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How to sell tickets fairly

barnabas.me

131–140 of 363 posts

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#131
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see why the Dutch auction doesn't address your concerns. The starting price can be higher, the price drop can be non-linear and third party software using the concert's API can serve customers by providing them with the same information scalpers would have.

Did you see the part about selling to kids who don't have much money?

If the kids didn't buy at the time, that means they didn't buy them before when the tickets were more expensive. Which means that also wouldn't be interested in buying the more expensive scalped tickets either.

Put into context: Tickets are $30 - kid doesn't buy them next day Tickets are $29 - scaler buys them before the kid

The kid has already decided that $30 is too much. For the resale to be worth it, it would need to be more than $1 gains, but that is more than the kid has already associated the value to be

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#132
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because people drop out last minute and might want to take a different friend.

I’ve been to events that do this and if someone can’t make it tough luck. But it prevents scalping at least. Every system has pros and cons.

A lot of artists don't want to perform in a venue with 20% empty seats

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#133
> Shameless plug: I understand how to make and launch exactly this kind of system, at least technically. If you want it built, please contact me.

I cannot roll my eyes hard enough - if you can, then do it already. Why the hell do you need the encouragement?

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why can't they beat them? Advertise your website, people go to your website and click the buy button, a form shows up to fill their card data. What does Ticketmaster do that is better? Don't they have the same workflow?

Most major and minor venues have exclusive ticketing contracts. You can sell tickets to a high school gym but if you want to play anywhere that can handle a real crowd you’re stuck with the monopoly.

So it’s essentially a real estate monopoly at heart?

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#135

> Shameless plug: I understand how to make and launch exactly this kind of system, at least technically. If you want it built, please contact me. I cannot roll my eyes hard enough - if you can, then do it already. Why the hell do you need the encouragement?

I think they mean "if you want to pay for it".

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#136
Yeah this doesn't feel "Fair" to me. It would likely reduce the scalping problem, sure, but it also introduces a whole lot of "Well this is the price I want to pay, but what if it sells out? Should I stretch and pay more?" type feelings.

Maybe scalpers get in around this "stretch" point and then when there are no tickets left at all, people realise they really want to go and stretch a bit further to buy from the scalper.

As others have pointed out too - this really selects for wealth. As someone with a decent income, I might get to go and see all my favourite bands, but lower income folks might be priced out of the market entirely (which they already are by scalpers to a greater or lesser extent).

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#137
post #18

I think this is great if your goal is to clear the market at a competitive price. But a lot of artists want to sell tickets below market price. That makes the problem a lot harder. The obvious thing to do is have a lottery, but it's hard to stop people from using multiple identities (especially scalpers).

> But a lot of artists want to sell tickets below market price

And I want to experience being a dragon, unicorn, billionaire, etc. We can want impossible things, but ignore reality at our own peril.

You can't "beat" the market, you just force the market underground (black market, scalpers). The market ALWAYS pays what it can afford. If demand is greater than supply, and someone is willing to pay more for it, refer to Economics 101.

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#138
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Recently I went to see PJ with a friend. I had the tickets but I was going to be late so tried to transfer one ticket. Nope, not allowed. Both of us had to be there with my app. If I wanted to sell it I can but not to a person. I can just release it back at the original price and no fees. So PJ are still fighting the good fight and TM plays along. Unfortunately most artists don’t have PJ’s influence, so probably not…

I think I can live with the approach of banning transfers but still offering refunds. Seems like it would make deter scalpers since they'd have to show up at the concert or provide you with a fake ID which might not work.

Yeah, screw scalpers!

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#139
post #2

Pearl Jam tried to beat Ticketmaster. At the risk of sounding like the big fan I am, if Eddie Vedder and co. (at their commercial peak) can’t beat Ticketmaster, I’m not convinced that software can. I’ve been pasting this Rolling Stone link since I was in my teens. I can’t believe how old I am… https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pearl-jam-taki...

Fugazi is a great example, although not as popular they refused to charge more than $5 for their shows. I saw one in a small venue and it was raw and in your face and just awesome. They also didn't want anything to do with merchandising, insisting that if you wanted a Fugazi shirt then go make your own!

Re: How to sell tickets fairly

#140
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see why the Dutch auction doesn't address your concerns. The starting price can be higher, the price drop can be non-linear and third party software using the concert's API can serve customers by providing them with the same information scalpers would have.

Did you see the part about selling to kids who don't have much money?

They don’t buy them regardless, bots already bought everything out.
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