A new exposé published by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has revealed what music fans have suspected for some time: that ticketing behemoth Ticketmaster not only “turns a blind eye” to scalpers but the company maintains partnerships with professional brokers via TradeDesk, “a web-based inventory management system” that “allows scalpers to upload large quantities of tickets purchased from Ticketmaster’s site and quickly list them again for resale.” This practice goes above and beyond the Verified Resale program which is billed as “Fan-to-Fan resale.” TradeDesk is not advertised on Ticketmaster’s website, and potential users are vetted before gaining access to what the company proudly calls, “The most powerful ticket sales tool. Ever.”
Any music fan knows scalping is a huge issue, and this new, explosive CBC article demonstrates the extent to which Ticketmaster is partnering with professional ticket resellers and not just helping concertgoers sell extra seats to performances they cannot attend.
“I have brokers that have literally a couple of hundred accounts,” a Ticketmaster representative told an undercover journalist. “It’s not something that we look at or report.”
65 Comments comments associated with this post
Orange Man Bad
December 11, 2020 at 3:01 pmI SWEAR I had NOTHING to do with it!
Michael M
September 18, 2020 at 6:06 amTicketmaster has a long history of record sellouts that were self orchestrated. Doing some research on a number of shows in the last few years I attempted to get presale tickets to shows only to say those seats were unavailable. Then finding that they were available through large brokers in more than 50 seats together. How is it that a seat that is unavailable was even sold in such numbers; Is available at a premium cost from a broker? Because Ticketmaster releases blocks of tickets to broker firms before it even lists them for sale. Once again promoting and profiting from scalping.
Greta
July 29, 2020 at 3:30 pmGee, that’s fuckin’ surprising! Fuck Ticketmaster!!!#WSMFP
Ken W.
May 19, 2020 at 11:29 pmCorrect me if I’m wrong. I remember a few years back Cat Stevens canceled a show in New York City because of the widespread ticket scalping. You would have been refunded face value for your ticket only. If paid $400 for a $100 ticket; well do the math. Cry all you want. Ouch.
CountlessTrees
April 17, 2020 at 1:33 pmThe last time Live Nation and Ticketmaster got caught (or maybe two times), I got a notification that I would get discounts on future tickets. Turns out, they were discounts on shows they chose that I was not interested in going to. The shenanigans continue and keep getting worse. This time, make names print on the tickets, a secondary Market for every show which has you turn the tickets back in to be re-sold officially If you can’t attend. Also, issue me a check for the overage charges that I have already paid, not discounts at your choosing.
DeanO
March 19, 2020 at 5:11 amFirst saw the Grateful Dead with NRPS in ’73 for $4.00, saw them again @ Watkins Glenn with the Allman Brothers Band, & The Band, for FREE, a lot of shows between then & now, most fairly priced, well worth the money any way. As of the past few years I can’t afford to see most concerts any more $100.00+ a seat, buying 2 or more tickets, not counting parking & partying cost, $8.00-12.00 a beer. I miss the Good Old Days, with The Good Ol’ Grateful Dead, Had some of the best times of my Life @ those shows…dose?
Douglas Wright
February 29, 2020 at 9:06 amI bought a ticket outside the arena from a guy who had a folder with probably more than 100 tickets. I paid about $20 to see James Taylor and Bonnie Rait.
Junior Soprano
December 28, 2019 at 10:50 amTHEY SUCK!!!!
Skip James
November 18, 2019 at 2:24 pmfor me, this article has a Ace Ticket banner ad next to it.
Echauncey
November 7, 2019 at 12:52 amThis is not a surprise one bit, if you wikipedia these criminal types that started Ticketmaster they’re rich beyond imagination and when they bought up the competition ie.ticketron and I’m sure countless others they become the only game in town thus skyrocketing prices! The 1st show I saw at Nassau was a $6.50 pricetag with probably a 50ct. Service fee lmfao! I remember seeing Pearl Jam at Randall’s Island and they were trying to confront this fucking behemoth and sold tickets through some company for like a very reasonable maybe $40 and my name was printed on the tickets and nobody could get in with me with the 3 other tickets we got unless I showed ID at the gate! But alas I’m sure that kind of success didn’t go over well with Ticketmaster’s Gestapo! Prices are fucking outahand!!!!
