Beating the touts - would this idea help?

[Hibbyradge]

I've been lucky enough to get tickets to see most of the artists I've wanted to see, but I've occasionally missed out only to find scores of tickets available at inflated prices on resale sites.

I'm sure most folk have had similar experiences and it's starting to be addressed by the promoters and distribution companies, but it's still a major problem and I've been thinking about how it could be combatted.

Given that a lot, (maybe most?), tours are announced on the back of a new album release, could artists give priority to people who buy the record online, maybe 2 tickets per purchase.

Any unsold by a given date could be offered up for general sale.

That would reward the "real fans", increase album sales, and deter touts from buying hundreds of tickets as soon as they go on sale. There's a possibility that touts might want to buy the records anyway because they could easily cover the cost with the inflated ticket price, but it must be software able to stop more than one purchase going to the same address.

Are there any downsides to this idea, apart from pissing off Spotify because people are actually buying a hard copy of the records?

[The Modfather]

I've been lucky enough to get tickets to see most of the artists I've wanted to see, but I've occasionally missed out only to find scores of tickets available at inflated prices on resale sites.

I'm sure most folk have had similar experiences and it's starting to be addressed by the promoters and distribution companies, but it's still a major problem and I've been thinking about how it could be combatted.

Given that a lot, (maybe most?), tours are announced on the back of a new album release, could artists give priority to people who buy the record online, maybe 2 tickets per purchase.

Any unsold by a given date could be offered up for general sale.

That would reward the "real fans", increase album sales, and deter touts from buying hundreds of tickets as soon as they go on sale. There's a possibility that touts might want to buy the records anyway because they could easily cover the cost with the inflated ticket price, but it must be software able to stop more than one purchase going to the same address.

Are there any downsides to this idea, apart from pissing off Spotify because people are actually buying a hard copy of the records?

Would the touts not simply buy the albums and continue to sell the tickets at inflated prices?

[Hibbyradge]

Would the touts not simply buy the albums and continue to sell the tickets at inflated prices?

That's what I talked about in my penultimate paragraph.

[The Modfather]

That's what I talked about in my penultimate paragraph.

Fair enough. All for doing something, I’ve used sites like Scarlet Mist before to sell tickets for gigs I can’t make at face value.

Just not sure linking album purchases with gig tickets has any impact on touts getting access to tickets.

[danhibees1875]

Customers not buying from there would be the best solution, but hardest to implement.

Making things harder for tout sites and a consistent and clear message from acts that they don't want their fans to use these sites would help.

Allocating tickets to a person's name at purchase and then ID checks at the venue (or at least the threat of an ID check) could be an interesting step in the right direction. But would also require official face value selling sites for people who legitimately couldn't make it.
Similarly the threat that any tickets found on resale websites will be voided without notice would be a deterant on anyone looking to purchase through them.

[Danderhall Hibs]

The touts are now companies linked to the “main” seller now aren’t they? Tickets go onto getmein straight away at the inflated price while the official site says sold out.

[Ryan69]

Scrap all the rogue ticketing companies,and use only approved retailers.

When you turn up at venue...You must present the card you used to purchase said ticket with.

[CropleyWasGod]

Scrap all the rogue ticketing companies,and use only approved retailers.

When you turn up at venue...You must present the card you used to purchase said ticket with.How would that work for people who buy tickets for others?

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[Ryan69]

How would that work for people who buy tickets for others?

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Taking the card that was used...is about the only option.
I know that Ed Sheeran was playing at Emirates Stadium on the Champions League night...and they did this method.
Worked a treat.

Much harder to tout tickets with that method.

[danhibees1875]

How would that work for people who buy tickets for others?

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Putting a name to the ticket as you would an aeroplane ticket?

[CropleyWasGod]

Putting a name to the ticket as you would an aeroplane ticket?

Good shout... but then what happens if you buy it, you decide at the last minute that you can't go, and you sell it to a mate?

If they make tickets non-transferable, as with air tickets, that's going to reduce their saleability. People will be less inclined to buy the more expensive tickets in advance, "just in case". On the other hand, insurance companies might see a market in selling indemnities.

Also, Scarlet Mist, which is a great way of getting rid of unwanted tickets at face value, would go out of business overnight.

[CropleyWasGod]

Taking the card that was used...is about the only option.
I know that Ed Sheeran was playing at Emirates Stadium on the Champions League night...and they did this method.
Worked a treat.

Much harder to tout tickets with that method.

