How Can Goldenvoice Improve Coachella and Stop Scalpers?

[shotglass75]

I was one of the smart ones who bought my tickets the day they went on sale. All of you complaining about not getting tickets should have done the same. That being said, Goldenvoice should makes gigantic steps in preventing the scalpers from getting any tickets next year.

Compared to previous years, the past few years it seems like the fest has been run by amateurs. There has been a scalper situation, the huge lines and overcrowding of tents last year due to the huge crowds (75,000 is just way too many people). To me, and I could be wrong here, but it seems like there are some easy steps in avoiding these problems in the future.

1) Maximum capacity should be 60-65,000. Unless you plan on spreading the festival out and making more space, that's it.

2) Bundle all camping passes with 3 day passes through your ticketing agency. This should be a no brainer. If you are camping you must have a 3 day pass. If you can bundle shuttle passes with 3 day passes you should easily be able to do the same with camping passes.

3) Take a cue from Glastonbury. Coachella is now a fest that will just sell out. It doesn't matter anymore who is playing, the fest is now something that people will just do to do. I have a feeling Goldenvoice has some sort of contract with Ticketmaster unfortunately, but if they don't they need to find a independent ticketing agency and start having those who plan on going to Coachella register with their site, submit a photo, and have their picture printed on the ticket the exact same way Glastonbury does it. It is worth the money that Goldenvoice would have to spend to keep the true music fans coming to the fest. This prevents any sort of scalping whatsoever, and it prevents Coachella from becoming just another over-saturated, commercial festival. There is no reason why the person who bought the ticket shouldn't be the one attending the fest.

Every person who intends to purchase a ticket must have a valid registration number. You can register online at www.glastonburyregistration.co.uk or visit www.seetickets.com/see/getglas.asp, to check whether you have an existing valid registration.
 
Each ticket will feature the photograph of the registered ticket holder and will be non-transferable. Security checks will be carried out to ensure that only the person in the photograph will be admitted to the Festival.

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.u...11-ticket-info

One question to ask is does Goldenvoice want to even stop the scalpers from buying tickets? Goldenvoice did sell all of their tickets and make money off of that, so does it matter to them who actually bought the ticket? I'd like to think yes, but it doesn't seem like any steps have been made by Goldenvoice to prevent scalpers from getting the tickets this year.

If someone only wants to go to a day or two of the fest and hey have to buy a 3 day pass, that is their problem. But if someone wants to go all three days and is stuck paying double or triple the cost, some of the blame must be put on Goldenvoice for not making the proper steps to prevent the scalping of tickets. Keep the people who made Coachella what it is today happy. Someone else pointed out that if people do have to spend hundreds of dollars more on camping passes and festival passes it will hurt the sales of merch, food, and other sources of income for the fest.

What I'm saying isn't anything new or that insightful but hopefully we could have a thread where there could be a mature conversation about our beloved fest and hopefully Goldenvoice will take actions to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. I know that seems like a lot to ask on these boards.

Now someone post a "FAIL" pic or a tiny violin and make a smart-ass comment.

[greenbored]

tl;dr
but i would love it if they offered early bird tix before the lineup even came out. i'd buy one every year.

[shotglass75]

I believe layaway was available back on December 10th.

[KickerConspiracy]

I think requiring a festival ticket to buy a camping pass is a reasonable accommodation.

Also, looking at your sig made me wonder if that link was passing value (I am a full time SEO checking this at work). Coachella apparently doesn't use the nofollow attribute so every link out of the forum is passing value. Just FYI.

[dontpanic]

that tiny violin is pretty awesome.

[greenbored]

yea i'm super surprised you can just buy camping passes by themselves

[Ardentbiscuit]

Stopping scalpers I would think is nearly impossible like online piracy. People try to stop it but there will always be the ones that get away with it.

Many states, cities, counties etc. have anti scalping laws but I rarely ever seen them enforced.

I was talking to some guys who bought fake empire wrist bands for $500 each last year.

You have to be careful when buying stuff.

[shotglass75]

Stopping scalpers I would think is nearly impossible like online piracy. People try to stop it but there will always be the ones that get away with it.

Many states, cities, counties etc. have anti scalping laws but I rarely ever seen them enforced.

I was talking to some guys who bought fake empire wrist bands for $500 each last year.

You have to be careful when buying stuff.

You say that, but if you look at the way Glastonbury does their ticketing system there is no way anyone can scalp a ticket. If Coachella just implemented the same policies, the scalping problem would be extinct.

Every person who intends to purchase a ticket must have a valid registration number. You can register online at www.glastonburyregistration.co.uk or visit www.seetickets.com/see/getglas.asp, to check whether you have an existing valid registration.
 
Each ticket will feature the photograph of the registered ticket holder and will be non-transferable. Security checks will be carried out to ensure that only the person in the photograph will be admitted to the Festival.

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.u...11-ticket-info

[NoneForMeThanks]

The people with the real power to stop scalpers are the people that purchase scalped tickets. As long as people are willing to pay those ridiculous prices, scalpers are happy to figure out ways around the system.

