This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. This is like gouging unethically. I want the criminal code amended to prohibit tickets for shows being sold for a higher value then when they're sold originally. Posted by: Jack | Feb 27, 08 08:12 PM

I just loved your story on concert tickets and Ticketmaster tonight. There is a simple work-around to all of this ... make it an offence to sell any ticket for more than its face value, and ENFORCE it. Simple! Greg River City Blues Band Winnpeg Posted by: Greg Bishop | Feb 27, 08 09:55 PM

It seems to me that, in Ontario, reselling tickets at a profit is against the law. When I attended rock concerts in pre-internet days, there were always police officers outside the doors of the arena making sure no one was "scalping" tickets, and ready to charge anyone who was. So when did scalping become legal? And if not legal, why is the law no longer being enforced? Posted by: sandra robertson | Feb 27, 08 09:58 PM

Hell would freeze over before I would ever buy any ticket for any concert from that sleazeball... Why do people continue to buy from these people? Just refuse to buy the tickets and thats the end of them...they're no better than pimps.. Posted by: jane | Feb 27, 08 10:49 PM

I really think that people deserve to get ripped off when they will actually pay those slimy characters ridiculous prices for tickets. On the other hand, it is not right that I cannot buy a ticket to a concert at the original pricing. Therefore, I agree that it should be against the law to sell tickets for more than the original price - but how the heck to enforce it? Possibly a publicity campaign launched by the entertainers to expose the scalpers and their buyers for what they really are. Posted by: Kathleen Malmberg | Feb 27, 08 11:31 PM

There is nothing wrong with free market. I would have loved to build my house in Forest Hill or Rosedale, but I couldn't afford to pay 2mm for the lot. so I built in Thornhill for 10 times less. Why are flowers 4 times more expensive on Valentines day? it's all about supply and demand. It's here, you can't fight it, so deal with it. Posted by: John | Feb 27, 08 11:42 PM

I watched the episode tonight on ticket takers, and I can say that I've never bought tickets online before, and now I'm not going to until it gets a lot safer. But what I was wondering is that why don't we just go back to the way it was before and stop online ticket sales. Go back to actually going to the window and purchase the tickets ourselves or buy them over the phone. Posted by: kevin | Feb 27, 08 11:57 PM

Now, regarding the “Ticket Takers”… one comment: if people would not buy from scalpers, there would be no scalpers, if people would not buy drugs, there would be no drug dealers and so on…I don’t. Posted by: Alex | Feb 28, 08 12:27 AM

People are not just scalping the tickets. Big companies, sponsors' families, organizations of various groups or government agencies have the advantage to obtain tickets first or the tickets are held for them already no matter what. So for normal folks, it's just better off to get it from a free prize draw or a free call in from a radio show or something. Posted by: dragur1 from Toronto | Feb 28, 08 12:55 AM

I have to admit that I like the fact re selling tickets in BC is legal. If you think about it, these guys are providing a service by selling the best seats to sold out events and we don't even have to stand in line or try to get through on the phone. You're not so much paying for the ticket as you are the service they are providing. If you can't afford to pay the asking price, then don't go! Posted by: Dee | Feb 28, 08 01:12 AM

Ticketmaster should put some rules in place to curb some of the computer buying such as: -1 purchase per 20 minutes from a credit card -1 purchase per 20 minutes from a computer identified by its IP address (or something that can't be spoofed) - sales for the first 1 to 2 hours for people standing in line It would be nice to have Canada Revenue Agency audit who they pay their money to for these tickets to make sure they are reporting their profit. You can be sure they probably are not. And if there's that much money in it.... You maybe should have approached the story from the performers and got them on board to say their tickets can not to be resold at more than a 10% profit or TicketMaster would lose its right to sell them. I am sure there is some angle and leverage the performer would have on the monopoly of Ticketmaster. And your last statement that Ticketmaster would be allowed to buy a reselling business set off alarms as if that isn't a conflict of interest. You didn't say if they would be allowed to keep the Ticketmaster business if they did. I hope not. Posted by: Jerry | Feb 28, 08 01:18 AM

