Finish the sentence vs taking the quote out f context....

IMHO.....this policy is making Ticket Exchange fail at it's primary intended purpose.

The idea of Ticket Exchange is to get Aggie tickets to other Aggies when someone doesn't need them or cannot use them.

By mandating face value only when that is clearly LESS than some people actually pay for those tickets from an Aggie source, you are driving people to instead list those tickets on places where they can recoup full value (what they paid) but the ticket may go to non Aggies. FAIL.

The money to TAMU - the donation part - is already in the 12th Man Foundation and no matter what the tickets are sold for between private parties that does not change that. It does not hurt TAMU in any way, it only hurts peoples sensitivities because of an arbitrary rule.


When good ideas get all messy with rules upon rules, and when you try to extend or modify those rules for certain special conditions...you end up with the BCS. FAIL.

Here is a thought that has been somewhat discussed.

If you would rather have FMV over FV, then set it up like an auction. What better way to determine FMV than an auction style where the highest bidder wins. This would prevent a bunch of crap like "2 tickets to OU game $500" and the like. In addition, once you list tickets on the auction, you should not be able to remove them if you are not getting close to what you are hoping for.

However, at the end of the day, the argument is somewhat dumb. The owners of the site set the rules so follow them whatever they may be. Some people use craigslist to sell tickets because of the "rules" or lack thereof. Some people use stubhub and its rules say you give up 15% to sell on the site.

The rules of this site are the rules. Follow them until changed or sell elsewhere under another sites rules.

Texags is in a unique position to offer options to make all happy and increase traffic on this site:

1) forum for face value only
- Ag Tags and visibility of current undergrads would be beneficial for generous alumni to sell at face or discount to those looking for tickts

2) Open Market:
visibility of AgTag allows sellors to avoid selling to other team fans at fair market value

2.1) Auction style or organized threads would be usefull as well. Texags could make money by only offering this service for paid subscribers for instance

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If you would rather have FMV over FV, then set it up like an auction. What better way to determine FMV than an auction style where the highest bidder wins. This would prevent a bunch of crap like "2 tickets to OU game $500" and the like. In addition, once you list tickets on the auction, you should not be able to remove them if you are not getting close to what you are hoping for.

However, at the end of the day, the argument is somewhat dumb. The owners of the site set the rules so follow them whatever they may be. Some people use craigslist to sell tickets because of the "rules" or lack thereof. Some people use stubhub and its rules say you give up 15% to sell on the site.

The rules of this site are the rules. Follow them until changed or sell elsewhere under another sites rules.

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Regarding paragraph 1: if people post things like "2 OU tickets for $500," either someone will buy them or they won't. And if they don't, that seller will lower his price or eat the tickets. That's the beauty of the free market. It's ok if sellers overestimate the value. The buyers are the ones who get to make the buying decision. It always works out. It would be nice though if Aggies who want to sell their tickets (and a quick glance at stubhub shows that there are very many of these) would be able to sell them to fellow Aggies who also want to buy tickets (of which there are obviously many) without having to pay 25% to a middle man like Stubhub. Yes, 25%. The buyer pays 10% extra on top of the list price, and the seller pays 15% commission on the list price. If sellers could sell here, they could (and would, no doubt) offer the tickets for less than they charge on stubhub, because they still have a higher take-home amount, and the buyer then can buy the tickets for less than they could have otherwise. And you have Aggies dealing with Aggies, everyone is happy. (Except of course a few Aggies that think making a profit is evil)

Regarding paragraph 2: Technically, even Craigslist says that tickets aren't be sold for more than face value. So for all the people that keep telling sellers to go to Craigslist, you should be aware that technically, if not practically, the rules are the same over there. They just don't have whiny customers complaining and people understand that a free market works.

Regarding paragraph 3: I think 99% of people here do indeed follow the rules. The whole point of this discussion is to change what is a really meaningless (at best) and detrimental (at worst) rule.

I still would like one of the face value people to address what I posted a while back regarding season tickets and face value.

