Buying event tickets - advice
 

I've learned the hard way that flipping tickets to popular events isn't what it used to be. Years ago I was so pissed that I missed out on buying Lady Gaga tickets that people were easily selling for 5x or more the cost.

This year I bought a number of NFL tickets, mainly to be used to work my way in and get some business -- i.e. "let's talk business at the Eagles vs. xyz game." However, things transposed from when I purchased them earlier in the year, so I had to sell them because I wasn't able to make the games and our model changed a bit in terms of clientele from earlier this year.

Thus, I found myself on stubhub, ticket exchange and a dozen other sites posting tickets. The first game I had earlier this year I lost about $15/ticket because I didn't want to risk it. The ones from this Sunday I lost about $5 (the added ticketmaster fees and stubhub commissions), so in all, just a loss... I didn't want to take to much of a gamble since I'm 2 1/2 hours away from the stadium

Hence my post... I think I found a strategy that works for selling tickets to try and maximize the return, this is within hours of the game/concert. However with that, I found the ideal time to buy tickets too with being a bit obsessed with the prices and changes :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Earlier this year the wife and I decided last minute to see Jay Z and JT perform. I bought tickets 50 minutes before the show and they were over HALF the ticket price, we were 2 rows back.

So if you are looking for tickets, wait until hours before the start time. Most people selling would rather take some money then nothing, I saw seats that were on the 1st floor 10-15 rows back on the sideline for $50-$70 a ticket! Normally go for well over $150+

Only downside, if you want to gamble and tail gate, make sure to bring a portable printer :winkwink:

So whats your question? In the first part you talk about how profitable reselling could be and in the second part you talk about how you can lose half of your investment in tickets.

there was never a question, I was merely stating that if you want to BUY tickets, do so right before the event. Meanwhile, if you are selling them, watch the prices ~6-12 hours before everyone drops their prices to nothing. The cheap ones will go fast, then people will start looking for anything reasonable. I lost out here because I didn't want to gamble due to the drive, but I should have kept the prices higher as they would have sold.

Even better, buy 5 minutes after the event starts.

If it's a show I didn't have to see I'd always wait until last minute for the drops. If it was crucial I'd jump a little earlier so nobody else jumped on them before me. Depends how popular the event is and how many shows there are as I've seen 1 show events stay high and sell out high. I run a brokerage site now so very rare I shop elsewhere as I get some deals.

I saw tickets for an NFL game, decent seats lower level for $30 each :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Problem is they can't scan the image on your phone, you have to have the physical ticket... for now!

It will happen. I am seeing more and more Google/Amazon offers that are restricted to mobile scans only.

no events worth going to anymore

once this happens it will change a LOT in terms of online ticket sales. take for example the amount of time it takes to get to an event, whether being a concert or NFL game, this isn't something you can show up "on time" for and expect to see a good portion of the show.

if you try to get to an Eagles game, you have to be there at least an hour before, so you can park and wait in line to get through the gates, then get to your seat. If its a popular game, it could be even more. That means, with traffic and assuming you live miles from the stadium, the latest you can buy a ticket is 90 minutes before the event. however in my case, its a 3 hour drive at least with traffic.

so if I can buy tickets, I show up and tail gate like it's my job, then check prices on my phone all the way up to right before I'm headed to the gate.

it's only SMART of ticket sales companies to implement this because that will open the window for buyers and sellers can keep the prices a bit higher -- then stubhub makes more $$ :winkwink: