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Tips For Buying Rays Tickets On Street

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2008

Officials say the games are sold out, but you can still get tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox play in the American League Championship Series.

Expect ticket brokers and fans with extra tickets to be around Tropicana Field looking to sell as game time approaches.

But how much you pay might depend on how and when you consummate the deal. Here's a guide.

1. Print out a map of the stadium. Whether you're planning to buy tickets on the street or online, keep a copy of the seating chart handy so you can see where the seats you're thinking about buying are. A printable version of the Tropicana Field seating chart is at Ticketmaster.com.

2. Check prices online. Even if you plan to buy tickets on the street, check online to get a sense of how much reasonable sellers are asking. A few Web sites to check for reselling rates are Craigslist.org, StubHub .com, TicketsNow.com and RazorGator.com.

3. Show up early. Really early. The best ticket prices are offered by fans, not brokers. Fans generally head to the field early to sell their extra tickets. Position yourself close to the parking lots, the stadium and Ferg's Sports Bar, 1320 Central Ave., an hour or more before game time.

4. Wear your Rays gear. Rays fans are much more likely to sell to other Rays fans. Let other fans know you're looking for tickets by raising your hand and holding up two fingers for two tickets, four fingers for four tickets, etc. Making eye contact and smiling will make you more approachable.

5. Decide how much you want to spend before you approach a ticket seller. Once you start a conversation with a ticket seller, the seller usually has the advantage. If you work out the numbers ahead of time you'll be more likely to walk away satisfied.

6. Separate your cash. If you're carrying $120 but only want to spend $100 on tickets, stash the extra $20 in a front pocket or purse. Then, if a seller tries to talk you into spending more than you want, you can pull out the $100 and show him that's all you have. Never let a seller see that you have more cash than you're offering.

7. Be flexible. If you have your heart set on press-level seats but can't find any for a good price, consider looking for high-row seats on the lower (100) level or low-row seats in the upper level (300). On the other hand, if you're looking for 100-level tickets but can't find a low price, consider buying seats in the middle (200) level. Many people assume the 200 level has the second-best view compared with the 100 level, but at the Trop, the 200 level is less crowded and sandwiched between the suite levels, so you're getting a top-dollar view.

8. Be patient. If you can't immediately find tickets at a price you like, don't worry. Many ticket brokers work with partners. Many sellers will ask around to see whether brokers have the tickets you're looking for at your price. Also, if you don't mind missing a few minutes of the first inning, you can find rock-bottom prices just after the game starts.

SCALPING GUIDELINES

Florida:

•In 2006, then-Gov. Jeb Bush lifted a regulation limiting ticket resale prices to $1 above face value. Now, most sellers can resell tickets without price limits.

•Florida law does not authorize reselling tickets on the property where the event is taking place.

Massachusetts:

•State law permits individuals to resell their tickets, but the amount allowed above face value has been widely disputed in Massachusetts courts.

•The Red Sox have been known to revoke the season tickets of fans caught reselling them for more than face value.

Sources: Florida Statute, Massachusetts General Law

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