Bob Who
November 17, 2020 at 11:17 amThey were the mob from day one. I was ticket manager for a so cal promoter 1982-3 and BASS and Ticketmaster (same mobsters) just pushed out ticketron (who charged fees to the seller, not the buyer) and they were muscling their way into venue exclusives. Scalping off site was always allowed in LA but these guys were organized crime – they had so many ways to get paid more than face value on sold out stuff, and then also have unsold stock when all the seats were full. Bill Graham couldn’t stop them because they infiltrated venues and were relentless extortionists. Like Comcast, PG&E, Dish, Spirit Air, AOL, AT&T, DMV, IRS they are among the most despised organizations in the modern world. Nobody likes extortionist thugs. Let’s squash ’em like bugs. Its NOT Capitalism when its really a fascist monopoly – duopoly. You’re never free if the market is inheld held hostage with a gun to the head.
Annis
November 2, 2019 at 8:03 pmDon’t see the Big Acts…so many good Dead cover bands every weekend for $10 or less…Phish is even more ridiculous with trying to get tickets…Suck it Dickusfaster!!!
kl
October 30, 2019 at 12:16 pmThe biggest scumbag is CID, basically extorting concert goers with these ridiculous packages. For DC at MSG, with in one minute of attempting to purchase tickets, I had to buy one of the CID packages. They suck. CID is multiple VC firms, partnering to extort concert goers. The is no public info on any company officers, all hidden. They are criminals.
Zila
September 30, 2019 at 7:49 pmI miss sending a beautifully colored work of art containing a self-addressed stamped envelope with a money order in it to Grateful Dead ticket sales in San Rafael, Ca. You got your tickets sent back by certified mail and they were beautiful!! All glittery and a cool design. My first tickets cost 15 dollars. I don’t remember how much my New Years tickets were, but I know that the worst seats now are at least 3 times higher. And remember waiting all night in front of a Blockbuster to get to the ticketmaster inside? There was a limit of 6 tickets per show. Scalper tickets were usually fake. The good old days of the good old Grateful Dead. Corruption takes over everything in this world.
Kingsford Briquette
September 24, 2019 at 2:45 pmwhat a dickhead you are. You are exactly what is WRONG with America!!!
A Arod
July 16, 2019 at 1:21 pmTime for a change.org petition? What is the track record of those? Are they at least useful of keeping an issue top of mind?
Jennifer
May 2, 2019 at 2:40 pmticketmaster
Otherwise Known As….
ticketbastard !!!!
1armsteve
May 1, 2019 at 3:02 pmthis is soo obvious…how else do you explain the sellers on kajiji…some that have hundreds of tickets…and all the best seats…selling for 4 times face value
Michael stein
February 20, 2019 at 2:23 pmI have known for well over a decade, that TicketBastard back doors it’s tickets to resellers, such as StubHub, which, as you may know, is a subsidiary of TB ……….. But that is only one of many …….. it all amounts to TB creating a pseudo monopoly to corner the market(by making regular face value priced tickets impossible to find and purchase), and gouging the customer all the while. I believe TB should be not only heavily fined, and it’s upper management people prosecuted and jailed, but it should also now and forever be heavily monitored and regulated, and/or brought to court under the RICO statutes ……….. i believe there are numerous crimes that TB have committed over the years and should immediately be investigated by the DOJ, now headed by Willian Barr.
Birdsongofafeather
March 19, 2019 at 10:43 pmAnd in other news… the sky is blue!!!!
Arniefolife
February 9, 2019 at 5:31 amSure thing, JR, sure thing ;
Jaggerrich (Realio Dealio)
February 4, 2019 at 11:17 pmAAAARRRRGGHHH!!!! This makes me sooooo angry!!!! I saw Jerry in the 90’s and smoked A LOT of WEED during every iteration,fantasizing about the way things could have been (alas!) Anyhoo… tots stoked to be here with all you guys! I also wanted to say that the rumor about my friend Arnie shaving my balls is just that- A RUMOR!!!!