A regular priced season ticket this year cost $400 for 7 games. Yet the face values printed on those tickets add up to $510. So if a person were to sell all 7 of his season tickets for face value, he would profit $110. This is a FACT that can't be denied.

This leaves you face value people in a bit of a pickle. You seem to say that it is wrong for an Aggie to profit off of another Aggie. So, which is it? Is face value a fair price? Or do Aggies who sell season tickets need to reduce their asking price even further, to avoid making a profit, since some of you think making a profit on anything is apparently the most evil thing a human can do?


I'm not even talking about recouping donations here. Why are some of you so opposed to Aggies making a profit off of other Aggies? Do all of you face value people always sell everything at cost if the customer is an Aggie? Let's say you collected basketball cards, and 25 years ago you bought a Michael Jordan rookie card for $10. Let's say you now want to sell it, and it's worth substantially more. If an Aggie wants to buy it, are you going to sell it to him for $10, because that was your cost? Of course not. You're still going to try to get a fair price, and if the buyers agrees on a fair price, you'll have a deal and you'll both walk away happy. Guess what: a t.u. ticket this year is kinda like that. You may have bought season tickets for $400 or even just $250. That's what they were worth when they were on sale, and ANYONE could have purchased them. Well, now the t.u. game alone is worth around $400, according to the free market. Some people are choosing to sell those tickets and make back their entire investment. There are customers out there who didn't have the foresight to purchase season tickets, but now really want to go to the t.u. game, and want to go so bad that they are willing to pay the same amount they would have spent for the entire season, just to go to one game. And so some ticket holders are willing to provide that service in exchange for money. Are these Aggies evil? Some of you seem to think so.

In your own business dealings, do you immediately agree to forego any and all profit if the customer shows you an Aggie ring? Or do you make a fair deal for both parties, and you know, provide a service or product at an agreed upon price that benefits both parties?

Are the face value people really that worried about the board being cluttered? Is that really the only real objection you have? Because as JAW3336 said, it's reasonable to expect the buyers to do a couple minutes of legwork to find what they want. You do that with every other thing in life. I fail to see why you are entitled to not only have the risk-free opportunity to buy a product for less than it's worth, but to have that product be so easily accessible to you that you don't even have to bother scanning more than one page of topics.

It comes down to this, as it has all along: some of you just want to have the right to pick and choose which games you go to and yet demand to pay a discounted single game rate. It's that simple. The half price season tickets? You demand half price INDIVIDUAL game tickets, even though that is not a product that even exists, as far as the ticket office is concerned. Yet you not only want them (which I have no problem with- I want lots of stuff too), you DEMAND them and try to use moral authority as your reasoning.

Prime seating in the alumni side or zone club? These tickets are literally not even available unless you pony up thousands of dollars, yet you DEMAND them for "face value" on an individual game basis, even though that isn't a product that even exists as far as the ticket office is concerned, and you use moral authority as your reasoning.

Sorry for such a long post, but as I've made quite clear, along with several others, the facts are quite clear here. Take emotion out of it. Just look at the facts. This place needs to be a free market. I'm all about limiting it to Ag tags and/or subscribers (assuming the goal of this board is to be a place for Aggies to deal with Aggies- way too many rookies showing up asking for face value tickets... you think these people aren't turning around and flipping them for a huge profit? And of course it's fine for them to do that, but they aren't Aggies.). It's fine to restrict access, but don't restrict the market activity.

[This message has been edited by watty (edited 9/23/2011 10:58a).]

America is surely going to fail with the economic arguments on this board.

If you want a face value only board, then how about this. Either folks buy at face or not at all. Anyone offering less than face is automatically banned. If someone chooses not to use their tickets, then the owner may choose to donate the tickets to TexAgs and they will be sold at face value, with all money going to the 12th Man Foundation. That way, we don't have folks on here trying to buy tickets for half price for FIU, but complaining about having to pay extra for OU or Texas.

I am curious as to what argument those of you who don't like the idea of having tickets on here over face value have for allowing people to purchase tickets below face value.

