I love StubHub. Gary says it's unethical.
StubHub is a legal scalping site. (It would seem that, technically, scalping is only illegal when it happens right outside a theater). Gary is terrified that I'm becoming a Republican since I work for TeddyJ, now this Stubhub controversy makes me defend the free market and supply and demand.
Of course, legal isn't good enough for Gary, we must all play fair. And that's why I love him. Here's his issue: say for example Major League Baseball sells out all the good tickets to Busch stadium for the season. They hold some back, and sell them on StubHub as an authorized ticket reseller. That way, people who didn't think ahead can buy tickets for a premium. They do that on their authorized MLB site too, only they call it variable pricing.
Of course, Gary feels a price is a price, and I understand that. We don't negotiate. He tried briefly to negotiate for the mattress but that failed almost instantly. We're always on the demand side of supply, and the supply point of view sounds like "I've got this thing, and it's fucking golden. I'm just not giving it up for fucking nothing."
So when I heard Paul McCartney is coming to Saint Louis, my fingers flew straight from Twitter to the alleged venue - a Jazz club called The Loft. Waitwhat? That was a strange link. I can find no evidence of that on Twitter, but I could swear that's what the RFT told me.
A little more research and I found Sir Paul would actually be at a larger venue: the hockey stadium, but even so tickets would go fast. (They went in 30 minutes when they officially went on sale Friday.)
Strangely, on Tuesday StubHub had tickets, even before the tickets went on sale. Even before the presale. And it would seem that's all legit. I didn't question why; I just bought the tickets as fast as I could. I'm on the side of the stage, but third row back. Here's hoping Paul moves about.
Yes, there was a premium. A 40% premium. Stubhub got 10% for themselves too. Be quiet, I'm spending the vacation money I'd saved up. And if some Ticketmaster employee just made a killing, that's fine with me. Besides, I've heard what McCartney tickets cost in other cities, and I'm right on the money.
Now, a day later when I realized Louis C.K. was in town and his $65 tickets had sold out, I didn't buy tickets on StubHub because they were at a 500% markup, and that is just wrong, especially given that Louis C.K. is against charging more than five bucks for his comedy. Go here and get some comedy.
But what do you think? Feel free to agree wholly with Gary, I don't care, I'm going to see Paul McCartney.
Three rows back, at least you should be able to hear him. Judging by his Queen's Jubilee performance, and the Olympics, his voice isn't what it was. Needs more protein. Feed that man a steak!
Posted by: Big Dot | September 16, 2012 at 08:36 PM
I am 100% - no 110% jealous. I am more jealous than the sum of my parts. Screw fair.
Posted by: Tami | September 17, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Big Dot - Oh,I know. They excused it because he was all choked up, didn't they? Our anchor team did. Remember, though, I went to the Leonard Cohen concert. I don't need a good singing voice if it's a legend behind it.
Tami - Stew, then, because I'm going. Do you want some phone love?
Posted by: TheQueen | September 17, 2012 at 10:06 PM
I went to Leonard Cohen too and I was impressed by the voice. It's stood up better than Paul's. But, speaking of standing up, it was Leo's ability to sing on his knees and then RISE EFFORTLESSLY TO HIS FEET without pushing up on his hands, or grunting, that impressed me most.
Posted by: Big Dot | September 17, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Sir Paul? Darling how can there.be any doubt
Posted by: Becs | September 18, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Big Dot - He is spry.
Becs - I know. You don't get many chances. Beatles haven't been here since the 60s.
Posted by: TheQueen | September 18, 2012 at 11:18 PM