KNOW YOUR RESELLERS, KIDS.....
September 20, 2008
An advisory -- no, not a walkway advisory, but this deals with post-season tickets just the same. So it's a consumer advisory.
The Red Sox have entered the electronic age, and their selling and distribution of post-season tickets is very 21st Century.
The majority of tickets have (or will be going to) season ticket holders. The majority of the remainder of tickets to Fenway games have been or will be sold via a lottery system, or over the telephone in an electronic credit card sale.
This means -- if a game isn't played, the ORIGINAL purchaser gets a face-value refund. But he/she doesn't have to bring the ticket back.
Season ticket holders have the option of having the "unplayed game credit" either refunded directly to them -- the season ticket holder of record -- OR, it can be rolled over and applied to the 2009 regular season package.
If someone bought from the Sox directly via the phone, or VWR/online after being selected in the random draw -- they used a credit card. The face prices for unplayed game tickets will be refunded in the form of a credit applied against the credit card that was charged.
What does this mean for you, if you go to the secondary market?
1) You will not be able to take a ticket for an unplayed post-season game back to the box office for a face-value refund. The refund or credit goes back to whomever originally purchased the ticket.
... subsequently ....
2) Look at any tickets you purchase. While I haven't seen any 2008 post-season tickets yet, in past years they were marked either as season tickets or electronic online purchase (or, over the counter). Unless you bought the ticket over the counter at Fenway Park, the Sox won't allow you to "cash it in". and
... subsequently
3) If purchasing a post-season ticket on the secondary market - know WHO you bought it from and WHAT the terms are on getting a refund. Buying a ticket in an alleyway for a game that might not be played might leave you high and dry.
Some resellers define the terms, some don't. Be careful. Caveat emptor.
This consumer advisory has been brought to you as a public service by section15.
-section15
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