Solicitation of Cubs Season Ticket Holders?

by wrigley_boy on Mar 5, 2009 9:40 PM CST Comment 44 comments

Have any other Cubs season ticket holders received a third-party solicitation from Prime Time Tickets? I received one mailing from them in November and another postcard today that encouraged me to sell my extra Cubs tickets to them. (Don't worry, I won't!)

If I recall, someone asked about the first mailing at the Cubs Convention during a panel discussion with Mark McGuire. He apparently was unaware of the mailing and was going to look into this. Has anyone heard anything more?

It worries me that the Cubs season ticket mailing list could have been (or was) compromised since they also have my credit card number on file. Or, are the Cubs actually passing their list on to a third party? I don't recall granting them permission to do so. Does anyone else?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I have not heard anything

but from the look on McGuire’s face I think he was really surprised and he indicated that the Cubs don’t have full control over the list and kind of insinuated that MLB might have been behind it.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 5, 2009 10:14 PM CST reply actions

I have not received such a solicitation...

… but I have heard others did. I think Jessica is correct, MLB may have done this without the team’s knowledge.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 6, 2009 8:11 AM CST up reply actions

So the Cubs pass on their season ticket list to MLB?

For some reason, that just doesn’t feel right.

Eamus Catuli!

by wrigley_boy on Mar 6, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not sure whether...

… it’s them “passing it on”, or whether MLB has the rights to access it without asking.

In either case, it’s wrong.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 6, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

bud will fix it

by tim815 on Mar 8, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Yess, I got a postcard from them offering to buy tickets.

The Cubs may have sold the list or quite possibly Vineline sold the list. They send a free subscription to season ticketholders.
Have you ever sold tickets to a broker? Maybe they have sold the names.

by cubswin on Mar 6, 2009 7:37 AM CST reply actions

I've never sold tickets to a broker.

The closest I’ve done is transferred tickets electronically via the Cubs Web site. But I don’t think that involves a third-party broker.

Eamus Catuli!

by wrigley_boy on Mar 6, 2009 8:29 AM CST up reply actions

I've transferred on the Cubs web site

No post card.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fukudometer on Mar 6, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

2 things to remember

1. if you use the login on the Cubs site to manage your season tickets you are giving MLB your information since the website is run by MLB.

2. If you have sold any of your season tickets through Stubhub, you have to give them your information and they might have sold the info. Even to another broker.

by Chodes on Mar 6, 2009 8:33 AM CST reply actions

Good points, and...

… very possible that’s where the solicitation lists came from.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 6, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

I've done both of those

never rec’d the mailings.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fukudometer on Mar 6, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

Why do people have such a negative opinion on ticket brokers?

I have sold my tickets both to friends and through a ticket broker. I’m not going to use all of my tickets and I don’t want them to go empty. Besides, a market place where the price is set on supply and demand. If the demand wasn’t there, the broker wouldn’t be in business.

I also don’t get why people are angry with the Cubs having their own brokerage service. I suppose it must be because they kept it hidden rather than publicizing it. I mean if they say they are selling 38,000 tickets to the public at fixed prices but they are holding 2000 tickets that will be priced at the current market price during the season (a ticket broker) that would be their right and is OK with me. In fact they are doing that with the front row auctions as well. They don’t have to offer all of their tickets to the public at once.

by Chodes on Mar 6, 2009 8:46 AM CST reply actions

I don't have a negative opinion of brokers

In a capitalist market, they’re providing a needed/wanted service.

I’m merely suggesting that the Cubs or MLB should not sell their season ticket lists to them without the season ticket holder’s consent.

Eamus Catuli!

by wrigley_boy on Mar 6, 2009 8:54 AM CST up reply actions

Two different answers

From the standpoint of the season ticket holder, I agree — unsolicited mailings can be annoying.

For those who don’t hold season tix and are uspet, it’s partly an entitlement mentality - “I should be able to buy them at $XX, because no one needs to make that much money.”

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

Argh

Anyway, I can understand why season tix holders would feel that way — unsolicited mailings can be annoying. (I’m not a season ticket holder)

For others, it could be an entitlement mentality — “I should be able to buy tix for $XX, because no one needs to make that much money.”

