http://www.startribune.co...27198.html

Scalpers for Prince, Adams events aren't waiting until sales are legal
By Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune


Ticket scalping doesn't become legal in Minnesota until Aug. 1, but that hasn't stopped sellers from cleaning up with two Minneapolis concerts that went on sale last weekend.
Prince's July 7 Target Center date and Ryan Adams' June 18 show at the Cedar Cultural Center are both in high demand on eBay and other online outlets. Two pairs of Adams' $35 seats sold for $449 apiece on eBay, and individual seats are going for around $150. The 300 available tickets sold out in minutes online.

"It's certainly been an eye-opener to us," said Cedar Cultural Center publicist Brian Corner, whose venue is the first U.S. stop on Adams' summer tour. "We sold tickets all over the country."

Full-time ticket brokers are behind all of the eBay listings for Adams and many of the postings for Prince's show. Tricks that scalpers once used to get around Minnesota's law -- such as advertising for a $400 CD with "free concert tickets" -- are no longer being used.

Prince fans are seeing about a $100-per-ticket markup for good seats, even though his concert is not sold out. Ticket King, based in Hudson, Wis., lists front-row seats for $1,560. That tops its prices for the Police's July 3 reunion at Xcel Energy Center -- which is seeing scant markups despite selling out in a few hours.

Ticket King is setting up a downtown Minneapolis office to open Aug. 1. "It'll be nice to not have to just work out here in Hudson," said co-owner Brian Obert.


CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Perhaps I should have put this in the concerts forum. Admins, move if you feel it appropriate.
[Edited 6/6/07 8:02am]

Scalpers are the scum of the earth !!

peppeken said:

Just below paedophilles.

Lets see? In 2004 I was in the first row for two of the three Xcel Energy Center shows and second row for the third (thanks to NPG Music Club tickets) This year I would have to pay a scalper $1,560 to be in the front row!