Just for the record. I was indifferent either way and will follow whatever rules are in place.

How does an "auction" not produce what the ticket is actually worth?

Also, I suggested this before. All WTB's should not be allowed whether FV or FMV is allowed. It should be for posting tickets to sell or trade only.

Why don't the "market value" guys use ebay, stubhub, craiglist, etc? Why are you advocating this board change?

I'm reasking these questions because I want to make sure I'm clear on why this board has to change when you have plenty of other avenues.





I did notice that this board no longer has a sponsor. It was sponsered by a ticket broker. I doubt this board will get a ticket broker sponsor in the furture if they change the policy to free market. As that would be competition. So Texags will lose potential sponsorship money.

Now they might could make up for that by charging a fee to buyers and sellers, similar to stubhub.





If the idea is to help Aggies sell only to Aggies and that is something that you can't control on stubhub and ebay; then they could creat an additional ticket exchange board where only those with AgTags could access. They could make that board face or limited or market.

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Why don't the "market value" guys use ebay, stubhub, craiglist, etc? Why are you advocating this board change?

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They do. That's exactly where they currently go now, which leads to selling tickets to opposing fans. If this board were opened up, those sellers would at least have an avenue to sell to other Aggies while still getting a fair market price. It's a no lose situation. Meanwhile, Aggies that don't need extra money can still come here and offer their seats for face value, like they've always done. That won't change.

Basically the only thing that would change if this board became free market is that Kyle Field would get just a little louder, because a few more Aggies would find their way into the stadium. And that would be good.

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Basically the only thing that would change if this board became free market is that Kyle Field would get just a little louder, because a few more Aggies would find their way into the stadium.

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Does anyone really know what % is really bought by opposing fans v Ags?

Here or broker sites? Probably no for both

[This message has been edited by elspankdog (edited 9/23/2011 12:19p).]

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If this board were opened up, those sellers would at least have an avenue to sell to other Aggies while still getting a fair market price. It's a no lose situation.

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Then you should be advocating a second TE board that can be accessed by Aggies only that would be open market. That accomplishes your goal of getting open market price while selling to Aggies.

Leave this board, where anyone can access, but the policy remains the same.

Deal? Or else you are not being honest about what you really want.

How would the "market rate" guys feel about texags charging a commission, like stubhub?

I'm fine with a second TE board. Whether you put it all in one place or have a separate place is irrelevant, right?

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Deal? Or else you are not being honest about what you really want.

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I don't know what you mean, or what else you are saying I even could be wanting. If anyone's been honest about exactly what they want on this thread, it's me.

[This message has been edited by watty (edited 9/23/2011 12:31p).]

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How would the "market rate" guys feel about texags charging a commission, like stubhub?

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That's not something that's realistic from texags' perspective. At least I doubt they have any interested in becoming an online ticket broker.

That doesnt answer the question. HE asked hw you would feel about it, not the feasibility. Ive always thought that a majority of the market valuers were in it only to avoid the commission. Thus, its not ONLY about selling to an aggie, its also about not paying a commission...

Also, it would be very easy. FLAT RATE or commission.

Set up an access form to list. When the form is completed, payment to list is processed. Then, at sale, the two forms are reconciled and the remaining balance is charged. We set up payment processes like that all the time.

[This message has been edited by AgAC (edited 9/23/2011 12:35p).]

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Whether you put it all in one place or have a separate place is irrelevant, right?

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Having a free market board that is accessible by everyone defeats your argument that you want to deal only with Aggies. Which is why you said you hate using Stubhub and ebay.

I wouldn't mind paying a little commission to texags hypothetically. But it's a moot point. That would never happen.

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Ive always thought that a majority of the market valuers were in it only to avoid the commission. Thus, its not ONLY about selling to an aggie, its also about not paying a commission...

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I think you'd be surprised how many that are answering market or limited are saying that out of principle. I know I am and I've never sold above face.

