Selling comped event tickets?
Anyway, I often get offered free tickets to events that I'm not particularly interested in. Usually these aren't worth much, so I don't care, but some of them can get quite expensive. For example, next week, I could get two free tickets to the Mayweather / Maidana fight if I wanted to. The very worst of these tickets are selling on stubhub for $500 a pop (the $500 seats are in the top level, in the corner of the arena -- the worst seats in the house). The better ones sell for more.
I was looking for ways that I'd be able to get my comped tickets and sell them. The problem is that the pick-up for the tickets is always the day before the event, and I won't know my seat numbers before then, so I wouldn't be able to list them in advance. Stubhub has this thing called "LMS" (last-minute services) where you give your tickets to them in advance and whoever buys them can pick them up right at the venue. But even LMS requires that you deliver your tickets to them 2 days before the event -- I won't have them that early.
Have people done this before? How did you sell them? Standing around outside an event trying to scalp tickets is not my style -- I'd prefer something with very little effort or interaction with people on my part. LMS would be perfect if not for the 2-day delivery rule.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceMayweather / Maidana fight
It's too bad LarryS has been banned...
Quote: mdsIf you were to say on this site (If the Wizard would allow it) "I have eagles tickets for Oct 10th or whenever someone like me would jump all over it. I would pay you. Not top dollar due to the situation but you would make extra money. I think either doing that or craigs list might work. But that is tough due to people being ripped off on Craigs list.. they don't know you we do. Kinda..
I certainly don't want to spam this site with stuff like that. I understand why people are nervous about CL because it's easy to counterfeit tickets now. That's why stubhub is great -- they guarantee that you will get into the event. They actually have tickets, and if there is a problem at the door you can call them and they will set you up with something similar.
Anyway, I can't be the only person who has thought of doing this, especially for events that are highly in demand like a Mayweather fight. I'm just wondering how other people do it. I'm thinking of emailing stubhub's LMS and see if I'd be able to somehow sell through them.
Quote: wudgedIt's too bad LarryS has been banned...
Axoium would have a better chance if people knew who Mayweather was. Selling tickets to some guys fighting in a ring? Hogwash :)
Quote: djatcAxoium would have a better chance if people knew who Mayweather was. Selling tickets to some guys fighting in a ring? Hogwash :)
If this doesn't pan out I'm gonna start selling buffet comps for $10
Think a high profile AP was banned at MGM for selling stuff like this. I know others have lost their cards.Quote: AxiomOfChoiceIf this doesn't pan out I'm gonna start selling buffet comps for $10
Quote: AxelWolfThink a high profile AP was banned at MGM for selling stuff like this. I know others have lost their cards.
Do you mean the Borgata?
Quote: AxelWolfThink a high profile AP was banned at MGM for selling stuff like this. I know others have lost their cards.
Really? Why would they care?
They are giving me the tickets to get me to show up and gamble. I am showing up and gambling -- they have accomplished their goal. Do they really care if I actually go to the event or not?
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceIf this doesn't pan out I'm gonna start selling buffet comps for $10
I'll buy them from you all day if they were at Caesers or the Wynn. Of course I get to sue you for making me fat when I break 400lb+
Quote: djatcI'll buy them from you all day if they were at Caesers or the Wynn. Of course I get to sue you for making me fat when I break 400lb+
lol, it was a reference to our favorite "AP".
Honestly I would not bother for any events where the tickets were not at least a few hundred each.
Ill tell you specifically who later. It's been a problem many times. That's why i'm not really into selling good stuff to non friends.Quote: AxiomOfChoiceReally? Why would they care?
They are giving me the tickets to get me to show up and gamble. I am showing up and gambling -- they have accomplished their goal. Do they really care if I actually go to the event or not?
Normally just give it away. We don't use our free monthly CET tickets
Last good thing I sold was Stones wrist band tickets at the Joint for a nice chunk of change. People were begging to buy them. I would no even meet them on property
Free heartattack grill burger +ev for 400pQuote: djatcI'll buy them from you all day if they were at Caesers or the Wynn. Of course I get to sue you for making me fat when I break 400lb+
Quote: AxelWolfIll tell you specifically who later. It's been a problem many times. That's why i'm not really into selling good stuff to non friends.
Normally just give it away. We don't use our free monthly CET tickets
Last good thing I sold was Stones wrist band tickets at the Joint for a nice chunk of change. People were begging to buy them. I would no even meet them on property
That is why I wanted to use stubhub. Don't have to meet anyone; just let them sell on stubhub and they mail me a check.
In my opinion, yes, it would merit that.Quote: AxiomOfChoiceShould we have a separate sub-forum for discussing comps?
I don't know about selling. I have given them as a gift with the full knowledge of a suit I asked who was supervising behind the Total Rewards counter at a Caesars property, confirming with them that it was all hunky-dory that I was getting them in order to do that, without going to the show myself. The people I was giving them to do have the same last name as me, were visiting registered guests staying in the same hotel as the show on my comps with their stay booked through my card, and I got them in person at the counter at the property on the same morning as that evening's show, so I don't know how much that really tells you for this, if anything.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceIf this doesn't pan out I'm gonna start selling buffet comps for $10
Hilarious. That is the first thing I thought of when I saw this post.
