Scarlet Mist advises users to meet face-to-face, but we appreciate that sometimes that cannot happen. We are very concerned about the potential risks of fraud, especially for high-value festival tickets.
We have now set up a link with Tranpact.com who provide an escrow service. An escrow service holds the money from the ticket buyer safely until the ticket seller receives the ticket.
We have set this up as a voluntary feature, but we intend shortly to make it mandatory for any transaction over £75 where the buyer and seller cannot meet up. We are hoping that this will help defeat the scumbags who advertise non-existent tickets and then pocket the money and disappear.
Tranpact.com who provide an escrow service. An escrow service holds the money from the ticket buyer safely until the ticket seller receives the ticket.
We have set this up as a voluntary feature, but we intend shortly to make it mandatory for any transaction over £75 where the buyer and seller cannot meet up. We are hoping that this will help defeat the scumbags who advertise non-existent tickets and then pocket the money and disappear.
We have added a video on the front page to a band that we really like - they are Earthship, a jazz-funk band from Ireland. We hope you like them too - check out their Facebook page. We will be adding new bands here from time to time.
Facebook page. We will be adding new bands here from time to time.
It is exactly ten years ago that Scarlet Mist went live on the internet. Since then it has led the way in providing a free face-value ticket exchange service for festivals, gigs and other events.
Scarlet Mist was originally set up in 2003 to help a slightly slow-off-the-mark friend obtain a ticket for Glastonbury (in those days the tickets were freely exchangeable). The site was originally to be titled ‘Glastonbury Ticket Exchange’, but changed this just before launching to a name that conjures up the ethereal nature of the internet, the anger against ticket touts and the warm glow of helping your fellow music-lover.
Almost a thousand Glastonbury tickets traded hands through the Mist, and there was widespread support by users and the press. The service expanded to cover other events and activities.
The site underwent a major rebuild 2 years ago. It now has over 16,000 members and receives over 100,000 visits a year. One of the key new features is ‘Scarlet Mates’ - selling your spare ticket to somebody who can come with you to the gig and spend some time together. Why buy a ticket from a tout when you can enjoy the company of a Scarlet Mist user?
We have campaigned against ticket touting and dishonesty in the secondary ticketing market, and shared a platform with Sharon Hodgson MP at the Music Tank Ticketing Summit (Richard is the one wearing a tie). Ticket touts provide a service to their clients - as do prostitutes and bookmakers - and they are not breaking the law. We recognise that market forces must inevitably be reflected in ticket prices, but we would like to see the incestuous relationship between touts, promoters and the ‘official channels’ subjected to close scrutiny. We also believe that the law should be changed to make touting an offence.
Scarlet Mist has stuck to its ethical principles. The site remains free to both buyers and sellers, and has resisted suggestions that it should charge a membership fee. It is funded by advertising, user donations and good will. It also works hard to protect the safety of users - fraudsters are outed to the public and their bank and personal details are listed.
We will be having our traditional party at Glastonbury this year on Thursday evening, close to the West Holts stage, and look forward to meeting our users old and new.
Happy Birthday Scarletto.
8th April 2013.
Wayback Machine.
Almost a thousand Glastonbury tickets traded hands through the Mist, and there was widespread support by users and the press. The service expanded to cover other events and activities.
The site underwent a major rebuild 2 years ago. It now has over 16,000 members and receives over 100,000 visits a year. One of the key new features is ‘Scarlet Mates’ - selling your spare ticket to somebody who can come with you to the gig and spend some time together. Why buy a ticket from a tout when you can enjoy the company of a Scarlet Mist user?
We have campaigned against ticket touting and dishonesty in the secondary ticketing market, and shared a platform with Sharon Hodgson MP at the Music Tank Ticketing Summit (Richard is the one wearing a tie). Ticket touts provide a service to their clients - as do prostitutes and bookmakers - and they are not breaking the law. We recognise that market forces must inevitably be reflected in ticket prices, but we would like to see the incestuous relationship between touts, promoters and the ‘official channels’ subjected to close scrutiny. We also believe that the law should be changed to make touting an offence.
Scarlet Mist has stuck to its ethical principles. The site remains free to both buyers and sellers, and has resisted suggestions that it should charge a membership fee. It is funded by advertising, user donations and good will. It also works hard to protect the safety of users - fraudsters are outed to the public and their bank and personal details are listed.
We will be having our traditional party at Glastonbury this year on Thursday evening, close to the West Holts stage, and look forward to meeting our users old and new.
We’ve been notified about a devious fraudster who is probably called Tim Murphy. At least, thats the name on his bank account with Barclays in Liverpool.