LAURIE E MONTEFUSCO
January 26, 2019 at 9:01 am… and so what are they going to do about it? Perhaps there is another way to screw those of us who purchase tickets… maybe some more fees?
Onthebus1965
January 23, 2019 at 2:08 pmThis is a littIe off the thread’s point but I am an original fan having seen the Dead my first time at the Fillmore, the real one, in December 1965 and seeing them probably every time they played in the Bay Area, between that date and the Spring of 1969 when I left the country and traveled around the world for 2.5 years before returning back to SF where I saw them at the Harding Theatre on Divisadero the first week or so I was back. Tickets were $2.00 in the mid 60’s and no more than a thousand people were dancing and sweating at either the Fillmore or the Avalon Ballroom. When Jerry died I thought that was it, but over the years I have participated a little with the “tribute” bands until last year when it was suggested to me that I would most likely like Dead & Co. I listened on you tube, liked what I heard, and bought two tickets for the show in Eugene last Summer and was very pleasantly blown away with the band with one exception and this is the purpose of my little ditty. I couldn’t BELIEVE the amount of yakking, yapping, endless conversation floating around me, hurting my ability to just hear the beautiful music. Conversation about nothing, shopping, bullshit enough so that finally in one case, the closest, two women sitting directly behind me who wouldn’t shut up, I finally spoke to. I suggested to them that they could talk anytime but you don’t get to hear such sublime music live, without cost, (certainly more than $2.00 now) and effort all the time. They were furious with me, I understand, I had insulted them somewhat but they did shut up. So I am asking those of you next time you might be bothered at a show to ask the yappers to tone it down and listen to the band work. It won’t last forever.
Dennis R.
May 7, 2019 at 6:34 pmThe yappers also attend Meet Up at the Movies. Just like a real concert-complete with inconsiderate pricks.
Bob Who
November 17, 2020 at 10:39 amMy brother started giving out stickers for free that said “Shut up and Dance” It was printed on back of his tie die that he’d wear at noisy venues. Its less of a problem when he can get up front…but most things are, if you can manage it.
Anyway, you did the right thing and so did they ultimately. It had to be said and it had to be heard. But you know how the song goes, so next show will be another surprise.
Surviving so long is a beautiful thing – all who do are doing something right for certain – A clear indication to respect our elders, like many cultures. Deadheads got class – glad you schooled a few pink ones.
They may have felt a little bent at the time, but then so did you. Its good you both got to confront it so it didn’t constipate the flow.
Its hard enough just being an exceedingly long lived survivor with old plumbing. 😉
jshaulpanic
January 10, 2019 at 2:20 pmI anyone really surprised? I checked tickets on TM for WSP NYE, $750 each for the seat I wanted….went to another site and bought those same exact seats for $120 each. Ticketmaster is a scam. Time the government shuts that shit down!
DRock
January 4, 2019 at 8:29 pmThe other thing that grinds me about Ticketbastard is that they charge me handily to send me tickets at home then send me an envelope of frickin advertisements from companies that also paid them for the mailing! If I have to pay for the mailing, shove the ads up your asses!!
Doug McDuff
January 4, 2019 at 5:15 pmIn general, most shows over $50 concern me and don’t interest me as much anymore…. Iow after seeing 450 to 500 live shows since 1982, I prefer to see 1-2 Bands ONLY that will give you your money’s worth by playing 2+ hours of music. Call me old fashioned, but I Loves me jams!!! D of KC
Old Deadhead
November 20, 2018 at 12:41 pm2018 “People like me DESERVE VIP seating”. For what? Did you cure cancer? You sound like a spoiled 5 year old.