If the bots are entering information at speeds humans cannot match, perhaps a solution would be for the ticket systems to block requests that are quicker than the average human. It would not stop the automated systems but if they have to slow down their software at least it puts humans on an even footing. Posted by: David | Feb 28, 08 07:10 AM

I wonder how the entertainers feel about this issue. It would seem that some resellers are making more money than the venues or the acts themselves. Posted by: Ann Daniel | Feb 28, 08 07:40 AM

If it's not against the law.... it should be. Call your local MP. Part of the problem is all the idiots that ever bought any tickets over face value. Posted by: Rex Vollans | Feb 28, 08 08:09 AM

Re; "Ticket Takers", I suppose there is some protection to the consumer when trying to buy event tickets. Your story certainly helps the average person to deal with unscrupulous "entrepreneurs". I am surprised that "Stars" or their agents would not pursue these illegitimate companies for their percentage on the inflated prices.That would probably be as effective as any toothless legislation. Posted by: Guy Charbonneau | Feb 28, 08 08:38 AM

Thank you for bringing this issue forward. I attempted to purchase tickets for the Elton John concert through Ticketmaster at exactly the time they went on sale and immediately was informed there were no tickets available. This was also the case when Neil Young recently appeared at Massey Hall. I often wonder if the artists are aware of this problem. Neil Young's songs speak to the average person, yet his 'average' fans could not get in to see him. This has to stop and thank you Marketplace for bringing this issue to the forefront. Hopefully it is the beginning of resolving this problem. Posted by: Pat | Feb 28, 08 10:03 AM

RE: "Just refuse to buy the tickets..." and, "make it and offense to sell tickets..." The first comment is inane and the second comment will take legislation and then the problem of finding a way to enforce it. Easier said then done. Gotta give the sleazeball credit for even having the cojones to go in front of the camera. I call the service company 'TicketNightmare' as the rare time I buy tickets; it rejects my postal code repeatedly because I don't have an individual Postal Code (because I live in a small town where EVERYONE has the same Postal Code and individual boxes.... So, as it won't take internet applications I have to call the Center of the Universe (which takes much more time to get thru and connect to TicketNightmare and then they charge me a not-so-cheap CONVENIENCE FEE! WTF?? Posted by: jimmy2dogs | Feb 28, 08 10:40 AM

Surely Ticketmaster can work with an IT specialist to prevent scalpers from buying up their tickets online. What I really would like to know is why hasn't the government intervened to stop this from occurring? If Ticketmaster is joining the market of scalpers by purchasing "Tickets Now" shouldn't the government step in and put a stop to this? If the artists are setting the price for their fans, why should others come along and profit illegally? Posted by: Nancy | Feb 28, 08 10:49 AM

I was extremely disturbed last night as I watched your piece on the ticket thieves. Hard working Canadians deserve a fair, and legal opportunity to purchase venue tickets at their original prices. An evening out to the theatre, or to see your favourite artist is already a luxury, and for these online scavengers to take advantage of Canadians is appalling! Posted by: Tricia Berry | Feb 28, 08 11:49 AM

Most worms will tell you that it`s the way of the market and nothing can be done. Other people unknowingly supporting this vision will say don`t buy and scalpers will go. Since many big events offer crap anyways, I find it fair that shallow folks will spend thousands to see washed up artists and flavors of the month. Thankfully, talented artists don`t seem to be that popular. Just saw world class guitarist for 40 bucks in the nation's capital. As for big acts that I might like, I have given up. Over 100 bucks, I expect the artist to come in my living room for a private concert. I get a used copy of their DVD and don`t contribute to the madness. Just wait until the Market takes over health care. Buy your cancer treatment online from a scalper! Posted by: Paul | Feb 28, 08 01:21 PM

Your segment on ticket sales was an eye-opener. I think ticket venders should stop selling on-line until they are able to better protect their sites. If hackers are able to easily override systems such as Tickmaster's, I have to question how secure our credit information is with them. I hope this issue is resolved before tickets go on sale in the Maritimes. There's strong rumours that's one of next stops. Hopefully, the rumours are true and hopefully all his fans will get tickets fairly. Posted by: Jan Underhill | Feb 28, 08 01:46 PM

