sattelite5812 wrote:So the Org is, in fact, revoking tickets being scalped? Please confirm, along with what specific info is needed to stop the scalping. I'll help keep an eye online
The terms of service state specifically that the BMORG can revoke a ticket for any reason it sees fit, and scalping sure would be one of those. As stated elsewhere, the best method is to call the number, ask for the ticket confirmation number so that you can verify with BM that it's real, once you get that number, report it to BM, the will most likely revoke the ticket and refund the money to the buyer, placing that ticket into STEP. Or the double secret special theme camps, who knows.Smenkare wrote:Scalpig may be legal in Nevada, but as far as I know, BORG is based out of Sanfrancisco, CA and the tickets were on a Craigslist ad for NYC. If the scalper scalped the tickets outside the state of Nevada, does the law still apply?jkisha wrote:Nothing they can do. Scalping is legal in Nevada.The CO wrote:So.....
Don't buy them.
Or do.
Or maybe, report them to the ticket people at burningman.com.
That's a great idea, but they'll probably not sell it to you, or give you the number.vargaso wrote: The terms of service state specifically that the BMORG can revoke a ticket for any reason it sees fit, and scalping sure would be one of those. As stated elsewhere, the best method is to call the number, ask for the ticket confirmation number so that you can verify with BM that it's real, once you get that number, report it to BM, the will most likely revoke the ticket and refund the money to the buyer, placing that ticket into STEP. Or the double secret special theme camps, who knows.
Idea... A scalper report hotline, so the tickets can be stopped quickly before the scalper sells it to somebody else. The reward for reporting a scalper could be the ticket itself, at face value.I've given this a lot of thought myself and what I've come to realize is that although it does represent 'rational players acting rationally' in a certain purely economical sense, what isn't taken into account is the mixed incentives that this sort of behavior causes. For example, when an 'arbitrageur' [read, scalper] sells a ticket for double the face value, they pocket the additional money. So, of the total sale price, perhaps 5% goes to the BM org, 15% goes to BRC infrastructure, 30% to BM artists and camps, and 50% goes to the scalper. So what you create is not an incentive to contribute to the quality of the event in any way, but instead a strong incentive to hawkishly profit from other people's efforts. Allowing this to continue will not only alienate many of the community who cannot afford such expensive tickets, it will also significantly reduce the utility gained from the BM experience for those who can. Part of the enjoyment of any paid-for good is in the difference between what you gave up and what you got. If we allow the tickets to cost exactly what people are willing and able to pay, then that enjoyment factor goes down considerably... So any way you look at it, outside of the black/white nonsense arena of utilitarian economics, this trend will damage Burning Man until something is put in place to stop it.At this point, scalping is Communal Effort turned on its head. Nothing is what it seems anymore (it never was anyway). No need to demonize rational actors acting rationally. The BMORG already made a decision that some Principles take precedent over others. When one network fails, another can emerge to take its place. Enter StubHub and Craigslist. Reality is a bitch!
Agreed on all counts. If you buy from anywhere but STEP and don't get the confirmation number before sending money (even if it's at face value), then you're a fool. If the person will not give you the number, then it's either a scam (they don't have the ticket confirmation and/or ticket) or it's a scalper waiting to find a buyer who doesn't ask for the number so they can be sure it won't get reported. Report it as best you can, although without the number, it's tough to identify.ZaphodBurner wrote:That's a great idea, but they'll probably not sell it to you, or give you the number.vargaso wrote: The terms of service state specifically that the BMORG can revoke a ticket for any reason it sees fit, and scalping sure would be one of those. As stated elsewhere, the best method is to call the number, ask for the ticket confirmation number so that you can verify with BM that it's real, once you get that number, report it to BM, the will most likely revoke the ticket and refund the money to the buyer, placing that ticket into STEP. Or the double secret special theme camps, who knows.
And if they don't want to give you the number, that's the first clue that it's a sketchy deal no matter what, which is why you would want to report to the Org immediately anyway.
All it will take is a few, or at least the most aggressive, scalpers to get burned and it will help. So, everybody, PLEASE:
Ask for the ticket confirmation number before you buy a ticket. If they can't give it to you, it's probably a scam or a scalper.
How are the percentages of total sales cost relevant and to whom? If I can't go I contribute nothing. If I go and build something, I have Participated. The ability to do so has always been uneven. Scalping isn;t the problem; scaricty is. Trying to control the actions of others is ridiculous. Getting between people meeting trying meet mutual needs is difficult. Scapling prohibitions become just about as moot as drug prohibitions.Odysseus wrote:So, of the total sale price, perhaps 5% goes to the BM org, 15% goes to BRC infrastructure, 30% to BM artists and camps, and 50% goes to the scalper ... Part of the enjoyment of any paid-for good is in the difference between what you gave up and what you got.
Yes! You just described the "American Way."Odysseus wrote:. So what you create is not an incentive to contribute to the quality of the event in any way, but instead a strong incentive to hawkishly profit from other people's efforts...
Can you please provide proof of this? People keep saying it but so far I've seen nothing at all from the LLC indicating that they're doing anything of the sort. Maid Marian's flat out said they aren't revoking any tickets or redoing the lottery - that sales are final - so I'm not sure where this is idea is coming from. The anti-scalper "scrubbing" happened prior to billing and awarding tickets - not during or after.theCryptofishist wrote:The llc has managed to get some pertinent information on some of these sales and pulled the tickets. Might as well let them try.
Disagree.hotmess wrote:I'm with you!!!! We are here to serve and protect (without brutal force). We just need to use our finger tips!
When you put it that way .. . . . that sounds like a great idea!Colonel Monk wrote:If it comes to it, I'm going to meet a scalper from CL face to face for the exchange, give him face value, and TAKE the ticket from them no matter what.
That is exactly my plan.hotmess wrote:When you put it that way .. . . . that sounds like a great idea!Colonel Monk wrote:If it comes to it, I'm going to meet a scalper from CL face to face for the exchange, give him face value, and TAKE the ticket from them no matter what.
I thought about this too. That's why you should wear a costume.Smenkare wrote:Scalping is very Capitalistic, and we live in a capitalistic society, I have a hard time picturing an individual getting a fair shake with local law enforcement if they meet a scalper face to face and pay "face value" for a ticket
Yup. And I'm betting not many will be at face value either.socks wrote:Once the tickets are shipped then you will see all the tickets up for sale but not on s.t.e.p.
ZaphodBurner wrote:That is exactly my plan.hotmess wrote:When you put it that way .. . . . that sounds like a great idea!Colonel Monk wrote:If it comes to it, I'm going to meet a scalper from CL face to face for the exchange, give him face value, and TAKE the ticket from them no matter what.