Tim Murphy
Sort code 20-51-01
Account 03954420
Trouble is, he also used the name Jay Manoo .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and phone number 07503655746
His IP address 212.159.133.178
//';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='<';l[4]=' 109';l[5]=' 111';l[6]=' 99';l[7]=' 46';l[8]=' 108';l[9]=' 105';l[10]=' 97';l[11]=' 109';l[12]=' 103';l[13]=' 64';l[14]=' 48';l[15]=' 53';l[16]=' 50';l[17]=' 109';l[18]=' 99';l[19]=' 105';l[20]=' 116';l[21]='>';l[22]='\"';l[23]=' 109';l[24]=' 111';l[25]=' 99';l[26]=' 46';l[27]=' 108';l[28]=' 105';l[29]=' 97';l[30]=' 109';l[31]=' 103';l[32]=' 64';l[33]=' 48';l[34]=' 53';l[35]=' 50';l[36]=' 109';l[37]=' 99';l[38]=' 105';l[39]=' 116';l[40]=':';l[41]='o';l[42]='t';l[43]='l';l[44]='i';l[45]='a';l[46]='m';l[47]='\"';l[48]='=';l[49]='f';l[50]='e';l[51]='r';l[52]='h';l[53]='a ';l[54]='<';
for (var i = l.length-1; i >= 0; i=i-1){
if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == ' ') output += "&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";";
else output += unescape(l[i]);
}
document.getElementById('eeEncEmail_dBchVU8g05').innerHTML = output;
//]]>
and phone number 07503655746
His IP address 212.159.133.178
We have been notified about a possible fraudulent seller who is asking for payment using UKash. We don’t know for certain that he is a fraudster, though there are plenty of good reasons to suspect him. He calls himself Joseph Ennis yet doesn’t know how to spell Joseph. So it seems pretty dodgy to us.
If you want to talk to Joseph Ennis about his exploits then you can contact him on 07742 706 290. He registered on Scarlet Mist with a different phone number, but this seems to be the one that he uses.
UKash transfers are secure in themselves, but nonetheless we do not recommend any form of electronic payment methods because of the risks that you are dealing with a fraudster.
Three cheers for Reading Council! The ‘Reading Borough Council Act’ was passed by Parliament, and has given them new powers for the better control of street trading and touting.
The main powers that the Act will give them are:-
Allowing the Council to regulate services offered on the street
Empowering council officers, the police and community support officers to seize goods and equipment when they believe a street trading offence has been committed
Empowering courts to order the forfeiture of such goods and equipment
Allowing the council to regulate touting
Enabling council officers, the police and community support officers to serve fixed penalty notices for street trading offences.
Scarlet Mist is delighted to see that the Council has succeeded with getting this legislation passed.
The Met has published its Problem Profile on Ticket Fraud.
In their report they recommend that:-
Consideration must be given to introducing legislation to govern the unauthorised sale of event tickets. The lack of legislation in this area enables fraud and places the public at risk of economic crime.
The primary and secondary ticket market require regulation to ensure transparency, allowing consumers to understand who they are buying from and affording them better protection from ticket crime.
Law enforcement needs to strengthen relationships with website registrars and hosting companies across the world so that requests to suspend websites are complied with immediately and without the need for a court order.
All victims of ticket fraud need to be encouraged to report to the authorities so that the true scale of this crime can be gauged.
Action Fraud needs to be better publicised as the primary reporting agency for ticket fraud.
As Operation Podium closes, the ticket industry needs to build relationships with search engine companies, UK Payments, the British Bankers’ Association, website hosts and website registrars, so as to prevent and mitigate against ticket crime.
Tax investigation by HMRC may be a viable way to target ticket fraudsters and touts with unaccounted wealth.
To disrupt fraudulent websites a range of tactics need to be employed, including removing merchant facilities, suspending websites, terminating websites’ email addresses and telephone numbers, and requesting that search engines relegate fraudulent websites to the bottom of their page rankings.
Event organisers should include a ‘website checker’ on their websites, where members of the public can check to see if websites are official ticket sellers.
The public need to be reminded by promoters when tickets are released for events to only buy tickets from official sites (and these sites need to be publicised).
Merchant acquirers should be encouraged to delay how quickly ticket companies can withdraw funds from their merchant accounts, giving them more chance of recovering funds if tickets are not supplied.
Law enforcement should seek to have banning orders or serious crime prevention orders placed on known ticket touts, so they are excluded from areas close to venues and from engaging in ticket related activity.
Consideration must be given to introducing legislation to govern the unauthorised sale of event tickets. The lack of legislation in this area enables fraud and places the public at risk of economic crime.
The primary and secondary ticket market require regulation to ensure transparency, allowing consumers to understand who they are buying from and affording them better protection from ticket crime.
Law enforcement needs to strengthen relationships with website registrars and hosting companies across the world so that requests to suspend websites are complied with immediately and without the need for a court order.
All victims of ticket fraud need to be encouraged to report to the authorities so that the true scale of this crime can be gauged.
Action Fraud needs to be better publicised as the primary reporting agency for ticket fraud.
As Operation Podium closes, the ticket industry needs to build relationships with search engine companies, UK Payments, the British Bankers’ Association, website hosts and website registrars, so as to prevent and mitigate against ticket crime.
Tax investigation by HMRC may be a viable way to target ticket fraudsters and touts with unaccounted wealth.
