selling free tickets for money?!?

Submitted by mxair23 on

I have noticed recently, while searching for UM season tickets on the secondary market, that people are selling their FREE spring game tickets for money! I have seen some as high as $30 a ticket for section 1 row 51. This guy in GR was selling some on craigslist for $25. I cannot even begin to describe my disgust for people that are doing this. If you don't plan on going to the game and have seats on the sideline why not give them away to someone that would actually use them and enjoy the experience.

 

EDIT:

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tix/2320719249.html

 

4godkingandwol…

April 11th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^

... welcome to capitalism.  If this offends you, I recommend moving to Cuba. 

If there is a market for the tickets, it is not wrong to receive monetary compensation for them. 

4godkingandwol…

April 11th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^

... otherwise stubhub and ebay would be out of business. 

Regarding the morality... I never said it was moral (or immoral), just part of capitalism.  The man has a good, other people want the good, the man and other people agree upon the right value of the good, and a transaction is made.  We can assume the person purchasing the ticket is happy, because they weren't forced into the decision, and we can assume the seller is happy. 

I guess there are just a lot bigger things to be indignant about than this.

Mitch Cumstein

April 11th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^

I don't disagree with anything you said.  I just think its bush-league to scalp tickets to a charity event.

Also, good point about stubhub.  The only evidence I have that it is illegal is an old "Home Improvement" episode where Tim has Wings tickets but is forced to go to the opera and tries to sell the tickets to make money and gets arrested by an undercover cop.  So if that is rock solid evidence, which it is, then scalping might be illegal.

langkyl

April 11th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^

While I personally think that anyone who sells their tickets for money is a schmuck, I 100% agree you can choose to do whatever you like with your tickets. Finances aside, I tend to find greater satisfaction in giving away my season tickets (when I can't go) to someone who can use them. Unfortunately not everyone is in that position, so I inheritantly favor the capitalistic approach. If a demand exists, all the power to the seller.
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<br>Boggles my mind that so many people care about what other people do on here. People spend more time complaining or commenting on someone's grammar or punctuation, than the actual contents of the post. Is this becoming cbssportsline?
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<br>And Handing out +1, or whatever the h$ll that means. Are u serious? Ridiculous.
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langkyl

April 11th, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^

I guess you have a point, if you consider me passing judgement on those that pass judgment, as a bit of irony. As an alumnus, I tend to prefer to read mgblog for it's content, opinions and information regarding Michigan Athletics, rather then the bickering that, without fail, appears throughout the board. I just think commenting on grammar and passing out points for, I'm assuming, pertinent or informative content, seems strange. Has Michigan football fandom become a competition?
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<br>I must say, when I'm sitting on the shitter, reading mgoblog, it's always enjoyable to hear someone's opinion about the team, the coaches, and recruits. Mix in a little history and your have an enjoyable site. Mix in some db's (no, that's not defensive back) comment about Jim's grammar, and you have yourself a pile of dog sh$t.
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<br>But, like you alluded to, plenty of irony there.
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<br>With that said...whomever wrote the post asking people about their experiences over the years about watching football games in the presence of others....fans or non-fans...it was a great thought, and I loved reading the similarities to my own life. I'm almost embarrassed to tell all the stories about the things that have consumed me before, during or after a Michigan football game.
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<br>I live in Chicago now, and obviously there isn't as strong as a Michigan base here. But there are still many places to gather (Duffy's). As Michigan has struggled over the last three years, I have opted to watch the games solo. I become too emotional, and it's only safe for me to be left alone with my own vice.
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<br>Last year was tough, and losing to State again, brought out a side to me that I didnt even know existed. I was staying with an MSU friend who lives in Brighton. I arrived on Friday night, and went to the game together on Saturday. We sat together, but drove separately. After the game, I walked off, started to drive toward his house, then decided I just couldn't do it. His elation and excitement was something I just couldn't be a part of. So I decided to drive home, to Chicago, solo, without notifying him. He called and called and I wouldn't pick up. My wife called too. The foray thing she said was, 'I'm sorry baby' and from that point forward, I sat in silence, only to be asked 'are you crying?' As anyone knows, who enjoys a good gentlemans cry, if you are asked that...the fountain will burst. And on check, I mumbled and stumbled and tried to explain to her how awful I felt and how hurt I was by this loss. I was so angry at what was transpiring with Michigan football and the behavior of the Spartan faithful.
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<br>I ended up not making it all the way home, and stayed at some Hampton Inn along the highway near Marshall, MI. But I didn't stop before finally calling my MSU friend and apologizing for my sudden departure. It wasn't him I was mad at, it was losing....and losing frequenty, that has damaged my soul and got me to rethinking my affiliation with the mighty Wolverines. What I know, is that I love Michigan Football more than anything in life...yes, more than anything!
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<br>When my father passed away 25 years ago, at the age of 37, after taking me to every home game for 10 years, we tossed his ashes on that field, and he belongs there, as many I do, and many others. It's history and a part of our fabric, our souls, our lives. It IS who many of us are now. While I love my wife, and my family and friends, I BLEED Michigan football, and it is a part of who I am. And I'm proud of it.
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<br>I've kept a blog about some of the things I've felt over time, (I.e. After the Appalacian State loss), regarding Michigan Football. Like many things in life, I find that writing about a particular situation, serves as an emotional outlet. I guess it's like keeping a journal about your travels? It's always nice to recollect and pass on our fervor and excitement for your favorite college team. I imagine it's like that for a lot of people, (living vicariously through others),and it was nice to read others thoughts about their experiences.
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<br>Go Blue! Hail.
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mgoblue7