Mike L
October 27, 2018 at 6:11 pmTicketbastard should be heavily fined and forced to pay back every single person that’s had to buy their tickets and exorbitant fees. They were already sued and lost. They were supposed to give fans free tickets to a concert of their choice yet was always out of the tickets when you tried to claim them. Now after being caught red handed still being shady as fuck and a bunch of dirty criminals they really need to be put out of business. As far as Shapiro is concerned he keeps his prices extremely fair at Brooklyn bowl so I can’t complain about him cause he’s kept the jam scene going strong here in Brooklyn and deeply respects the greats.. I. E. The Meters and many more. Plus you don’t go through ticketbastard to get tix to Brooklyn bowl.. They smartly use Ticketfly who are way more fair than TM, Stubhub, and the rest. Time for an attorney general to hit TM where it counts and put them out of business with all the new revelations on their shady af practices. Hit stubhub too while they’re at it since it’s mostly scalpers there as well.
2018 America
October 6, 2018 at 8:27 amThe tickets should be sold and purchased for as much money as possible. And not just one transaction. With many people making a profit. Its called capitalism. Go get an education and a real job. People like me deserve VIP seating and are willing to pay for the privilege. Stop whining and start earning your way. Dead and Co. (And ect.) are multi millionaires that want to have people of their own class in attendance.
JN Dauterive
December 26, 2018 at 8:32 amI’m glad capitalism has worked so well for you, but your comment that you “deserve” VIP seating shows that you have a Very Big Ego (and probably a little tiny wee-wee). You insult the Dead by inferring you are the “same class” as them.
Last Dead show, I went alone, hopped the rail and the dude manning the barrier into the VIP section opened it as he saw me coming. It was quite interesting to see the many establishment types talking on their phones, endlessly filming and wandering around getting drinks, and otherwise ignoring their $500 advantage point.
Tbone
June 5, 2019 at 10:52 amGreat response to the arrogance brought forth by having $$$.
Jimmy
January 24, 2020 at 6:36 pmOh, so you crashed the gate and then helped yourself to the VIP area without paying. Yeah – very admirable of you. Clearly you don’t believe you’re entitled to anything.
Bob Who
November 17, 2020 at 10:13 amAll that cash and still nobody likes you. You should get rid of it.
hman
January 5, 2019 at 3:23 amWow, agree with you JN D.
2018America is the kind of arrogant jerk I’m sure the Dead would not want with “their own class”.
“People like you” need to be cordoned off.
spreaddead
January 11, 2019 at 11:34 pmyou suck stay home,,, oh yrah you do sit home n wack it.
Kingsford Briquette
September 24, 2019 at 2:44 pmwhat a dickhead you are. You are exactly what is WRONG with America!!!
August West
October 15, 2019 at 3:13 pmNah, you’re just another asshole who gets sucked into high prices. Always get tickets outside night of show. Never been shut out. Almost Grateful Dead 12/31/78 but paid the $25.
Harlow Blum
February 7, 2020 at 1:50 pmUp yours and your capitolism. I don’t give a shit about your money. Just mine and they are not getting it. Weir and the rest are into the money now so screw you all.
grease
October 5, 2018 at 9:01 pm$haps is just as bad.
Jay Davis
October 2, 2018 at 3:12 pmWell, I learned long ago from the few times I had excellent seats at Grateful Dead shows that the best seats rarely go to fans anyway. Most of the folks up front were not heads, and they would generally sit there bored. Fortunately, they would usually leave by intermission and real fans could take over. I used to think, “What’s the point in this? Thousands of heads would do almost anything to be in that seat, and you could be bored back on the lawn or at home.” But I assume money was the reason, as usual.
jaggerrich
September 26, 2018 at 8:29 pmEat Me nailedit,….. succinct, and what I been saying , thinkin’, KNOWIN’, for a long time.