To disrupt fraudulent websites a range of tactics need to be employed, including removing merchant facilities, suspending websites, terminating websites’ email addresses and telephone numbers, and requesting that search engines relegate fraudulent websites to the bottom of their page rankings.
Event organisers should include a ‘website checker’ on their websites, where members of the public can check to see if websites are official ticket sellers.
The public need to be reminded by promoters when tickets are released for events to only buy tickets from official sites (and these sites need to be publicised).
Merchant acquirers should be encouraged to delay how quickly ticket companies can withdraw funds from their merchant accounts, giving them more chance of recovering funds if tickets are not supplied.
Law enforcement should seek to have banning orders or serious crime prevention orders placed on known ticket touts, so they are excluded from areas close to venues and from engaging in ticket related activity.
What is it with scammers? We make it clear on Scarlet Mist that we expect people to meet face to face. And we make it clear that you would normally expect someone with a spare ticket to live near the event.
So step forward .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) aka Craig Naylor. Attempting to sell 4 One Direction tickets for the show in London.
This man is not only a complete tosser but he is illiterate too. Here is what he put on his Registration:-
age:22 job title: tecnichan hobbies: listening too music an attending gigs, associating with friends an family, spending timewithmy wife and kids…
I live in Suffolk Devon
I have 4forsale# floor level seats email me if interested or leave your number thanks..
Surely someone out there must work for Nat West, and surely someone out there must want to investigate this.
//';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='<';l[4]=' 109';l[5]=' 111';l[6]=' 99';l[7]=' 46';l[8]=' 108';l[9]=' 105';l[10]=' 97';l[11]=' 109';l[12]=' 103';l[13]=' 64';l[14]=' 114';l[15]=' 97';l[16]=' 116';l[17]=' 115';l[18]=' 48';l[19]=' 54';l[20]=' 121';l[21]=' 107';l[22]=' 99';l[23]=' 105';l[24]=' 114';l[25]=' 110';l[26]=' 111';l[27]=' 106';l[28]=' 46';l[29]=' 114';l[30]=' 105';l[31]=' 115';l[32]='>';l[33]='\"';l[34]=' 109';l[35]=' 111';l[36]=' 99';l[37]=' 46';l[38]=' 108';l[39]=' 105';l[40]=' 97';l[41]=' 109';l[42]=' 103';l[43]=' 64';l[44]=' 114';l[45]=' 97';l[46]=' 116';l[47]=' 115';l[48]=' 48';l[49]=' 54';l[50]=' 121';l[51]=' 107';l[52]=' 99';l[53]=' 105';l[54]=' 114';l[55]=' 110';l[56]=' 111';l[57]=' 106';l[58]=' 46';l[59]=' 114';l[60]=' 105';l[61]=' 115';l[62]=':';l[63]='o';l[64]='t';l[65]='l';l[66]='i';l[67]='a';l[68]='m';l[69]='\"';l[70]='=';l[71]='f';l[72]='e';l[73]='r';l[74]='h';l[75]='a ';l[76]='<';
for (var i = l.length-1; i >= 0; i=i-1){
if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == ' ') output += "&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";";
else output += unescape(l[i]);
}
document.getElementById('eeEncEmail_YpANhB9TJZ').innerHTML = output;
//]]>
aka Craig Naylor. Attempting to sell 4 One Direction tickets for the show in London.
This man is not only a complete tosser but he is illiterate too. Here is what he put on his Registration:-
age:22 job title: tecnichan hobbies: listening too music an attending gigs, associating with friends an family, spending timewithmy wife and kids…
I live in Suffolk Devon
I have 4forsale# floor level seats email me if interested or leave your number thanks..
Kraftwerk tickets went on sale today and were extremely popular. So we are very worried about the potential for fraudulent sellers who attempt to sell non-existent tickets and disappear with your hard-earned cash.
The Tate website mentions that
Tickets will be for collection only on the night, and only the person booking will be able to collect with the payment card used to make the purchase. All concert attendees must be present at the time of ticket collection to be issued with a wristband and 3D glasses. The wristband must then be worn during the concert. Tickets can be collected up to two hours prior to the concert start time from specific ticket desks in the café entrance on Level 1.
Please be aware of this, and of the potential for crooks to leave you stranded.
Scarlet Mist will be on the panel in the second session. The session is entitled ‘Regulation’, and will look at what can be done to protect ticket customers from a legislative perspective. What sort of regulation, if any, does the industry and consumers actually need and, given government intransigence to date, how are we going to achieve it? We will hear from PRODISS, the French live music trade organisation that led successful legislative change over the Channel. The summit will raise some serious questions, but importantly, will suggest answers that are practical and possible. Given the cut-throat economics of the live business, are those ‘at the coal face’ in a position to enact significant change, especially at the most sought-after arena shows, where demand far outstrips supply? Is Government legislation and price-capping the only way forward? And if it is, how will policy-makers and their advisers be convinced of some fairly well-trodden arguments?
Keynote: Aline Renet - PRODISS
Ben Turner - Association of Independent Festivals / Bestival
Sharon Hodgson MP - Shadow Education Minister / FanFair Alliance
Richard Marks - Scarlet Mist
Caitlin Graham - Which?