What is the difference? You get scalped every day in life. Why is it a big deal when it's a ticket. Posted by: guiseppe | Feb 28, 08 01:59 PM

I am disgusted by this practice and can't believe that this is allowed to continue. It is reprehensible that we the consumer and fans are blocked from buying tickets by these ruthless demons who are making a fortune off of ticket sales and the artist is left out. Since ticketmaster has created a monopoly in their industry, they should be held accountable and the artists should deny ticketmaster the rights to sell their concert tickets until they have resolved this. They are making their money - the scalpers are raking it in and the artist and the fan are left out in the cold. Posted by: Anne MacLean | Feb 28, 08 02:00 PM

How can anyone with even a modicum of intelligence say that these leeches provide a "service"? They artificially create the need for this service by buying up all the tickets in the first place. Saying they provide a service is the utmost in naivete. This is organized crime. Period. Posted by: Jack | Feb 28, 08 02:01 PM

We buy products and services everyday, that are bought for a price and then jacked up to another. Why is it different when it's a ticket. Posted by: Joey Defrias | Feb 28, 08 02:29 PM

"Now, regarding the “Ticket Takers”… one comment: if people would not buy from scalpers, there would be no scalpers, if people would not buy drugs, there would be no drug dealers and so on…I don’t. Posted by: Alex | Feb 28, 08 12:27 AM" That's a very narrow minded statement! "I was extremely disturbed last night as I watched your piece on the ticket thieves. Hard working Canadians deserve a fair, and legal opportunity to purchase venue tickets at their original prices. An evening out to the theatre, or to see your favourite artist is already a luxury, and for these online scavengers to take advantage of Canadians is appalling! Posted by: Tricia Berry | Feb 28, 08 11:49 AM" Tricia says it all! Call your local MP and make some noise! Don't let these scum bag scalpers get away with this any longer. They are making money by doing nothing except stealing from the us the public and stealing from the artists! Posted by: Suzanne | Feb 28, 08 02:46 PM

All I know is that now I have the ability to buy tickets to any event anywhere vs. when I was younger and if any event was sold out my only choice was to use street scalpers. How can this be bad? It is more secure online with credit card and ticket brokers give you 100% your money back if something goes wrong like fake tickets... Often I get baseball tickets for below face value during the summer, but I am also perfectly willing to pay way above face value to get great seats, usually for concerts. I think any selling regulations relating to face value are dumb anyway since the cost of acquiring tickets is not just the face value of the tickets, what about Ticketmaster convenience fees, shipping charges, etc.? not to mention that the best seats are only available through ticketmaster auctions with prices higher than ticket brokers. Anyway with the purchase of ticketsnow, I am sure ticketmaster will sell their best tickets on ticketsnow. Stop blaming the scalpers, the artists are doing it too. You want some good tickets for celine Dion, she charges $750 for her VIP seats... Posted by: Ian | Feb 28, 08 03:44 PM

Reselling a ticket or any other product is a fundamental right in a free market economy. The fact that some people can afford what others can't is just a fact of life and applies to all products. If ticketmaster and the various promoters it represents wanted to focus on stopping these robots and make distribution fairer then they would. Posted by: william | Feb 28, 08 05:25 PM

Just watched your latest episode on concert tickets! Again, a good one that really connects with the average person. I myself just went and purchased some tickets online at TicketMaster..luckily i went through a radio presale..it's a good way to go! But making people pay many times over what a ticket is originally priced for is ridiculous, and it's even worse to stand in line. I only buy online now because i tend to think i'll have no chance of getting tickets if i stand in a line. People just gotta find the best route to go and hope! Keep up the good work! Posted by: Jessi M | Feb 28, 08 07:54 PM

