Comments on: Well, We Broke Even [NFL Season Ticket Experiment]

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:48:32 +0000

William. Thanks for the comment. I definitely agree – if we were to do it again I would bypass StubHub and try to sell them other ways like you mentioned.

By: William

William — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:43:43 +0000

Very interesting especially since I tried the same thing last year and felt it was a success. My cost was 4 season tickets at $550 each. After going to 1 regular season game and 1 preseason I was able to sell the other 8 games and still turn a profit. If you did not had to pay the $300+ in commissions I think you would have been happy(er) with the outcome. I Avoid Stubhub, why would you pay someone else 15% and STILL have the buyer pay their “convenience” fees? EBay is decent at about 5-10%, but still why not sell DIRECTLY to fan via word of mouth, facebook, personal website, and/or craigslist? You offer them a ticket for CHEAPER than the box office, and you still make a profit!

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:47:20 +0000

Thanks for the tips William. All good stuff I never thought of.

By: William Chandler

William Chandler — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:40:57 +0000

Also, you must take advantage of the priority most teams give to season ticket holders in regards to buying additional single-tickets. You could have bought more Broncos/Giants tickets being a season ticket holder.

By: William Chandler

William Chandler — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:23:07 +0000

I buy and sell NFL tickets. While it is a good idea to get the season tickets, you can find great season tickets from teams without waiting lists (Vikings this year.) I find my profitability is best on ebay, they only charge about 9% commission and you can make an extra $10/sale if you embellish S&H rates. I get Vikings tickets for $42/ticket and just throw them up for auction starting at .99 because people figure they are getting a great deal if they keep NFL tickets under $100/ticket, while that doubles me up.

Another tip is to sign-up at http://www.seatdata.com; they have photos of the view people will have from your seats, slap that on your ebay auction and you will be golden. It really sucks people in when they know exactly what to expect view-wise.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:07:39 +0000

Thanks Bran. There’s some great tips in there. I’m glad I did it but I don’t think I’ll be renewing again next year.

By: Bran

Bran — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:56:58 +0000

I have some experience in this industry. The most important thing is information. You HAVE to know people, or it is near impossible to make a good profit. Example….There is no team in the NFL that is completley sold out. If you know the right people you can get season tickets even when the the teams “website” will say they are sold out. I did this with the Colts through my contact. I actually just bought 4 more seats today. My advice would come down to this…..work on building your nextwork of people. Another tip is to have a current season ticket holder request more tickets instead of being put on the waiting list. Season ticket holders have priority over the people on the waitlist. When I first started I tried the whole buying from stubhub and then reselling them, and my experience was similar to yours. Good luck bud.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:57:19 +0000

Haha I did, but much like you realized that I won’t get them until I’m dead (or the longest living person ever…). I’ve been on the NY Giants list for about 5 years, which is probably the one other team that would be immensely profitable, but I think I’m 50+ years out on them too.

By: Dale Ting

Dale Ting — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:15:54 +0000

Adam… did you sign up for Green Bay Packer tickets? I bet you can make some cash there. I’ve been on the waiting list for 9 years and tracked it on an excel sheet and projected when I’d get them. I’ll contact you in 91 years and let you know if it was profitable…

http://forevercheesehead.blogspot.com/2009/03/packer-season-ticket-list-91-years-to.html

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:50:40 +0000

Nice Owen! That’s the best of both worlds – you made a little money and still got to go to some games. I’m a Mets fan so if I lived a little closer I’d consider doing this again but more like you – half for profit, half for fun. As it stands now I’m about a 3 hour drive (on a good day) so I only go to a few games a year.