Ticket Sales- Does this make me a bad person?

[S-s-sara]

Here is the situation. Be honest in your input, I have already been called awful things, I'm not afraid of that.

I first heard about BM last year. Yes, I have been living under a rock. (What can I say, the rent is cheap and the neighborhood's nice.) Anyways, I got my ticket the day the went on sale this year and have been extraordinarily excited to go since then. My ticket cost me 250. Yowza, what a deal! As a student, I couldn't have asked for a better present to myself. Some of my friends wanted to go but none actively made up their mind until -of course -after tickets had sold out. Perfection! So here I am, 22, no car, no way to get to the Playa, and no one to camp with when I get there.
I thought I would bike down, the 647 miles it would take to get there would only take about 19 days at turtle pace. But thats a no-go says the experienced biker roomies. I asked around but even the people I know going don't have room in their cars for me and my fur covered bike. I'm a woman so hitch hiking seems dangerous. So there's that...
Then there is the point that I have no one to stay with when I get there. I've never done this before and I would prefer not to go it alone. No camps will take me, I've tried. **Insert sad sounds here. (I recommend that of a sad kitten.)**
So I am bummed when along comes Mr. Internet. I post my ticket to Criaglist and I think 200 would be a fair price. But lo-ho-ho, I added an extra zero. And Criagslist in all its user-friendly glory won't let me change my post. I am emailed for no other reason than to be told what an awful person I am. Which I am, of course. I am awful and vicious and as you can tell from this post, filled with rage. ANYWAY, I get a serious offer, "2,000 you say, sounds pricey, but I must go." He is an experienced burner, and I am poor graduate faced with a mound of debt, and intensely long lasting period of unemployment, and an un-supportive family who would laugh if I asked for financial help. I seriously consider the offer and begrudgingly ask if he is still interested.

So question, dear readers, does that make me an bad person?

I would also like to note that I may not "get it". Maybe I should have just gifted my ticket or just told him I meant to post 200. But sometimes, I need money to survive, eat, and sleep without the damn hobo spiders crawling on my bed.

I would also like to ask all you experienced burners a question: Is it worse to try and get more money for your ticket price, if someone is willing to pay it. Or is it worse to judge a person you have never met. I would say both go against what I would consider BM to be all about. But again, I've never been. I am just a raver who has taken a lot of x and is overly optimistic about the world.

Spoiler alert:
He had gotten a ticket already and so I still have it. AND I would like to keep it.

Also:
I would still love a way down there. Anyone coming through Montana?
Also, also, I have no place to stay. Anyone want to take a chance to camp with a newbie. I am a fun newbie I promise. Pinky-swear, even. And I give good hugs.

Until your replies,
Peace

[illy dilly]

Is this for real?

[S-s-sara]

:?:

Is this for real?

Why wouldn't it be. I am seriously interested in people's opinions. Lets me know what kind of people are on the playa. I never sold my ticket. Just thought about selling it to someone who offered me a crazy price for it.

[HOHME]

Profiteering off tickets is pretty much the exact opposite of what burning man stands for...if you're willing to do the right thing and sell it at face value ($320) i'd be quite interested...I pm'd you so get back to me if so

HOHME

[capjbadger]

There are rideshare threads on this board.

Get out there with that ticket, and then see how you feel about this whole ticket selling thing.

-Badger

[capjbadger]

Profiteering off tickets is pretty much the exact opposite of what burning man stands for...if you're willing to do the right thing and sell it at face value ($320) i'd be quite interested...I pm'd you so get back to me if so

HOHME

How is face value for a $250 equal to $320? Learn to read...

-Badger

[chrisp]

Thinking and doing are two different things.
So your probably alright at least in my eyes.
I'm always thinking fucked up shit!

[S-s-sara]

There are rideshare threads on this board.

Get out there with that ticket, and then see how you feel about this whole ticket selling thing.

-Badger

No doubt I would love to go, and that is why I posted here. Like I said, I never sold the ticket. He actually emailed me and asked if I still had it but I told him no, I have been looking forward to this for too long.

Honestly, even being in my situation, I still can't understand why someone would judge another person for trying to support themselves, and I don't even think I have it bad. To me, judging someone is equally as wrong. I think I have just seen too much to be able to fault someone for trying to stay afloat. Granted not everyones intentions are pure, or even justified.