You should have went. So much fun you'll never forget, especially if you had good seats.Quote: AxelWolfIll tell you specifically who later. It's been a problem many times. That's why i'm not really into selling good stuff to non friends.
Normally just give it away. We don't use our free monthly CET tickets
Last good thing I sold was Stones wrist band tickets at the Joint for a nice chunk of change. People were begging to buy them. I would no even meet them on property
I would never pass up 2k to 3k to see anyone.Quote: onenickelmiracleYou should have went. So much fun you'll never forget, especially if you had good seats.
Quote: AxiomOfChoicelol, it was a reference to our favorite "AP".
Honestly I would not bother for any events where the tickets were not at least a few hundred each.
Oh yes I remember Lemmiwinks. I feel the same way, unless it's pretty quick and painless like CET monthly shows. I sold them to a couple of members here and the process is simple, pick up the tickets, and give them to the buyer. I haven't seen a single show in Las Vegas, I particularly enjoy the handpay jackpot screen show however.
Can't get no, satisfaction?Quote: AxelWolfI would never pass up 2k to 3k to see anyone.
What kind of dirtbag scalps his comps. I discards comps I cannot use.
I've seen Smokey Robinson at the East Side Cannery and Aretha Franklin at Caesars. And I eat at steakhouses.
I am sorry, but am I missing some thing here?? - but what kind of hard-up sh*t bag scalps his comps instead of attending, as a thank you for the action?
This should be an automatic flag on the player's account.
You get comps, you do not scalp them. You be thankful to have them and use them. I cannot see another way.
I say "thank you" for appreciating my action, - use the comps with a salute and be done with.
To each his own, I would eat a steak, pass on a country show, keep a jacket, and give away a gift card. I would assume a casino would be less satisfied with their results having absolute control in this area. Like axiom said, the casinos get two people into the casino for the single item only one can use.Quote: PaigowdanI really need to be beaten to death among you saints here.
What kind of dirtbag scalps his comps. I discards comps I cannot use.
I've seen Smokey Robinson at the East Side Cannery and Aretha Franklin at Caesars. And I eat at steakhouses.
You get comps, you do not scalp them. You be thankful to have them and use them. I cannot see another way.
I say "thank you" for appreciating my action, - use the comps with a salute and be done with.
Quote: onenickelmiracleTo each his own...
No, casino operators should and do see to it that their considerations are used in good faith. I can see giving a show ticket to a family member or giving it back, or forwarding a gift card, - but scalping the comped tickets? No.
If I were a waiter in a casino steak house, I'd ask for a driver's license or credit card (and not a player's card) with the comped ticket, to check for a matching name or an explanation. Many do. "No match = take out your own wallet, - as ticket not useable."
Casino complimentaries are on a good faith play-action basis. They have a right to see that they are not transferable without notice, or "doigt de seignuer."
Quote: Paigowdan
If I were a waiter in a casino steak house, I'd ask for a driver's license or credit card (and not a player's card) with the comped ticket, to check for a matching name or an explanation. Many do.
So many don't. Good for me.
Many casinos houses don't mind "burning up issued comps" - even if wrongly used.
many would say "Oh, REALLY? - TALK to your brother on this false ticket. YOU pay" - and then lose a high roller in the process.
Many would say "Your BROTHER can use it, - but not you, my friend. Take out your credit card."
many operators issue "comp checks" in the name of the recipient, to prevent transfer. The Cannery group does this, to prevent his fraud. It states "The Signer/named recipient must be present to redeem. Identification must be presented to match check issuance." They KNOW you are slick.
Two birds with one stone. How can a casino lose? I think you're just too negative to see this. Two people in the casino who both have money, which is more than they expect with strict gifting of either just one or none. If the marketing works, they keep doing it. Giving your ticket to a family member might be worse than scalping since the ticket buyer might have disposable income and more willingness to gamble being unknown to the casino than someone not comped you know and most likely known to the casino known to not gamble enough. Tough call there trying a mental experiment which isn't very simple, but again, I think the casino knows what goes on and is satisfied enough to continue business as usual.Quote: PaigowdanNo, casino operators should and do see to it that their considerations are used in good faith. I can see giving a show ticket to a family member or giving it back, or forwarding a gift card, - but scalping the comped tickets? No.
If I were a waiter in a casino steak house, I'd ask for a driver's license or credit card (and not a player's card) with the comped ticket, to check for a matching name or an explanation. Many do. "No match = take out your own wallet, - as ticket not useable."
Casino complimentaries are on a good faith play-action basis. They have a right to see that they are not transferable without notice, or "doigt de seignuer."
You're assuming too much in my opinion and most likely you are wrong thinking you know what is best for the casino. They're the ones running the place and they're obviously not blind. Morally you could be honorable in your beliefs, but the casino isn't honorable and doesn't want to be if they're doing good already.
