An antiquated anti-scalping law in Baltimore from 1948 is the basis for a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster. The lawsuit, brought by Baltimore resident Andre Bourgious, is still being considered in federal court in Baltimore while the Baltimore City Council considers updating the laws monetary cap on tickets to reflect inflation.
The City Council has temporarily repealed the old law and have set a deadline of September 1st to come up with a new limit. Baltimore City Councilman Bill Henry has proposed the idea of setting the cap at $5.00 or 10% of the ticket prices face value. And this affects many venues, promoters and other ticket sellers besides Ticketmaster.
Listen to the story below to hear many of the opinions about this debate.
Also, below is a list of upcoming concerts and other events with their ticket prices and fees broken down. Councilman Bill Henry’s proposed $5.00 or 10% cap on fees would save ticket purchasers some money if it were implemented.
Ticketfly
They Might Be Giants
April 6, 2013
Rams Head Live
Price $26.00
Will Call Fee $2.00
Service Fee $5.50
State Tax $2.60
Total Fees $10.10 or 39% of original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $36.10
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $5.10
Ozomatli
April 3, 2013
9:30 Club
Ticket Price $25.00
Order Processing $4.00
Service Fee $6.00
Total Fees $10.00 or 40% of original ticket price
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $5.00
Preakness
May 18, 2013
Pimlico Race Course
Grandstand General Admission $25.00
Service Fee $6.44
Total Fees $6.44 or 26% of the original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $31.44
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $1.44
Ticketmaster
Peter Pan
March 24, 2012
Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric
Price $65.00
Facility Charge $3.00
Convenience Surcharge $11.05
Order Processing Fee $3.50
Total Fees 17.55 or 27% of original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $82.55
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $12.55
National Aquarium of Baltimore
Anytime Adult General Admission Ticket
Price $29.95
Convenience Charge $3.25
Order Processing Fee $2.00
Will Call Fee $0.00
Total Fees $5.25 or 17.5% of original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $35.20
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $0.25
Jay Z and Justin Timberlake
August 8, 2013
M and T Bank Stadium
Ticket Price $39.50
Facility Charge $5.00
Convenience Charge $12.50
Total Fees $17.50 or 44% of original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $57.00
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you$12.50
Chris Jacobs Band
March 29, 2013
8 x 10
Ticket Price $12.00
Facility Charge $2.00
Convenience Charge $5.90
Order Processing Fee $2.50
Will Call Fee $0.00
Total Fees $10.40 or 87% of original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $22.40
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you would only pay $5.00 in service fees. Saving you $5.40
Brown Paper Tickets
Michael Beresh and Chris Jacobs with Her Fantastic Cats
April 25, 2013
Wind Up Space
Ticket Price $10.00
Service Fee $1.34
Total Fees $1.34 or 13% of the original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $11.34
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you could potentially pay more.
Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
April 27, 2013
Evergreen Museum and Library
Ticket Price $20.00
Service Fee $1.69
Total Fees $1.69 or 8% of the original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $21.69
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you could potentially pay more.
Missiontix
Celebration
March 29, 2013
Ottobar
Ticket Price $10.00
Processing Fee $3.50
Total Fees $3.50 or 35% of the original ticket price
Total Ticket Price $13.50
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you could potentially pay more.
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
March 24, 2013
Baltimore Soundstage
Ticket Price $15.00
Processing Fee $2.90
Total Fees $2.90 or 19% of the original ticket price
If a $5.00 or 10% cap were placed on fees above face value of tickets; you could potentially pay more.