Also, I had no idea there were rideshare boards, thanks!

[HOHME]

Wasn't $320 the max face value of burning man tickets?

Profiteering off tickets is pretty much the exact opposite of what burning man stands for...if you're willing to do the right thing and sell it at face value ($320) i'd be quite interested...I pm'd you so get back to me if so

HOHME

How is face value for a $250 equal to $320? Learn to read...

-Badger

[S-s-sara]

There are rideshare threads on this board.

Get out there with that ticket, and then see how you feel about this whole ticket selling thing.

-Badger

Hey, I can't find the rideshare link. Help, please?

[capjbadger]

Wasn't $320 the max face value of burning man tickets?

Profiteering off tickets is pretty much the exact opposite of what burning man stands for...if you're willing to do the right thing and sell it at face value ($320) i'd be quite interested...I pm'd you so get back to me if so

HOHME

How is face value for a $250 equal to $320? Learn to read...

-Badger

Face Value: The price on the ticket. The price the person paid for the ticket.

And no... the last tier of tickets sold for $360.

-Badger

[capjbadger]

There are rideshare threads on this board.

Get out there with that ticket, and then see how you feel about this whole ticket selling thing.

-Badger

Hey, I can't find the rideshare link. Help, please?

Did you do a search for "rideshare"?

-Badger

[S-s-sara]

There are rideshare threads on this board.

Get out there with that ticket, and then see how you feel about this whole ticket selling thing.

-Badger

Hey, I can't find the rideshare link. Help, please?

Did you do a search for "rideshare"?

-Badger

Yeah, i found it right after I asked. Whoops.

[HOHME]

K so i made a mistake...my bad dude...relax...no need for bold letters and animosity, your point's been made.

-Badger[/quote][/quote]
Face Value: The price on the ticket. The price the person paid for the ticket.

And no... the last tier of tickets sold for $360.

-Badger[/quote]

[trilobyte]

If you sell the ticket for more than what you paid for it plus shipping, then yes, I think it reflects poorly on you as a person. And the fact that you have to ask the question, let alone in a public forum, says a lot about you. Good luck.

[junglesmacks]

K so i made a mistake...my bad dude...relax...no need for bold letters and animosity, your point's been made.

"Hey there, welcome to eplaya!"

[S-s-sara]

If you sell the ticket for more than what you paid for it plus shipping, then yes, I think it reflects poorly on you as a person. And the fact that you have to ask the question, let alone in a public forum, says a lot about you. Good luck.

The question was about whether thinking about it makes you a bad person. I never sold it. I ask because I received hate filled emails from people I've never met after I made that typo. And it honestly was a typo. People are quick to judge.

But...

And the question wasn't about my opinion of the subject. I have my opinion. I am just curious what you all think about a persons thoughts versus their actions. What can I say, I went to Catholic school I have to know if others have the same opinion of the gravity of thoughts as I do.

[trilobyte]

My apologies. I still think the idea that you have to ask in a public forum says a lot.

[S-s-sara]

My apologies. I still think the idea that you have to ask in a public forum says a lot.

Why? I don't think I am a bad person. I have a solid grasp on my ideas on morality. I'm asking because I want to know what kind of people are typical of the playa. Honestly, if BM is filled with people quick to judge, why would I want to spend a week with them?

Also, I have asked people I know. They have their opinions and they are diverse. I find this fascinating more than anything else.

[NellieX]

I don't think it makes you a bad person, but I think it shows you have extremely poor taste in judgement.

[HeartOfJuly]

This sell out business is new territory for everyone and I can understand the temptation. I keep checking the drawer that our tickets are in, in a weird OCD fashion because I am thankful to have them. Does it make you a bad person to think about it? No. I am pretty sure most people have thought about it and for those of us that plan for the event and buy our tickets early in the game, the idea of selling them at any price in just not in the realm of reality.

My personal opion is that scalping is gross. And I have wished more for an extra ticket to be able to gift it. I think that would be a wonderful feeling. You still have your ticket, I hope you can work out to make it to the playa. If you do plan on selling it, stick to face value. You will make someone very happy.

[S-s-sara]

I don't think it makes you a bad person, but I think it shows you have extremely poor taste in judgement.

