What WE can do about the scalping on e-Bay!

[Pam]

I would also like to add my 2 cents here, about the scalping of tickets on eBay.

On the one hand, it's a place to buy tickets for those who hear about seminars too late.

But on the other hand, please consider:

John sets his ticket price at a reasonable amount. We all know that he could ask for, and get, hundreds of dollars per ticket. But he doesn't, so that people like you and I can afford to go.

People are purposely buying blocks of tickets, for no other purpose than re-selling them on eBay to the highest bidder. In the past, single tickets have sold for over $400.00.

This is good for those who hear about the seminar too late, and can afford that price. But that ticket is also the ticket that was unavailable to the median income person who tried to buy tickets through normal channels, only to hear "sold out".

The scalpers on eBay are robbing average people of the opportunity to see John live, and to hear John's message personally. And making a nice buck on it too. Where is the Communication, Appreciation and Validation in that?

The scalpers will sell tickets as long as there are buyers. I would encourage anyone reading this who might consider buying from a scalper on eBay, to look into thier hearts, and consider whether or not they wish to contribute to this situation.

Thank you,
(stepping off soap box)

[Pam]

GET INVOLVED!!!! :) :)

More and more seminar tickets are being purchased for the soul purpose of selling at inflated prices on eBay. As of this writing, there are 30 eBay ads for tickets - that's means that at least 60 people who attempted to buy tickets at face value, are "out of luck" because these shallow individuals saw an opportunity to make a nice profit.

Please note that eBay offers a listing of states that do not allow such activity, and way to report scalpers selling tickets for that state. Please note the following:


Ebay has policies matching the laws in the states of Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. (For the complete eBay policy on scalping tickets, see http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-tickets.html )


There are currently illegal sales on ebay for current seminars in Florida, Massachusetts and New York.

You can use this report form (http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetRNSWebFormShow&flag1=0&flag2=10&flag3=33&rcode=420200321000000&subjecttier1=Questionable+Content+on+eBay&subjecttier2=Prohibited+Items-+Items+not+permitted+for+sale+on+eBay&Query=Tickets) to send a complaint report to Ebay on each sale, to help put an end to this activity. You'll need the ebay item number of the sale to report it, so search on "John Edward" first.


Please help stop this activity, which is in direct violation of the spirit of John's message, and his wishes to keep his ticket prices at a reasonable, and attainable value.

Thank you!

[Pam]

For the short term, I did hear back from eBay, and they DID stop a few of the sales that were for states where there are laws against scalping. All of the Vegas shows will continue to be scalped, because Nevada has no laws against it :(

So, if I had all the time in the world, I'd constantly monitor eBay and send in reports, and eBay would pull the sale. (I know that some sellers wouldn't be hindered and would just re-list them, or use a different seller ID. But at least 1 or 2 might be discouraged, and that's a start.)

For the long term, it's like drugs - the only way to stop the sale, is to stop the demand.

I really do feel for those who don't find out about the seminar until it's sold out, and I'm sorry that my solution cuts them out.

But, it doesn't seem fair that at least 60 people who could only afford the face value of the ticket, had to hear "sold out" so that 60 people could get in late at a higher price. I promise you - it's not what John wants, or he'd ask 300.00 a ticket - and still sell out within days, because there are people willing to pay it.

If we stop buying them, they'll stop selling them.

[lptimmtruckin]

Although I am a new poster, I've been watching everyone and learning for a month or so now.

Just wanted to let everyone know that my daughter discovered that in FL it is illegal to sell any tickets for more then originally sold. As of last nite there were many FL tickets taken off of Ebay once Ebay had been notified of that state law.

I agree that when people stop buying blocks of tickets that they don't plan on using, then others of us won't hear sold out. Hope JE makes it to central states!! :)

[Pam]

Thanks for posting :) Actually, ebay is well aware of all the laws, as they list each state's law at the URL up above. What they don't do, is monitor each new sale as it's added. That's where we can help. If we see a sale for a ticket at one of the states listed above, for anything higher than the state allows, eBay will pull the sale IF they are notified.

[ceylavie]

Hi All -- I am also a "newbie" to this site --- but have been JE fan for about 6 months. The site is fantastic and I commend Pam for her diligence and hard work.