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

and I have no idea why that posted 2X

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

It has nothing to do with entitlement

Ticket brokers are parasites. You have people who do nothing except limit the amount of tickets available to a game, add no value to the ticket, and then sell it at a higher price. Without the ticket broker, the ticket would be available to people who actually want to go to the game at the face value.

by dr stabbingworth on Mar 6, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

Face Value is Artificial

How do you price a ticket? If it is based on the cost to run the ball club then all games should be equal and all seats should cost the same. It doesn’t cost the cubs more to maintain a club level box seat than it does for an upper deck seat. But as they say in real estate location, location, location.

The Cubs have also gone to a 4 level pricing model based on date and opponent. This is basically their way of getting more money based on the demand for a game.

I agree that middle men like ticket brokers seem to lack value but remember they are taking a risk if they get stuck with tickets nobody wants.

by Chodes on Mar 6, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

Face value is stamped on the ticket

Any attempt to profiteer off this is sad, IMHO. It’s not illegal, it may not even be immoral, and even the Cubs do it. But that doesn’t make it right.

I guess I should add as a disclaimer that I never have a problem getting face value tickets, so this isn’t mindless complaining. I just want it to be fair for the real fans. Seeing people in the thread on the day of ticket sales not getting through to get two or four tickets for one game all year was pretty sad.

by dr stabbingworth on Mar 6, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

Real Fans are the Reason the Prices are so High

I don’t think that the people that pay big bucks to go to a Cub game are just there for the sunshine. Some may go to a game just to be seen but most are Cub fans. This aint’ the 70’s when there was Ladies Day to try to draw in fans. Even most of the promotional gimmicks that the Cubs do today are there for advertising purposes not to increase the gate attendance.

by Chodes on Mar 6, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Well, that's valid, too

I go back and forth on the issue. It is free-enterprise. The brokers have as much chance of getting the tickets as the average fan.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

Yes and no.

Brokers have access to more resources — more computers, and some of them will pay college students small amounts to get wristbands, do computers, etc. on their behalf.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 6, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I thought about that

I’ve even heard stories of them paying homeless people to wait in line.

It isn’t perfect, that’s for sure. But, until there are more “face value only” exchanges like the one on here, there will be a market.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

I've done it

I got paid $100 to wait in line for Bulls playoff tix (back in the day, obviously) down at ISU ticketmaster. Didn’t get any tickets, but still made $100.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fukudometer on Mar 6, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions

Me too

I have a hard time reconciling my belief in the free market with my disgust for ticket brokers. I always sell my tickets at cost. I’d feel bad if I didn’t.

by dr stabbingworth on Mar 6, 2009 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

I don't like brokers because...

… average citizens are arrested and put in jail for selling tickets around Wrigley, which effectively creates a cartel of re-sellers around the park. Fear of arrest (and thus a reduced ability of individuals to market their tickets for sale) artificially drives down the price of what the broker pays — so when a broker re-sells the tickets 10 minutes later, the broker’s’ margin is based almost solely on the value of their license (something which has no economic value to the consumer — it is purely artificial and created legislatively).

If something is a nuisance (i.e., people selling tickets on the street), it should be banned. It it’s not, it shouldn’t.

Getting rid of the entire concept of brokers would drive down prices around the park. In just one example, no individual selling an extra ticket would stand outside of the park for three innings holding out for face value.

by Ryan D on Mar 8, 2009 3:38 AM CST up reply actions

A better concept...

… is what they have in Milwaukee or Baltimore, among other places. These teams have a “no-scalp zone”, where people with extra tickets could sell them at face value (or below). It works well and it pretty much kills the scalper/broker market around the stadium.

In the case of the Orioles, you have to enter the park right after you buy the tickets, which eliminates the possibility of brokers buying below-face tickets and reselling them.

The Cubs ought to consider doing this.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2009 4:24 AM CST up reply actions

the scalpers stand acroos the streets on public property.

If I was to sell my extras for above face, why would I want to take less? The Cubs are far different than the O’s and Brewers as far as demand goes.

by cubswin on Mar 8, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Because by doing so...

… you would be doing it legally, sanctioned by the Cubs, and you would put the scalpers out of business. Who would go to them if they could buy tix legally at face value?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

No the scalpers are NOT on public property

They are in store fronts though they do hawk in front an the police should crack down on that. You would not want to try it because you could in fact get arrested. Strangely enough there are people who have extras who just want to sell them for face and right now they have NO way to do that at the park. Some years ago I became so annoyed that I walked up to the people waiting in line to buy tickets at the box office and GAVE AWAY a pair and said rather loudly “You can’t arrest me for THAT”

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 8, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions

you are far more generous than I am.

