http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/arts/music/01tickets.html
This article, written by NY Times columnist Ben Sisario, discusses how online ticket sales are making it more difficult for fans to see their favorite performers live in concert. Companies such as TicketMaster and LiveNation are responsible for selling concert tickets, yet online sales have paved the way for scalpers to get these tickets as quickly as possible and charge desperate fans way more than face value of the tickets. It is becoming easier for scalpers to take advantage of innocent people who just want to treat their friends/families to an enjoyable concert. In the current economic state of our country, it is also becoming increasingly difficult for families to afford the ever-rising ticket prices, with or without resorting to scalpers. A typical concert ticket now sells for $67, almost double what the price was ten years ago. Also, fan clubs offer presales, which decreases the amount of tickets available to the public. Scalpers can also invade the presales, with authorization codes being sold through ebay, and rip off even more people.I believe that people are easily taken advantage of, and this is not fair. If I want to see my favorite band perform, why must that be so difficult? Enjoyable opportunities are becoming less and less available to average citizens as many families are financially struggling, and I feel like they should have a chance to experience some of the luxuries as everyone else. I understand why ticket prices on the rise, but I feel like scalpers are making the situation worse.I think that performers also recognize the financial hardships their fans are facing, and therefore do not condone illegal ticket sales. However, I think that if these performers wanted to, they could put on more free shows, and give die-hard fans a chance to enjoy a concert without the financial burdens, but in all reality, that would be very difficult to accomplish. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I just wish everyone had equal chances to experiences perks like concerts, and I think that the entertainment industry should also try to make more efforts to ensure that all are given a fair chance to performers.
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I can fully relate to the difficulty of purchasing tickets online, it seems like if you aren't on the website the minute the tickets are put up then you just don't send a chance. And for most people it's just not practical to be constantly hovering over a website, waiting for tickets to go on sale. I think it really is a pity that these "scalpers" try to cheat people, it really isn't fair and means less people are able to experience the fun and excitement of seeing their favourite bands or artists perform live. Everyone should have an equal chance too attend concerts.
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