I am one of the "unfortunate" who found out about the LV seminar too late. It's funny, I live in LV and didn't know about it. Probably because I have been preoccupied for the last 6-8 weeks looking for a job.

Anyway, back to the discussion about ebay. I agree it's horrible what sellers are asking for tickets. Hate to say it, but some of those sellers also post on this site -- which surprised me. I have been an ebay seller/buyer for several years and in my wildest dreams would have never thought about scalping JE tickets or any other tickets for that matter. In my anxiousness (mostly for being mad at myself for not knowing about the seminar), I placed a bid 2 days ago for 2 tickets; with my top price being $150. I'll find out tomorrow if I "won." If I do - great -- and if not then it wasn't meant to be. I hope the scalpers (oops, sellers) who are members of this community are able to look at themselves in a mirror.

Okay, I'm done -- the soap box is put away!!

Warm blessings and happiness to all --

[PsyQuestor]

Originally posted by ceylavie
Hate to say it, but some of those sellers also post on this site -- which surprised me. I have been an ebay seller/buyer for several years and in my wildest dreams would have never thought about scalping JE tickets or any other tickets for that matter. <snip> I hope the scalpers (oops, sellers) who are members of this community are able to look at themselves in a mirror.

Okay, I'm done -- the soap box is put away!!

Warm blessings and happiness to all --

Cey, if you are willing to PM us with the info we will be certain that those *members* won't be looking at themselves using 'our' mirror...if you know what i mean ;)

We would truly appreciate it, and I'm sure our members would too!

Think it over,
Tammy

[Pam]

That's a bid "amen" from me. Cey, I'm sorry that I missed your post the first time around. If I had seen it, I would have privately asked you for more details. Thanks to Sussan for bringing it to our attention too.

I really don't mean to beat a dead horse over this "ebay-scalping-ticket" thing, but I am really hurting for those who have to hear "sold out" because of people who just don't get who, why and what John Edward's work and message is all about.

It's not about personal gain, because someone needs a few extra bucks for whatever reason. John does the seminars, and makes the ticket price reasonable, so that average, every day people like you and I can personally witness and experience the fact that love lives on, and so that we don't have to live in endless despair over loosing our children, beloved parents, syblings and devoted spouses.

Anyone who would scalp a 45.00 ticket at such inflated prices as 200.00 each, just doesn't get the message, and that makes me very, very sad.

[KathyTM]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a couple of months and finally have a few words to contribute. I've worked for TicketMaster. Call center agents are trained to report "block" ticket buyers they suspect could possibly be scalpers. They do complete the sale, but the flagged account is looked into and tickets rescinded if the buyer can be proven to be a scalper.

I was thinking about it and one way to possibly help the situation would be for the seminar venues to offer only "will call" tickets for those purchased online or over the phone. This would REQUIRE the person who owns the credit card used for the purchase to pick up the tickets on the night of the seminar (usually an hour before showtime). Many venues do this and there are no exceptions: it must be the person (with photo ID) who purchased the tickets. It would especially put an end to scalpers who buy online/phone and live on the other side of the country from the seminar they purchased for. And if scalping was involved (via e-Bay or otherwise), that'd be an easy way to catch them redhanded.

Also, I've noticed another ploy on e-Bay to get around the scalping laws. Seller lists a JE book for "sale" and notes that a pair of seminar tickets will be given free to the highest bidder (of the book). Not breaking any scalping laws there.

I'm in agreement with all here. It's sad and it's a shame. I just don't imagine we'll ever be free of such greedy people though.

[ceceoh]

Kathy, thanks for posting the "inside dope" on Ticketmaster and how they are trying to help with the scalping problem. It's nice to know that they are trying to address the problem.

As for the advice you gave: from your mouth to Get Psych'd ears!

Does anyone else think that this would be a possible solution to the problem?

[Daughtie]

The only possible snag I can see in that is that what if a person buys a ticket only to find out he/she can't go, so he/she wants to give away the ticket (or even sell it at face value). On the events that TicketMaster currently uses this procedure, how do they handle an honest situation like the above? (or don't they)?