This year, most of my tickets are $90-100 a piece. I’ll be happy to sell the games I don’t use to a broker. If he wantsw to swtand outside Wrigley and sell them, I really don’t care, nor should I care. People whine because they want to cherry pick what games tbey go to and want them at face value, well, I put up $7000 per seat this year and get all games, even those no one seems to care about.

by cubswin on Mar 8, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Trust me I am NOT that nice

I am happy to scalp my White Sox, Indians, and many other games. I won’t sell to a broker because they suck though
Stubhub is getting crowded with crap too.
I am just saying there are times when people ARE willing to sell at face including me and there should be opportunity to do so as several other clubs have done. I am not bothered so much that brokers hawk on the sidewalk in front of their " licensed" establishments than I am that other people are not allowed to do this even if they DO sell at face.

PS you must have very nice seats mine are $32 for most games and $50 for the “big” ones.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 8, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I've had them since 1983, 5th row behind the plate.

Over the weekend I found some old ticket stubs. In 2000 it was $25, 2003 $36 and now 90 and 100.

I sure wish my income could have risen at that rate!!

by cubswin on Mar 9, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow.

In 2000, bleacher tickets were $15. Now the LOWEST bleacher price is $25 and highest is $60.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 9, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Scalp away

You deserve it but you might make more cutting out brokers and going with eBay or stubhub.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 9, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions

the one thing with a broker is you get cash and it isn't

some known with ebay or stubhub

by cubswin on Mar 9, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Stubhub sends checks

and I have no problem with them. Craig’s list is the bigger problem. I try to help folks out but often buyers are NOT reliable even if you are selling at face but I have had some nice experiences there.
To each his own but you have some primo tickets so you should be getting top ( scalp) dollar for them.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 9, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks for the info. Maybe I'll try that on a few games.

by cubswin on Mar 9, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a great idea that would work in Chicago, if...

… they didn’t ban “scalping” (which just means people re-selling goods for market value, which happens every day in every store in the city).

As soon as you ban selling something for market value without some kind of clout (in Chicago’s case, known as a city-issued “broker’s license”, of which an arbitrarily limited number exist), you create a profit opportunity that can’t be captured by most of the market — and thus a rigged secondary market, like the one that exists today.

If average people could sell at any value, similar to the policy you describe, it would cut out most of the brokers.

by Ryan D on Mar 9, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm sure the Cubs could get something like this approved.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 9, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

This is from Cubs.Com

Also remember that if you bought individual tickets and registered with cubs.com this would apply

Privacy Statement

MLB Advanced Media, L.P. is the organization that produces the Official Website of the Chicago Cubs (the "Website"). We are committed to safeguarding your privacy online. This Privacy Policy is applicable to this Website.

General

You can visit and enjoy our Website without disclosing any personal information about yourself. However, we offer some special services, and for these services to work properly we will need you to share with us certain personal information about yourself. The personal information we collect may include, but is not limited to, first and last name, street address, e-mail address, telephone number (e.g., home, work, mobile and/or fax), and birthdate. We may also collect other personal information that will be identified on the applicable page(s) of the Website. If you submit any personal information to us, or to our third party service providers acting on our behalf, you can be assured that we will not sell, lease, or share your personal information with or to anyone else, except as follows: (1) to our third party service providers, and only so that they may help us provide the services you’ve requested and in certain circumstances to provide you with ticket related offers;

by Chodes on Mar 6, 2009 9:04 AM CST reply actions

Right, but...

… like everyone else these days, they should allow you to opt out.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 6, 2009 9:06 AM CST up reply actions

I have never...

used the Cubs website to do anything related to my season tickets (I always mail in or hand deliver my renewals) and I have never used Stub Hub to sell any of my season tickets, yet I have gotten the postcard for the 2nd year in a row. I just throw it out, but I know my wife is upset about us getting it. I have written the Cubs about this last year, but I never got a response (and I usually get responses back).

Kasey

See what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Also, see the Cubs 2009 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2009.html

by kaseyi on Mar 6, 2009 10:19 AM CST reply actions