>>> Jane McKee <[log in to unmask]> 11/03/98 08:32am >>>
>I have a possible debate question for the list: Is it "abusing the system" if
>someone chooses to stand in line for hours in order to receive free
> tickets, which will later be sold, or is it a legitimate way to make a buck?
> After all, a LOT of people would rather just pay for a ticket rather than
> wait for hours in the cold to see the show. Isn't the service provided
> (waiting in line) worth a service fee?
<snip>
>Popular opinion seems to be against the scalpers, but they're in line like
>everyone else. They're not getting an unfair advantage. So why are
> some so upset at what appears to be a beautiful example of capitalism
> and the free market system?

Since I am quite willing to wait in line for tickets (free or otherwise - I've
stood in quite a few lines for concert tickets in January in Boston, i.e.,
freezing cold), I think scalpers do abuse the system (besides being
illegal). **They are the main reason one must get in line so early.** (I have
never seen scalpers working movies, even the  opening night of a
blockbuster hit in the Los Angeles area, and people are always willing to
wait in line for a movie so some of your logic is off). They always get the
maximum allowed tickets (some people will go for 6 tickets for their
friends and family - and they are usually several of them waiting in the
line as it is), where as the typically person only gets 2-3 tickets. I don't
know if you have stood in lines for tickets to concerts and such, but
scalpers have an amazing system set up. They often don't stand in line
the whole time (the scalper will hire people cheaply to stand in line for a
short while and then switch), they have been know to cut in lines, to
weasel their way up in lines, if there are several locations around the
city selling tickets, they are at all of them (the entire system of selling
tickets to rock concerts in Southern California has changed over the past
few years mostly because of scalpers (line ups only two hours before
tickets go on sale, numbered wrist bands handed out and the beginning
of the line is from a randomly chosen number and in order from there)),
and to take up some much of the line and tickets  that those of us who
are willing to stand in line still cannot get tickets.

I am perfectly capable and willing to stand in line, but the scalpers make it
such that I am not able to get tickets even if I do.

                                                        -angela
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