where undercover cops do pose as ticket buyers, buy tickets from scalpers, then arrest them. But that's sort of after the fact (the scalpers have already got the tickets) and I don't know how often these arrests happen.

In a few states, like Arkansas, it's illegal to sell tickets for more than face value but they’re ways around that limitation. Also, many cities have ordinances that prohibit buying or selling tickets at a venue but those laws are rarely enforced and I’ve seen scalpers hawking tickets right in front of the police regularly.

 

[kellyahern]

In a few states, like Arkansas, it's illegal to sell tickets for more than face value but they’re ways around that limitation. Also, many cities have ordinances that prohibit buying or selling tickets at a venue but those laws are rarely enforced and I’ve seen scalpers hawking tickets right in front of the police regularly.

Yes, I don't think it is enforced regularly. Of the two news programs, one was dealing with the scalping tickets for the Superbowl. I doubt there's much enforcement at regular concerts .

 

[NHChris]

I'm not entirely clear on what a 'ticketdrop' is or why they even happen in the first place. My sense is that they set up the stage in an arena, then they survey the situation and say, 'I think we can squeeze a few more in here.' And that becomes the ticket drop?

Anyway, with a band as popular as U2 and with demand far outstripping supply, I have no idea why 'day-of-show' tickets even exist in the first place?

 

[U2IrishOne]

Anyway, with a band as popular as U2 and with demand far outstripping supply, I have no idea why 'day-of-show' tickets even exist in the first place?

Your right in that they do survey to see how many more they can fit in. Every show that has general admission, not just U2, has a certain amount of tickets that can be sold, for every venue, then day of show, the fire marshall of that city will go in, survey the venue, and then decide based on the entire production/stage setup how many more tickets can be released. Obvioulsy they would never want to oversell the amount to keep code, so they always sell a lower amount - a general amount. so depending on the size of venue, specs including emergency access etc. those factors all go into play, which is why released amounts are always varied. As for the seats, I was told same usually applies for behind the stage lowers, as they don't know the deal until stage goes in, and the rest are usually cancelled comp tix.

 

[Hewson]

and now the fu#$%ng scalpers have caught on and waited in line for tickets - day of show, along with real fans.

The scalpers have known about this longer than fans, its not a new occurence. Its up to the venue to police who buys tickets, and be sure that they don't come back more than once.
This isn't a Ticketmaster issue as some have suggested, its the venue's responsibility/.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Did U2 have a direct ticketwindow-turnstile policy on the first leg of the 1992 tour?

u2fp

 

[twochordcool]

Re: Re: Hartford Civic Center Box Office / Scalper DISGRACE

The scalpers have known about this longer than fans, its not a new occurence. Its up to the venue to police who buys tickets, and be sure that they don't come back more than once.
This isn't a Ticketmaster issue as some have suggested, its the venue's responsibility/.

I've done this a few times and this is the first time I saw bums / scalpers buying tickets.

 

[retro]

it might have been the first time they pulled that stunt in harford...but im willing to bet its been going on in other places for a while now.

 

[AndrewRnR]

It happened in Cleveland... there was 3 U2 fans in line, then 1 guy who when the security said they might have someone flagged his buddys over to get in line with him... I almost didn't get tickets! The scaplers tried paying me off to get them an extra tickert since I only needed one. Behind me in line there was about 20 scaplers. They made us wait outside.. let a certain number of people inside, then with three security guards present allowed only one person at the window at a time and no cell phones. They let in 8 people, I was number 10, luckily they let in 4 more and I got GA but still, I know the venue can't refuse to sell tickets but when a guy with two teeth has a whole wad of 50 dollar bills you think he is going to see the show? When I went up to the window since I was in the second group of people to get let in I didn't think they would have GAs, but they had one left - all I needed, and the box office lady even said to me "finally a real U2 fan! Congrats! Enjoy the show!"

 

[twochordcool]

I know the venue can't refuse to sell tickets but when a guy with two teeth has a whole wad of 50 dollar bills you think he is going to see the show?

They really ought to have a "probable cause" clause - about reserving the right to not sell tickets to certain people, etc.

It REALLY bothers me that there is NO screening whatsoever, and they must know that they are selling tickets to scalpers -

it simply should not be permitted.

I mean, if I were a manager at a box office, I would MOST DEFINITELY "judge a book by it's cover" - and I am sure that I would have made the right decision 100% of the time.

What makes it more difficult is when you have numerous African Americans working at a box office and you try to tell them NOT TO sell U2 tickets to dirty "street-looking" African Americans and "redneck-looking" caucasions because odds are 1,000,000 to 1 that they are NOT buying tickets with good intentions - it STILL won't go over well.

But just like screening Arabs at airports a little more closely than non-Arabs, a little bit of FU@#$NG common sense is in order.

 

[AndrewRnR]

But see there was a very well dressed, white man in line behind me who was a scalper... restricting it to race, what people wear, etc. shouldn't be what it is based on.

You know how you can tell how is or is not a scapler.... read their face. When GAs become available and someone has been waiting outside in the cold chances are they'll wear a big smile and be *gasp* happy when they buy their ticket. I walked up the window all excited, thanked the lady about twenty times, and then even thanked the mean-looking security guard... and guess what the box office lady said to me "finally a real U2 fan!" she knew because I was happy. The security guard who five minutes early was saying "no phones, no cash, lets do this in a civil matter" in a strict kind of voice smiled at me on my way out and said enjoy the show. They knew because I was happy, I was jumping, I was wearing a huge smile. Everyone else on the other hand were not excited at all to get GAs ON SHOW DAY.

I say take a wrist band and put a barcode on it and call it a ticket. Problem solved.

AND/OR:

Also allow only the amount of tickets to equal the number of people. AKA one person can only buy one ticket. Yes if I got two tickets I was going to call my roommate to come down, but chances are for the most part the entire party will be waiting in the line together and can each buy their own ticket. I bet you know scaplers would want to buy just a single ticket...

 

[editorinchief]

What they should do is let you buy one ticket and escort you in immediately after you buy it. Problem solved.

Wishing cancer on someone who got a CONCERT TICKET that you wanted is ignorant...no way around it.

 

[Bono's shades]

I mean, if I were a manager at a box office, I would MOST DEFINITELY "judge a book by it's cover" - and I am sure that I would have made the right decision 100% of the time.

What makes it more difficult is when you have numerous African Americans working at a box office and you try to tell them NOT TO sell U2 tickets to dirty "street-looking" African Americans and "redneck-looking" caucasions because odds are 1,000,000 to 1 that they are NOT buying tickets with good intentions - it STILL won't go over well.

But just like screening Arabs at airports a little more closely than non-Arabs, a little bit of FU@#$NG common sense is in order.

Oh, I see. Only squeaky-clean, perfectly coiffed and nicely dressed people should have U2 tickets sold to them. And of course you are a mind-reader and would never, ever, make a false judgement on whether or not someone is a scalper based on their appearance.