Brother Neil’s Price-Inflating Ticket Scalping Scheme
Because we covered the repeal of scalping laws so heavily awhile back (and I like to think our blog entries played a very small part in Missouri’s silly law being changed), I had to link to this Wall Street Journal article, which I found via the Kansas City Star. It turns out that many of the biggest beneficiaries of free-market ticket exchanges are artists themselves, who withhold some choice seats for sale in select online ticket exchanges.
I see nothing illegal with this; the title of this post is more meant in fun than anger. It is, however, unseemly that so many artists do what is plainly ticket scalping while making it appear that they are just fans exchanging tickets with each other for whatever price buyers want to pay. A more up-front policy is needed, but I don’t think it has to be legislated. I don’t think it is a crime that someone thought the $1,000 they spent to see one of the greatest bands of all time went to a stranger, when it really went to the band, but it is still improper.
If U2 wanted to charge me more to sit in the front row on the stage-left aisle for their 1987 Joshua Tree tour when it came to St. Louis, they could have just told me that up front. Instead, they made me go and win the ticket lottery, which was totally awesome.
P.S. — And now you know what my favorite bands are. Plus, you can add in all the classic rock greats, but you could have guessed that.
“so many artists do what is plainly ticket scalping while making it appear that they are just fans exchanging tickets with each other for whatever price buyers want to pay.”
Isn’t the definition of ticket scalping selling tickets at whatever price buyers want to pay?
I don’t really see anything unseemly here. I suppose someone could try to make a case that artists are committing fraud by selling tickets under the guise of a different identity. But it’s almost certainly a representative of the artist doing the selling, rather than the artists themselves, so I doubt fraud would really ever apply.
Rather, two things about this practice make me happy: Tickets end up being allocated according to more correct market prices (instead of through special favors or by waiting in interminable lines), and artists get paid more as a result. If fans are willing to pony up, where’s the loser in any of this?
Comment by Eric D. Dixon — March 11, 2009 @ 1:42 p.m.
Buyers should know that the ticket being sold is from the artist, not another fan, which is the supposed purpose of these web sites. It probably won’t make any difference to the buyer, but it should still be clear.
It is clear from the article that artists are selling tickets under a different identity. That’s the point of it and they should be more honest about it. I don’t care if they charge higher prices for the best seats, but they should just do it up front.
Comment by David Stokes — March 11, 2009 @ 1:48 p.m.
haha you like Bono? what a total commie
Comment by vroman — March 11, 2009 @ 9:36 p.m.
This is the same thing the Cubs do with their tickets via the Tribune owned ticket exchange. It stinks because of a lack of transparency – there’s nothing to stop them from holding back tickets to lessen supply, then slowly trickle them out as the event comes closer. I agree that in the end the buyer will pay what they want, but who is behind the curtain in the land of Oz should be upfront.
Also, I’m still made you didn’t invite me to your front row seats.
Comment by Mike — March 12, 2009 @ 3:02 a.m.
I am fine with this if only because bands are capitalizing on their own success. If the band weren’t already popular, they could hardly scalp tickets for beer money. Once you make it and people show that they like you by paying lots for your tickets, you get to capitalize on it a little more.
Personally I think that if bands are scalping their own tickets online, they should sign them before shipping them to the winning bidder. What a delightful surprise!
Comment by Josh Smith — March 12, 2009 @ 10:49 a.m.
and regarding whether bono is a total commie, there was an excellent piece in one of my econ textbooks(in a sidebar or some such) discussing a trip to Africa taken by Bono and whoever was US sec of ag at the time. Bono criticized our protectionist agricultural policies, correctly pointing out that they harm poor farmers abroad.
Also, I enjoy his music as well as NOFX and Rage Against the Machine. I merely regret that they are likely swaying many voters with their misguided politics.
Comment by Josh Smith — March 12, 2009 @ 10:52 a.m.
The artist and promoters have always scalped their own tickets (off the books of course!)
Comment by Jonas — April 20, 2009 @ 12:53 p.m.