Latest on touting, scams and related dubious practices!

[John Etherington]

Hi All,

I thought I'd start this as an ongoing thread to keep everyone updated on problem areas. Here are a few of my latest findings.

Beware of buybettertickets at all costs!!! They are selling tickets (including "standing tickets") at inflated prices for Leonard at The Brighton Centre on Saturday 29th November - even though The Kooks are playing there, that night!

getmein is Ticketmaster's latest scam. It's a dumbed-down version of their other scam Ticket Exchange, and their attempt to copy seatwave, who offer seats from "fans to other fans" (read as "apprentice touts"). With both of these you will generally pay up to twice the price (or more), and a percentage goes to the agent, of course. Even the otherwise-reputable seetickets are linked to seatwave now.

seetickets have told me that the reason that they are allowing people to buy up to ten tickets for concerts is a decision made by management, which I'm rather sorry to hear.

The latest Ticketmaster game is to suddenly release a "new allocation" of tickets a week after tickets have gone on sale. Thus, they were advertising a new allocation of tickets for the previously "sold out" LC concert at Brighton today - though when I looked there were none available (which probably means they were all scooped-up instantly for Ticket Exchange and getmein).

I have to say that all of these practices are beginning to make old style touts seem quite honourable! At least they risk their own money on the tickets they're selling; you can also haggle with them and try to bargain them down (or alternatively tell them to f- off!).

Stay cool! John E

[mirka]

The latest Ticketmaster game is to suddenly release a "new allocation" of tickets a week after tickets have gone on sale. Thus, they were advertising a new allocation of tickets for the previously "sold out" LC concert at Brighton today - though when I looked there were none available (which probably means they were all scooped-up instantly for Ticket Exhange and getmein).

Thanks a lot for this information, I've got a lot of knowledge in the art of buying hard-to-get tix in the last few months
My experience with Ticketmaster as exactly as yours -- they leave best tickets for the end.
For the Dublin June 15 the best tickets were released a couple of days before the concert.

Maybe those are the latest ideas in efficient ticket selling everywhere though, as Vienna Konzerthouse just released excellent front row and box tickets, after flashing "Ausverkauft" for a couple of hours.

Mirka
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