7 responses so far ↓

• 1 K. Rupert Murdoch // Apr 9, 2008 at 12:37 pm

  Make it harder for the people who really want to see the show and make a couple hundred bucks!

  So where’s your blog on how to sell crack to school children?

• 2 admin // Apr 9, 2008 at 1:19 pm

  Comparing ticket re-sale to selling illegal drugs to children is a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?

  It’s simple economic theory - when demand exceeds supply, market forces create a price equilibrium. When primary ticket sellers (ie: Ticketmaster) don’t price the tickets at this equilibrium, it creates an arbitrage opportunity where ticket brokers can purchase tickets at the artificially low price point (the primary sale), and re-sell at the true market value (the secondary sale).

  This happens in other markets as well - when the newest, hottest car comes out, car dealers often charge several thousand dollar premiums. When the car is no longer in high demand, people can negotiate and buy the car below MSRP, sometimes even below invoice. Again, it’s simple economics.

  If you don’t like capitalism, I suggest you move to China (though it’s getting increasingly difficult to avoid it there as well).

• 3 K. Rupert Murdoch // Apr 9, 2008 at 4:07 pm

  Please don’t treat me like I never took an Eco101 class. I’m not a pinko either and I think I deserve a little more respect than that.

  Your oversimplified economic theory that every broker uses contains false logic, especially as technology and the internet expand the original supply is mysteriously vanishing. Does this mean that most people are buying tickets to a show they do not plan to attend. The internet has created a mask for any individual, that ordinarily wouldn’t be out on the street in front of the venue, to sell their ticket for twenty time its face value. Now you have the comfort of your own home to do it in and everyone wants in. Scalpers have completely flooded the market. (I guess you saw what happened with this morning’s Radiohead presale.) Real fans don’t stand a chance at getting a good seat. Sucks, oh well…

  How bout a ticket is worth what the artist and label decide it’s worth. Not you. Because, hey, they did most of the fucking work. So why not reward the artist and send them a check with a percentage of your profits. They’re writing the songs to put your kids through college.

  Does it offend you that you do the same thing as a 12 year old boy? Maybe it’s time to move on, learn an instrument or develop your taste in music more since you love it so much. It can be a very rewarding experience.

  I do not hate capitalism. I embrace capitalism and work hard for my money. You have to admit what you do is easy. You cheat. Brokers use illegal software cutting in front of line. That’s not clever (again another thing a tech savvy 12 year old boy can do). You don’t provide a service but an inconvenience. Every artist performing in these hard times with any integrity hates you and has every reason to. Don’t bullshit me.

  Oh, and this isn’t your country. Hey, I love this damn country because I can call you out on your bullshit and not be arrested.

  Good luck to you! You are a true American!

• 4 Stimbot // Apr 9, 2008 at 4:13 pm

  I think of it as a tax on people with shitty taste in music.

• 5 Jovial Fellow // Apr 9, 2008 at 4:36 pm

  You shouldn’t have to defend yourself. I mean, if this meant a lot to you, I’m sure you’d be perfectly fine standing in the unlucky person’s shoes.

  Like, for instance, if there was a “stealing medicine from the elderly and then reselling it to them at ten times the price” movie (sounds like a hit with scalpers) and all the tickets were sold out, you wouldn’t flinch at paying eight or so big ones to see it.

• 6 admin // Apr 10, 2008 at 7:58 am

  Okay Rupert (love the NewsCorp alias), so you’re more intelligent than your first post insinuated. I don’t grant automatic respect to anyone (nor do I expect it), but your 2nd post does make me respect you a little more.

  I agree that the internet is making it much easier for anyone with a computer and a credit card to resell tickets - that’s part of the reason I got out of the business - the barriers to entry were crumbling and that’s not where any business wants to be. Additionally, I AGREE with your point that artists and labels should be setting ticket prices at market values to extract more of the value. They are creating an inefficiency in the market and leaving money on the table - anytime this happens in any business, it creates an opportunity for other parties to come in and exploit those inefficiencies which is what brokers do (and I mean pretty much any broker, not just ticket brokers). Another reason why the ticket broker industry is not sustainable in the long-run; artists will eventually figure it out (after the music industry figures out all of their other problems).

  And let me reiterate this point: I do not sell tickets any longer, that’s why the site is titled “EX-ticketbroker.” I just wanted a venue to explore blogging and share my thoughts on something I did for several years. I’m also trying to be transparent in an otherwise smoke and mirrors industry.

  To your point on the illegal software - there are maybe a handful of major brokers that have access to such software - but it is so complex and expensive that very, very few brokers have the means to access it. It’s an urban legend that all brokers use some special software. The reality is that brokers log onto computers at the time of onsales, maybe they employ a few college kids to try it out, but that’s the reality.

  And I’m glad you embrace capitalism - at least we have one thing in common. Well that, and I love Radiohead too - in fact they’re one of my favorite bands so maybe I do have a little taste in music after all (and I’ve played the guitar for 15 years).

  So hey, good talk, I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on a couple points, but that is the great thing about this country.

  Good luck to you too, I hope you do get into the show!

• 7 Adam & Ryan // Apr 10, 2008 at 5:16 pm

  When do you recommend putting the tickets up for resale? Is it better to sell the tickets immediately after the concert sells out or to wait until closer to the event date?

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