Scenario from the FSU / Bama game... how long before you'd flinch?

[RunRonnieRun]

I go back and forth on this topic. Yes, the ticket prices are outrageous, but shouldn't people be able to profit from increased demand? We don't expect people to sell their home at a "reasonable" price so that others can afford it.

I think what makes it unsavory is that the people making the profit (scalpers) have no intention of actually attending the concert - they simply want to make a huge some of money without adding anything of value. Why should they be the ones that profit from the market correction? They're like the special event version of real estate flippers.

And that they contribute nothing other than being lucky enough to have bought the tickets for face value. The profit comes from someone else's hard work or effort.

I wouldn't have a problem with my favorite band suddenly raising ticket prices from $75 to $250. It's their product and they can charge for it what the market demands. THAT is supply and demand.

The middleman scalpers are just bottom feeders.

 

[LesClaypool]

And that they contribute nothing other than being lucky enough to have bought the tickets for face value. The profit comes from someone else's hard work or effort.

I wouldn't have a problem with my favorite band suddenly raising ticket prices from $75 to $250. It's their product and they can charge for it what the market demands. THAT is supply and demand.

The middleman scalpers are just bottom feeders.

I agree with the spirit of these two posts.

That said, the middlemen do take on economic risk when they buy tickets. Perhaps that risk is low for many of the events that they buy for, but they do still take on that risk.

 

[Seminiferous]

The free market of ticket sales is a pluperfect example of the law of supply and demand. The criticisms of ticket markets strikes me as ingenuous.

 

[Squirrel J.]

They are yours if he doesn't pay!

I really appreciate it! I will be traveling until mid afternoon tomorrow, but let me know the best way to get in touch with you to get you the money (if they are still available) @NoleFan2U

 

[seminole97]

You're not going to change my mind. Stop trying. Why does my opinion matter so much to you?

Not trying to change your mind. Just wondering why you think these particular 'middlemen' are so loathesome. The basis could be entirely emotional, but I was just curious how your mind settled upon this as a Bad Thing.

 

[seminole97]

I think what makes it unsavory is that the people making the profit (scalpers) have no intention of actually attending the concert - they simply want to make a huge some of money without adding anything of value.

The 'value' they're providing is making the ticket available.
If tomorrow dad tells me he's got a month to live and wanted a ticket for the FSU Bama game I can get one, thanks to scalpers.
I'm not sure why that is so terrible, so I asked some questions to explore that notion.

 

[funksouljon]

The 'value' they're providing is making the ticket available.
If tomorrow dad tells me he's got a month to live and wanted a ticket for the FSU Bama game I can get one, thanks to scalpers.
I'm not sure why that is so terrible, so I asked some questions to explore that notion.

The ticket would have still been available on the original sales portal if the scalper hadn't purchased. The "added value" of "I can get it from the scalper" is a myth. The only value the scalper adds to the process is being an additional middle man inflating prices. It is akin to you having access to only 1 grocery store. Someone goes in and buys all the product that you cannot produce on your own, say aluminum foil. Then they try to sell it to you right outside the grocery store for an inflated price. By purchasing all the available tickets, they have moved the product from a free market into a limited and controlled market.

This is why there are laws against scalping. This is why the artists are slowly banding together to not use venues that allow scalping and ensuring the price they set isn't modified.

 

[seminole97]

The ticket would have still been available on the original sales portal if the scalper hadn't purchased.

So you think that the face value on tickets for that game was in fact above the market clearing price and they would still be available to me today? Personally, I'm dubious of that assumption.
The scalper is taking the risk (and recouping the reward) that you are incorrect in that initial assessment.
The scalpers participation is why tickets remain available even for highly demanded shows up to the last minute.
Again, I prefer the opportunity to buy something at a higher price versus seeing an empty shelf with a lower price tag.

The "added value" of "I can get it from the scalper" is a myth. The only value the scalper adds to the process is being an additional middle man inflating prices.

He's getting the ticket into the hands of whomever wants it the most.
Is that bad?
What if you had a ticket, but saw they were selling for $1k on Stubhub. Are you a bad person for selling me that ticket at that price so you can spend $1k on some other activity with your family and I can take dad to his last game. Who is the loser in that situation? Who should be upset, and why?

It is akin to you having access to only 1 grocery store. Someone goes in and buys all the product that you cannot produce on your own, say aluminum foil. Then they try to sell it to you right outside the grocery store for an inflated price. By purchasing all the available tickets, they have moved the product from a free market into a limited and controlled market.

If there is only one place for me to get the foil I'm already in a monopoly situation. Why in that scenario am I paying less than the market clearing price anyway? I'm having trouble getting this comparison off the ground as the situation (single seller) hasn't changed.

The important thing to remember is that seller can only get up to the price you're willing to pay. He can never get more.

The angst seems to stem from the notion of paying closer to what you think the ticket (or foil, etc) is actually worth?

This is why there are laws against scalping.

There are laws against all kinds of things people don't like, but that in and of itself doesn't justify those laws.
I read BJs are outlawed in FL. Does that change your opinion of the activity?

This is why the artists are slowly banding together to not use venues that allow scalping and ensuring the price they set isn't modified.

Bands (and really any producer) can underprice their product to ensure sell outs if it suits them, but what is the justification for not seeing those tickets go to whomever wants them the most?

 

[squiffynole]

If FSU gets way behind how many Nole fans will stay until the end?

 

[OsceolaNole]

I tend to agree with RRR on most things. This one I don't, but get his perspective.

That being said, I sold my two extras for face value to some buddies. Could have probably paid for my season tickets selling them at market, but this game, I'm hoping, is one to experience with your good friends. The guys you sweated out an afternoon Wake Forest slaughter with wearing a shirt and tie at the Doak!

Go Noles.