Lessons

Why a Ban on Ticket Resale Profits Won't Work

AdvancedAgainstEntertainment & Hobbies
Practice the other side:Why Concert Tickets Shouldn't Be Resold Above Face Value

Why a Ban on Resale Profits Won't Work

Good intentions, poor results

1 / 8

Model script

Good evening. I've worked in event management in London for twenty years. Many people want to stop tickets from being resold above face value. I understand why, but today, I'll argue that a ban like this won't solve the problem.

Your recording

Say this slide out loud, then listen to yourself.

Recordings stay on this device and disappear when you leave the page.

Useful phrases

  • I understand why, but

    I see the reason, however.

  • won't solve the problem

    Will not fix the issue.

Full script

Read the whole talk.

All slides in one place. Read it through once, then practice slide by slide.

  1. 01Why a Ban on Resale Profits Won't Work

    Good evening. I've worked in event management in London for twenty years. Many people want to stop tickets from being resold above face value. I understand why, but today, I'll argue that a ban like this won't solve the problem.

  2. 02Where I Agree

    Let me start with where I agree. Software that buys hundreds of tickets in seconds is unfair, and fans deserve a real chance to get tickets. The goal is right. My concern is the method.

  3. 03Problem 1: The Market Moves Underground

    My first problem is that high demand doesn't disappear. If official resale is limited, sellers often move to social media or cash deals outside the venue. Fans then have no protection against fake tickets.

  4. 04Problem 2: Hard to Enforce

    Second, it's very hard to enforce. Many resale websites are based in other countries, and thousands of small sellers are hard to track. A rule that can't be enforced only punishes honest people.

  5. 05Problem 3: The Price Was Too Low

    Third, when resale prices are very high, it often means the original price was set below what the market would pay. The profit still exists. A ban just decides who gets it, and it's often not the artist.

  6. 06A Better Approach

    So what would work better? Strong action against bots, lotteries that give every fan an equal chance, and presales for verified fan club members. These tackle the cause, not just the price.

  7. 07The Honest Truth

    The honest truth is that when far more fans want to go than there are seats, someone will be disappointed. No rule can change that. We can only make the process fairer.

  8. 08Conclusion

    In conclusion, a ban on resale profits sounds fair, but in practice, it can push fans toward riskier deals. Let's fix how tickets are sold in the first place. Thank you.

Cover photo by igorovsyannykov on Pixabay