Complaint Review: TicketsNow - Rolling Meadows Illinois

I wrote Tickets Now about a complaint I have, here is the communications between TicketsNow and myself:

(I wrote)

Hi there,

I have a couple questions about Robin Williams Tickets for Vancouver, BC - Dec.10

Tickets Now is a ticket master company as your website states, so how is it that on ticketmaster I cannot find any tickets available. I searched using any price for 2 tickets. Then you click on the link for Tickets Now and there are 67 tickets available ranging from $257 - $621 each! Please tell me how it is that the 'mother' company of Tickets Now, Ticket Master, does not have any tickets available but you guys do, at a way higher rate! This seems very sneaky, unfair, a scam. So do you guys buy them all up and then release through tickets now, making much more money? This is ridiculous!

Really sucks because I wanted to take my dad to the show but starting at almost $300 a piece, give me a break! I was on the site early friday and there was nothing! Very annoyed! Can you please tell me what the difference is between you guys and scalpers, because I would like to know.

I hope you reply back to me and explain your position on this, if I am way off, then please explain

(TicketsNow)

Thank you for your inquiry. Ticketmaster does not scalp tickets, nor does Ticketsnow.com. Scalping is the illegal sale of tickets for more than face value. Ticketmaster, a parent company to Ticketsnow.com sells via the box office. Ticketsnow.com, a licensed and bonded resale market, selling since 1992, resells premium seating offered by a network of resale offices. We also list on the private sector for fans as well. Ticketmaster does not allocate tickets for resale. Ticketmaster routes customers to our site, once they are sold out in an effort to get fans to the events they are interested in. Please see our Terms and Conditions of sale along with our website FAQ for more information. Ticketmaster acquired Ticketsnow.com earlier this year due to our excellent standing and industry ethics. For further clarification please call 800 927 2770.

(My reply)

Thank you for responding;

You said: Scalping is the illegal sale of tickets for more than face value.

Tickets Now has/had 67 tickets available ranging from $257 - $621 each last night; These prices are WAY higher than face value! THERE ARE NO TICKETS FOR THAT PRICE FACE VALUE FOR ROBIN WILLIAMS! They start from $79 up to just over $400 for VIP tickets. So please explain to me how this is NOT scalping.

(Their reply)

Thank you for your inquiry. It is not illegal to sell tickets for more then the price printed on the ticket; it does generally require a license and a set of standards to follow. In Illinois, where Ticketsnow is licensed, it also requires a $100,000 cash bond for consumer protection to be held either privately or through an association. We are licensed to sell in 100% of the markets. All transactions that we handle meet all state and local provisions. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact a representative at 1-800-927-2770. Thank you.

(My reply)

Why did you even make the statement that 'Scalping is the illegal sale of tickets for more than face value'

Now you are telling me 'It is not illegal to sell tickets for more then the price printed on the ticket'

So, which is it? This little game played here may keep you guys just under the 'legal radar' but makes it impossible for the average hard working person to get any tickets at a fair market price. Even on the day of release! When I have more time, I will be following up on this because I would like to know WHY this is done in such a poor way. I would also like to know WHAT can be done about it. I really feel that this should be made more public; that this issue be investigated by some authority out there that can maybe help change the way you and others do business! Even the playing field.

I will be in contact with you guys shortly!

(Their final reply)

Hello,

Ticketsnow.com licensed and bonded, doing business legally since 1992. Please check our credentials on our website homepage. Ticketmaster acquired our company earlier this year after S.E.C. review. This purchase would not have been approved if it was a conflict of interest. Thank you.

Matt

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada