OT: Ticket Thread - 2018/19 (Make sure to read rules on post 1 before posting tix!)

[Fenway]

GOOD GAWD - BOX OFFICE PRICES FOR ROUND 4

 

[BruinsFan1990]

Rumor is that the Bruins monitor resales on the ticket exchange and if you resell too many tickets they will flag your account as a reseller and give you a higher ticket price point than a non-reseller. If your planning to resell half your games on the ticket exchange then you will almost certainly get flagged.

This scares me. I've had to sell a lot of my tickets this year due to various reasons... Hope they don't flag me.

 

[bossfan]

If you got a normal renewal price then you were not flagged based on you activity for this season. I would keep it in mind for future seasons and try to sell outside of the ticket exchange. I'm sure they can monitor other resale sites but sales on the exchange are easy for them to track.

 

[gobosox00]

GOOD GAWD - BOX OFFICE PRICES FOR ROUND 4

View attachment 106597

Believe it or not they lowered the prices from when the presale first started. Cheapest possible ticket to Round 4, Home games 3 and 4 was over $1000 per ticket right at the beginning of the sale! It seems insane, but if there's a game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals here at home, you might actually have gotten a deal paying less than $1000 in the presale. In 2011, Game 6 was going for around $1000 for the cheapest ticket before Game 5 started on speculation that we would win and have a chance to clinch on home ice. Can't imagine what the market would be for a game 7 at home.

 

[slim04]

Can't imagine what the market would be for a game 7 at home.

Insane...the prices would be insane.

Unless the C's are in it then as well. That would balance out the demand.

 

[dtam83]

Congrats.

Honestly, if you have the cash to spend and work a little bit to make sure tickets don't go unused if you can't/don't want to attend, being a STH is really great.

Thanks! Excited to get them. The STH discount is pretty substantial

 

[schmautzy]

How long were you on the waiting list? Curious where they are at with it.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I have moved on.

Having seats for a couple years in Loge 22 spoiled me I no longer like the balcony I can't deal with the hassle of getting in/parking/12 beers to sit upstairs. And I don't know a single friend who can afford center ice loge playoff tickets at ST holder cost I definitely don't earn enough to pay for 2 of them. (500 a game round 1, 600 a game round 2, 700 round 3, 900 finals.) Shame if playoff pricing was closer to regular season in the playoffs I'd probably bite the bullet.

I'm sort of over events in general. I'm all for open markets and people selling their seasons for the going rate but ticketmaster resale/stubhub charging 40% service fees just sucks its as crappy for the seller as it is the buyer. I have battled serious depression on game days when my pair of 300 tickets haven't sold even though its a Saturday game and the price is low and I have no plans to attend and need to find someone or whatnot. Will look to join the local country club instead wish I had done that back in 2014 or so will be way cheaper and the public golf around me is awful.

Has nothing to do with the team itself though I think we are excellent right now and the playoffs will be awesome hockey and the next few years look extremely promising will suck not having them when we return to the finals.

 

[Alicat]

If you got a normal renewal price then you were not flagged based on you activity for this season. I would keep it in mind for future seasons and try to sell outside of the ticket exchange. I'm sure they can monitor other resale sites but sales on the exchange are easy for them to track.

What’s the point of having a ticket exchange if you’re going to penalize STH for using it?

It’s team and league sanctioned so if this is true why have one at all.

Now if you’re using StubHub/Ace Tickets then by all means flag them.

 

[BruinsFan1990]

What’s the point of having a ticket exchange if you’re going to penalize STH for using it?

It’s team and league sanctioned so if this is true why have one at all.

Now if you’re using StubHub/Ace Tickets then by all means flag them.

This. Now I'm going to have massive anxiety every time I need to sell my tickets.

 

[Kate08]

What’s the point of having a ticket exchange if you’re going to penalize STH for using it?

It’s team and league sanctioned so if this is true why have one at all.

Now if you’re using StubHub/Ace Tickets then by all means flag them.

What's the difference between Ace/StubHub and the Ticket Exchange? It's the same thing, the difference is only where the fees go.

Personally I'd prefer to use Ticket Exchange since it's verified, but I'm not interested in the team tracking how often and for what price I'm selling tickets. StubHub is also much more well-known than Ticket Exchange so you might have a better shot at unloading your seats.

 

[Alicat]

What's the difference between Ace/StubHub and the Ticket Exchange? It's the same thing, the difference is only where the fees go.

Personally I'd prefer to use Ticket Exchange since it's verified, but I'm not interested in the team tracking how often and for what price I'm selling tickets. StubHub is also much more well-known than Ticket Exchange so you might have a better shot at unloading your seats.

In theory all 3 provide the same service but for whatever reason, the Bruins have a major issue with STH reselling with Stub Hub/Ace.