[thedude15]

Stopping scalpers I would think is nearly impossible like online piracy. People try to stop it but there will always be the ones that get away with it.

Many states, cities, counties etc. have anti scalping laws but I rarely ever seen them enforced.

I was talking to some guys who bought fake empire wrist bands for $500 each last year.

You have to be careful when buying stuff.

anti scalping laws are generally only enforced if you are doing it AT the event or if you are selling lots of tickets (ie not the people selling 1 ticket on ebay).

[Stickjohn]

I think requiring a festival ticket to buy a camping pass is a reasonable accommodation.

Also, looking at your sig made me wonder if that link was passing value (I am a full time SEO checking this at work). Coachella apparently doesn't use the nofollow attribute so every link out of the forum is passing value. Just FYI.

We're talking about SCALPING, not SPAMMING. Leave the spammer alone.

[thedude15]

The people with the real power to stop scalpers are the people that purchase scalped tickets. As long as people are willing to pay those ridiculous prices, scalpers are happy to figure out ways around the system.

the prices are only ridiculous for people who can not afford them.

Your statement is like saying:
Lots of people can not afford $310 tickets SO the way to correct this is to have NO one buy ANY tickets. If no one buys tickets than GV will be forced to reduce the price.

Some people can afford 1k plus for tickets just like some people can afford $300.

The way to stop scalping (if that is indeed what GV wants to do) is make the tickets nontransferable but this could hurt GV
a.) It is way easier to have a sellout when scalpers are buying tickets
b.) Making the tickets nontransferable will cost GV more $$$

[NoneForMeThanks]

the prices are only ridiculous for people who can not afford them.

Your statement is like saying:
Lots of people can not afford $310 tickets SO the way to correct this is to have NO one buy ANY tickets. If no one buys tickets than GV will be forced to reduce the price.

Some people can afford 1k plus for tickets just like some people can afford $300.

The way to stop scalping (if that is indeed what GV wants to do) is make the tickets nontransferable but this could hurt GV
a.) It is way easier to have a sellout when scalpers are buying tickets
b.) Making the tickets nontransferable will cost GV more $$$

I meant the ridiculous scalper prices. Basically, if people stop buying from scalpers, scalpers will go away. Like any other business would. You vote with your dollars.

[shotglass75]

Is anyone reading this?!?!?!!? This is the way you stop scalping. It's almost too easy. If someone can say why this isn't a good option, let's hear it.

Every person who intends to purchase a ticket must have a valid registration number. You can register online at www.glastonburyregistration.co.uk or visit www.seetickets.com/see/getglas.asp, to check whether you have an existing valid registration.
 
Each ticket will feature the photograph of the registered ticket holder and will be non-transferable. Security checks will be carried out to ensure that only the person in the photograph will be admitted to the Festival.

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.u...11-ticket-info

[Ardentbiscuit]

You say that, but if you look at the way Glastonbury does their ticketing system there is no way anyone can scalp a ticket. If Coachella just implemented the same policies, the scalping problem would be extinct.



http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.u...11-ticket-info

Yes, Glastonbury has an awesome system and I know all about it but I don't know of any other event in the world that uses this.

I just don't see (no slap at our country) U.S.A. music fans being that dedicated to music to do this.

[Ardentbiscuit]

anti scalping laws are generally only enforced if you are doing it AT the event or if you are selling lots of tickets (ie not the people selling 1 ticket on ebay).

I've seen scalpers selling tickets in front of cops at events (Palladium, Fonda, Forum, etc.) and they did nothing.

One thing I do know, is that I pretty much know all of the scalpers by appearance. It generally seems to be the same guys at every event. So much so that they say hi to me when I walk up to an event. So i guess it would be easy to get the regulars but I'm sure more will just pop up out of nowhere if you bust those guys.

[shotglass75]

Yes, Glastonbury has an awesome system and I know all about it but I don't know of any other event in the world that uses this.

I just don't see (no slap at our country) U.S.A. music fans being that dedicated to music to do this.

But if Coachella is becoming THE fest that people will just go to no matter what and it is going to sell out every year, why shouldn't the people who want to go be able to do this option and not have to pay scalper prices. I'm not saying do this for every show, but for a Festival with the size and reputation that Coachella has, it shouldn't be an issue for music fans.

[NoneForMeThanks]

Is anyone reading this?!?!?!!? This is the way you stop scalping. It's almost too easy. If someone can say why this isn't a good option, let's hear it.



http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.u...11-ticket-info

Makes excellent sense. I love it.

[Monko760]

I meant the ridiculous scalper prices. Basically, if people stop buying from scalpers, scalpers will go away. Like any other business would. You vote with your dollars.

I would like to believe this, its a nice fantasy, but rich people don't plan ahead. They hear coachella is next weekend and get the first tickets they find for whatever outrageous price they find. 8,500 buy it now for 4 passes on ebay. These passes will be purchased by someone who doesnt give a fuck about the price. So scalpers will buy 10 tickets for 3,100 bux and throw 6 away and laugh all the way to the bank. Never heard of the picture on ticket thing but it sounds dandy! You could always just sneak in and really stick it to the fucken man. They wont hurt you, just make your GF cry and take your weed b4 kicking you out, only so you can learn from your mistakes and take a different route.

