Buying Tickets From Private Seller

Cuckoo · 11-29-2010, 03:08 PM

Alright, I need your expertise, FOFC...

I have only purchased tickets to a football game from a private seller once, and that was a face to face meeting with a person that had a friend vouching for him. However, now I may be doing so and am looking for tips, what to look out for, whether I should, etc.

I posted on a Sooner forum for Big 12 Championship tickets. Demand has been pretty high, it seems, and prices are above face on stubhub and the like. So I thought I might be able to get a face value deal from another OU fan that couldn't go.

Sure enough, someone PMed me (an Aggie fan) with an offer of 4 at face plus a parking pass. He's in Dallas but said he could UPS them up here, assured me that he does it all the time with other A&M fans and they just exchange confirmation numbers simultaneously.

Thoughts?

DaddyTorgo · 11-29-2010, 03:10 PM

Aren't there online escrow sites for situations like this? Where they'll verify to him that they have your money, but not release it until a specified date and time or whatever?

Be careful.

miked · 11-29-2010, 03:21 PM

I'd be wary. He could also have a ticketmaster account where you print the tickets at home. He could theoretically print up several copies and send them out, you'd be fairly screwed. I think to expect face price for a hotly desired game is a bit unrealistic, especially something where trust is involved.

Cuckoo · 11-29-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Aren't there online escrow sites for situations like this? Where they'll verify to him that they have your money, but not release it until a specified date and time or whatever?

Be careful.

I don't know of one, but I would guess that would add an additional charge. If anyone knows of a good one, though, I'll definitely look into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miked

I'd be wary. He could also have a ticketmaster account where you print the tickets at home. He could theoretically print up several copies and send them out, you'd be fairly screwed. I think to expect face price for a hotly desired game is a bit unrealistic, especially something where trust is involved.

Just my thinking. I was hoping someone would know of a safe, scam-proof way of doing it.

cartman · 11-29-2010, 04:43 PM

Stubhub.com is the way to go. They guarantee their transactions.

johnnyshaka · 11-29-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

Stubhub.com is the way to go. They guarantee their transactions.

I'd go this route as well...I don't mind paying a few extra bucks when I know I'm not going to be ripped off/turned away at the gate come game time.

Cuckoo · 11-29-2010, 05:02 PM

Yeah, that's probably what I'll end up doing. But they're up to 109 now for the nosebleeds... From what I hear about those seats at Cowboys stadium, I might just stay home.

cougarfreak · 11-29-2010, 05:23 PM

Especially since you will be traveling some distance to the venue, I'd go the stubhub route.

Suburban Rhythm · 11-29-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miked

I'd be wary. He could also have a ticketmaster account where you print the tickets at home. He could theoretically print up several copies and send them out, you'd be fairly screwed. I think to expect face price for a hotly desired game is a bit unrealistic, especially something where trust is involved.

This is pretty much what I came to post.

I have Penguins tix. I can forward/sell/print an online paper copy of my seats. When this happens, the original bar coded tickets are now uselss--paper copies given new bar codes.

But, of course, nothing stopping me from selling those originals to some poor sucker. Not that I'd ever do that!

So yes, I'd be wary. Especially with someone who may not be a regular at that board.

I've twice emailed copies to people I've met on a Pens board. One guy I had the check literally the following day, he put it in the mail the prior morning.

Second time...no check for awhile, he of course was seen around the site infrequently after that. I saw him posting once again looking for seats...so took it upon myself to warn the other posters I was still waiting for payment from about 3 months earlier. Of course everyone piled on him, and miraculously, that check that appeared in a few days.

So the point of all of this? Like Mike Brady taught the boys "Caveat Emptor"

CU Tiger · 11-29-2010, 05:39 PM

Is an in person meet out of the question?

Cuckoo · 11-29-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Is an in person meet out of the question?

Based on his message, it sounds like it, as I wouldn't be able to meet him until gameday and he wants/needs to take care of it in advance.

He's not a regular on that board, and that was one of the main issues with my concern.

cartman · 11-29-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Yeah, that's probably what I'll end up doing. But they're up to 109 now for the nosebleeds... From what I hear about those seats at Cowboys stadium, I might just stay home.

Depends on the location. The game I went to we were in the upper deck at around the 30 yard line. Lines of sight were great. You could see the whole field, and watch the plays develop. And the ginormous screen is right at eye level there as well. Can't vouch for the end zone nosebleed seats.

stevew · 11-29-2010, 07:20 PM

10 years ago I wouldn't have done it. Now I'd probably do it as long as you can reasonably verify he is legit.

11-29-2010, 03:21 PM	#3
miked College Starter Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The Dirty	I'd be wary. He could also have a ticketmaster account where you print the tickets at home. He could theoretically print up several copies and send them out, you'd be fairly screwed. I think to expect face price for a hotly desired game is a bit unrealistic, especially something where trust is involved. __________________ Commish of the United Baseball League (OOTP 6.5)

11-29-2010, 04:43 PM	#5
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Stubhub.com is the way to go. They guarantee their transactions. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

11-29-2010, 05:02 PM	#7
Cuckoo College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edmond, OK	Yeah, that's probably what I'll end up doing. But they're up to 109 now for the nosebleeds... From what I hear about those seats at Cowboys stadium, I might just stay home. __________________ Commissioner - North American Football League Dallas Cowboys GM Last edited by Cuckoo : 11-29-2010 at 05:02 PM.

11-29-2010, 05:23 PM	#8
cougarfreak College Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Out of Grad School Hell :)	Especially since you will be traveling some distance to the venue, I'd go the stubhub route. __________________ “I don’t like the Cubs,” Joey Votto said. “And I’m not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back."

11-29-2010, 03:10 PM	#2
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Aren't there online escrow sites for situations like this? Where they'll verify to him that they have your money, but not release it until a specified date and time or whatever? Be careful.

11-29-2010, 05:39 PM	#10
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	Is an in person meet out of the question?

11-29-2010, 07:20 PM	#13
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	10 years ago I wouldn't have done it. Now I'd probably do it as long as you can reasonably verify he is legit.

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