Chair
Keith Harris - Keith Harris Music Ltd / MusicTank Chair / Director of Performer Affairs, PPL
We would welcome any Scarlet Mist users to attend (and we have a small number of free tickets - please contact us if you are interested in attending).
We would also welcome your views and comments on the question of regulation. Please post them on our Facebook page.
Scarlet Mist believes that ticket prices are subject to the economic laws of supply and demand, and that pressures from fans might inherently push up prices for popular events. And we recognise that ticket prices are deliberately maintained at a below-market-value price because of the need to retain the core audience/ To this extent, the market is slightly distorted, which allows touts to prosper.
It has become apparent that some promoters (and bands) are prepared to condone and support this, and they will covertly sell tickets through the secondary market, or though restricted processes, at above face value. Regulation might drive this into the open, and result in openly-declared higher prices. We cannot see how this can be prevented.
But we consider that the market should be transparent and that consumers should understand the pricing structure. And that if bands choose to sell the best seats through ‘premium channels’ then that should be openly declared in advertising and promotion.
We do not support the notion of ‘non-exchangeable tickets’ unless there are adequate mechanisms in place to facilitate refunds.
We support the idea that selling tickets at significantly greater than their face value should be restricted by law.
Please post your thoughts and comments on our Facebook Page.
music industry summit on ticketing.
Scarlet Mist will be on the panel in the second session. The session is entitled ‘Regulation’, and will look at what can be done to protect ticket customers from a legislative perspective. What sort of regulation, if any, does the industry and consumers actually need and, given government intransigence to date, how are we going to achieve it? We will hear from PRODISS, the French live music trade organisation that led successful legislative change over the Channel. The summit will raise some serious questions, but importantly, will suggest answers that are practical and possible. Given the cut-throat economics of the live business, are those ‘at the coal face’ in a position to enact significant change, especially at the most sought-after arena shows, where demand far outstrips supply? Is Government legislation and price-capping the only way forward? And if it is, how will policy-makers and their advisers be convinced of some fairly well-trodden arguments?
Keynote: Aline Renet - PRODISS
Ben Turner - Association of Independent Festivals / Bestival
Sharon Hodgson MP - Shadow Education Minister / FanFair Alliance
Richard Marks - Scarlet Mist
Caitlin Graham - Which?
Chair
Keith Harris - Keith Harris Music Ltd / MusicTank Chair / Director of Performer Affairs, PPL
We would welcome any Scarlet Mist users to attend (and we have a small number of free tickets - please contact us if you are interested in attending).
We would also welcome your views and comments on the question of regulation. Please post them on our Facebook page.
Scarlet Mist believes that ticket prices are subject to the economic laws of supply and demand, and that pressures from fans might inherently push up prices for popular events. And we recognise that ticket prices are deliberately maintained at a below-market-value price because of the need to retain the core audience/ To this extent, the market is slightly distorted, which allows touts to prosper.
It has become apparent that some promoters (and bands) are prepared to condone and support this, and they will covertly sell tickets through the secondary market, or though restricted processes, at above face value. Regulation might drive this into the open, and result in openly-declared higher prices. We cannot see how this can be prevented.
But we consider that the market should be transparent and that consumers should understand the pricing structure. And that if bands choose to sell the best seats through ‘premium channels’ then that should be openly declared in advertising and promotion.
We do not support the notion of ‘non-exchangeable tickets’ unless there are adequate mechanisms in place to facilitate refunds.
We support the idea that selling tickets at significantly greater than their face value should be restricted by law.
Please post your thoughts and comments on our Facebook Page.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Viagogo will have to disclose the names of people who sold tickets to England rugby matches via its website to the Rugby Football Union. Outing their names and identities might be a major blow against the culture of ticket touting.
In the run-up to the autumn international rugby matches in 2010 and the home matches for the six-nations tournament in 2011, the RFU monitored various websites, including Viagogo and it conducted a series of test purchases. It discovered that Viagogo had been used to advertise thousands of tickets for the seven games that were to be played at Twickenham. Tickets with a face value of £20 to £55 were being advertised for sale at up to some £1,300. On making these discoveries, the RFU’s legal advisers wrote to Viagogo seeking information about the identity of those involved in the sale and purchase of the tickets. This was resisted. The RFU therefore took legal action.
The RFU won in Court but Viagogo appealed the decision. The case went to the Court of Appeal (where they were thrashed) and now has come to the Supreme Court (where once again they were defeated).You can read the verdict at in legalspeak.
You should be aware that ..... viagogo may disclose your financial or personal information if required to do so by law, court order, as requested by other government or law enforcement authority, or in the good faith belief that disclosure is otherwise necessary or advisable….
We hope that the Inland Revenue has read this Privacy Policy and that the touts who use Viagogo are filling in their tax returns properly.
(where they were thrashed) and now has come to the Supreme Court (where once again they were defeated).You can read the verdict at in legalspeak.
