I mean a scalper on the street, like you see on TV. You know like on TV shows where the sitcom guy waits outside the theatre and sells his ticket with predictable hillarious results
I’ve gone to Penn State games and bought tickets from people in the parking lot. But I only ever pay cover price - there are always so many people selling you really don’t have to pay more.
Many, many times.
How about the hilarious results from a scalpers point of view?
I won like 6 tickets on the radio to a horrible girl group, at the local amusement park. So I stood outside the park trying to sell the tickets. One lady asked if she could see a ticket, and then took off in her car with it! At least I sold the rest for about $5 each, made some beer money.
When a concert is in town that I want to see, (but am unwilling to shell out big bux for a ticket in advance) I get down to our arena and wait until the opening band starts up (by then 90% of the people going in have already entered) and lowball the scalpers to try and get a ticket for a fraction of face value…
Its a win/win as I get a great deal, and the scalpers get rid of a ticket that no one else was willing to buy.
Often, the tickets were “comp” tickets, given away free to various companys or employees of the arena or promoter, (they actually say “comp” where the face value amount is normally printed, so you can tell if they cost anybody anything) so ANY money the scalpers get is pure gravy for them. (If it is a comp ticket, that is the time to REALLY make a lowball offer)
You would be shocked at how well this works, and at some of the great deals I have scored; of course for a sold out event, my little system is useless.
Sure - many times.
As noted by MPB, by waiting until an event starts, you can often get tickets at great prices - if any are left (you have to be willing to be shut out). I’ve never been able to work up standard levels of hatred for scalpers - I think they perform a useful service.
My family used to have season tickets to Pistons games, and almost every time I went to a game there’d be someone in the parking lot selling tickets much better than ours. We always passed. If I’m going to get arrested for illegally purchasing something pulled from some guy’s jacket pocket in a parking lot, I’d rather at least get some drugs out of it.
I can only think of one time I have. It was for a movie at a film festival that was sold out. I was waiting in the rush line, and a woman came by with a spare ticket that I bought. Saved me having to wait in line, and I just paid face value for it.
I guess, once.
I showed up without a ticket to a U of Mich. football game. I found a guy selling tickets, but he wasn’t a scalper usually. His friend hadn’t been able to come to the game, so he sold me the ticket…for more than face value.
Outside the Spectrum I paid overprice for a ticket to see the Dead. Got into the show with no problems. And of course half the audience sat on the floor in the aisles, so there was no problem with getting our seats.
AFAIK, it’s only illegal if you sell for more than face value. Meaning many people who stand and try to sell aren’t actually scalpers.
Why just yesterday, to the Solheim Cup here in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
$35 for a $50 ticket from a guy who had gotten a bunch and not used 'em all.
Lovely day. I am not sure about the “hilarious results” part.
It’s a pretty standard thing to do for Toronto sporting events. Done it all the time. It must be legal here, since they do it right by the stadia and in full view and hearing of cops.
You get better prices if you work in pairs, especially as a couple; have the woman express open contempt at the offered price. ALWAYS walk away from the first and even second offer. Scalpers try to be brusque and intimidating to get sales at their initial price; don’t buy into their bullshit, they’re desperate to move their tickets.