- The proposed legislation would prohibit sales of tickets that an agency doesn't actually possess
- ArtsQuest supports the legislation of House Bill 1658
- It would not affect larger, established ticketing agencies such as Ticketmaster or StubHub
- The National Independent Venue Association also supports the legislation
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest on Tuesday enthusiastically threw its support behind a proposed state law that would outlaw "speculative" sales of tickets for concerts and other events by agencies not involved in the shows.
ArtsQuest held a news conference in its Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center — where hundreds of ticketed such shows and concerts are held each year — to draw attention to House Bill 1658.
The proposed legislation would prohibit sales of tickets that an agency doesn't actually possess, and prevent such organizations from using logos or images of venues with which they aren't affiliated.
State Rep. Steve Samuelson, a Democrat whose 135th District covers parts of Northampton County, said the measure would assess a $1,000 fine per violation.
The state Attorney General's Office would be tasked with prosecuting violators, Samuelson said.
"It's common sense. You shouldn't be able to sell something you don't have. When you go to the neighborhood grocery, they don't sell what they don't have. Let's protect the consumer in Pennsylvania."State Rep. Steve Samuelson
"It's common sense," Samuelson said. "You shouldn't be able to sell something you don't have. When you go to the neighborhood grocery, they don't sell what they don't have.
"Let's protect the consumer in Pennsylvania."
State Rep. Ann Flood, a Republican whose 138th District also represents part of Northampton County, also attended the news conference.
The measure was unanimously approved by the state House Consumer Affairs Committee last week and Samuelson said, "I expect we'll have bi-partisan support" when the full House votes next week.
How 'speculative' sellers hurt venues
Under such "speculative" sales, third-party agencies sell — typically on websites — tickets that they don't have in their possession, and make money by charging significantly higher prices than the face value.
“We are taking this valuable opportunity to urge the public to contact their representatives when it comes time to vote for the passing of this important bill," ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert said.
“With the vote taking place in the very near future, timing is crucial. Let’s work together to put an end to this deceitful practice that takes advantage of patrons, musicians and the music venues that are adversely affected.”
"It hurts our box office."ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert
Hilgert said ArtsQuest twice recently was affected by the practice, which left it dealing with "not real tickets" and "angry people."
For ArtsQuest's Sangrifest festival in September, Hilgert said people bought fake tickets that ArtsQuest had to contend with. ArtsQuest had to bring on extra staff to deal with the false tickets, she said.
And at Musikfest in August, she said, a family of four paid $150 for tickets to the headline concert by Latin music act El Gran Combo that they could have gotten through the SteelStacks website for $40.
"It hurts our box office," Hilgert said.
ArtsQuest relies heavily on revenue from ticket sales to help fund about 4,000 programs a year centered around the arts and music, including camps, classes, festivals and concerts — more than 50% of which are free.
'Con' people into buying tickets
Samuelson said the proposed legislation would not affect larger, established ticketing agencies such as Ticketmaster or StubHub, which have contractual agreements with venues to buy actual tickets — and, Hilgert said, specify face values.
Samuelson said he wouldn't equate such agencies with "someone who's scamming the public and doesn't have a ticket."
Speculative ticket sales also affect artists, as "mislead fans do not understand why they paid an exorbitantly high price for a ticket, creating possible backlash against the artist and affecting future ticket sales."ArtsQuest news release
ArtsQuest said 60-70% of people who reach out about tickets they bought through a third-party website have no idea they bought tickets that way because the websites do not identify themselves as such.
They "con" people into buying tickets with websites "that look a lot like ours," Hilgert said — even to the point of "buying Google ads that look like us."
ArtsQuest said speculators often say on their websites or on social media that shows are sold out, "when there is, in fact, plenty of inventory available."
'Impact the local musician'
ArtsQuest also said multiple tickets for the same seat may be sold, leaving buyers without a seat and the venue having to find adequate seating, if available.
Also, if a show is canceled or moved and the venue offers refunds, "it is impossible to directly refund a ticket that is purchased through a speculator and assistance is unreliable at best," ArtsQuest said.
Additionally, ArtsQuest said, "Safety concerns are rampant since the organization has no knowledge of exactly who is inside the venue, as there is no ticketing information on an individual who may be attending a concert with possible bad intentions."
Artists often are paid based on original ticket prices, not for a third-party increased price, "which can be misleading" and "significantly impact the local musician."ArtysQuest Senior Programming Director Patrick Brogan
Speculative ticket sales also affect artists, as "mislead fans do not understand why they paid an exorbitantly high price for a ticket, creating possible backlash against the artist and affecting future ticket sales," ArtsQuest said.
ArtsQuest Senior Programming Director Patrick Brogan said artists often are paid based on original ticket prices, not for a third-party increased price, "which can be misleading" and "significantly impact the local musician."
The National Independent Venue Association also supports the legislation, officials at the news conference said.