[phonographer]

Yea as you said scalping is a huge problem. I still want to go, but we'll see what prices drop down to in the coming weeks.

Anyways this sounds awesome:

3) Take a cue from Glastonbury. Coachella is now a fest that will just sell out. It doesn't matter anymore who is playing, the fest is now something that people will just do to do. I have a feeling Goldenvoice has some sort of contract with Ticketmaster unfortunately, but if they don't they need to find a independent ticketing agency and start having those who plan on going to Coachella register with their site, submit a photo, and have their picture printed on the ticket the exact same way Glastonbury does it.

How would that not hinder scalping? Or another way is if you bought your ticket you can't resell it. Your name and picture has to be on the ticket and if for some reason you can no longer make the fest you can get a refund minus a $5 charge or something.

[Ardentbiscuit]

But if Coachella is becoming THE fest that people will just go to no matter what and it is going to sell out every year, why shouldn't the people who want to go be able to do this option and not have to pay scalper prices. I'm not saying do this for every show, but for a Festival with the size and reputation that Coachella has, it shouldn't be an issue for music fans.

I'm all for it, I'm just concerned about the average US music fan.

But they should at least try it one year! I'm sure the ticketmaster contract will expire eventually.

[Drewfus46]

im going to point out any scalpers i see to local police while im walking to the festival.

[shotglass75]

Yea as you said scalping is a huge problem. I still want to go, but we'll see what prices drop down to in the coming weeks.

Anyways this sounds awesome:


How would that not hinder scalping? Or another way is if you bought your ticket you can't resell it. Your name and picture has to be on the ticket and if for some reason you can no longer make the fest you can get a refund minus a $5 charge or something.

And that is exactly what Glastonbury does. They have a ticket sale to those registered like 8 months prior to the fest. You can pay in full if you know you are going to go or do layaway. Then with about 3 or 4 months to go if you haven't paid in full your layaway ticket you lose your ticket and $20 bucks. Then they have a re-sale for the returned tickets to those who are registered who didn't originally get tickets. Tickets are shipped a few weeks prior to the event with everybody's picture printed on the ticket. Glastonbury is still making money off of hose who didn't pay in full and they end up selling all of the tickets.

[Ardentbiscuit]

The one thing that really gets me is how they sell fake tickets, fake wristbands, copies of ticketfast tickets, etc. That just sucks.

2 examples of why many scalpers are scum, even ticket brokers.

One of my co-workers wanted to take her daughter to Taylor Swift. She bought tickets through a local LA Broker that has many offices. She went with her daughter down to Staples Center. The tickets didn't work, she went back to the ticket broker, they exchanged the tickets, they still didn't work. they did this 5 more times and they didn't work. So the broker came with her down to the door and they just kept trying tickets until 2 worked. First of all, why wouldn't the ticket broker check the tickets? And why did the Staples Center door person allow this. They finally get to their seats and there are people already there. Her kid and the kids already there start crying so security finds them all seats.

Secondly, I went to see Magnetic Fields and this guy who I have never seen before (this is at the Wishire Ebell) walks up to me and says he's a huge fan and if I could give him the ticket for free because he's broke and really wants to see them. He looks really sad and begs me to pay it forward. I give him the ticket. I go inside the show, next thing I know this girl comes and sits next to me. I asked her where she got the ticket and she told me she bought it from a guy out front who told her he worked with Goldenvoice and they gave him extra tickets to sell out front. I guess it's party my fault because I shouldn't be so trusting but that just sucks! And he's just dumb, he didn't look at the ticket and realize it was a seated show.

I just don't like scalpers in general.

[shotglass75]

I hear ya and that sucks, We all have bad scalper stories but let's try to keep this thread about how to stop the scalpers from getting tickets and making sure that the fans get the tickets. Also let's try to discuss how Goldenvoice can makes steps in making the festival better and run smoothly.

[WhyTheLongFace]

I have a question for those who say require a 3 day pass with camping. What stops a scalper from selling both again?

[Voodoo Hipster]

so over the scalper complaints..even if scalpers bought 5000 tickets (which I highly doubt) it's still less than 5% of total sales..not a big average and not the reason Coachella sold out.

[shotglass75]

once again.

I hear ya and that sucks, We all have bad scalper stories but let's try to keep this thread about how to stop the scalpers from getting tickets and making sure that the fans get the tickets. Also let's try to discuss how Goldenvoice can makes steps in making the festival better and run smoothly.

[bluemamba]

Why does everyone think that scalpers bought up all the tickets?? How many tickets could they possibly have bought?? No one knows.

[shotglass75]

I don't think they bought up all of the tickets but they certainly bought a bunch by the looks of craigslist and ebay. The point remains that for a festival like this NO scalpers should be allowed to get any tickets. I know reading that sounds ridiculous because we have just grown accustomed to scalpers. But by putting into place the proper security measures to prevent scalpers from getting any tickets would not only solve the problem for many music fans, but it would also get everyone on here to stop bitching about scalpers. Although I would imagine people would just find something else to complain about.