I got warned once and told I'd lose my seat if I sold on Stub Hub again. I sold the ticket online and it was purchased. That person then printed 2 copies and re-listed them. One of the tickets worked and the other didn't. The original purchaser got into the game and when the other person tried to get in, the ticket was rejected. Because my name was on them, I got a nasty phone call and email from the Bruins.

From what it sounded like in the OP, the Bruins are tracking who is selling their seats and for how much via Ticket Exchange which to me, is absurd hence my comment about why bother having an approved exchange if your going to police it like they do other places.

 

[Johnny Upton]

In theory all 3 provide the same service but for whatever reason, the Bruins have a major issue with STH reselling with Stub Hub/Ace.

I got warned once and told I'd lose my seat if I sold on Stub Hub again. I sold the ticket online and it was purchased. That person then printed 2 copies and re-listed them. One of the tickets worked and the other didn't. The original purchaser got into the game and when the other person tried to get in, the ticket was rejected. Because my name was on them, I got a nasty phone call and email from the Bruins.

From what it sounded like in the OP, the Bruins are tracking who is selling their seats and for how much via Ticket Exchange which to me, is absurd hence my comment about why bother having an approved exchange if your going to police it like they do other places.

I agree that it’s kinda crazy how the Ticket Exchange is policed. The woman who sat behind me just lost her seats due to excessive sales on the Ticket Exchange. She was flagged as a reseller this year but kept using it as she rarely goes to games anymore. When it came time for renewals, she only got a playoff invoice and her seats were available during Select a Seat. When I told her that her seats were listed, she had no idea. She has sent numerous emails to Fan Relations but has been told “we have no information for resellers at this time”.

 

[talkinaway]

Just curious...but is there a flag or something that appears when you're tagged as a reseller? I know my prices are probably higher because I'm a new STH, and I'm about the farthest you can be from a reseller.

Honestly, it seems a little weird that they're cracking down on person-to-person resellers who clearly aren't part of a business, but don't do a thing about corporate resellers. I know I've seen entire rows for sale on Ace, StubHub, and probably TicketsNow/TicketExchange too. Yeah, that's a business...smack 'em. But if it's a person who lives in the Boston area with one pair of tickets who's willing to do the legwork for the Bruins and sell 30-35 pairs of his/her tickets and take the risk of eating any unsold tickets or going to the games, let 'em be. They're probably not going to make big time money, especially if the Bruins price their tickets properly.

The most ridiculous thing about Ticket Exchange is the preseason games. IIRC, there's a minimum for any ticket - I want to say it's something like $35, but I could be wrong. StubHub regularly has $15 preseason games, so anyone who's wise would never shop on Ticket Exchange for those games. Lose the minimum for preseasons.

I feel more comfortable on Ticket Exchange, because I don't plan on selling often, but I definitely see the advantage of going the StubHub route. I'd also worry about buyers claiming that they "couldn't use" a "fraudulent" ticket despite getting into the game with a perfectly good ticket, or buyers getting rip roaring drunk using a ticket with your name on it, and then getting kicked out of the Garden. Fortunately, for the few times I've sold tickets on StubHub (usually concerts that I honestly would up not being able to go to), this hasn't been an issue. But I definitely see the Garden's point in the policy - if I give a ticket to a friend and he acts up, it's my responsibility. StubHub is just a "friend" that I don't know, which is a little dangerous.

 

[Fenway]

Just curious...but is there a flag or something that appears when you're tagged as a reseller? I know my prices are probably higher because I'm a new STH, and I'm about the farthest you can be from a reseller.

Honestly, it seems a little weird that they're cracking down on person-to-person resellers who clearly aren't part of a business, but don't do a thing about corporate resellers. I know I've seen entire rows for sale on Ace, StubHub, and probably TicketsNow/TicketExchange too. Yeah, that's a business...smack 'em. But if it's a person who lives in the Boston area with one pair of tickets who's willing to do the legwork for the Bruins and sell 30-35 pairs of his/her tickets and take the risk of eating any unsold tickets or going to the games, let 'em be. They're probably not going to make big time money, especially if the Bruins price their tickets properly.

The most ridiculous thing about Ticket Exchange is the preseason games. IIRC, there's a minimum for any ticket - I want to say it's something like $35, but I could be wrong. StubHub regularly has $15 preseason games, so anyone who's wise would never shop on Ticket Exchange for those games. Lose the minimum for preseasons.

I feel more comfortable on Ticket Exchange, because I don't plan on selling often, but I definitely see the advantage of going the StubHub route. I'd also worry about buyers claiming that they "couldn't use" a "fraudulent" ticket despite getting into the game with a perfectly good ticket, or buyers getting rip roaring drunk using a ticket with your name on it, and then getting kicked out of the Garden. Fortunately, for the few times I've sold tickets on StubHub (usually concerts that I honestly would up not being able to go to), this hasn't been an issue. But I definitely see the Garden's point in the policy - if I give a ticket to a friend and he acts up, it's my responsibility. StubHub is just a "friend" that I don't know, which is a little dangerous.

