September 5, 2008, Newsletter Issue #133: Ticket Broker Auctions

Tip of the Week

You're an eBay and Sotheby's whiz, but for Tony Bennett tickets, you want to go through a ticket auction--moderated by a ticket broker, of course. Should you? We did caution you against buying tickets on eBay, but we meant you shouldn't purchase from individual sellers. Even that "secondary market" that's opened up in Illinois is a source of concern for your Chicago ticket broker, who worries that ticket buyers may be defrauded.

If you feel safer buying through a broker and want to compete for rarer seats (front row at the Philharmonic, for example), buy through a ticket broker auction. Your Los Angeles ticket broker often sells Lakers tickets on eBay, and Ticketmaster has its own auction service competing with "Bob the broker," as Ticketmaster CEO John Pleasants called your online ticket broker.

The Ticketmaster auction product allows artists and promoters to sell directly to ticket buyers. So if a ticket broker doesn't offer an online auction, does that mean you're getting scalped? Not necessarily, if the ticket broker can get you the seats you want and offers discounts or promotions. If you do buy from that New York ticket broker on eBay or through the ticket broker's auction service, make sure you read all the sale policies. Check seller feedback on eBay. Though Tony Bennett tickets will have to wait. Sotheby's has a Chagall up for sale.

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