How @ risk is my ticket!?!?

[bpenzarella]

Hey!
So I am probably one of the MANY who bought tickets off ebay and paid MORE than face value.
The STARTING BID BEGAN WELL BELOW FACE VALUE, at $20. But you can't help it when the price goes up because people bid so early in the game that prices get ridiculous, ending somewhere around $500-$600.
So, My question is:
EXACTLY, how much am I at risk of my ticket becoming cancelled because I paid over face value??
I have already been scammed out of a few hundred dollars and don't want to lose MORE money because they are going to cancel tickets purchased over face value...EVEN though it's a good ticket and
DID NOT come from a scammer.
How is the person who sells the ticket supposed to help the bids from going up and up??

Is it fair to cancel a ticket that was ORIGINALLY purchased in the beginning and then sold again because they could'nt go?
How is it fair to cancel a ticket even after someone like myself has paid for a real ticket to then be told I can't use it?? What was once good is no good because of up sell and now I would be OUT a couple more hundred dollars...
It almost seems like a scam in itself...

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just want a straight forward answer so I don't prep and buy everything to then be told NO!
=/
Thanks All!

[theCryptofishist]

You bought your ticket and now you take your chances.
Which is worse: Being turned around at Gate or having a perfectly good ticket and not using it? You get to answer that question. And I don't think you're likely to get a whole lot of information because most of us don't have it, and those that do are probably not inclinded to share it.
IMHO

[Savannah]

Unfortunately, no one can calculate the exact risk. You can check your confirmation against the numbers here, but it should not be considered a complete list of voided tickets.

viewtopic.php?f=290&t=54945

[Rice]

Hey!
So I am probably one of the MANY who bought tickets off ebay and paid MORE than face value.
The STARTING BID BEGAN WELL BELOW FACE VALUE, at $20. But you can't help it when the price goes up because people bid so early in the game that prices get ridiculous, ending somewhere around $500-$600.
So, My question is:
EXACTLY, how much am I at risk of my ticket becoming cancelled because I paid over face value??
I have already been scammed out of a few hundred dollars and don't want to lose MORE money because they are going to cancel tickets purchased over face value...EVEN though it's a good ticket and
DID NOT come from a scammer.
How is the person who sells the ticket supposed to help the bids from going up and up??

Is it fair to cancel a ticket that was ORIGINALLY purchased in the beginning and then sold again because they could'nt go?
How is it fair to cancel a ticket even after someone like myself has paid for a real ticket to then be told I can't use it?? What was once good is no good because of up sell and now I would be OUT a couple more hundred dollars...
It almost seems like a scam in itself...

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just want a straight forward answer so I don't prep and buy everything to then be told NO!
=/
Thanks All!

Well, here is something from Burning Man that might help: http://burningman.com/news/news_story.html?id=19752yy=2012

There is a link in that post to the current list of ticket serial numbers that have been canceled.

[Eric]

There is a link in that post to the current list of ticket serial numbers that have been canceled.

The thread Savannah linked to are the same numbers, updated as Trilobyte gets them from the Org (ie: as up-to-date as is out there)

To check a number easily, in your browser window on a PC hit Ctrl+F, then enter the number. On a Mac, hit Cmd+F.

[fritz]

...EVEN though it's a good ticket and
DID NOT come from a scammer.
How is the person who sells the ticket supposed to help the bids from going up and up??

Is it fair to cancel a ticket that was ORIGINALLY purchased in the beginning and then sold again because they could'nt go?
How is it fair to cancel a ticket even after someone like myself has paid for a real ticket to then be told I can't use it??

IMO, the choice to put a ticket on ebay and allowing it to be an open ended auction means the person is intentionally selling the ticket over face value for profit, or in other words an obvious scalper. That same person could have posted the ticket on ebay with a "buy now" price of face value. The person could have placed the ticket on another website at face value or even offered the ticket on eplaya. You are being foolish if you think the seller had no control over the selling price. The ticket was being sold by a scalper and should be cancelled.

However, I understand your strong desire to go to BM may have caused you to irrationally pay more than face value and to feed the scalping system. I sincerely hope that you don't have any problems and can enjoy your burn.

