THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604180151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
I have lived in Virginia Beach for 14 years, and was very excited some time ago when the city approved the plan for the amphitheater. I enjoy concerts and looked forward to see the high caliber acts that this type of venue would attract.
I was also very excited to hear that Jimmy Buffett had committed to a concert in August and that the tickets were to go on sale Saturday, March 23. Unfortunately, I was out of town and unable to stand in line and purchase them on my own.
When I got back in town I ran an ad in the classifieds and also checked the classifieds for possible tickets that were for sale. Of the three ads selling tickets, two were businesses and one was an individual. I called the individual first and was directed to ``bid'' on what I thought the three lawn seats were worth. I offered the person twice the face value and was promptly told no. I called the two businesses and was quoted a price from between $99 to $150. Granted the $150 tickets were within 30 rows of the stage, but three to five times the face value?
As I understand it, scalping is illegal in Virginia Beach.
With the city on the verge of having a world-class venue operating I implore them to investigate options to limit scalping as much as possible for concerts in the future. Possibly an ID system or vouchers to ensure the person who bought the tickets is the final user.
Scalping simply pre-empts the people who wanted to buy the ticket in the first place so that the scalper can sell it back to that person at a profit. Let's stop this now.
Joe E. Claunch III
Virginia Beach
I recently purchased eight tickets to the upcoming Jimmy Buffett concert and was shocked to have to pay $1.50 per ticket, for parking. I think that is outrageous! All eight of us will be traveling to the concert in one vehicle, as a convenience to ourselves, as well as the city - YES - the city!
Five of us are licensed drivers, and we ``could'' take five vehicles. But realizing the possible traffic situations, we thought it best to travel in one. (Imagine if 20,000 ticket purchasers drove 20,000 cars?) Three of the tickets were purchased for our minor children - ages 11, 9 and 7. They can't even drive, let alone take up a parking space. A total of $12 was paid for me to park one car at the concert.
It is not fair!
Since this is the practice you have chosen, this will be my only ticket purchase. I will not support the amphitheater in any way, before and/or after this concert. I hope others that feel the same way take the time to write, too.
Diane M. Skipski
Virginia Beach by CNB