The post-STEP catch-all thread

[HeyJoe]

[Introduction by moderator]

Since the Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP) ended, there have been a number of 'now what' questions, which are addressed here. The thread below is a merge of the numerous post-STEP threads with questions or complaints. If you have an additional question regarding the program, feel free to add it as a reply in this thread.

[end of intro]

I have two tickets that I submitted to resell through STEP. The problem is that after I submitted them, I read in the FAQ that the STEP program is only for people who still haven't received their paper tickets. Is there a possibility that they will cancel my paper tickets? I have sent an email and voicemail to support a couple days ago, but have not received a reply.

[trilobyte]

They probably won't cancel them, you just could not have sold them through STEP. Have patience - they're not only slammed with requests, but they'll probably need a couple minutes to compose themselves after getting a good laugh.

[HeyJoe]

I am a bit red faced about this situation, but in my defense the FAQ misled me with this:

Q: Who can SELL tickets using STEP?
A: Anybody who purchased tickets directly from Burning Man through the Pre-Sale or Main Sale can participate by selling their tickets using the STEP system.

Thanks for the assurance though. I'm trying to be as patient as I can...

[Savannah]

Good luck, Joe. Proactively making contact about the possible problem was a wise decision.

[Nickeroo]

I put my ticket into STEP because I could not attend. A close friend of mine said she wants my ticket.


Can I cancel STEP process and resell/name transfer to her? If not I have totally ruined her year.


I sent an email to ticketing on 7th August (the address on the Burning Man ticketing FAQ, under heading General Question About Step, but no reply yet.

Any ideas?

[theCryptofishist]

Whether or not that ticket has gone into STEP, you have not ruined your friend's year. There are plenty of tickets on Craigslist, some people are selling for below face. If your friend can't get off his/her ass and find him/herself a ticket, hm. If all that's true, and he or she is running around saying "You ruined my burn" then, wtf is with the drama queen?

[Nickeroo]

I think the issue is, she can't afford full face value due to change in life circumstance, and I think she was hoping I'd partly gift my ticket to her or sell below face value to help her out. I didn't know there were tickets on Craiglist.

[Savannah]

Tickets are starting to shake out of the woodwork in lots of places. Check the "Tickets Offered" board here. Craigslist, local Burner groups, etc. Read the post at the top of the Tickets Boards about scalpers and scammers and how to avoid them. Never mark a PayPal payment as a "gift", for example. Deal locally when you can, possibly near a police station.

If your friend didn't communicate with you plainly, or hinted for a gift or to pay in installments and was less than clear about it, that's her mistake. It's unfortunate, but you're not at fault here. Tell her you'll wait for a response from Ticketing, clarify the terms of her payment if things pan out, and tell her that the next time something like this happens, she needs to cut you a break and spell things out for you.

[trilobyte]

Check your PM's

[trixyone3]

I was awarded 2 tickets through the STEP Program earlier this year, but on Monday, August 6, my partner and I found out that we cannot attend. The next day, August 7, I tried to put my tickets back into the STEP program but received an email that they had already closed it down. There was no time listed for when it would be closed, so I assumed that they would be open until the end of the day.

Now Burning Man is saying that we can't sell our tickets back, nor can we transfer the names to any other Burners that are looking for tickets. I cannot drive all the way out to the Playa to pick up my tickets at Will Call with the hope that someone will buy them. It seems unfair that we must lose out on nearly $500 dollars because of these ridiculous policies. Is anyone else in this same position? What can we do about this?

[Isotopia]

If not I have totally ruined her year.

Oh, puh-leeeze.

Enough with the co-dependent BS.

[FELIXWOLFRAM]

I was wondering if anyone can help me answer a STEP question I have?..