[Pam]

[i]Originally posted by KathyTM
<snip>I was thinking about it and one way to possibly help the situation would be for the seminar venues to offer only "will call" tickets for those purchased online or over the phone. This would REQUIRE the person who owns the credit card used for the purchase to pick up the tickets on the night of the seminar (usually an hour before showtime). Many venues do this and there are no exceptions: it must be the person (with photo ID) who purchased the tickets. It would especially put an end to scalpers who buy online/phone and live on the other side of the country from the seminar they purchased for. And if scalping was involved (via e-Bay or otherwise), that'd be an easy way to catch them redhanded.

Also, I've noticed another ploy on e-Bay to get around the scalping laws. Seller lists a JE book for "sale" and notes that a pair of seminar tickets will be given free to the highest bidder (of the book). Not breaking any scalping laws there.

I'm in agreement with all here. It's sad and it's a shame. I just don't imagine we'll ever be free of such greedy people though.

Actually the "selling the book" ruse IS against eBay policy and some of the state laws.

Pracitally everyone would be standing in line, for the "will call" window then. The process would be a nightmare for John's staff, because the venue itself is often a hotel, with no "ticket" operations. Carol and Jesse and others would have to do this, for 3000 people. They already get swamped with the same questions over and over when they have a book table. I can't imagine them doing this for 1500- 3000 ticket holders, checking ID, answering questions, etc.

I personally don't want to have to obtain my ticket that way, I prefer to get them sent to me via the Telecharge/Ticketmaster company.

I agree, that the problem will never be 100% solved, unless someone can email each person who's bidding on those eBay sales, with the promise of a face-value sale. I don't know anyone who has the time or means to do that though :)

[JBannister]

Hi,
I'll make this short since everyone seems to have already added valuable information.
I just want to say to people tempted to buy on e-bay at an un-
reasonable cost. please remember Johns message. Those who are meant to be read will be. Paying 2-4 times the amount of the
tickets makes your chance no better of being read.
I had hoped to make it to the Vegas seminar. I found a source
(not e-bay) who couldn't go and sold me the tickets at face value.
When my health would not allow me to go, I sold them to someone else at face value. Instead of being dissappointed, I feel
really good about the whole thing. Why? Because the person who
wound up with the tickets was the one MEANT to be there.
One last thing, when it became known I wanted to go to Vegas
I was approached by someone on this board who made it clear I
could have the tickets, but not at face value.
Most of us here are people of integrity. But, particularly to the
new-comers, keep in mind that believing in John Edward does not
automatically impart you with integrity, so be cautious.
Julie

[Amanda]

Dear Friends,


E-Bay has stopped scalping on their site before.

In January of 2001 ebay reached an agreement with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office to remove any postings that violated the state's antiscalping law. (Re: the Giants vs Eagles NFL game that year)

The same can be done for the illegal resell ...i.e. blatant scalping of John Edward tickets in the states that have scalping laws.


Myself and others have persisted in filing complaints with E-bay to bring their attention to these facts.
I know most of our complaints have been completely ignored and it's just getting worse.

Here's what WE can do:
Please join me and take a few moments to write a letter and send it to the Attorney General of each state with anti-scalping laws that have tickets currently being scalped on e-Bay.
Let's tell them what's going on and how we feel about it!
(addresses provided below)


As Pam has said before there should not be a price on grief!
John has set these ticket prices so that all can attend his seminars and benefit from the message that Love Never Dies! Not so these people can take advantage of our grief and make a profit from it!

Here are the states that do have scalping laws and the address of the Attorney General for each:


Arkansas: (does not permit resale of tickets)
Mark Lunsford Pryor::
(800) 482-8982
200 Tower Bldg., 323 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201-2610



Connecticut: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $3 per ticket for all entertainment events held in the state)

Richard Blumenthal::
(860) 808-5318
55 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06141-0120



Florida: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $1 per ticket for all entertainment events held in the state. In addition, eBay does not permit the sale of multi-day or multievent tickets that have been used at least once for admission)

Robert A. Butterworth::
(850) 487-1963
The Capitol, PL 01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050



**Illinois: ( permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events in the state. However, ticket brokers licensed in the State of Illinois are not covered by this rule, and may accept any price for tickets provided that their listing contains their Illinois registration number in listings for events in Illinois.)

