rock nyc's problems with ticket brokerage firms is pretty simple: they use illegal software to scoop up tickets to popular shows and then charge punters who couldn't get tix because the brokerage firm had scooped em up, 10 x over the ticket value.
Pretty clear cut, it seems to me.
But Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, general manager of StubHub, stinging from an MP in England questioning why, if the London Olympics could keep tix out of the hands of brokers, so should everyone.
Ms. Ricou-Bellan made a statement onn the issue of the secondary to Gigwise last Wednesday.
Here are some highlights: "Secondary ticket sales also play an integral role in maintaining spontaneity in event attendance rather than stifling it, as Benn suggested Thanks to the deceptive sell-out nature created by the primary market, purchasing tickets often requires commitment months in advance, whereas through the secondary market fans can get tickets as little as hours before their chosen gig."
"In reality, the vast majority of music event tickets are funneled to promoters, venues, fan clubs or select ticket brokers to be sold at a higher profit, by moving onto secondary resale sites. As an example, leaked documents from Katy Perry's management company last year show that the artist reserved the right to hold back tickets from each concert to sell directly through ticket reselling avenues.
"Many users choose to sell tickets below face-value, presenting fans better value for money than the primary ticketing market itself. As we have seen time and time again imposing caps on a market does not work. You don’t remove the market, you merely drive it underground – back on the streets, paying cash in shady corners by a stadium for what could just as likely be a bus ticket as a front row seat."
"Having a robust, legal and competitive marketplace that is online with full consumer protections and guarantees is ultimately a better experience for fans. "We also fundamentally believe once a fan has bought a ticket it is theirs to do with what they wish – whether that is giving it to a friend or selling it if they can no longer make it. The fan then owns the ticket – not the organizer, and it’s not up to the organizer to dictate how it’s used or to try and employ technology or regulation to limit fan freedom."
How altruistic of them.
A website like "stubhub" who are essentially a middle man between buyers and sellers, doesn't much care how much you opay for a ticket, they get their commission either. Basically, they promise you aren't gonna get ripped off for a fee. But the many of the buyers they do business with are bad people. It is illegal to buy 2000 tickets to a six ticket limit gig. Before legitimate people can get their hands on em. Stubhub don't want to know how the ticket sellers got their tickets any more than Ticketmaster want to know who is buying the tickets.
Everything else is hall and mirrors.