My girlfriend got a direct distribution ticket and since she tried to use her card for the main sale I was not eligible for STEP...so we asked if it was ok for her to apply for STEP so that I wouldn't be shit outta luck...She was told that that was ok..but I'm wondering what we do now?..She is early entry and I can't go until Wednesday because of my work schedule...Can she not change the name?...does she have to meet me at will call(which would be fine..just wondering if that's how it's gonna have to go down?)...As long as she meets myself or whoever at will call the tickets can be transferred..right?...Thanks for any info!

P.S. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY TIMESTAMP!!!!

[chica63]

Editing my original answer because now I've been informed that STEP tickets are not transferable. Meaning the name can not be changed.

[homo ardentum]

Sell them on 8/6...hindsight's a bitch, isn't it?

[trilobyte]

There's not much you can do, unfortunately. Per the terms and conditions of the STEP program (which were outlayed and agreed to when you joined the queue and when the tickets were purchased) the tickets were non-refundable and non-transferable, and with STEP there was no guarantee of sale even if the ticket had been contributed before the August 7 ending.

[trilobyte]

Hey look, it's one of those timestamp people. I'll get you an answer in plus or minus 5 days.

[pink]

Why don't you just trade tickets? The direct distribution are physical tickets. You use that one, she gets the STEP ticket.

[Sophi]

Hello-
I sold a STEP ticket back into STEP about a week ago. I haven't heard anything at all.
Will there be any notification if it does not sell? Some kind of proof that I still own the ticket?
See you on the Playa!
Thanks-
Sophi

[dazoo]

Hi,

I got a ticket through STEP, but just found out I can't go this year. I emailed BMORG and they said I cant transfer or sell it! What can I do to get money back? Obviously i would sell it at face value.

Thanks

[jdmax]

Same here.

[trilobyte]

If your ticket had sold, you would have gotten a sale notification (and your account would have been credited). To date no "sorry, but your tickets did not sell before the ending of the program" email has been sent.

[trilobyte]

There's not much you can do, unfortunately. Per the terms and conditions of the STEP program (which were outlayed and agreed to when you joined the queue and when the tickets were purchased) the tickets were non-refundable and non-transferable, and with STEP there was no guarantee of sale even if the ticket had been contributed before the August 7 ending.

[trilobyte]

I just got confirmation from the ticket team that if you entered your ticket into the system but did not receive a "your ticket has been sold" message, then your ticket (and your order#) is still good. Will call ticket holders from the pre-sale, main sale, and directed ticket programs may sell their tickets on the ePlaya Tickets Offered board or to a friend, then follow the instructions here to transfer the order once a buyer has been found. Remember, will call orders may not be split up.

[junglesmacks]

I have to say that I'd like to see the STEP program remain open a little longer.. at least a week or so
Situations like this really suck when there's so many people that could use that ticket..

[trilobyte]

There's a lot of stuff I'd like, but apparently I'm not getting it either.

[lemur]

ok so we have a bit more than a handful of folks who are in this 'ZOMG NOBODY BOUGHT MY STEP TICKET' situation..

lets say this represents a sort of small number.. but also lets lowball it..

10 people ?

$4000 pure profit!!

20 people!?

...30?!


.........i suppose all of this money will be donated to charity to feed the whales and save the bunnies.. and clothe the children

[theCryptofishist]

Actually, they are clothing the whales. The llc takes the advice to "think different" seriously.

[FIGJAM]

Actually, they are clothing the whales with children.

[coridactyl]

So, STEP closed so I can't sell it back. I can't transfer the name.

Can I have someone else pick it up at Will Call so it's not wasted?

The website says that you can have someone show Will Call a photocopy of your ID, your credit card with the last 4 digits shown, and a signed note authorizing your friend to pick it up (providing your friend also has THEIR ID, which, uh, duh they would).

Can this be done for STEP tickets? Or am I shit outta luck?

[Minxy]

I don't believe you can do that for STEP tickets, only Will Call tickets.

I'm sure you can find your answers here.

http://tickets2.burningman.com/faq.php#stepwhat