Interesting. How so?

[Supakitten]

i'm being lazy and not wanting to read the 20 responses on this....so maybe it's already been pointed out. but you CAN change/edit your post on Craigslist. that's why you either have an account with them or they send you a link to change/edit your post. so that part......sounds like bullshit to me.

taking the money, i dunno who gives a shit.

[junglesmacks]

I think it's a perfectly natural reaction, especially from someone that has never been. I also disagree that it's saying anything bad about the OP that she is asking as a simple question/observation/topic starter. Not all eplaya threads can be about ball shaving..

[Savannah]

My apologies. I still think the idea that you have to ask in a public forum says a lot.

Why? I don't think I am a bad person. I have a solid grasp on my ideas on morality. I'm asking because I want to know what kind of people are typical of the playa.

If you don't think you're a bad person, why is your subject line "Does this make me a bad person?"

It initially sounded like you didn't know . . . because you asked. Then people gave their opinions. Now, you claim you DO know you're not a bad person, but the contradiction of your thread title and your above post suggest it's because you didn't get the answer you were hoping for.

Honestly, if BM is filled with people quick to judge, why would I want to spend a week with them?

ePlaya is not THE Playa--as the saying goes. But no one can tell you what the Burn is like, and no one here is going to convince you to come out there and let them prove themselves to you (because reluctant Burners are unhappy, high-maintenance Burners).

No one can actually promise you you won't hate it out there.


Finally, if you care: I do see a difference between thoughts/temptations, and one's eventual actions. However, in my experience, voicing one's temptations to a large and unscreened audience of strangers will rarely get you proper evaluation. People will see it as asking for permission. And I think this would be true no matter where you go.

[thirt33n]

'self reliance'. define it.

then preface it with the word 'radical'.

if you understand that...then you would like to go back in time to say....august 9th 2011 at 2:37pm at which time you would decide that this whole post is just a silly, silly idea.

good luck now...kisses

[theCryptofishist]

An echo on "the eplaya is not the playa."
We are stressed here, after more than two weeks of really ugly shit. (Read a dozen threads on this sub-forum, and maybe you'll see what I mean.) This ticket selling out business isn't bringing out the best in us.
You were unlucky enough to make your first post in the currently most contentious area. We are drawing a lot of lines and making a lot of judgments. And taking a lot of flak when we try and be helpful. (We tend to the hit you on the side of the head when you're about to do something really stupid, not pet you and tell you what a precious, beautiful snowflake you are.)
I think humans are natural opportunists, I think that's how we conquered the globe. I think it's very human to have that temptation, or at least the awareness of the possibility when we have something valuable.
So, get to Reno, find a rideshare, and learn what it's about, and for heaven's sake don't try and fix this conversation--it's toast. If you come back in love with the event and get in this thread and say "ohmygod, igetit. I'm so glad I attended rather than selling the ticket" you will probably be greeted with open arms by most of the people here.
We feel threatened by people selling tickets for huge amounts of money. We think that we will not be able to go, that our friends will not be able to go, that burningman will become less special if tickets become big time commodities. And we're a contentious people who will fight for what we love. And we love the event.

[Playa Hater]

I think you should keep the ticket, find a ride on the ride share board, prepare yourself with all the required things (food & water etc), and get out there and see what it is for yourself. Good luck.

[Mansoon]

Yeah, one of my campmates last year had a terrible time because his expectations were too high in one area, not enough in another, and waited too late to seek out people he'd really rather have spent time with. Another was in an unhappy and ill-advised love quadrangle. I was completely annoyed by our camp leaders and so tired I was refusing sex with hot girls, but I STILL had a great time. So it depends. But just thinking about doing a "bad thing" making you a bad person? You set the bar that low and just about every person in the existence of history was a bad person. The ethos of Burning Man centers more around doing the good thing no matter YOUR personal profit, because it makes things better for all including YOU, but no one expects you to be such a sucker that a 9-year-old calls you "that damn fool."

[essjay]

I think you should keep the ticket, find a ride on the ride share board, prepare yourself with all the required things (food & water etc), and get out there and see what it is for yourself. Good luck.

+1

It will take some work to get out there. But you know that already. The time for thinking about it has passed. Do it. Find out for yourself. Report back in 1 month.