Jim Ryan::
(217) 785-2771
James R. Thompson Ctr., 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601



Kentucky: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Albert Benjamin Chandler III::
(502) 696-5300
State Capitol, Rm. 116, Frankfort, KY 40601


**Louisiana: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held in the state)

Richard P. Ieyoub::

(225) 342-7013
Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4095



Massachussetts: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $2 per ticket for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Tom Reilly::

(617) 727-2200
1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-1698



Michigan: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Jennifer Granholm::

(517) 373-1110
P.O.Box 30212, 525 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48909-0212



Minnesota: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Mike Hatch::

(651) 296-3353
State Capitol, Ste. 102, St. Paul, MN 55155


Mississippi: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held on state owned property, and athletic contests at Mississippi colleges or Universities in the state. Resales of tickets to other events held in Mississippi are not restricted by this rule.)

Mike Moore::
(601) 359-4279
Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 220, Jackson, MS 39205-0220



Missouri: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $3 for all sporting events held in the state.)

Jeremiah W. Nixon::

(573) 751-3321
Supreme Ct. Bldg., 207 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101



New Jersey: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $3 or 20% per ticket (whichever is greater) for all entertainment events held in the state.)

David Samson::

(609) 292-8740
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market St., CN 080, Trenton, NJ 08625



New Mexico: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value for all college athletic events. Resales of tickets to other events held in New Mexico are not restricted by this rule.)

Patricia A. Madrid::
(505) 827-6000
P.O. Drawer 1508, Sante Fe, NM 87504-1508



New York: (permits the resale of tickets at no greater than face value plus $5 or 20% per ticket (whichever is greater) for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Eliot Spitzer::

(518) 474-7330
Dept. of Law - The Capitol, 2nd fl., Albany, NY 12224



North Carolina: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $3 for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Roy Cooper::

(919) 716-6400
Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 629, Raleigh, NC 27602-0629



Pennsylvania: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than 25% over face value, or $5 over face value, whichever is greater, for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Mike Fisher::

(717) 787-3391
Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120



Rhode Island: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $3 per ticket or 10% of the price printed on the ticket, whichever is greater, for all entertainment events held in the state.)

Sheldon Whitehouse::

(401) 274-4400
150 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02903



South Carolina: (permits resales of tickets at no greater than face value plus $1 for all athletic contests, sporting, entertainment and amusement events held in the state.)

Charlie Condon::

(803) 734-4399
Rembert C. Dennis Office Bldg., P.O.Box 11549, Columbia, SC 29211-1549

**tickets currently being scalped on eBay

[Jude]

Wow, Amanda! Thanks for providing so much valuable information! I know it was hard work and has taken a lot of your personal time.

We have seen so many complaints about this subject right here at this board, so here's an opportunity for us to do something constructive about it.

Thanks again -- good job! :thumbsup:

[Pam]

AWESOME!!! Thank you Amanda! I'll be writing every state that currently has scalped tickets on Ebay. I'm going to include the seller's ID and all the information about the sale.

If enough of us care enough to write, we may be able to preserve seminar tickets at reasonable prices.

thank you Amanda!!!

[NLitenme]

Amanda,

Wow thankyou for putting so much time and effort in providing us with all the info and amunition we need to stop the scalping of tickets! I personally will take the time to write each and everyone of the attorney generals listed. Thankyou Amanda for showing such caring and determination.

Love, Samara

[Amanda]

My letters to the RI, NY, and Mass. Attorney Generals are in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D


I am certain that we can make a difference here you guys!!

I know that enough of us care to do it.

Thanks for bringing that up about the Id's Pam.
I included them in my letters, like you said along with all of the info from each sell I listed to give them a few examples of what's going on.

I'm also going to continue to complain at e-bay.
Someone, somewhere has got to listen!

We CAN do this!!!:jumper:


Much love,
Amanda

[JBannister]

Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to give us such important info. You
put much work into it, and it is appreciated.
Yesterday I wrote e-bay and filed a letter of complaint. It was
frustrating though, I put much thought and heart into it, and then
wondered if they even payed attention.
Julia

[Amanda]

Thanks everybody!!