Having worked for Ticketmaster and another company like them, I have noticed that it is standard practice for the ticket selling agency who is putting the event on sale to hold back a portion of tickets in all price groups. A lot of these "good" seats go to the promoters, media, entertainers, staff, etc. well before the event goes "on-sale". The week before a major event goes on sale to the public, event managers and promoters have already allocated a great deal of these seats in their computer systems. These seats stay held for a long period of time until the powers that be decide what they are going to do with them. Even on the day of the event, there is a few "good" seats still held for last minute things, such as a disgruntled guest or someone special. So if these ticket re-sellers are taking a bite out of the portion of seats that are available to the public and the event managers have allocated a great portion of tickets also, then what is left of the pie for the public to purchase? You would also have to wonder if these ticket re-sellers have any dealings with the event managers who allocate seats before the event goes onsale. Even the poor scalper who stands outside freezing trying to up-sell their few measly tickets for a few dollars more are fading as well. Posted by: Dave | Feb 29, 08 08:52 AM

Well done. This practice of not allowing the general public reasonable access to tickets to popular events should be legally stopped. Thank you once again for being so informative and thorough in your research. Posted by: Rita Campbell | Feb 29, 08 11:47 AM

It is not clear to me that reselling tickets is a fundamental right. It depends upon whether the ticket is transferable or not. It is also not clear to me that the market is setting the price of tickets being resold. If the market were truly setting the price, then the ticket agent should auction off the tickets to the highest bidder. In that way, the full proceeds of the sale go to the artist. Posted by: Allan | Feb 29, 08 12:41 PM

The solution to the electronic ticket hording is simple. Simply dis-allow on-line ticket sales, and make tickets available ONLY by telephone or at the box office. This immediately puts the re-sellers out of business, as their "bots" no longer work! Remember before the internet? Phone and box office ticket sales only - and the good concerts ALWAYS sold out with no problem - and they always will. STOP on line ticket sales NOW. Posted by: David | Mar 1, 08 07:49 PM

Well, here's my two cents. Is it wrong? I believe so. I think the entire idea of an economy based on money is flawed, but that's besides the point. (Most) Artists are producing music and performing live shows for the love of what they do, and presenting the fans of their art with a visceral experience that they can enjoy. Reselling of tickets strips the joy of going to a show. The working class of people, more often than not, make just enough money to get by due to inflation of prices, but no inflation of wages. When a show comes by they'd like to see, if decently priced, they would go. But when the ticket is upped to hundreds of dollars, the fans hope of experiencing an artist which has potentially changed their life is gone. I think any ticket reseller should be forced to pay back all they unethical money that they've scammed from people. Fin. Posted by: David Comeau | Mar 2, 08 11:25 AM

I tried to get tickets to the UFC show in Montreal in April. I was willing to travel from Newfoundland to see this show as I am a UFC fan. The tickets sold out prior to even the fans from the fan club or newsletter (who were supposed to get first dibs. Within an hour you could have purchased the best tickets on E-BAY for 2-3 times the price......I think this industry needs to be regulated so that true fans have an opportunity to see these shows as well. I was truly irritated and upset. Posted by: redcurls | Mar 2, 08 11:25 AM

Scalping across Canada should be banned with the Manitoba rules and enforced so all music fans have equal access to events. The enjoyment and access to live music should not be reserved to those of privilege. Canadians should just stop supporting scalpers. Your story failed to mention the service charges that Ticketmaster charges customers for printing tickets, but that's another story. Posted by: wayne | Mar 2, 08 07:36 PM

If the practice of selling tickets is illegal, I wonder, do the sellers pay income tax on the profits, I wonder how this is done, maybe the government should look in to it. Posted by: Norm | Mar 2, 08 07:54 PM

I have read a lot of the comments and I see a lot of people are part of the problem and not the solution. What gives? Is stealing legal now? Because that is what they are doing. Stealing! These people are making money by doing NOTHING except stealing from us, the public, and stealing from the artists. "The fact that some people can afford what others can't is just a fact of life" is not what this is about. It's the fact that some computer savvy people and money hungry scoundrels are taking advantage of hard working people by beating the system and cashing in at our expense. Grow up! Everyone deserves at least a fighting chance to get tickets and how can they do that unless these people are stopped and punished? Posted by: Suzanne | Mar 3, 08 10:40 AM