You should be aware that ..... viagogo may disclose your financial or personal information if required to do so by law, court order, as requested by other government or law enforcement authority, or in the good faith belief that disclosure is otherwise necessary or advisable….
We hope that the Inland Revenue has read this Privacy Policy and that the touts who use Viagogo are filling in their tax returns properly.
In the last 24 hours a seller using the name Katie Bevan has placed the following tickets on sale on Scarlet Mist.
Mumford And Sons O2 Arena Millenium Dome London
40.00 pounds
I have 4 tickets for sake basically. Purchased via ticketmaster and came in the post today. They are standing tickets, and Im selling for £40 each, but cheaper if you buy all 4
Vans Warped Tour Alexandra Palace London
40.00 pounds
3 warped tour tickets as can no longer go :( due to holiday
Black Keys O2 Arena Millenium Dome London
34.25 pounds
Block 102 Row Y Seat 55 and 56
Rolling Stones O2 Arena Millenium Dome London
400.00 pounds
4 Rolling Stones tickets for sale. Brought them with the view of going with a few friends, however turned out they werent interested and have no intention of going alone!
Killers O2 Arena Millenium Dome London
45.00 pounds
I can post them out or have them collected
Mumford & Sons O2 Arena Millenium Dome London
40.00 pounds
I have 4 tickets for sake . Purchased via ticketmaster and came in the post today. They are standing tickets, and Im selling for £40 each, but cheaper if you buy all 4! Can post or be collected
Mumford And Sons Arena Manchester
40.00 pounds
4 tickets for sale for mumford and sons at the MEN , can post or be collected
She uses the email address Katiebevann@hotmail.co.uk
She also use Katiebevan13@hotmail.co.uk and kvena3644@hotmail.com
07512501140
How can one person have so many tickets to sell?
AVOID THIS PERSON.
If you have any idea who they might be, or have any information about them, please post it here.
She claims to live in Wales, but has tickets to sell for events in London.
We strongly advise you not to pay for tickets by bank transfer, you have no protection if the seller doesn't deliver the tickets. If you cannot meet face to face then find another seller, or ask them to send you the tickets before you pay.
Scarlet Mist is now open for buying and selling tickets for major Summer festivals including Leeds, Reading and V Festival, via our ethical, fan to fan exchange. We’ve disallowed this until now as a precautionary measure as most genuine fan to fan ticket transactions are more likely to occur in the run up to events, rather than immediately after tickets go on sale for the first time.
If you are interested in buying or selling tickets to Leeds, Reading, V Festival and others then now is the time to do it. Be careful buying and selling tickets for these festivals, as historically they have always attracted most fraudsters. If you are not meeting in person please use the escrow service, which is the only way to guarantee you wont be ripped off.
We want to allow users to buy and sell tickets without profit, safely removed from the murky world of ticket touts and the profiteering of the secondary ticketing market.
We have made some changes to the way Scarlet Mist handles Offers and Questions.
If you ask a question to a ticket-seller then your question, and their reply, will be visible to all users of the site. We have made this change so that other people can benefit from reading what the Seller has answered, particularly if it clarifies the ticket information or provides additional detail.
We have also changed the way that Offers are processed. Once you make an offer then you will not receive a reply from the Seller until he or she decides to accept or reject your offer. We have made this change because we have noticed some Sellers have been sending emails to Buyers asking for payment without formally accepting or rejecting their offer - this makes it hard for other Buyers to know what is going on.
We saw this posting on Gumtree. Unfortunately the scammers have been using Scarlet Mist too.
Please be warned.
This is my 3rd post and I’ve got more information from you lovely Honest Gumtree users.
What annoys me is Gumtree were quick to remove my ad warning people of this scam, yet left thescammers ads live for 5 days!! In that time they’ve used these accounts to fraudulently scam us out of thousands.
I feel we should place a civil action against Gumtree for poor management.
Please be warned:
John May, Darren ‘PJ’ Lowdon and a Laura from Liverpool are all using these details to sell download tickets.
Mike Quest who is actually Mike Sneldon Cornwall is a new addition to the scam-clan. One gumtree user has told Lloyd TSB
A Liam from Hampshire is also reported as scamming with one of the mobile numbers
Gumtree need to contact the banks and the police and stop the accounts as this is the process, as I learnt via the police.
Halifax Bank
sort code: 11 04 66 A/C: 10263960
Barclays Bank
sort code: 20-68-72 A/C: 40551481
Lloyd TSB
sort code: 876885 A/C: 80720668
Mobile Numbers:
07979272212
07552321210
07429227077
07586652542
07864203199
07970154469 - Mike Quest/Sneldon
PLEASE REPORT TO POLICE and cc in lawenforcement[at]gumtree.com
Scarletlist and Craiglist immediately removed the posts - Gumtree are poor.
But keep reporting to me and I’ll do my best to protect the innocent buyers!!
WE WILL ROCK DOWNLOAD AND MAY WE SHOVE THESE FRAUDSTERS TO THE JAILHOUSE ROCK!