Fix the Fuckin’ Fonts Already!!!! You eloquently nailed what I have been saying to friends and many. Starting with the Dead Proper, then Ratdog, Phil and Friends, even then The Other Ones, and ‘The Dead’ iterations were always still fair, $70, $80, maybe $120 for pits, and front sections, with lawns always still at , like $30 bucks. Then came FTW, (which i was so please to boycott) and then the D & C, all of sudden have $happy vip packages, and ‘Scarlet/Fire’, and ‘Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion’ packages, for insane dough, all of a sudden when your U.S. economy started to get a little brighter, when well-off-NON-heads could soak of ‘some’ of the supply. A W F U L
Otto
September 25, 2018 at 2:24 pmYou are an idiot.
jables
September 21, 2018 at 11:13 amHahaha! This has been going on for sooooo long! this is old news! Where is Pearl Jam oh yeah they bent over and are getting huge money !
BB
January 4, 2020 at 6:17 pmThe real question is where were all of the other artists when Pearl Jam tried to do something.
iuhv
September 21, 2018 at 10:14 ami like the class action suit idea, senior leche…
Hippie Andy
September 20, 2018 at 2:21 pmSTUB HUB SPOKESPERSON
Fake or not. Your company and all of the other so called trade , fan and or other sites should be closed immediately. You and the closing of verified ticket agencies are what killed the concert industry to begin with.
Jesus Fucking Christ People
August 30, 2019 at 12:09 amAre you guys serious? The dude is being SARCASTIC. That poster isn’t a Stub Hub rep ffs…
michael heit
October 30, 2019 at 2:56 pmsarcasm, as my rhetoric taught me in college, does NOT transfer to written communication so dont do it.
Jimmy
January 24, 2020 at 7:16 amYou seriously think a Stub Hub rep is out posting in message threads to defend their system? Really?? Apparently it’s not only sarcasm that you have problems getting your arms around, but reality as well.
Fluffhead Greenberg
September 20, 2018 at 2:21 pmTicketbastard!!!
GratefulFroggy
June 25, 2020 at 6:09 pmWe didn’t call it that for nothing!
Stub Hub spokesperson
September 20, 2018 at 1:30 pmThis is fake news. Not true. Deep state is real.
Rosalind Roberts
May 3, 2019 at 12:45 am@STUB HUB SPOKESPERSON … Your news is THE fake news. Goes around; comes around.
Greg Wilson
December 8, 2019 at 6:17 amGo fuck yourself you scumbag scalping shit stain ass clown….Lying fuck. Yea its all fake, an lies, smears, take us to court ass clown.
Senor Leche
September 20, 2018 at 1:25 pmTicket Master has always been a dishonorable bunch of scumbags. No wonder why certain shows are “sold out” in literally seconds. I hope these ass hats are forced out of business, fined and after the class action law suit pay back people like us.
SUE THEM
September 20, 2018 at 1:20 pmThis is yet another reason to hate them. Bring out the attorneys general.
fair trade my ass
September 20, 2018 at 12:03 pmIrving Azoff needs to be tasered…repeatedly!!!
Greg Wilson
December 8, 2019 at 6:09 amThere by federal law prohibited from taking advantage or abusing the elderly OR DISABLED. There illegally allowing those professionals scalpers there in bed with to buy up the handicapped tix and reselling them for 3xs the price200- 300- 400- even-500 or more thats almost my disability ck forvthe month soo eat or pay the scalpers mortgage…there breaking federal laws…that is a crime
eat me
September 20, 2018 at 10:15 amNo surprise here. Pre-sales and “fan verified” sales mean nothing except to cause hype that supply is limited (artificially). Beside being the best post Jerry band ever, Furthur, did not play these games and used Front Gate and GDTSTOO to get the tickets to real fans at modest costs. Then came along $happy’s FTW VIP experiences and astronomical TM charges then Dead & Co joined in getting used to the stupid money…
Rick
November 14, 2019 at 8:59 pmStupid stupid stupid stupid really stupid
Wade
October 20, 2020 at 8:58 pmWhat ever happened with that class action suit? I was suppose to receive something like $300 to $400 but nothing. TicketBastard.
Carol
June 5, 2020 at 4:38 pmYeah, what’s up with our old hippie band being hi-jacked by John Mayer partnering with Nike for cheap looking GD sneakers? THAT is disgusting!!! Don’t turn our hippie band into a commercial sellout!