The Bruins do somethings right with STH's

All 44 home games are the same price - there is no tier level for quality of opponent.
The installment plan is one of the best in the NHL.
Pay as you go for the playoffs is very fair.

Flagging STH's that use Ticket Exchange is draconian. Committing to 44 games plus playoffs is a huge investment - I get paid to go to home games and live only 2 miles from the Garden and some nights it is a drag to go in. Boston has never been more congested than it is now and it will only get worse. 15 years ago Causeway Street was borderline skid row - not anymore. What is traffic going to be like 2 years from now when the casino in Everett opens??

I am concerned that the Bruins are leaning towards a 7:35 PM start time on weekdays next season because fans who work and live in the burbs are complaining.

 

[meowwcat]

I am concerned that the Bruins are leaning towards a 7:35 PM start time on weekdays next season because fans who work and live in the burbs are complaining.

7:35 pm start time? Where did you hear this? 7pm is perfect - allows me time to get in from Plymouth after work and get (a quick) dinner on the way in. By the time the game gets over and I get back home, it is around 11:30 pm - and that is if the T is running on time and there are no shuttle buses. Pushing the game back by 35 minutes means I won't get home until midnight on a good night. I hope they keep the 7pm start time.

 

[sooshii]

7:35 pm start time? Where did you hear this? 7pm is perfect - allows me time to get in from Plymouth after work and get (a quick) dinner on the way in. By the time the game gets over and I get back home, it is around 11:30 pm - and that is if the T is running on time and there are no shuttle buses. Pushing the game back by 35 minutes means I won't get home until midnight on a good night. I hope they keep the 7pm start time.

Fenway “knows things.” It sounds like he’s speculating on this one, but if he says it, it’s probably under consideration.

 

[Hnidy Hnight]

Anyone else get an email from stubhub about filing a Massachusetts state (not federal) 1099-k form for having over $600 in sales? The federal threshold is 200 transactions AND $20,000 in sales. Im nowhere near either

 

[MrMars]

I certainly hope they do not start home games at 7:30, strongly dislike the idea of getting home 30 minutes later every game. If they are getting a lot of complaints now I have a feeling they will get a lot more if they actually do change the start time.

 

[Kate08]

Anyone else get an email from stubhub about filing a Massachusetts state (not federal) 1099-k form for having over $600 in sales? The federal threshold is 200 transactions AND $20,000 in sales. Im nowhere near either

Yeah we got the email today too.

I hadn’t heard/read about that change in the tax code. I don’t know how they can do that given it’s not all profit or income?

 

[bossfan]

Anyone else get an email from stubhub about filing a Massachusetts state (not federal) 1099-k form for having over $600 in sales? The federal threshold is 200 transactions AND $20,000 in sales. Im nowhere near either

I'm not a tax lawyer or accountant but I think that going forward credit card sales on Stubhub and Paypal will need to be reported. Stubhub did not send a 1099-k this year if they did not have your tax id info so I think you can get away with not reporting it because there is no 1099-k on record to send to IRS. (Edit: Stubhub email says that the info on the mail they sent is being shared with the Mass DOR so you might get away without reporting on fed form but might need to report on state form). But going forward because of the Mass law you probably need to give Stubhub the tax info because they are required to issue the 1099-k.

In early 2017 Massachusetts and Vermont passed a law that reqires third party settlement organizations to send 1099-k for gross sales over $600. Even though the federal threshhold is $20,000 the Mass law means that you get the federal 1099-k form and since the federal form goes to the IRS when generated you have to report it on the fed taxes as well. So you need to keep track of what games you sell and the face value cost because it is only the profit that you need to pay the taxes on (Sched C for Fed and I think there is also a Sched C for Mass). Paypal sends 1099-k also but only for credit card sales because the reporting requirement is for credit card sales only.

Edit - one more thing since you have to pay tax on profits only I think that you might be able to deduct stubhub fees and Paypal fees from the profits but you'd have to research that or ask an accountant as I'm not sure.

 

[Stanley11]

I agree that it’s kinda crazy how the Ticket Exchange is policed. The woman who sat behind me just lost her seats due to excessive sales on the Ticket Exchange. She was flagged as a reseller this year but kept using it as she rarely goes to games anymore. When it came time for renewals, she only got a playoff invoice and her seats were available during Select a Seat. When I told her that her seats were listed, she had no idea. She has sent numerous emails to Fan Relations but has been told “we have no information for resellers at this time”.