I'm so sick and frustrated with E-bay.
I think we all are.

I'm tired of their excuses and I'm tired of them not doing a thing to enforce state laws and their own rules.


It really didn't take that much for me to get everything together with the Attorney General list and everything.
And I'm more than happy to do it and anything else I have to do to help us to ensure that the scalping of JE tickets are stopped on E-bay.



Amanda

[Amanda]

I want to add some information in addition to the mailing addresses that we can use to hopefully, get our point across quickly.


You can file a complaint through NY State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office using this link:complaint form (http://www.oag.state.ny.us/internet_complaint/)

At last count there were 66 listings for tickets (being scalped) for the NewYork seminars!!
****

You can fax Rhode Island State Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse (401) 222-1331
And e-mail him @ contactus@riag.state.ri.us

****
E-mail Massachussets State Attorney General Tim Reilly @ this address webmaster@ago.state.ma.us


Amanda:cuser:

[Jude]

Complaints going out this morning via the Attorney Generals' websites!

I still plan on sending letters to their offices through the regular postal service, however, as I've been told that those letters in their hands, with signatures, actually carry more weight. I'll get to that as soon as my holiday company is gone!

Thanks again for all your hard work!

2 BIG :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[vivi37]

thanks for giving the addresses , i just posted my complaint to the attorney generals office of ny. hopefully they will be able to investigate this matter. i can't believe these scalpers are allowed to get away with selling at those prices. if we all get together and complain i think we have a chance to stop this.



:daisy: Viv

[Amanda]

I'm bumping this thread up to update the attorney general information for the seminars that are upcoming in the states with anti-scalping laws..


Illinois: ( resale of tickets are permitted at no greater than face value for all entertainment events in the state.)
Please write to Illinois Attorney General at:
James R. Thompson Ctr., 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
Also you may call and voice your concerns*not allowed - refer to the guidelines*
(217) 785-2771
E-mail Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan re: Chicago seminar e-bay ticket scalping..here (http://www.ag.state.il.us/ag_email.htm)



Seminar information:
Chicago Downtown Marriot
Chicago, IL
540 N. Michigan Chicago, IL 60611
Sunday, June 9, 2002 12PM
$45.00

********

Louisiana: (Resale of tickets are permitted at no greater than face value for all entertainment events held in the state)
Please write to Richard P. Ieyoub *not allowed - refer to the guidelines*:
Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4095
Also you may call and voice your concerns*not allowed - refer to the guidelines*
(225) 342-7013
Contact Louisiana Attorney General Richard P. Ieyoub using this online complaint form...here (http://www.ag.state.la.us/forms/Form100-Complaint2.asp)

Seminar information:
The Kenner Pontchartrain Center
Kenner, LA
Thursday, June 06, 2002 6:30PM
$45.00




From Main Street to the Information Superhighway, State Attorneys General have been working to protect consumers from Internet Auction Fraud. On February 14, 2000, State Attorneys General along with the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the United States Postal Inspection Service announced law enforcement actions taken against fraudulent Internet auctioneers. (from the National Association of Atty. Generals)

They are on our side..we just need to make them aware of how grossly the law is being broken in regards to these scalpers on e-bay...also they need to know how ebay after continuous complaints refuse to follow state laws..and their own rules.

* Please include as many details and examples as you can including the item #'s for these auctions (scalpings) when contacting the attorney generals.
*Make note that some sellers are being dishonest about the face value of these tickets in order to get around the law. The face value of these tickets ARE $45 per Telecharge for the Chicago seminar and Ticketmaster for the New Orleans seminar.

Also, it seems to be better received and taken more seriously to contact them in writing than online..but, I put both resources here for us to use as we'd like.

[Jude]

Just want to mention that I heard from family in the New Orleans area that ads for front row tickets were actually in the New Orleans Times-Picayune yesterday, selling for $125 each.

Seems like it would be easy enough for the Attorney General's office to find out who bought front row seats and is now scalping them...

