ArtsQuest backs law that would end ticket scams

Protecting entertainers, venues and consumers — all three are on the line with potential legislation that hopes to end scams for event tickets.

“It’s common sense,” Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-135, of Bethlehem, said during a Tuesday press conference in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. “You shouldn’t be allowed to sell something you don’t have.”

House Bill 1658 would end speculative ticket selling, a practice where people sell event tickets they don’t have at higher prices than normal. Other tactics these sellers use include claiming an event is sold out when it isn’t and selling multiple tickets for the same seat.

The resulting consequences include difficulty in getting a refund if a show is canceled or postponed; safety concerns due to a lack of knowledge of who may be in the venue; and potential backlash against artists who don’t control thirdparty prices.

The bill, which would result in a $1,000 fine per instance of speculative ticket selling, wouldn’t illegalize third-party selling altogether, as long as the seller actually possesses a ticket to sell and isn’t using images from another entity like ArtsQuest.

“Let’s protect the consumers of Pennsylvania,” Samuelson said.

Joining Samuelson at the press conference were ArtsQuest CEO and President Kassie Hilgert and Reps. Jeanne McNeill and Ann Flood.

Hilgert highlighted the importance of ticket sales and how they allow ArtsQuest to fund various classes, programs and concerts, half of which are free for the community to attend.

“[Speculative ticket selling] hurts our box office, because when people buy tickets from speculators, they show and they don’t have their real tickets, and now our box office is trying to find seats for people — angry people — because they didn’t understand where they were buying these tickets from,” she said.

ArtsQuest sells about 250,000 tickets per year, Hilgert added, for events such as Musikfest.

“It hurts venues like ArtsQuest, the musicians who perform in our city and the patrons who look forward to seeing their favorite bands.” Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said in a news release. “Intentionally selling tickets at inflated prices and causing confusion when it comes to simply attending a concert hurts residents and visitors who come here to our city. We look forward to this bill moving forward and thank the legislators who are supporting it.”

The House Consumer Affairs and Utilities Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1658 on Oct. 4. The bill is now waiting for a final House vote later this month.