 |
|
|
|
To submit a news item send an email to press@mountainnews.com. The Industry Report is published by Mountain News Corp., which also publishes OnTheSnow.com Editor-In-Chief: - Craig Altschul Executive Editor: - Roger Leo President & Publisher: - Rob Brown Managing Director: - Chad Dyer Advertising Information: - sales@mountainnews.com Subscriptions:
Archives: - September 2009 - August 2009 - July 2009 - June 2009 - May 2009 - April 2009 - March 2009 - February 2009 - January 2009 - December 2008 - November 2008 - October 2008 Recent Posts: |
|
|
« Previous Story | The Industry Report Home Page | Next Story » Cheap Tix Vendors Still Open for Biz On eBay, CraigslistBy A visit to eBay last Tuesday turned up 51 offers of multiday adult tickets or 2-for-1 deals at mountains ranging from California to New England. Numerous ones advertised Copper Mountain/Winter Park 4-packs. A handful seemed to be legitimate sales to benefit charities by such outfits as Ride and Ski New England. One seller, who has been on eBay since 1999, according to his profile, explained to shoppers: "Vail resorts has tightened their reigns on bulk lift tickets ... if you REALLY want to go to a breck/keystone that badly, you will be paying 75.00 a day. I don't know about you. But at that rate, I wont' be going. Vail resorts just lost a lot of business this year!" The seller continues: "Our alternative! SKI ANOTHER MOUNTAIN! Copper and Winter Park to be exact." The four-packs were being auctioned at varying prices, most of them slightly above $99, which is what they cost at Denver area supermarkets. Copper spokesman Carlos Garcia said a non-transferable ticket sold to a third party is invalid. "We try to do everything we can to dissuade these sales and educate the public on why it is a bad idea. We also monitor eBay, Craig's List and other sites for violations... and pursue prosecution..." There was only one eBay offer related to Vail. It was selling information on a link to a site that sells discounted tickets for Vail Resorts' Keystone, Breckenridge and Vail mountains. Corporate spokeswoman Kelly Ladyga said Vail foiled resellers this year by requiring "people to purchase them in person" and a photo to be placed on their pass. She added that when the company comes across would-be resellers, the company lawyer warns about legal action in a letter that begins "Dear Services Thief." In response to e-mailed questions from Industry Report, two sellers responded, saying they had bought their tickets in bulk "wholesale" and thus were not re-selling them illegally. IR first disclosed eBay re-sales in a December, 2003 story about one specific online company, based on reporting by OnTheSnow.com's Colorado correspondent Shannon Luthy. That company apparently is no longer in business. An online behemoth, eBay has a policy that allows resale of tickets primarily to entertainment and sporting events in some cases. But its policy states that "Ticket sellers are responsible for ensuring that transactions do not violate any applicable law." Craigslist features classified ads in scores of cities in the United States and around the world. A spot check showed a handful of lift tickets and season passes apparently bought at special early season discount prices for sale in such cities as Boston, New York and Denver. « Previous Story | The Industry Report Home Page | Next Story » |
|