I'm buggered if I'm letting anyone I know loose with my credit card :greengrin

[danhibees1875]

Good shout... but then what happens if you buy it, you decide at the last minute that you can't go, and you sell it to a mate?

If they make tickets non-transferable, as with air tickets, that's going to reduce their saleability. People will be less inclined to buy the more expensive tickets in advance, "just in case". On the other hand, insurance companies might see a market in selling indemnities.

Also, Scarlet Mist, which is a great way of getting rid of unwanted tickets at face value, would go out of business overnight.

I'm no expert, but the organisers having a platform that allowed for transferring tickets for a small admin fee. Which I think is what airlines do... I've never been in the position to ask.

Scarlet Mist could still be used to connect buyers and sellers - but it would get a bit difficult when it comes to transferring money seperately than transferring ticket ownership I'll concede. Which is part of what makes this tricky; there doesn't appear to be a simple solution that appeases everyone.

[Sylar]

Hamilton is a superb example of how to combat touts. You buy a ticket and have to turn up to the theatre with the card of purchase and a booking confirmation. You can buy the ticket for someone else, and you just need to phone and let them know if thats the case. If you can no longer make it, you can sell your ticket back to the theatre. If you change your card, you can update them on that too.

[Peevemor]

Hamilton is a superb example of how to combat touts. You buy a ticket and have to turn up to the theatre with the card of purchase and a booking confirmation. You can buy the ticket for someone else, and you just need to phone and let them know if thats the case. If you can no longer make it, you can sell your ticket back to the theatre. If you change your card, you can update them on that too.

I've been caught out like this before. For any Internet purchase I make my bank generates a single use virtual card number, meaning it was impossible to show the card when collecting tickets.

[Frazerbob]

Iron Maiden gigs are ticketless. The buyer presents the card he used to purchase the tickets at the door, it gets swiped in a wee hand held machine by the steward, the tickets are printed and the group go in. Simple, effective and takes no longer to get in. Still able to sell any spares from mates who can no longer make it, the buyer just needs to enter the venue with whoever purchased the tickets (or with the card used to purchase the tickets) If they can do it, every band can. The problem is, most bands and promotors don’t want to stop the secondary market.

[CropleyWasGod]

Iron Maiden gigs are ticketless. The buyer presents the card he used to purchase the tickets at the door, it gets swiped in a wee hand held machine by the steward, the tickets are printed and the group go in. Simple, effective and takes no longer to get in. Still able to sell any spares from mates who can no longer make it, the buyer just needs to enter the venue with whoever purchased the tickets (or with the card used to purchase the tickets) If they can do it, every band can. The problem is, most bands and promotors don’t want to stop the secondary market.

Sounds simple. But how does it deal with tickets bought as presents?

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[Frazerbob]

Sounds simple. But how does it deal with tickets bought as presents?

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Not sure but we can put man on the moon, sure there will be a simple system to get round that. They’ve done this the last few tours, playing to millions of punters, there doesn’t seem to any problems, at least there doesn’t seem to be loads of fans moaning about it on the forums etc, in fact it’s the opposite.


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[Steve-O]

Maiden didn’t do that when I saw them in NZ, but perhaps not as big an issue down here I suppose.

Another method I have seen used here is the tickets not being emailed out until 48 hours prior to the gig. I was panicking, but the email did arrive!

[overdrive]

Good shout... but then what happens if you buy it, you decide at the last minute that you can't go, and you sell it to a mate?

If they make tickets non-transferable, as with air tickets, that's going to reduce their saleability. People will be less inclined to buy the more expensive tickets in advance, "just in case". On the other hand, insurance companies might see a market in selling indemnities.

Also, Scarlet Mist, which is a great way of getting rid of unwanted tickets at face value, would go out of business overnight.

Some gigs do this already. In the T&Cs it states the buyer must be in attendance and show up at the same time as everyone in the group. It is basically tough luck if the buyer can't go - you won't get a refund either.

[Frazerbob]

Gerry Cinnamon just announced for his latest Scottish dates that there will be a 4 ticket limit and buyers name printed on all tickets and they must be in attendance. So similar to Maiden. He got s lot of stick for his last tour selling out in seconds but tickets appearing on secondary sites straight away. Good on him.

[green&left]

Who's buying them? I managed to get 2 tickets for Richard Ashcroft at the Barrowlands. Being nosey I had a wee look on Viagogo and tickets are priced for £217 to £377 - who's paying that kind of money for a 50 quid ticket to a 90 minute show!?