Ticket scalping at MMPUS (and other ticket misc)

[OregonStrosFan]

Thought I'd throw my $0.02 out on the topic, since I was curious about it when I got here and didn't get many good answers...  Hope this little primer helps...

Scalping:

Rule is (or at least what it seems to be) that scalpers have to be across the street(s) from MMPUS to talk money / sell tickets.

You can generally identify them in 4 ways: they are at specified locations (i.e. places with 'tickets' signs and folks sitting down), are the guys approaching you asking if you have tickets to sell, are holding up a couple of tickets not saying anything, or are asking you if you need a ticket.

Its a barter economy.  Many of the scalpers buy extras from folks at deeply discounted rates, not sure how the others get theirs (perhaps someone else can opine).  I have occasionally payed above face (at other venues) for VERY good tickets (front row dugout, etc.), but usually am able to work 25%-50% off the price at MMPUS.  Often times (if not most of the time), the selections from scalpers are better than you can get ordering online or at the box office (especially from the 'established' scalpers, i.e. the ones in the 'marked locations'). 

If one of the scalpers doesn't have what you are looking for, another will.  Often if the 'roaming scalpers'  don't have the location you are looking for, they know which of their buddies does, and will call them over.  Not saying it won't happen, but have bought tickets from scalpers about 15 times, and have not been stung yet (of course by saying this next time I will...). 

ETA: Obviously the prices get better the closer it is to game time (and better still late in the 1st inning), although the section declines.  IME, scalpers don't want to be stuck with unusable inventory and will work to get it sold.  As for selection of tickets, MMPUS isn't exactly packing 'em in right now, so I don't think finding what you're looking for will be too big of a problem.

Other non-traditional purchasing options: 

I highly recommend the [insert team name of venue you are visiting] ticket exchange as well for buying tickets.  This is a place on team web sites established to allow season ticket holders to offer seats for sale.  Although the prices on these are not typically 'bargains,' the seat selections are usually excellent and there is no worry that your ticket may not be valid.

I also recommend perusing the EBay ticket offerings as well, as oft you can get good seats for legit prices there too. 

Anyway, hope this helps someone save a couple of bucks and gets 'em closer to the action than they otherwise would have been from buying tickets at the ticket office!

[hostros7]

If you're worried about getting stung, ask the guy to follow you in up to the turnstiles.  If it's legit, he should have no problem with it, particularly if it's a little bit later, and he's not missing much in the way of potential business.

[BizidyDizidy]

If you're worried about getting stung, ask the guy to follow you in up to the turnstiles.  If it's legit, he should have no problem with it, particularly if it's a little bit later, and he's not missing much in the way of potential business.

Depends if you go to the freelancers or the tent guys - I doubt that guy will leave his tent on crawford (he is a bit of a gruff dude).

[Astroholic]

Depends if you go to the freelancers or the tent guys - I doubt that guy will leave his tent on crawford (he is a bit of a gruff dude).

He does not need to leave...you know where he is if the tickets don't work.

[BizidyDizidy]

He does not need to leave...you know where he is if the tickets don't work.

Good point.

[OregonStrosFan]

If you're worried about getting stung, ask the guy to follow you in up to the turnstiles.  If it's legit, he should have no problem with it, particularly if it's a little bit later, and he's not missing much in the way of potential business.

I've never worried about it all that much, but figured some would.

BTW, I've always been curious as to where these folks get their tickets and how they can make money selling at discounts.  I've figured out at least some of them buy from folks with extras (the freelancers in particular), but don't have a good grasp on the others.  Thoughts?

[Lurch]

I've never worried about it all that much, but figured some would.

BTW, I've always been curious as to where these folks get their tickets and how they can make money selling at discounts.  I've figured out at least some of them buy from folks with extras (the freelancers in particular), but don't have a good grasp on the others.  Thoughts?

I believe they often sell on consignment for season ticket holders

[Clark in Denver]

Most scalpers get their tickets from season ticket holders looking to get something for a ticket.  They provide a markup and resell.  Most of the time, there is no problem.

For something like a regular season baseball game at MMP, you probably won't run into too many problems with bad tickets.  For larger events, I would be very cautious purchasing tickets anywhere other than a team authorized site.  Working in a ticket office, I can't tell you the number of people who have lost hundreds to thousands of dollars on fake, bad, or stolen tickets. 

It's very easy to get legit looking tickets out there, only to find that they are not valid.  For example, many teams offer a service that allows season ticket holders to email a ticket to a friend.  Once the ticket is emailed, the original ticket becomes invalid and only the emailed ticket will scan at the gate.  The season ticket holder could then take that invalid season ticket, sell it on the street, and no one would be the wiser. 

So the guy with the tent across the street from the stadium who looks legit could have bought that bad ticket unknowingly.  It's up to him though to refund your money when you get turned away at the game.  In my experience, these guys are very reluctant to refund anything. 

[Astroholic]

Most scalpers get their tickets from season ticket holders looking to get something for a ticket.  They provide a markup and resell.  Most of the time, there is no problem.

