Melvin talks out against touts

[Sparticus]

Given it hasn't sold out I wouldn't be complaining who bought the tickets. Promotors only have themselves to blame though, since face value has now become to near enough equal to the previous touted value. Fact is people are finding it hard to justify spending two ton on a festival. I went to titp last year, which had arguably one of the strongest lineups of the festival season, yet tickets were selling for face value (Maybe a tender under). The price point has been pushed to its limit, and unless you have one jizz worthy lineup you're going to struggle to shift such numbers.

[rug568]

You're not, despite them suggesting they make and fulfil that promise. The actual guarantee is that you'll get the ticket or your money back.

Edited July 6, 2012 by rug568

[johnmcga]

In my eyes, Benn has been a little hypocritical on this issue.

When Reading was selling out he was quite happy to join forces with Viagogo to take a cut of resold tickets (without stipulating they had to be resold at face value, or anything like that), effectively profiting from selling the same tickets twice.

Once demand dropped and he found primary ticket sales sometimes competing with tickets going for less than face value on eBay, he's demanding legislation to stamp out touting.

There are several things Reading could do to help people. Allowing ticket refunds, offering an ethical ticket exchange or implementing a photo registration system might be a start. But then I guess that might reduce FR's profits.

(Incidentally, I would love to see some stronger anti-touting laws in place. Though only if the enforcement is there too: they already exist for football tickets, and in my experience you still see plenty of touts at Arsenal on big match days.)

Edited July 7, 2012 by johnmcga

[rug568]

he's not demanding legislation that would stop tickets being sold under face value, he just wants to limit the profit made on a ticket by the tout.

[johnmcga]

he's not demanding legislation that would stop tickets being sold under face value, he just wants to limit the profit made on a ticket by the tout.

[jump]

I would say ebay is safer than viagogo.

As long as you pay by paypal on ebay you'll either get the item or your money back as they mediate the dispute. With viagogo if your ticket doesnt turn up you're just arguing against them.

Another plus point for ebay you know what you're paying or what you are willing to pay, viagogo has ridiculous service charges. I was thinking of going to, IOW08 i think, and i found a ticket on viagogo was just above face value, by the time i got to check out the price had gone up £50!

[kaosmark2]

That's not true, the paypal protection has a short time frame so if you buy a tix more than 2 months and dont' get it you have no protection which is likely as tixs are sold months in advance and not sent out till a month before.

[jump]

If you know how to use ebay it's safer.

[2rare2die]

Well it seems like Mr Benn has found an ingenious way to beat the touts already. By putting together lineups over the past few years that fewer people seem keen to shell out for, he's guaranteed there will be little or no interest in touted tickets!

But seriously, the timing of this does seem a little strange, as it seems like over the past three years R+L have had to worry less and less about touting due to slow ticket sales.

[LondonTom]

But seriously, the timing of this does seem a little strange, as it seems like over the past three years R+L have had to worry less and less about touting due to slow ticket sales.

Edited July 10, 2012 by LondonTom

[2rare2die]

Nah his realised the bad point of it, that there's tickets that people might snapped up at full price from him, but are now going for under face value now!

[jump]

It was just him talking about a 10% profit cap that confused me. Does he still think that there are touts out there making any sort of profit on R+L tickets?

[Dan R]

Im also fairly sure that he'll be thinking about the future. If the market picks up again then this kind of legislation will have a real effect. Plus its good publicity for him

[Bradders]

I'm starting to think recently he's trying pretty hard to get good publicity for himself. Maybe turn himself into a loveable Eavis type character? I gotta admit, I do prefer the concept of a festival put on by one recognisable, likeable bloke than just one by a company, most other people probably would too.

Dunno, just a thought...