[ACfromSAC]

IMO, the choice to put a ticket on ebay and allowing it to be an open ended auction means the person is intentionally selling the ticket over face value for profit, or in other words an obvious scalper. That same person could have posted the ticket on ebay with a "buy now" price of face value.

This. I just purchased two tickets on ebay moments ago at face value plus the fees, $710 for two tier 2 tickets. Easily controlled ticket price.

[Savannah]

There is a link in that post to the current list of ticket serial numbers that have been canceled.

The thread Savannah linked to are the same numbers, updated as Trilobyte gets them from the Org (ie: as up-to-date as is out there)

To check a number easily, in your browser window on a PC hit Ctrl+F, then enter the number. I have no idea how to "find" on a Mac.

It's Command + F.

[trilobyte]

You're at risk until you get through the gates.

[Jackass]

You should have bought them on eplaya, there's plenty of them showing up every day. Those ebay guys are chicken shit, claiming to be well intentioned burners who "can't make it this year, last minute blah blah blah" bullshit, put a buy it now tag on it with face plus fees. They thought they were going to skin the hog on this one, but I don't think that they are making out all that well- the bastards.

[wh..sh]

To check a number easily, in your browser window on a PC hit Ctrl+F, then enter the number. On a Mac, hit Cmd+F.

This has to be the cutest thing I have read all day!

[pink]

How to not overpay? Stop bidding at face value!
(facepalm)

[lemur]

its ebay.. some people have their brain shut off.. and they are no longer "buying" something but trying to "win" ..

[gyre]

It's ebay.
I don't think you can cancel it after bidding starts.

Who would ever believe anyone would be stupid enough to pay more than three hundred anyway?

Read on the psychology of auctions.

There is no reason to place more than one bid on ebay unless you are locking an auction in at the beginning.
One bid.

[mgb327]

I have been Power-Seller for 11 years. If I listed a ticket in an "auction format", I know, you know, we all know I am a scalper. If I list it there with a face-value "Buy-It-Now", I am a Burner. I would HAVE TO have a photo of the back showing I am not asking $420 for a level one ticket. I would NOT drive to gate with a ticket I bought in an auction at more than face value, as it takes me thousands of dollars just to GET TO THE GATE. Good luck.....

[misfit]

whats the #'s on the ticket.....

[dragonpilot]

To check a number easily, in your browser window on a PC hit Ctrl+F, then enter the number. On a Mac, hit Cmd+F.

This has to be the cutest thing I have read all day!

You ARE a girl!

[Lord Of Ruin]

You should have bought them on eplaya, there's plenty of them showing up every day. Those ebay guys are chicken shit, claiming to be well intentioned burners who "can't make it this year, last minute blah blah blah" bullshit, put a buy it now tag on it with face plus fees. They thought they were going to skin the hog on this one, but I don't think that they are making out all that well- the bastards.

The thing that sucks about this tactic, though is that it punishes the Burner, not the scalper. I realize the intent is to be a deterrent, but a lot of first timers are gonna get their clocked cleaned by this misguided tactic, IMHO while the scalpers laugh all the way to the bank.

LoR

[lemur]

agreed.

its a bullshit move on the part of those responsible.

zerotolerance type rules never work out: this is an example of why..


the policy/practice basically says both people are the assholes.. but only the 'victim' gets fucked over.

[Eric]

To check a number easily, in your browser window on a PC hit Ctrl+F, then enter the number. On a Mac, hit Cmd+F.

This has to be the cutest thing I have read all day!

I worked in-house IT at a law firm a while ago, never underestimate how much basic computer knowledge people do not have, even "smart" people.

[wh..sh]

:D This has to be the cutest thing I have read all day!

You ARE a girl!

Doubting Thomas, is that you?

I worked in-house IT at a law firm a while ago, never underestimate how much basic computer knowledge people do not have, even "smart" people.

Of course, I have worked with all sort of clients (including my parents) to underestimate any of that. That's why I thought it was sweet of you to mention that.

[some seeing eye]

To save a trip to the gate and then get turned back for those with secondary market tickets from unknown sources, you might try to meet some burners in your regional with a known good ticket and compare them in detail. Just be sure they are protected from any switcheroo con, by having them record their serial numbers.