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I did notice that this board no longer has a sponsor. It was sponsered by a ticket broker. I doubt this board will get a ticket broker sponsor in the furture if they change the policy to free market. As that would be competition. So Texags will lose potential sponsorship money.

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I always found the sponsorship by a broker to be a little inconsistent given the rules users are asked to abide by.

I think most market or limited voters would be in favor of a limited access forum. I know I would be, but perhaps I'm in the minority.

AgAc, no way Texags will start charging commission no matter how easy it is. If they did that they would be liable when a sale didn't work out. They would have to offer some sort of buyer guarantee. Won't happen.

Hamilton, it has been stated several times the reason we want the policy changed or a separate board set up is so we can sell to other Aggies. There is no way to know if the buyer is an Aggie on ebay or stubhub.

I charge a lot for shipping of my face value tickets. A LOT.

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I think most market or limited voters would be in favor of a limited access forum. I know I would be, but perhaps I'm in the minority.

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Having a free market or limited TE board that can only be accessed by those with an Ag tag or Spirit tag would cover the only legitimate argument made on why stubhub and ebay, etc won't work for you.

So we may have found a solution?

Leave this board as is - open access with face value transactions. Create a 2nd TE board that can be accessed by agtags and spirit tags only and transactions could be free market or limited (still to be decided). Also to be decided is if and how much commission texags should charge and how they collect.

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Hamilton, it has been stated several times the reason we want the policy changed or a separate board set up is so we can sell to other Aggies. There is no way to know if the buyer is an Aggie on ebay or stubhub.

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Reread my posts today and you will see that I have already solved your complaint.

Actually they wouldn't. It'd be up to their contract. Listing service with brokers license is not liable for the transaction, only housing the exhange. Recorse would be purely between buyer and seller. Listing fee keeps them out of the gray

Jeff, there is the buyer side as well. Some people would rather buy good seats here as well. They're likely to find a much better deal on primo seats here than on stubhub or ebay. There is the chance that better seats would become more available here if sellers could actually charge closer to their true costs.

Right now, I'm speculating that most of the better seats never get listed here because the sellers' loss would be too great.

[This message has been edited by elspankdog (edited 9/23/2011 1:33p).]

We sold tickets Thanks for the interest. Walt Gault

Heck Jeff, I came up with that idea a few pages ago. You are so 1:00pm, it's unbelievable.

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America is surely going to fail with the economic arguments on this board.

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Lots of good ideas being thrown around. If a decision is made to allow more than FV, my suggestion (in addition to the others I've made) would be to make it a separate forum for Ags only and charge each seller $10 (or whatever amount is deemed appropriate) for each of their postings/topics and then donate those proceeds to the 12th Man Foundation.

[This message has been edited by Kristin87ag (edited 9/23/2011 4:02p).]

This is an issue of Ags success and increased interest - this is a GOOD problem to have. There are some decent solutions on here that I would support. Anything that keeps aggie tickets in aggie hands is a good thing.

The exchange is working just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have paid face, I have paid less than face and have paid considerably more than face.

Ags or not, everybody wants to make more money. If you allow it, then all ticket prices just went up.

When I post I need tickets I get replies via the forum and directly to my email. As it stands, the prices are slightly higher for premium tickets as they probably should be.

But the key is they are slightly higher as everybody is trying to do the right thing. Open it up to a bidding war and just like Jerry World has done, you will close off another consumer group so once again only the guy that makes 500K a year can go to the games!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT OPEN THIS THING UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE IS MUCH MORE AT PLAY THAN A SIMPLE TICKET PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the record, I bought tickets from a former student via the ticket exchange who met me at my office to drop them off. He had no problem doing it. And I will be sitting 2nd deck 49 yard line.



[This message has been edited by oldschool87 (edited 9/23/2011 4:57p).]

You obviously have no faith in the free market. I promise you, the free market will work.

As someone said earlier in the thread, do people just assume that if they open up the board to free market, that everyone will try to sell flyover seats for $500 each? You know that won't happen, right? The tickets will sell for what they are worth. You know, like every product on earth in a free market.