Please remember that Scarlet Mist tries to protect you against fraud by witholding the name/number of the seller until you agree to buy from them. And please read our advice at http://www.scarletmist.com/index.php/info/#FAQ26
We do not recommend that you send money by bank transfer to a stranger.
Scarletlist and Craiglist immediately removed the posts - Gumtree are poor.
But keep reporting to me and I’ll do my best to protect the innocent buyers!!
WE WILL ROCK DOWNLOAD AND MAY WE SHOVE THESE FRAUDSTERS TO THE JAILHOUSE ROCK!
Please remember that Scarlet Mist tries to protect you against fraud by witholding the name/number of the seller until you agree to buy from them. And please read our advice at http://www.scarletmist.com/index.php/info/#FAQ26
We do not recommend that you send money by bank transfer to a stranger.
It’s not necessarily brokers or scalpers buying up those tickets early on. Those tickets are just never made available, period. What you end up seeing are backdoor deals where the promoter, venue and artist either sell those tickets to brokers as a way of guaranteeing themselves some income, or they list it on the secondary market themselves.
….. only 13 percent of tickets ever went on sale to the public. There’s a vibrant business — with the promoters, venues and artists — on our website. I can tell you for a fact that I know a number of artists and promoters list substantial amounts of tickets for their tours through StubHub, because that’s probably what they want to charge for a ticket, but can’t do so publicly.
Channel 4 Despatches has done a great job in exposing some of the less salubrious practices in the ticketing industry. But an important question remains unanswered - how much of the profit from the inflated ticket prices are going to the bands and promoters?
The simple fact is that some bands and events are just too popular, and there are more people who want tickets than there are tickets available. And, as anyone with a GCSE in Economics will know, the market response when demand exceeds supply is for prices to rise. As the price of tickets continues to rise then fans will simply shake their heads and walk away.
But this ruthless market-driven approach has a major drawback. It means that many music and sporting events are destined to become solely available for the very rich. Is this what we want? The Rugby Football Union don’t think so, and they have gone to great lengths to keep their sport open to a wide section of the public (and they have successfully challenged Viagogo in the High Court). Glastonbury Festival has also tried very hard to keep a broad audience.
Unfortunately many other promoters have chosen to adopt the maxim “Money talks and bullsh*t walks”. So they have looked at ways of raising their prices, without making it too obvious, and they have adopted a market model called ‘Premium Primary Ticketing’. Put simply, this means that the best tickets in the house get sold at higher prices. And as the demand rises then more tickets can get sold for more cost. In their statement following the Despatches programme the Concert Promoters Association acknowledged this model, and they added:-
We are sure that those fans who use the secondary market for convenience and are prepared to pay a premium would be happier that the premium went to the artist via the promoter rather than went to a tout.
What sticks in our throats here is the deceit. If the promoters decide that a premium ticket pricing model is going to be adopted then they should state this up front. They should acknowledge that certain seats are unavailable at the regular price, and should give clear consumer information to fans and ticket-buyers that they are doing so. They should be taking the flak for this scandal, rather than the secondary sites that they themselves gave the tickets to.
And what about the bands themselves? They have been remarkably quiet over this. But the CPA statement seems to acknowledge that the bands are in on the whole deal and are also taking a slice of the action. Are they conniving with the whole process? Or do they deny that this is happening?
Sharon Hodgson’s Proposed Law might not be able to stop the ‘Premium Primary Ticketing’ model, but it would give an air of transparency to the whole process. If bands wanted to charge £1000 for the front-row seats then they could still do so. But at least they would have to be honest about it.
statement following the Despatches programme the Concert Promoters Association acknowledged this model, and they added:-
We are sure that those fans who use the secondary market for convenience and are prepared to pay a premium would be happier that the premium went to the artist via the promoter rather than went to a tout.
What sticks in our throats here is the deceit. If the promoters decide that a premium ticket pricing model is going to be adopted then they should state this up front. They should acknowledge that certain seats are unavailable at the regular price, and should give clear consumer information to fans and ticket-buyers that they are doing so. They should be taking the flak for this scandal, rather than the secondary sites that they themselves gave the tickets to.
And what about the bands themselves? They have been remarkably quiet over this. But the CPA statement seems to acknowledge that the bands are in on the whole deal and are also taking a slice of the action. Are they conniving with the whole process? Or do they deny that this is happening?
Sharon Hodgson’s Proposed Law might not be able to stop the ‘Premium Primary Ticketing’ model, but it would give an air of transparency to the whole process. If bands wanted to charge £1000 for the front-row seats then they could still do so. But at least they would have to be honest about it.
Channel 4 show Dispatches has defeated an attempt by ticket reselling website Viagogo to get a High Court injunction against it.
Dispatches, which will air on Thursday, 23 February at 9pm, went undercover inside one of the UK’s biggest ticket reselling websites - Viagogo - and found that major promoters allocate hundreds or even thousands of tickets to be sold through their website at well above the face value.
Tickets for recent gigs and tours by Coldplay, Rihanna, Westlife, Take That, and V Festival have been allocated by the promoters in this way.