A few years ago I was flagged. I paid the higher prices for a couple of years and then this same thing happened to me last month. I'm in for the playoffs but I'm guessing will no longer be a season ticket holder as of next year (I haven't heard anything and no one will talk to me).

I think I'm just a regular guy, but clearly crossed a line with selling too many tickets. I have 2 kids who come to the games with me and who I have managed to turn into fanatics, but we can't make it to all of them just like a lot of other people. For the ones I end up selling it's not like I'm making a profit - far from it this year actually because the face value is so high.

The Bruins are free to do whatever they want. But to me it stinks how they advertise and encourage TicketExchange as a safe way to sell tickets and then turn right around and sneakily punish those who use it.

I was sort of thinking about not renewing anyway because the prices are getting a little ridiculous, but I love the team so I probably would have gotten sucked back in. I guess they ended up making the decision for me. I'm not too upset - I think I'll be able to get into many regular season games for the same price or less and now I won't have to worry about the hassle of tracking the tickets. Playoff time each year could be a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. I can still buy tickets if I want.

Interestingly, I realized after the fact that I was not invited to any of the season ticket holder events this year (oddly I received the save the date emails but nothing else). I figured it was a "junk mail" thing or some other miscommunication, but now I think I know the reason.

 

[bossfan]

A few years ago I was flagged. I paid the higher prices for a couple of years and then this same thing happened to me last month. I'm in for the playoffs but I'm guessing will no longer be a season ticket holder as of next year (I haven't heard anything and no one will talk to me).

I think I'm just a regular guy, but clearly crossed a line with selling too many tickets. I have 2 kids who come to the games with me and who I have managed to turn into fanatics, but we can't make it to all of them just like a lot of other people. For the ones I end up selling it's not like I'm making a profit - far from it this year actually because the face value is so high.

The Bruins are free to do whatever they want. But to me it stinks how they advertise and encourage TicketExchange as a safe way to sell tickets and then turn right around and sneakily punish those who use it.

I was sort of thinking about not renewing anyway because the prices are getting a little ridiculous, but I love the team so I probably would have gotten sucked back in. I guess they ended up making the decision for me. I'm not too upset - I think I'll be able to get into many regular season games for the same price or less and now I won't have to worry about the hassle of tracking the tickets. Playoff time each year could be a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. I can still buy tickets if I want.

Interestingly, I realized after the fact that I was not invited to any of the season ticket holder events this year (oddly I received the save the date emails but nothing else). I figured it was a "junk mail" thing or some other miscommunication, but now I think I know the reason.

I agree that it’s kinda crazy how the Ticket Exchange is policed. The woman who sat behind me just lost her seats due to excessive sales on the Ticket Exchange. She was flagged as a reseller this year but kept using it as she rarely goes to games anymore. When it came time for renewals, she only got a playoff invoice and her seats were available during Select a Seat. When I told her that her seats were listed, she had no idea. She has sent numerous emails to Fan Relations but has been told “we have no information for resellers at this time”.

I wish we knew what the super secret reselling policy is. There is no shortage of listings on the Ticket Exchange so there are clearly STH who are selling tickets without having their accounts revoked.

 

[Silva]

I'll be livid if game time changes to 7:35. My oldest kid is 4 now and I love watching the first period of every game with him. A 7:35 start makes it that much more difficult. Also I am tired by 9:30 myself! And when I go to the garden, I like to be home by 11 and a 735 start will make that difficult

 

[BruinsFan1990]

A few years ago I was flagged. I paid the higher prices for a couple of years and then this same thing happened to me last month. I'm in for the playoffs but I'm guessing will no longer be a season ticket holder as of next year (I haven't heard anything and no one will talk to me).

I think I'm just a regular guy, but clearly crossed a line with selling too many tickets. I have 2 kids who come to the games with me and who I have managed to turn into fanatics, but we can't make it to all of them just like a lot of other people. For the ones I end up selling it's not like I'm making a profit - far from it this year actually because the face value is so high.

The Bruins are free to do whatever they want. But to me it stinks how they advertise and encourage TicketExchange as a safe way to sell tickets and then turn right around and sneakily punish those who use it.

I was sort of thinking about not renewing anyway because the prices are getting a little ridiculous, but I love the team so I probably would have gotten sucked back in. I guess they ended up making the decision for me. I'm not too upset - I think I'll be able to get into many regular season games for the same price or less and now I won't have to worry about the hassle of tracking the tickets. Playoff time each year could be a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. I can still buy tickets if I want.

Interestingly, I realized after the fact that I was not invited to any of the season ticket holder events this year (oddly I received the save the date emails but nothing else). I figured it was a "junk mail" thing or some other miscommunication, but now I think I know the reason.

Its infuriating that the Bruins do this. Do they honestly expect you to go to EVERY SINGLE game in a season? Are you just supposed to eat the cost of the ticket and not try to sell it?

Ugh...