Hot Seats

Before You Buy:

Scalping: Scandalous No More
Minnesota’s ninety-four-year-old law prohibiting ticket scalping is now history, leaving an open market for entertainment and sporting event ticket sales. Until this year, ours remained one of only nine states to outlaw selling tickets above face value, with a punishment of ninety days in jail or up to $1,000 in fines. But with the onset of Internet ticket brokers, craigslist, and ebay, this out-of-date law was practically impossible to enforce.

While skeptics worried that repealing the law would drive ticket prices up, supporters believed it would be good for the market by creating more competition and, in some cases, actually bring prices down. Governor Tim Pawlenty agreed and signed the bill on May 7, 2007, making scalping legal as of August 1.

Avoiding Ticket Fraud

In a world full of Internet fraud, you can never be too careful. Here are a few key things to remember when dealing with ticket brokers:

1.  Check out the broker. Most credible ticket websites are registered with the Better Business Bureau. Search the bureau’s website, or look for a bbbonline seal on the company’s website.

2.  Know the trustworthy national online ticket brokers. You can go to the National Association of Ticket Broker’s website to see if the ticket site is licensed.

3.  Use a credit card for payment. You’ll have the ability to dispute charges if something you ordered online didn’t pan out. Always make sure the ordering process is secure.

Finally, and most important—enjoy the show.