Dispatches sent reporters undercover inside two major ‘fan-to-fan’ ticket exchange websites to investigate who is selling via their websites and why so many tickets appear at over the face value so soon after the box office sells out.
A Channel 4 spokesperson says: ‘We are pleased that we can now broadcast in full a programme of important public interest. It is disappointing that having provided Viagogo with a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations uncovered by our investigation several weeks ago, they chose instead to seek an injunction which would have effectively stopped the broadcast of our programme.’
A report from the American AntiTrust Institute has called for a government investigation into ‘restrictive’ paperless tickets, which it argues ‘unjustifiably limit consumer choice and depart from bedrock competitive market principles’.
The report looked at the practice of issuing tickets that require the purchaser to present their credit card when they arrive at the show. Ticket companies claim that they do this to prevent touting (scalping). But, the report argues, the real reason is to enable the companies to capture the lucrative secondary market for tickets to their events and ensure that this market does not face competition from independent re-sellers and resale marketplaces. Controlling the secondary market also enables Ticketmaster and its clients to impose price floors on resellers, thereby ensuring that the secondary market does not undermine sales of unsold primary market tickets for the same event.
The report concludes that, by constricting consumer choice, chilling consumer freedom to transact freely with others, and violating reasonable consumer expectations, the adoption of the broad transferability restrictions undermines a free, fair, informed, and competitive market. As the use of restrictive paperless tickets increases, the resulting consumer harm will become even more substantial. And it calls for the US Government to investigate.
The American Antitrust Institute is an independent non-profit education, research and advocacy organization.
We don’t need the Scalpers, Touts and Whores. We can do this ourselves.
Scarlet Mist - the genuine non-profit ticket exchange site - is coming back by popular demand. This new site, still in development, is intended to make ticket exchange safer and more sociable, with the emphasis on meeting other users whenever possible. It is still in Beta, and you will see various tweaks and improvements over the coming months, ahead of a full, drumrolled, relaunch in the Spring!
Secondary ticketing has been dominated by the Scalpers, Touts and other profiteers. Although some people see nothing wrong with their activities, they hamper the genuine music fans who find themselves with spare tickets that they cannot use. And the costs of selling a spare ticket through traditional secondary sites are often substantial.
Scarlet Mist was set up in 2003 to beat the monopoly of the touts, and to allow the music-loving community to come together and help one another. Launched to help a friend get a Glastonbury ticket, it has built up a steady and faithful following from users who are more interested in making music than making money.
The site was taken offline in the autumn because of concerns about security. This ongoing redevelopment goes some way towards making the process more secure, but ultimately buying tickets from strangers carries an inherent risk. Scarlet Mist has taken advice from the police, and has worked with them to apprehend fraudsters who have targeted the site in the past.
However these risks have been offset by the introduction of ‘Scarlet Mates’ a new and optional feature which encourages users to go to see bands and festivals together. Why deal with a tout, when you can deal with a Mate? If you are going to the event with the person that you are buying from then you can have a beer together!
The new site also has social networking integration built into it, with a ‘Tweet my Ticket’ feature that spans Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
The core service provided by the site is a free face-value ticket exchange. Users are introduced to one another privately, and names and contact details are not shared with the public. They can offer to sell tickets at below their face value, especially when the gig has not sold out, and they can offer to swap tickets for something similar (like a standing ticket for a seated one). And it is possible to set up an Alert, if you are waiting for a specific ticket to come into the site, to notify you by email as soon as one becomes available.
Over the next few months some additional functions will be added. We are always looking at ways of making the site safer and more secure. We would also like to add better support for mobile devices, and are looking for a partner to help develop Scarlet Apps.
We are delighted to be back in the Mist. We look forward to welcoming our old and new users back. We’ve missed you.
The Rugby Football Union has won an important victory in a Court battle with the secondary ticketing agency Viagogo. The RFU won an appeal ruling, which forces Viagogo to reveal the identities of profiteering touts who had sold tickets for matches at Twickenham.
In March this year the RFU first took Viagogo to Court. The legal summary explained the case very well.
RFU could, if it chose, issue tickets at prices designed to maximise profits. But it does not do this. .... Its main object is not to make profits. It does use its right to issue tickets to raise the revenue it needs to operate the Stadium ... It keeps ticket prices at an affordable level to encourage interest and involvement in the sport by a wide section of the public.
RFU has taken steps to try to prevent the resale of tickets at prices above the face value of the ticket….Viagogo carries on business for profit, and has no other responsibilities.
The RFU argued that when the touts had sold their tickets at a profit then they had committed a wrong, and that Viagogo had facilitated their wrongdoing. Viagogo therefore had a duty to assist the RFU in correcting this, by giving them the names and addresses of these touts.The RFU won the case initially, but Viagogo then appealled.
In the Appeal hearing Viagogo attempted to protect the names and addresses of the ticket-sellers. They cited the ‘fundamental rights’ of the individuals, But the Appeal judge agreed that arguable wrongs had been committed against the RFU, and that it was necessary for Viagogo to reveal their names and addresses. He added that there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of data which reveal such arguable wrongs and Viagogo’s own conditions of business point out to their customers that there may be circumstances in which their personal data will be passed on to others.
