Seeing a show in Eastern Idaho? Don’t fall prey to third party scalpers

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - If you're looking to see a stage play or traveling broadway show in Idaho Falls - buyer beware.

The Idaho Falls Arts Council says they've witnessed months of online scalpers and third party sellers preying upon local showgoers, by selling tickets to Art Council shows far above face value.

"We work very hard at the Arts Council to bring in the highest quality shows at the most economical price," Brandi Newman Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Arts Council said.

"That's why we have sponsors, that's why we're a nonprofit. That's why a lot of people support us with their hard earned dollar is so that we're able to keep ticket prices down.

"When kind of the rumor mill starts to work that, 'oh, those Broadway tickets aren't $80 to sit in good seats, they're $80 and $25 in fees.' It really just starts to downgrade the integrity of what we're doing."

For example, the Arts Council's upcoming show Potted Potter, a comedic parody of the hit Harry Potter book series, has tickets listed for $55 or less on the Art Council website.

On third party sites, ticket prices skyrocket. For example, on ticketsonsale.com, a single ticket for the parody show can cost more than $100.

On eventticketcenter.com, tickets go for $10 to $20 more than face value.

What is so frustrating to members of the Arts Council is that what the scalpers and third party sellers are doing is perfectly legal.

This is because fine print on sites like ticketsonsale.com clarifies "listing describes tickets that the seller does not own, but is offering to procure for you. Like all tickets sold on a marketplace, zone tickets may be higher or lower than the price first offered by the venue..."

Brandi Newton, director of the Idaho Falls Arts Council, told Local News 8 for some of their most recent shows, they've heard of people paying more than $120 for a single balcony ticket.

"In some circumstances, I can't honor the tickets," Newman said. "I can't put you in the show and I have no way to help you get your money back, because in often times what the third party seller has, that is not necessarily illegal."

But that's not the worst of it according to the Better Business Bureau. Some third party scammers sell fake tickets to big events.

"A reputable website is going to account for those fees and be very clear upfront exactly what you should expect to pay," Dale Dixon of the Better Business Bureau told Local News 8.

"You should not be surprised when you get to checkout and after entering your credit card, there's a whole new number at the bottom and it's a lot higher than you expected. That should not be the case. But do know that there will be extra fees associated."

The better business bureau also suggests if you do buy a ticket from a third party site you should do so by credit card. That way you always have documentation of the purchase and more protection if the ticket turns out to be a scam.

The Better Business Bureau also provides information on whether  a site is a reputable third party ticket seller. For more information, click HERE.

For more information on upcoming shows or to buy tickets directly from the Arts Council, click HERE.