Alabama Ticket Scalping

[JOHNNYINFP]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? My state is Florida, but this is an Alabama legal question.

Country Goes Huntin is a non-profit organization, who's main sponsor is Busch. Part of how money is raised is hunting pro's go on hunts with local people and cookouts etc... Landowners are given free perks for allowing hunting on their property. I was given 4 tickets to the Toadlick concert in Dothan Al. Two people could not make it so when myself and my girlfriend arrived, I offered the two tickets to a couple for a $50 bar tab. When I did that the event coordinator said I was breaking the law by scalping tickets and confiscated the tickets. I was not going to argue with him, because I was unsure of Alabama's law. Now that I have read it, I don't think I broke any law, but want to be sure. From what I read a ticket scalper must have a $100 permit to resell tickets, but their definition of a scalper was not consistent with what I did. I did not sale tickets really at all but, the value of the barter was well below the $600 ticket value. I spent my entire day to see this event and went home with a crying girlfriend instead. Did I break any law or do I have a reason to file a lawsuit for all my losses?

 

[FlyingRon]

First off, you did SELL the tickets, but I agree, unless the value of what you received (the cash and the bar tab) exceeded the face value of the tickets, you're not required to pay the license tax.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

the event coordinator said I was breaking the law by scalping tickets and confiscated the tickets.

Call the police and report the theft of the tickets. You can also sue said event coordinator for conversion in the amount of the value of the tickets.

 

[racer72]

Call the police and report the theft of the tickets. You can also sue said event coordinator for conversion in the amount of the value of the tickets.

I would bet if the OP read the terms and conditions that came with the tickets, the event coordinator did nothing wrong. Besides, even if the OP could sue, he isn't out any money.

I was given 4 tickets

No loss, no lawsuit.

 

[Zigner]

Well, just because they were given to the OP doesn't mean there is no value. Suppose your grammsie gives you a Rembrandt as a wedding present. Then, suppose that someone walks in your house and walks away with it. I bet you'd be after your insurance company for the "value" of the painting!

With that said...the OP has assigned a value to these tickets. That value is $25 each. Hardly worth a lawsuit

 

[Mass_Shyster]

With that said...the OP has assigned a value to these tickets. That value is $25 each.

OP valued the tickets at $600.

Unless the agreement was to surrender the tickets on demand, event coordinator committed larceny.

 

[Zigner]

OP valued the tickets at $600.

Unless the agreement was to surrender the tickets on demand, event coordinator committed larceny.

No, OP valued the tickets at $50 ($25x2):

I offered the two tickets to a couple for a $50 bar tab.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

No, OP valued the tickets at $50 ($25x2):

I disagree.

value of the barter was well below the $600 ticket value.

 

[Zigner]

I disagree.

The value to the OP was $50 as that was what he was willing to take in exchange for the tickets.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

The value to the OP was $50 as that was what he was willing to take in exchange for the tickets.

Using the same reasoning, the value of Grandma's Rembrant is zero, as that is what she was willing to take in exchange for it.

 

[Zigner]

Using the same reasoning, the value of Grandma's Rembrant is zero, as that is what she was willing to take in exchange for it.

No, grammsie gave a gift. The value of the gift was $1,000,000 (or whatever) - now, if the silly grandchild decided to sell it for $50 (and nothing more) then the value to the silly grandchild was $50.


I can see it from your point of view too

 

[FlyingRon]

The value to the OP was $50 as that was what he was willing to take in exchange for the tickets.

Plus his bar tab.

The event coordinator doesn't sound like the tickets were non-transferrable since they mentioned the license tax which wouldn't apply if they weren't.

 

[Zigner]

Plus his bar tab.

No, a $50 bar tab. That's a total of $50

 

[QueenofEngland]

Let's split this down the middle. Two tickets at $150 each and two tickets at $50 for both. Fair?

The OP and his girlfriend were going to use two of the tickets, and the remaining two were going to go unused since their friends couldn't make it. The tickets were complimentary, so there was no real loss selling the extra tickets for the bar tab. This doesn't alter the value of the tickets they were going to use. Receiving the face value of the tickets they were going to use plus $50 for the two they sold is fair.

The OP didn't scalp tickets. Reselling above face value is scalping. While the event coordinator probably didn't mean to, he did commit larceny, and the OP is entitled to compensation for his losses. Getting a full $600 isn't too likely, but $350 is reasonable.

OP, it's your call whether or not to take this to small claims.