I don't really care too much about this to be emotional. If I don't like something but have to come to the casino to get it for someone else, they win. If I don't like something and get treated like prisoner 47626, they can shove it and their marketing worked to make me hate them and I stay home or go somewhere else to a competitor's.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceReally? Why would they care?
They are giving me the tickets to get me to show up and gamble. I am showing up and gambling -- they have accomplished their goal. Do they really care if I actually go to the event or not?
On a related note, people have advertised Wampum points from Foxwoods for sale in the local newspaper. The casino acted swiftly by rescinding the points and player's cards of those caught.
Quote: teddysI tried to sell two Donny & Marie comped tickets once. It was an unmitigated disaster. I stood outside the venue for two hours trying to hawk them, and it was embarassing and degrading. I had a guy for $100 a ticket, I think it was, and then he suddenly backed out and went _and bought the tickets full price from the counter!_ I ended up not selling them nor being able to go to the show. My advice would be if you are going to sell them discount heavily, up to 50% I would say. I wouldn't do it again.
Trying to scalp ticket at a Donny & Marie show; a show attended by a predominantly Mormon contingency...-EV.
Quote: 1BBOn a related note, people have advertised Wampum points from Foxwoods for sale in the local newspaper. The casino acted swiftly by rescinding the points and player's cards of those caught.
That strikes me as slightly different. It's all about getting the player into the casino.
If I sell my points to someone else and never show up, that is not good for the casino. They want me there, because I will play.
It's a little different with a ticket offer like this. In order for me to get the tickets, I have to show up and check into the hotel. There is technically no agreement that I will gamble when I'm there, but there is an expectation. If I don't, I expect my offers to dry up.
My general rule is that I won't go to a casino in Vegas if they don't give me at least $1000 up-front for showing up, in addition to room and food. This can be in the form of freeplay, or a freeroll tournament that is worth $1000 in EV, or an invite-only buy-in tournament where they add on $1000 per player. They are generally willing to give me these things. Again, there is the expectation that I put in my normal amount of play while I am there, which I am happy to do.
Now, if they offer me two tickets for showing up, and I can resell those tickets for $1000, I don't see why they would care. I am still going to show up and put in my normal amount of play, which is all that they really care about. They are offering me the tickets because they want me to show up. If I can't resell the tickets, then I won't show up. How does this benefit the casino?
Update: I just emailed LMS. The web page is wrong; I can drop off my tickets with them as late as the day of the event; they just won't activate the listing until they have the tickets in hand. So this is the way that I'm going to go. It's something that I'll be doing rarely, due to my $1000 rule (not too many events have a pair of tickets with $1000 resale value; even the cheap Mayweather tickets are dropping in price on stubhub now -- although, I'm not sure if they would give me the cheapest seats or better ones, which would sell for more)
Quote: teddysI tried to sell two Donny & Marie comped tickets once. It was an unmitigated disaster. I stood outside the venue for two hours trying to hawk them, and it was embarassing and degrading. I had a guy for $100 a ticket, I think it was, and then he suddenly backed out and went _and bought the tickets full price from the counter!_ I ended up not selling them nor being able to go to the show. My advice would be if you are going to sell them discount heavily, up to 50% I would say. I wouldn't do it again.
This is what I am not willing to do. Hence, stubhub. They can have their 10%.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceThis is what I am not willing to do. Hence, stubhub. They can have their 10%.
Why don't you post a Craigslist ad, with all provisions, and try to catch the attention of someone who is in the business of selling such items. He/she could address the "last minute" problems on his end, with his clientele. The risk and embarrasment is greatly removed from the equation.
Quote: MaxSwelleWhy don't you post a Craigslist ad, with all provisions, and try to catch the attention of someone who is in the business of selling such items. He/she could address the "last minute" problems on his end, with his clientele. The risk and embarrasment is greatly removed from the equation.
I could, but that's exactly what stubhub is -- someone who is in the business of selling such items. They are professional and I know that I can trust them -- much more so then anyone who I find on CL.
Again, I emailed them and they said that dropping off the tickets the day before the event (or even the day of the event) is fine, so that's what I'll do.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceI could, but that's exactly what stubhub is -- someone who is in the business of selling such items. They are professional and I know that I can trust them -- much more so then anyone who I find on CL.
Again, I emailed them and they said that dropping off the tickets the day before the event (or even the day of the event) is fine, so that's what I'll do.
I didn't catch the part about Stubhub accepting tickets on such short notice. Good luck with it.
Yes let us know how it goes.Quote: MaxSwelleI didn't catch the part about Stubhub accepting tickets on such short notice. Good luck with it.
No don't think so about the Mormons being the only people there. If it were true, the casino wouldn't host them seeing gambling would be evil to them.Quote: MaxSwelleTrying to scalp ticket at a Donny & Marie show; a show attended by a predominantly Mormon contingency...-EV.
