Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Are paperless tickets scalp proof?

The latest development in the ongoing war between ticket originators, fans, and scalpers is the ticketless ticket.

"Ticketmaster is going to try issuing paperless tickets to reduce scalping. Resale companies are not amused.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/08/pm_ticketmaster/
"JILL BARSHAY: Miley Cyrus hopes she can cut out scalpers from her next tour by selling only paperless tickets. Ones you can't give or sell to someone else. Ones you buy online and pick up at the concert gate by showing your driver's license and a credit card.
Sean Pate is the spokesman for StubHub, the big ticket resale site, owned by eBay. He's predicting paperless tickets will mean long lines on concert night.
SEAN PATE: You know, we're going to see a lot of inconveniences for the fans, especially of Miley Cyrus's demographic. Her fans more than likely don't own credit cards.
That means mom or dad may have to listen to the concert too. Not to mention how mortifying it is for a 12-year-old to be seen with her parents.
Critics say some concerts will still sell out quickly. And prices will be jacked up. The question is by whom. Don Vaccaro is the CEO of TicketNetwork, another resale site. He points out that Miley Cyrus's management company, which is owned by Ticketmaster, is selling prime seats on its Web site starting tomorrow for $295."

Update: Here's the (June 16, 2009) take of the NY Times Ethicist column: Miley Cyrus Takes on the Scalpers.

HT: Steve Leider

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The desire to pay so much more is there; and I have no problem with it going to the company, as long as competition ensures I get the payoff anyways.

concert fan said...

So the new requirement to go to a concert will be you must have a credit card? How absurd is that with the current credit crisis.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS SUCH A RIDICULOUS IDEA! READ WHY AND SIGN MY PETITION AGAINST IT HERE:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/paperlesstickets/

Anonymous said...

This great for tickets. No longer will I be paying 200 bucks to see a game. You have a bank card same thing. Use your debit card. This has worked in London already.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. EVERBODY HAS A CREDIT CARD. I'VE ALREADY GRABBED GREAT SEATS TO A FEW CONCERTS (AC/DC AND KEITH URBAN), BECAUSE ALL THE BEST SEATS WENT PAPERLESS FOR THOSE PARTICULAR SHOWS.
THE ONLY ONES OPPOSED ARE TICKET SCALPERS. THIS TAKES THE TICKETS OUT OF THE SCALPERS HANDS AND GETS THEM TO THE REAL FANS!

Anonymous said...

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