For something like a regular season baseball game at MMP, you probably won't run into too many problems with bad tickets.  For larger events, I would be very cautious purchasing tickets anywhere other than a team authorized site.  Working in a ticket office, I can't tell you the number of people who have lost hundreds to thousands of dollars on fake, bad, or stolen tickets. 

It's very easy to get legit looking tickets out there, only to find that they are not valid.  For example, many teams offer a service that allows season ticket holders to email a ticket to a friend.  Once the ticket is emailed, the original ticket becomes invalid and only the emailed ticket will scan at the gate.  The season ticket holder could then take that invalid season ticket, sell it on the street, and no one would be the wiser. 

So the guy with the tent across the street from the stadium who looks legit could have bought that bad ticket unknowingly.  It's up to him though to refund your money when you get turned away at the game.  In my experience, these guys are very reluctant to refund anything. 

But they have other tickets that work, so you could at least exchange them for working tickets. 

[Clark in Denver]

But they have other tickets that work, so you could at least exchange them for working tickets. 

If they are willing, and if they have something comparable to what they originally sold you.  Again, for smaller events, this usually isn't an issue.  For larger events, often times the guys on the street come from out of town exclusively to scalp the event.  They don't care about keeping a customer satisfied, because they are on the next plane out of town.

[OregonStrosFan]

If they are willing, and if they have something comparable to what they originally sold you.  Again, for smaller events, this usually isn't an issue.  For larger events, often times the guys on the street come from out of town exclusively to scalp the event.  They don't care about keeping a customer satisfied, because they are on the next plane out of town.

Saw a number of people get burned from scalped Superbowl tickets before, and don't think I'd ever buy one for an event of that sort.  Like you said though, for smaller events (inc. Astros games in May-July) don't think it is a big problem.

[Astroholic]

If they are willing, and if they have something comparable to what they originally sold you.  Again, for smaller events, this usually isn't an issue.  For larger events, often times the guys on the street come from out of town exclusively to scalp the event.  They don't care about keeping a customer satisfied, because they are on the next plane out of town.

But we are not talking about guys on the corner.  We are talking about the tickets for sale across the street under the tents.  These places are "satellite" branches of brick and mortar ticket agencies.  I have never been burned with these guys.   I will give you that it is still a risk to buy from them, but much less of one then buying tickets in an alley.

For the World Series, I bought SRO tickets off of craigslist.  I had the guy’s physical address/cell, landline, copy of driver’s license etc.  I also have a few friends that are cops and would not have minded paying this guy a visit off hours if deemed necessary.  Was not an issue, because they worked.  Now the results of the game..on the other hand.

[Reuben]

Couldn't your cop buddies have paid Bobby Jenks a little visit, maybe prior to Game 3? It might not have changed the outcome of the series, but we all probably would've felt a lot better. Maybe Guillen too.

[Clark in Denver]

But we are not talking about guys on the corner.  We are talking about the tickets for sale across the street under the tents.  These places are "satellite" branches of brick and mortar ticket agencies.  I have never been burned with these guys.   I will give you that it is still a risk to buy from them, but much less of one then buying tickets in an alley.

For the World Series, I bought SRO tickets off of craigslist.  I had the guy’s physical address/cell, landline, copy of driver’s license etc.  I also have a few friends that are cops and would not have minded paying this guy a visit off hours if deemed necessary.  Was not an issue, because they worked.  Now the results of the game..on the other hand.

You might not have been burned by those guys, but as a ticket operations manager for a football team, I have to throw out at least 10-20 people every game because they bought bad tickets.  While they may be able to eventually get their money back for the ticket, they are not able to see the game, they aren't always able to recoup their parking money, and it creates a hassle for them and their guests.

It's always buyer beware in those situations.

[Astroholic]

You might not have been burned by those guys, but as a ticket operations manager for a football team, I have to throw out at least 10-20 people every game because they bought bad tickets.  While they may be able to eventually get their money back for the ticket, they are not able to see the game, they aren't always able to recoup their parking money, and it creates a hassle for them and their guests.

It's always buyer beware in those situations.

Cool.

[OregonStrosFan]

Had to go through some hoops tonight to get a scalped ticket from a freelancer.   Had to walk about 500 yards to seal the deal, and even then it was a 'back alley type' deal (went through with it only because it was a freelancer I'd dealt with a number of times)...  Seems the Astros are cracking down on the practice (I'd guess in direct correlation to declining ticket sales/attendance)...

[Tralfaz]

This is a very informative thread for us out of towners, frustrated with Astros.com system of purchasing tickets.  I get a chance to make about one game a year and the seats available are usually crap.  I know I've seen it, but I can't find the Season Ticket Holders Ticket Exchange tab.  Can some one point me in the right direction?

[Lurch]

This is a very informative thread for us out of towners, frustrated with Astros.com system of purchasing tickets.  I get a chance to make about one game a year and the seats available are usually crap.  I know I've seen it, but I can't find the Season Ticket Holders Ticket Exchange tab.  Can some one point me in the right direction?

Looks like they killed it and just partnered with stubhub

[Tralfaz]

And from looking at that, a much better option than Astros.com.

[homer]

And from looking at that, a much better option than Astros.com.

What OSF didn't mention, and what is somewhat easier in the thin crowds this year, is buying cheap and 'upgrading' to box seats.