We are delighted to hear this news. We think it sets an important precedent. And we hope that the RFU will pass on the names and addresses of the touts to the Inland Revenue, who might also be interested in their affairs.
The legal summary explained the case very well.
RFU could, if it chose, issue tickets at prices designed to maximise profits. But it does not do this. .... Its main object is not to make profits. It does use its right to issue tickets to raise the revenue it needs to operate the Stadium ... It keeps ticket prices at an affordable level to encourage interest and involvement in the sport by a wide section of the public.
RFU has taken steps to try to prevent the resale of tickets at prices above the face value of the ticket….Viagogo carries on business for profit, and has no other responsibilities.
The RFU argued that when the touts had sold their tickets at a profit then they had committed a wrong, and that Viagogo had facilitated their wrongdoing. Viagogo therefore had a duty to assist the RFU in correcting this, by giving them the names and addresses of these touts.The RFU won the case initially, but Viagogo then appealled.
In the Appeal hearing Viagogo attempted to protect the names and addresses of the ticket-sellers. They cited the ‘fundamental rights’ of the individuals, But the Appeal judge agreed that arguable wrongs had been committed against the RFU, and that it was necessary for Viagogo to reveal their names and addresses. He added that there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of data which reveal such arguable wrongs and Viagogo’s own conditions of business point out to their customers that there may be circumstances in which their personal data will be passed on to others.
We are delighted to hear this news. We think it sets an important precedent. And we hope that the RFU will pass on the names and addresses of the touts to the Inland Revenue, who might also be interested in their affairs.
In July we had a number of complaints from users that they had been defrauded by a ‘seller’ of Adele tickets. This rogue was using different email addresses and names, which made it harder to trace him, but his greed and stupidity gave him away.
We were delighted to receive an email today from Mersey Police:-
Just wanted to give you a quick update in relation to offences of fraudulent ticket sales on your website Scarletmist. Due to your assistance all the victims that you gave me details for were willing to give evidence and assist. The male offender has now been arrested and interviewed in relation to 9 x Fraud by False Representation. He has admitted to 7 of these offences, however there are links with another 3. A further offender is being looked in to and will be arrested.
We always cooperate closely with the police when we receive reports of fraud. Our terms and conditions make it clear that we will do this. We also publish names, bank account numbers and other details, in order to warn users of other websites.
MP Sharon Hodgson has been trying to bring a Private Members Bill before Parliament which would severely dent ticket touts. It would also help clean up some of the worst excesses in the Primary ticket market - a market noted for its bizarre practices and obscure charges.
The Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill aims to tackle the problem of ticket touting for popular live entertainment events, such as gigs and sports games, by allowing event organisers to prevent their tickets being resold by unauthorised retailers for a price greater than 10% above the ticket’s face value. We strongly support the introduction of this bill. And we encourage our friends and supporters to give the Bill some support, by writing to their MP’s.
Writing to your MP is not difficult - and they do respond to lobbying. You can find out more at Sharon Hodgson’s website
Initially I had high hopes that I could find a partner to help redevelop Scarlet Mist.
The site has needed a complete rewrite for some time, and I had made several abortive efforts to rebuild it. I was hampered by lack of time - but I had a working prototype with most of the functionality that the site needed that could act as a template.
I had meetings with seven or eight people, most of whom were web designers that had used the site and were keen to see it up and running again. But it didn’t really work out with any of them. I guess its quite a big ask for someone to invest a lot of time and effort into a site that has no income! But they all had fantastic ideas about how the site should work, and the features that it should offer.
In the end I realised that the only way forwards would be to do it alone. The coding needs to go on.
On the 10th of September I opened my inbox to a torrent of complaints from victims of fraudsters. In every case it was the same story. A too-good-to-be-true offer of face-value tickets for a highly-popular even - which turned out to be a complete con. The victims parted with their money - and that was the last they heard. Scarlet Mist had been set up to bring joy and karma to the world, but instead it was bringing grief and misery. I felt that I was partly to blame, and that the only honourable course of action was to shut the site.
The following day I opened my inbox to a torrent of complaints from loyal users. I was overwhelmed with the level of support, affection and enthusiasm that the users had to the site. For example:-
You ... provided a service to meet a lovely bunch of strangers and restore a little faith in humanity. I feel like I have lost a friend Absolutely devastated that you’ve gone, thank you for helping me get to all those gigs ticketmaster couldn’t help me with. Please come back soon. From Heartbroken of Woking
As the emails continued to come in then I realised that the site needed to be reborn - but with as much attention as possible paid to preventing fraud.
And to my surprise I had a couple of emails from Big Players in the ticketing industry, who wanted to look at ways that we could work together. Interesting!
I had been working on a redevelopment for the previous 2 or 3 years, but never seemed to have the time to finish it. Now perhaps, with the day to day running of the site suspended, then it might be possible. I am an amateur programmer, and what I really need is a colleague or partner to work with.
