Ticket Scalpers

arganbright2

Well-Known Member
Aug 6, 2006
1,565
85
48
Watching these guys operate all week in KC was an eye opening experience. 5 mins after the game started, I offered well above face value for tickets and the guys said he would rip the tickets up in front of me before he would sell them for less than what he wanted. Then he got in my face when I bought cheaper, better tickets from an ISu fan standing next to him. Anybody else deal with these guys?
 
Watching these guys operate all week in KC was an eye opening experience. 5 mins after the game started, I offered well above face value for tickets and the guys said he would rip the tickets up in front of me before he would sell them for less than what he wanted. Then he got in my face when I bought cheaper, better tickets from an ISu fan standing next to him. Anybody else deal with these guys?

Some of these guys are criminals and act like it. I would like to see some of the a-holes that scalp in the Twin Cities get punched sometime.

There are some okay guys and regular fans selling but there are these uber aggressive dicks that I would never stoop to buy from.
 
You could tell some were pros. Some did give attitude when we'd throw out our price request.

If they were pros they would know market value and move on from negotiations I would think. I'd walk away from any scalper getting aggressive.
 
I hope the ISU fan that was trying to get $500 a ticket didn't get stuck with them. He looked a little nervous when I talked to him. All the scalpers I talked to were business like. My son was impressed with the money roll the one guy had.
 
I heard a couple of them talking when I was walking to the game and they said they lost money yesterday...I had a bunch of them asking me if I had extra tickets...

For some reason sounds like they got burned yesterday.
 
I heard a couple of them talking when I was walking to the game and they said they lost money yesterday...I had a bunch of them asking me if I had extra tickets...

For some reason sounds like they got burned yesterday.
They could be up 10 grand and they would say this.
 
I wish scalping was illegal, they're just scumbag losers like the people at the casino who yell at blackjack dealers
 
I wish scalping was illegal, they're just scumbag losers like the people at the casino who yell at blackjack dealers

Be careful what you wish for. I lived in a state where you couldn't sell tickets outside the stadium and it absolutely sucked. I always like the option of going last-minute and buying a ticket outside, even if it means there are some dirty scumbags in town once in a while.
 
Agree with what some others have said. I'd rather pay a little more and buy from another fan who has tickets to offload than let these guys make a buck.

I think the frustrating thing from a lot of people's perspective is seeing these guys (who have zero ties to the schools/games) with a fist full of tickets and refusing to sell them unless they are making an insane profit. As a fan, I would have LOVED to go into the game but cant afford to spend $200-$300 a ticket. So it can certainly make you mad when they would rather toss the ticket in the trash than negotiate a fair price.
 
The reality is it kind of busts their business model if everyone knows they would sell for dirt cheap right at tip. Not defending it but it's an understandable reason
 
ISU fans know they can have a hell of a time watching the game at the P&L if the scalpers ask too much. It should keep a lid on things, but the scalpers haven't quite figured it out yet. They need to know their crowd. If they lose money playing chicken with buyers on tickets a few times, they will learn.
 
What you need to look at is the place was sold out. Someone was buying the tickets. If you go to Kansas City don't expect a free ride. Tired of people saying I would go but can't afford it. It's not for everyone. Go spend another $9.00 on a beer.
 
So how do these scalpers get these tickets in the first place? Isn't it difficult getting all session tickets in the first place or are they just buying cheap tickets off the losing school and then go from there?
 
Ticket scalping might not be the most reputable businesses. But it seems to me to be one of the purest forms of capitalism and the free market system. They are also pretty sophisicated in how they operate. After going to KC for a number of years, the whole process fascinates me.

As a buyer, if you don't like the price its time to search out another seller. There are usually buying oportunities out there if you are willing to spend the time and negotiate. The fact that they weren't willing to drop their price meant they were confident someone else would pay their price. Afterall, scalpers don't make money if they end up holding a lot of paper at the end of the day.
 
We spent 250 for a ticket from a regular scalper, and they were floor seats. I thought it was a hell of a deal from a scalper
 
Ticket scalping might not be the most reputable businesses. But it seems to me to be one of the purest forms of capitalism and the free market system. They are also pretty sophisicated in how they operate. After going to KC for a number of years, the whole process fascinates me.

As a buyer, if you don't like the price its time to search out another seller. There are usually buying oportunities out there if you are willing to spend the time and negotiate. The fact that they weren't willing to drop their price meant they were confident someone else would pay their price. Afterall, scalpers don't make money if they end up holding a lot of paper at the end of the day.

That seems right. Scalpers will sell cheap if the market is cheap. They're not looking to hold a couple grand in tickets out of principle.
 

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