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Jan 31, 2008 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Angie's List: Ticket Brokers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
When was the last time you were looking to buy tickets for a
concert or sporting event?
These days more and more people use outside companies to
score the seats they want. A ticket
broker can be a fans best friend. In
this week's Angie's List report, Jim Donovan tells us what you need to know
before shelling out any cash.
In a recent Angie's List poll, 63 percent of people said
they had used a secondary source to buy event tickets and a third of those used
a licensed ticket broker.
"People use ticket brokers to buy last-minute tickets
to events or even to get hard to find tickets to events," said Angie
Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "So
instead of having to wait in line all night to get the perfect concert tickets,
you might be able to go to a broker instead."
Hicks suggests using only brokers who are members of the
National Association of Ticket Brokers, who have an office with an 800 number
and where real people can be reached.
She also advises only to pay using a credit card, so you'll have some
recourse if you have problems.
Plus, don't forget to look at the seating chart for the
venue. That way you can avoid getting
stuck with an obstructed view.
Tickets through brokers are sold at above market value so
they will cost you a bit more, but they tend to have premium seating that is
always hard to find at the box office.
It's also the most reliable way to get tickets if the box office is sold
out.
Angie's List, with input from industry experts, has compiled
10 shortcuts to the best seat:
1) Know the law. Some states have laws that specifically
forbid a ticket broker to do business. Check with your state laws before you
begin.
2) Members only. Check the National Association of Ticket
Brokers' website www.natb.org to make sure your
broker is a member. Should you have any problems with the ticket, NATB members guarantee
a refund of double your purchase price or your purchase price plus $1,000,
whichever is greater.
3) Real Deal. Deal only with brokers who have an office with
an 800 number and where real people can be reached. Check Angie's List.
4) Supply and demand. Find out how many tickets the broker
has on hand for the event to decide if risk waiting a few days for the price to
go down.
5) Getting to know you. Develop a relationship with your
broker and sign up for e-news alerts for your favorite performers/teams.
6) Negotiate. Ticket brokers often purchase tickets for
below face value. Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal.
7) Your money's no good here. Never pay for a ticket with
cash or a money order. Always use a credit card so you have recourse in case
the ticket is invalid.
8) Shop around. Check ticket auction websites like Stubhub, TicketsNow and http://www.razorgator.com/RazorGator to gauge market value.
9) Seat's taken. Look at the venue's seating chart before
buying any tickets. This will help you avoid buying counterfeit tickets.
10) Down in front. If you're paying a premium expecting to
have a birds-eye-view, make sure you're not buying a seat with an obstructed
view (OV).
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