I got sick listening to Mario Livich, that professional ticket scalper Erica interviewed. He talked about supply and demand as justification for what he does and for making millions of dollars on people who deserve to go to shows at fair prices. Sure, people steal cars because there is an underground market for those products, but we do not accept that demand as justification to make money. Posted by: Dwane | Mar 3, 08 11:26 PM

...It is up to the government to lay stricter penalties on scalpers and follow through with charges. If these people felt there was any risk in their actions, they perhaps wouldn't be so cavalier about taking advantage of fans. My question is: can't these transactions be tracked? Ticketmaster needs only the ticket number to track how it was bought and paid for (i.e. credit card numbers). It's an easy enough problem to end if they wanted it to end. Posted by: Ashley | Mar 5, 08 02:56 PM

Didn't all you guys that are saying "Ticketmaster should try to STOP re-sellers from buying up all the inventory to a big concert or sporting event" know that your beloved Ticketmaster is now directly involved in the secondary market? Re-sellers generally have access to "Front row seats" or "those seats right behind the penalty box." Some people don't have the time to wait those five-hour line ups. Who are all you to say what something is worth to me!? Posted by: Dave | Mar 6, 08 02:11 AM

I suspect that your story only scratches the surface. I have no doubt that insiders have access to tickets that they re-sell to the brokers. These re-sellers would have been happy to talk about their sources if was a simple matter of computer programs... How Ticketmaster becomes the ticket seller for these shows would be an interesting story as well. The whole thing stinks, but, like other posters have suggested, if you want to get in bed with them, that's your choice. Posted by: Doug K | Mar 7, 08 11:51 PM

I've never had a good experience buying tickets online with Ticketmaster -- from vague messages like "tickets not found," to unreadable captchas, to limited time (they've since extended it somewhat) and their inane way of showing the "best" tickets. I feel stressed out and like I'm gambling whenever I buy tickets and have resorted to just snapping the first ones I get as soon as the floodgates open. Aren't their surcharges a bit much for venues so large? That's another main reason we don't want to pay even more to a scalper to get the tickets we ought to have a fair game in getting. Posted by: Erika Rathje | Mar 8, 08 03:24 AM

I just want to first commend Mario from Showtime Tickets for giving the interview. Even though I do not agree totally with what they do, he seemed honest as to his comments. I believe that they do pay a premium for tickets from those they buy from. I think the CBC should have asked him, what happens to the tickets that they do not sell? For some of the popular concerts, I am sure they get rid of most of them, but for others I am sure they are stuck with them. We have all gone to concerts and have seen empty seats (usually one big section) who do you think has these tickets? Since tickets are non-refundable, what do these companies do with the excess? Posted by: Lee | Mar 13, 08 01:08 AM

Thank You Marketplace ....I now know why we had such a hard time to get Maple Leaf tickets for our trip to Toronto. It seems to me that these scalpers should be stopped and one way is to no longer sell tickets over the internet. And sell tickets over the phone to legitimate consumers with a limit of how many tickets that can be purchased by consumers. If we sell tickets the old fashion ways consumers will not be ripped off. I absolutely refuse to pay scalpers prices so I guess no concerts for me! Posted by: Donna Martin | Apr 2, 08 05:00 PM

I'm so irked at TicketMaster.. they're the ones making the money on the sales so they don't care who buys them and does what with them as long as they sell. MY question is, why isn't anyone asking about TicketMaster's own "TicketExchange"!?? Great item to have for those who truly need to sell their tickets because they cannot attend the event, or sell the single ticket that their friend cannot use etc, HOWEVER it's being used by the *scalpers* too! They get the great seats, sit back and relist them at absurd amounts through TicketMaster's TicketExchange and make their $$$ without standing outside in the weather to sell them! This is fair?! It's illegal to do this in Ontario (selling over face value) however TM allows this to happen and their excuse is that they post the rules when someone lists their tickets. Yeah, so? Does anyone go after them? Does anyone police TM's site? Of course not because TM get a 'cut' on the deal so they're making even MORE money! Pathetic. Posted by: Trisha | Apr 4, 08 11:09 AM