[Amanda]

Jude,

I've been doing a little investigating and the best thing to do with the newspaper ticket advertisers (scalpers :mad: ) is to report it to the police department in that area.
Law enforcement officers can and will pursue ticket scalpers....especially ones that are openly advertising in papers locally...or on street corners.

There just aren't enough officers nor hours in the day for them to police the internet.

Making our internet scalpers feel safe...but, not for long.
;)

[Jude]

The police department is certainly an easier and faster way of dealing with these people.

I can see how it would be much easier for scalpers to get away with it on the internet.

But taking out an ad in a local paper, advertising that you're doing something illegal -- how brazen is that?

[Amanda]

I know what you mean!!

Either they are ignorant of the law or just aren't taking it seriously.
I have found out that alot of people have actually done jail time and paid some pretty hefty fines for scalping tickets...on line even.

In Illinois the fine is $5000 plus restitution to those they have sold the tickets to.

In New York they did prosecute people who were doing this on e-bay for some playoff tickets. Plus they forced e-bay to cease those auctions.
So, why should this be any different??

I know that some people think they are safe to sell these tickets at enormous prices because of what they are seeing in the e-bay "rules" that this law just applies to "entertainment" events.
That is just a generalization.


**To me this is much worse than scalping concert tickets or sporting tickets...
This is like pulling a chair out from under a little old lady and then saying "have a nice day".

It's sick.

[AmyE]

Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done about the current scalping that is going on on the Australian tour? I saw a bid up to 600 AU last time I looked, which I think is roughly $337 in our dollars - this is outrageous!

[Netrac]

Well the top asking price for two tickets was $4000. Nobody seemed to bid on any tickets over the $1000 mark and there were thirteen from $1000 to $4000. The top price looked like it was $790 for 3 or $740 for 2 and there were over TWO HUNDRED auctions for tickets on EBay.

(roughly halve all those prices for US$ equivalents)

I have no idea what our laws are regarding scalpers. I know it is illegal, but not sure about fines/penalties etc. Someone did approach me on the evening as I was walking in and asked if I had a spare ticket. She was making no attempt to hide, or lower her voice and was calling out to people and nobody was trying to stop her or even said anything to her...

[forgiveness]

You Rock
I will write as well. Thank you for putting this all together!

Angelina

[Don]

Please note that the above Attorney's General will likely change with each election (for instance, Illinois's is now Lisa Madigan, not Jim Ryan) so make sure you've got the correct person before launching off your letters.

[Alevia]

I just received an email from a website called <edited by moderator> and they advertised JE tickets for sold out venues. I saw that they were offering ONE ticket to Rhode Island for $240! I am assuming this cannot possibly be legal, can it??

Lori

[Don]

Not according to the earlier post in this thread, Alevia. You should report it to the Rhode Island Attorney General. You should be able to find what you need, here (http://www.riag.state.ri.us/consumer/default.htm).

[Alevia]

Thanks Don, I will do that.

Lori

[eeyore13166]

It seems that even the attorney generals office is not too worried about scalping right now either. This is SOOOO unfortunate for those (including myself) that cannot get tickets to see John. I am going on faith and blind luck to see him this year. :(

[rayco]

Yes it is very scary that newspapers are running ads from scalpers, especially since this is illegal. Maybe some newspapers think they are above the law, like some of the politicians they critisize (sounds a little hypocritical to me). :confused:

[Lucidhart]

Hi...I posted here before asking for some help with best way to handle extra tickets to make sure they don't fall into wrong hands. I came back hoping for some suggestions. Did I post or say anything wrong? But my post is just gone...POOF :(

I sincerely wanted some ideas. I'm confused...did I mention that lol.

:butterfly

[TeenaSee]

Hi Lucid,

I believe you will find another thread about posting tickets on this site. We don't want anyone being taken advantage of, not that you would do that. The best thing to do here is wait and see if someone posts that they are looking for tickets. We're trying to avoid becoming victims to Ebay and scalpers.

[Jude]

Lucidhart,

Here are the guidelines for posting about seminar tickets. I just *bumped* the thread:

http://www.johnedwardtalk.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2476

Check your e-mail! I just wrote to you to explain! :)

[Pam]

*bump* with regard to the other thread about scalping on ebay. You can report this to ebay yourself - the more people that report it, the more ebay will listen. Please see the "get involved" post....