[CrispyDave]

Unfortunately, no one can calculate the exact risk. You can check your confirmation against the numbers here, but it should not be considered a complete list of voided tickets.

viewtopic.php?f=290&t=54945

The risk it exactly 50/50 you get in or you dont. Not counting someone giving you a ticket at the gate when you is no good.

[videoparker28]

If you check on the BM tickets page, under fraud, you'll find a list of canceled tickets. BMORG and Burners Against Scalpers on Fb have been gathering scalper info then BMORG ticketing reviews it. IF tickets are canceled, then you will be screwed. One guy sold several on ebay then got caught and 9 of his were voided and who knows who got some of them. This is why we ask no one buy from a scalper because it hurts the community in more that one way. Don't scalp OR buy from scalpers. I hope you are covered but dude...there is even a round of tickets going out today and ebay prices drop as it gets closer and scalpers just want to unload. Best wishees to you brother and we'll see ya there

[theCryptofishist]

You should have bought them on eplaya, there's plenty of them showing up every day. Those ebay guys are chicken shit, claiming to be well intentioned burners who "can't make it this year, last minute blah blah blah" bullshit, put a buy it now tag on it with face plus fees. They thought they were going to skin the hog on this one, but I don't think that they are making out all that well- the bastards.

The thing that sucks about this tactic, though is that it punishes the Burner, not the scalper. I realize the intent is to be a deterrent, but a lot of first timers are gonna get their clocked cleaned by this misguided tactic, IMHO while the scalpers laugh all the way to the bank.

LoR

So. What's your alternative? Give them a refund? Let them in?
At some point, there is a duty we all have to protect ourselves. I know I don't say this often on this board, but the llc can't be a warm huggy parent to everyone...

[Rice]

You should have bought them on eplaya, there's plenty of them showing up every day. Those ebay guys are chicken shit, claiming to be well intentioned burners who "can't make it this year, last minute blah blah blah" bullshit, put a buy it now tag on it with face plus fees. They thought they were going to skin the hog on this one, but I don't think that they are making out all that well- the bastards.

The thing that sucks about this tactic, though is that it punishes the Burner, not the scalper. I realize the intent is to be a deterrent, but a lot of first timers are gonna get their clocked cleaned by this misguided tactic, IMHO while the scalpers laugh all the way to the bank.

LoR

So. What's your alternative? Give them a refund? Let them in?
At some point, there is a duty we all have to protect ourselves. I know I don't say this often on this board, but the llc can't be a warm huggy parent to everyone...

Why would the BM LLC refund money to people who bought cancelled ticket(s) from a scalper?? There is an inherent risk that the individual needs to be aware of. Sometimes it works out fine, other times one gets ripped off. If one makes a poor decision they should be responsible for the consequences. Not Burning Man, or anyone else.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay then, we are in agreement. I just couldn't figure out what you meant, I guess. Sorry.

[offarock]

Agree 100%.
The org has the right to act in the best interest of our community.
Yes, someone could buy a scalped ticket that was voided by the BORG. Just as in past years there were counterfeit tickets and the buyer would be in the same position.

I think the BORG have made it pretty clear that there are risks buying from 3rd parties and more risk from buying scalped tickets.

[Nipple]

You're at risk until you get through the gates.

You have a reasonably good chance of arrival.

[fresh]

You should have bought them on eplaya, there's plenty of them showing up every day. Those ebay guys are chicken shit, claiming to be well intentioned burners who "can't make it this year, last minute blah blah blah" bullshit, put a buy it now tag on it with face plus fees. They thought they were going to skin the hog on this one, but I don't think that they are making out all that well- the bastards.

The thing that sucks about this tactic, though is that it punishes the Burner, not the scalper. I realize the intent is to be a deterrent, but a lot of first timers are gonna get their clocked cleaned by this misguided tactic, IMHO while the scalpers laugh all the way to the bank.

LoR

Actually if done correctly and the buyer paid with PayPal and Visa and NOT through bank account, then they have a claim against the scalper that they were sold fraudulent tickets and have their money refunded. The scalper will then have repercussions over their ebay status. The scalper loses one of his selling outlets, hopefully the burned get their cash back and JUST had to turn around. I think that how it works...