I agree going back to the "good ol' days" of ticket sales has benefits we no longer enjoy - no anonymity, face-to-face contact, clearly-defined refund/exchange policies, and accountability. Who do you contact if your ticket is NFG? Individual bar-coded tickets would prevent scalpers from profiting from misery and desperation, the simplest and most cost-effective form of tracking. Are scalpers licensed? No license, no sale. Posted by: Ted B. | May 2, 08 11:08 PM

After seeing your program about scalpers and resellers of tickets I thought you'd like some info on scalpers and police at events. the scalpers take the position that they are "just doing an honest business" the police and crown council take the position that they CAN NOT prosecute them and everybody looks the other way. security at concerts are told to "let the police do their job!" ( inside info here) the fact is if everybody didn't go to scalpers then they would go out of business! Posted by: Carl | May 3, 08 03:54 PM

~sigh It's a dream, but if people wouldn't spend extra cash to repurchase tickets, perhaps this business could die out. "Supply and demand," as the reseller had said. Can't buy a ticket, don't go. Posted by: dania | May 3, 08 10:04 PM

I watched the Marketplace program about online ticket scalpers. I agree with most of what has been posted by people on this forum. Except for: The comment left by William: "Reselling a ticket or any other product is a fundamental right in a free market economy. The fact that some people can afford what others can't is just a fact of life and applies to all products. If ticketmaster and the various promoters it represents wanted to focus on stopping these robots and make distribution fairer then they would." Posted by: william | Feb 28, 08 05:25 PM on this forum. My question is: are "buybots" legal or not?... My guess is yes, they are legal. There is no specific legislation in Canada against "buybots". There should be. Posted by: Mrs. Peel | Jun 9, 08 11:23 PM

It seems odd that Ticketmaster is short tickets for events but their subsidiary internet site "Ticketsnow" which they will link you over to always has tickets available at inflated prices. Given that the events I looked at are in Ontario and Ticketmaster does business in Ontario this would seem to be a blatant end run around the Ontario Ticket Speculation Act. The members of the Toronto Football Club supporters groups report that aggressive scalpers are harassing attendees at BMO field whenever TFC of Major League Soccer plays. The question is who is culpable... the scalpers and any of their customers surely that is written into the law, but what of the owners of the premises where the scalpers have set up shop? They are aiding and abetting criminal enterprise on a regular basis. Is that not also against the law? Posted by: Mark | Jun 25, 08 11:09 AM

Elton John is coming to Moncton, New Brunswick. Scalper's have been selling the tickets ... for more than the original value. You'll see how angry people are about the scalpers on that website. Just thought I would share that bit of info with everyone. :) Posted by: Jenii | Jul 21, 08 11:17 PM

Check out what happened with Ticketmaster this morning. they were advertising tickets would go on sale for Bryan Adams at 11:00 a.m. - then they started selling them at 10:20! they were all gone before 11am - even though the website was still displaying an 11am start. I missed out and I had been really disappointed. I was on the phone at 3 minutes to 11 figuring I'd be on hold for at least 3 minutes. I don't mind missing out when It's my own fault but not when they start selling early. And who were they selling to? If you look at Tickets Now (a subsidiary of Ticketmaster) they have all kinds of tickets they are "scalping" at 4 times the original price! Posted by: Pat | Aug 1, 08 12:44 AM

I don't think the real problem is scalping that is getting everyone upset but the cost of tickets. I find that the older I get, I cannot make the same commitment to music the way I want to go 'cause of the over inflation of ticket prices at face value. Although I have lucked up thanks to my finace from good deals from scalpers, people wouldn't be so bitter of paying just a little more if tickets to begin with were reasonable. What drives the prices are the ticketbastard service charges (perhaps CBC needs to do a story on that). Although I understand the anger of the general public, I rely on scalpers for the best seats, especially if it's a show I really want to go to and budget accordingly. Everyone has the right to LEGALLY make money. I tend to buy from brokers before the show as much as I can rather than a scalper unless I've seen him at other shows and dealt with him before. This is the reality of the ticket industry and I've learned to compromise and work with it. Posted by: Isabelle Guns | Aug 4, 08 12:53 PM