[AngelsMailroom]

Just wondering - Is my idea is too simplistic.... such as, no more than 4 to 6 tickets sold to an individual. I don't know how many "blocks" of tickets are sold at this time to a purchaser. Just a thought.

[Jude]

Adrienne, I think I have noticed lately that at some of the recent JE events, there was an 8 ticket limit. :shrug:

Does that sound familiar to anyone else? I don't think I dreamed it... :hmm:

[Gail]

I've seen where there is a limit on tickets but scalpers probably have a lot of friends, all buying 8 tickets each. I don't know what could be done to stop that. :(

Gail

[Theophilia]

If the person holding the credit card has to pick up the ticket, then there will be a lot of poor people who won't be able to go.

I know several people who are disabled or on welfare who have friends and relatives with credit cards who buy things for them on the net. You would be surprised at how common this is. I know someone personally who has a ticket to the November Workshop and it does not have her name on it, but that of the friend who bought it. And if the person who bought the tickets becomes ill or has to work, then perhaps whole groups will have wasted time and money.

I find in life the more negative energy I put into a thing the worse it gets and the more control people try to exert the more negative energy is created. Maybe we could all just try some group positive energy and let everyone do and learn the way they need to. Even scalpers are souls on journeys.

Theo

[Silly]

Theo, I agree about sending out the positive energy! Yes there are scalpers out there, but not just for JE tickets. For all events you need to go to. They're in the papers we read, on the net, and so on. I'm in on the positive energy! I practice this everyday!
Silly

[Jude]

Thanks for the good thoughts, Theo!

[teresa02]

**BUMP**

Just noticed this thread after I posted mine.

Teresa

[blueflicker]

Hi.. just thought I would jump in about tickets being sold on eBay and the 'rules' regarding face value etc.. etc... I noticed that some sellers (not just for JE) have tickets for sale on eBay but they have been able to post them in a particular manner whereas they can get as high of a bid as they like - 'bending the rules'. This happened during the recent NHL playoffs. When my city's team (Toronto Maple Leafs) were still in the running and the games were selling out fast... The scalpers would put on eBay something small like a Maple Leaf banner, or hat... which is the item up for bids *but* as a bonus to the sale, the winner would receive a set of tickets to the game... sneaky no? This way the scalper can sell their tickets for any price.. this sucks big time for *any* event! I still find it even more disgusting when it is directed towards people who have interest to attend one of John's events. *sigh*

Stacey
:musicnote

[PsyQuestor]

*Bumping this to the top.*

[unicorn91432]

The New Orleans Seminar was not even sold out but there were a lot of tickets on ebay and other sites asking outrageous prices.

The scalpers always seem to get the best seats in the house, so I was interested to see that many seats close to the stage were empty.

I was in row 5, center section, the row in front of me (row 4) had only two seats occupied. Rows two and three were about half full. These are the best seats in the house and those tickets would usually sell first.

My point, obscure tho it may be, http://www.friendscommunities.org/images/smilies/tongue.gif is, if scalpers bought up those seats, then they got stuck with a lot of tickets!

And that's a good thing.http://www.friendscommunities.org/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

Unicorn

[Gail]

Often, at a large seminar, the first few rows will be empty or sparsely occupied. In the past, rows in the very front and center section in the seminar venue would be reserved for John's friends, family, assistants and special guests.

I've seen them roped off.

I don't know if that is still the case.

[unicorn91432]

Nothing was reserved or roped off, at the New Orleans Seminar, not even the front row.

Everyone around us was talking about the empty seats. It just seemed odd...I've never seen that at the other seminars I've been to.

[Gail]

If it wasn't general seating and you paid for where you sat, those rows wouldn't have to be roped off. They could have been bought so they would remain empty.

In general seating, you line up in a long line and get the first empty seats you find that you like. The front row seats would quickly fill up if they weren't blocked off with ropes.

I've been to several seminars with reserved areas in the front and they were seldom filled up. Someone once said that John would prefer not to have people directly in front of him if possible.