April 11th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^

I was going to drive in from Chicago but have decided that I can not afford the gas to make this trip.  I have two tickets in sec 44 row 59 seats 1 and 2 that I will not use.  Anyone that wants them can have them.  The first person to replay with an email address will get them.

NOLA Wolverine

April 11th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^

What was the point of these "reserved seats" anyways? What benefit was derived from doing this? I didn't, at any point, see a nudge to donate to the hospital in the "buying" process. And of course people are selling it, they now own something of value. If I didn't have some reserved seats I would seriously consider paying some money (not that much) to get sideline seats from someone, fully aware of the fact that they got it for free. 

Don

April 11th, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^

The tickets are officially free, and there won't be anything remotely close to a capacity crowd for the event (unless Hokamania is a far greater force than I'm thinking it is...). Why in hell would anybody pay even a nickel to a private individual? It's a freaking glorified practice, for Chrissakes. Does it really matter where your seats are for this? The odds are you're going to be able to move all over the stadium anyhow, especially if the weather sucks.

GoBlue717

April 11th, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^

Fans that choose the print-at-home option will be guaranteed a reserved seat in one of above sections at the stadium (while supplies last) and will be entered into a drawing for some exclusive Michigan merchandise and game tickets including:

• A Michigan Football Helmet Autographed by Brady Hoke

• A Football Autographed by the 2011 Coaching Staff

• Two (2) tickets to the Michigan-Notre Dame Game

• A Desmond Howard Autographed Jersey

The Mott Spring Game is free and fans do not need to have a print-at-home ticket to attend.

bluewings

April 11th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^

The seller and buyer are equals.  The game is still free and if some idiot is willing to pay money for the "free" tickets they deserve to be screwed over.

JBE

April 11th, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^

People got to get paid. Who am I to say that it's wrong, especially if some poor sap is stupid enough to buy free tickets at a non sold out event. It isn't crack, it's football.

Hail-Storm

April 11th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^

I am planning on going anyway, but would prefer a chance at a better seat without having to worry about sitting in someone else's seat. If anyone has a left over ticket it's just me so let me know. Thanks in advance.

M-Wolverine

April 11th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^

Who realizes what a God-awful idea this whole thing is to email the athletic department and TELL THEM.
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<br>And yes, everyone, you can still get in without a ticket. You'll just be in the endzones. How they enforce this should be a clusterfuck.

wmu313

April 11th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^

I have a sparty friend who posts on the Red Cedar board, and he said the mouthbreathers on that site were ordering up tickets, some with the intention of trying to sell them to: "dumbshit walmy rednecks". Another reason why this was a turrible idea by the AD.