[the_tidy_kiwi]

Loads of people successfully buy tickets on Gumtree every day. To help make sure you are one of them please read the following tips before you buy.

- Meet face to face if possible. DO NOT transfer money to someone you don't know. Gumtree is a local community site and if the seller refuses to meet you then chances are they are trying to scam you.

- Check with the original supplier/distributor that the tickets are transferable before you buy. You may be refused at the door otherwise.

- It is also a good idea to check with the original supplier/distributor that the tickets are legitimate.

If you suspect someone then please report them to us and we can take a look.

[the_tidy_kiwi]

Festival season is rapidly approaching, so take extra care when buying festival tickets.

Remember that some festivals like Glastonbury sell non-transferable tickets. Avoid disappointment and check with the original distributor before buying.

Also follow the tips I have given above. Don't get desperate and take chances. Happy hunting!

[sellsandal]

ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sophie Jane]

Yes, well, I know all about ticket touts and "scalpers" as they are known in the US. There are more than ever before out there and they usually work in teams, because the same guys are the bootleg merchandise sellers you see after concerts selling t-shirts and other unofficial band merchandise in the street. I know for a fact that the touts now sell online on free classified websites and I've heard from several people who have been scammed. One of my friends paid £60 for a ticket to see Velvet Revolver and never received it, so I would just be careful ordering any concert tickets from any other site other than Seetickets.com or Ticketmaster. It's actually safer to buy tickets from fans with spares (this often happens that somebody's friend can't come, etc.) or from a tout outside the venues before shows. They often bring the price down closer to the time the headline band is due onstage, I've bought tickets from touts at face value and haggled, but after hearing too many horror stories, I would never buy from anyone online who isn't official. It's too risky.

[Sophie Jane]

I actually work in the music industry as a photographer and I am also a masseuse and have worked as a masseuse on tours and at festivals, so I know all about how to obtain tickets for sold-out events the safest way.

When a show says "sold-out", this does not mean it is entirely sold out to fans, as a percentage of the tickets are sold to agencies and bought out by the teams of touts with operate all over the UK. A large amount of tickets are also reserved as competition prizes, free to record labels and their associates and maybe returned and re-released for sale closer to the event.

This year's Reading festival is sold out, but for anyone wanting to go to the event, then I think it's totally worth travelling to Reading on the Thursday beforehand and asking around for face value tickets from people wanting to sell them. Outside the train station there always people selling tickets at the last minute and police do check the touts to see if what they're selling is genuine. They prosecute anyone with fakes, so it's okay to buy there and close to the site. I speak from experience, as this year will be my 17th year at the Reading festival and all my friends have managed to get in, even when the event has been long sold out, so don't despair if you still want to go. Worth checking online for last minute tickets on sale by people who can't make it who are willing to sell day or three day camping tickets at face value.

[gums]

thanks for the info