Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Toffee Touts???
36 Comments: Has silly season come early this year?
Okay, I know it's a big game but it's only a semi-final and yes, a great one it should be, with great hope we will come out on top. But it seems the guises are all coming out with the various reasons they have for becoming touts, with one guy on the message board asking £550 for a ticket.
Now I'm one of a number of people looking for ticket, I'll admit, but I find it a very hard pill to swallow for a so-called supporter to ask a fellow supporter for over £500 quid for a ticket.
I thought about it for about 3 seconds before I said, "Nah, sod that for a lark... I'd sooner watch it on the telly," because anyone paying more than £150 must be an absolute mug and I for one would love to see these greedy so-called fellow Evertonians get stuck with them.
£550??? ? shove it up your arse.
Carl Peters, Posted 31/03/2012 at 00:31:36
Comments
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Derek Thomas
963 Posted 31/03/2012 at 03:12:08
963 Posted 31/03/2012 at 03:12:08
In 2009 I went to my local Flight Centre Travel Agent and they said Yes if you buy your flight and hotel with us we will supply a ticket. Itook a lot of hard thought before I declined, mostly because the wife didn't think it was a proper use for half of my redundancy money.
But I shall wait until after the semi to book it...if allowed.
But I shall wait until after the semi to book it...if allowed.
Nick Entwistle
983 Posted 31/03/2012 at 08:13:56
983 Posted 31/03/2012 at 08:13:56
Couldn't do it to a fellow Blue. To a Red? Sure.
Had a spare final day ticket at Lords for the Ashes in '09. Went up to the first guy I saw looking for one and said he could have it for face value. Happy just to make his day.
Had a spare final day ticket at Lords for the Ashes in '09. Went up to the first guy I saw looking for one and said he could have it for face value. Happy just to make his day.
Paul Ellam
992 Posted 31/03/2012 at 09:16:15
992 Posted 31/03/2012 at 09:16:15
I agree with the over blown hype of the semis being ridiculous. Yes, its nice we are there and hopefully we will be triumphant but it seems our FA are just trying to make the FA cup semis seem a success for a team like they do with top four in the premier league. We havent won anything so there is no point celebrating like we have. I would happily go back to the old formats of only champions playing for the european cup, cup winners in the cup winners cup etc. It seemed to work but of course it didnt earn our men in suits at the top enough money so it had to change!
Paul Ellam
993 Posted 31/03/2012 at 09:22:06
993 Posted 31/03/2012 at 09:22:06
Oh, and to reply fully to the original post ? I agree, I wouldn't pay that either ? the robbing twats!
Matt Traynor
016 Posted 31/03/2012 at 11:58:53
016 Posted 31/03/2012 at 11:58:53
I don't think they should allow blatant touting on the bulletin board, my opinion.
I've never sold a ticket for more than face value, and had to sell to a tout for much less on occasion (causing me to miss Kevin Campbell's opener at Chelsea, but to be in time to see them come back to beat us 2-1).
At the last semi not at Wembley - Elland Road in 95, I'd tapped up numerous sources at the club and they all came up trumps, meaning I was left with a spare after sorting mates.
The ticket was £30, and was the first time I thought people didn't travel "on spec" due to the high cost (at that time).
We'd been in the Leeds United Supporters bar before kick off and outside I couldn't shift it. As kick off approached I couldn't even give it away.
Thank fuck we won. Got back and told the arl fella, who helpfully piped up that someone had phoned into Merseyside to moan he'd paid a tout £85 for one.
I've never sold a ticket for more than face value, and had to sell to a tout for much less on occasion (causing me to miss Kevin Campbell's opener at Chelsea, but to be in time to see them come back to beat us 2-1).
At the last semi not at Wembley - Elland Road in 95, I'd tapped up numerous sources at the club and they all came up trumps, meaning I was left with a spare after sorting mates.
The ticket was £30, and was the first time I thought people didn't travel "on spec" due to the high cost (at that time).
We'd been in the Leeds United Supporters bar before kick off and outside I couldn't shift it. As kick off approached I couldn't even give it away.
Thank fuck we won. Got back and told the arl fella, who helpfully piped up that someone had phoned into Merseyside to moan he'd paid a tout £85 for one.
Danny Broderick
017 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:13:03
017 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:13:03
Why has each club only got 31,500 tickets? I knew this went on for the final,but the semis? So it would appear nearly 30,000 tickets have gone to the FA, sponsors etc. It's not surprising that some of these end up being sold for extortionate prices.
Until the FA sorts out its allocations, touting like this will continue. £550 a ticket? I'd rather watch it in the pub...
Until the FA sorts out its allocations, touting like this will continue. £550 a ticket? I'd rather watch it in the pub...
Matt Traynor
019 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:16:41
019 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:16:41
Danny, that's actually fairly generous. It's always been this way. There's a few thousand tickets sold for those who've bought the seats for 3-4 years. These, and those for "the Football Family" often end up on the black market.
When we get to the final, expect a couple of thousand lower in allocation.
When we get to the final, expect a couple of thousand lower in allocation.
Lee Smith
023 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:52:28
023 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:52:28
"When we get to the final....", loving the confidence Matt! :)
Tony Waring
024 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:56:47
024 Posted 31/03/2012 at 12:56:47
Why the hell do they play semis at Wembley anyway? It's just about the dearest city in the world, never mind the UK, and the travel expenses are ridiculous.
Dick Fearon
032 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:09:21
032 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:09:21
Which ever side gets to the final we can expect the usual from everyone connected to that club moaning to the FA about their ticket allocation. Its just another case of passing the buck.
All that is needed is for every PL club that has reached the final say in the last 20 years to vote for a change of system and it would happen.
All that is needed is for every PL club that has reached the final say in the last 20 years to vote for a change of system and it would happen.
Shaun Brennan
033 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:26:18
033 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:26:18
I think our love able tout could be Benji Learman. He apparently has 8 for sale to the highest bidder.
http://toffeeweb.com/site/classifieds/20898.html
How he has come to have 8, who knows.
http://toffeeweb.com/site/classifieds/20898.html
How he has come to have 8, who knows.
Dennis Stevens
039 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:34:45
039 Posted 31/03/2012 at 14:34:45
In all fairness to the guy who's been offered £550 or more, he really would be a fool to insist on accepting a lower price as the buyer may well in turn sell on for a profit & all he'll have done with his generous offer is to increase somebody else's profits. I wouldn't be in that position because I'd offer them at face value to other members of my supporters club ? although I'd happily accept all the free beers that accompanied the payments!
Peter Warren
045 Posted 31/03/2012 at 15:11:51
045 Posted 31/03/2012 at 15:11:51
Spoke to a cockney yesterday whose mate is a Spurs fan who has Wembley seats ? sounded like he has a season ticket for Wembley. He said he would obviously uses it for their semi but would sell it to me for our semi but would want a massive price. The FA is a joke ? how can you have your own seats at Wembley?
And playing there is ridiculous for a semi-final... and the 12:30 kick off, they really are just doing their best to fuck up football.
And playing there is ridiculous for a semi-final... and the 12:30 kick off, they really are just doing their best to fuck up football.
Pat Finegan
051 Posted 31/03/2012 at 17:13:11
051 Posted 31/03/2012 at 17:13:11
Someone buy a bunch of tickets through the RS then scalp them to that lot for 500 quid. That's making a proper profit.
Shaun Brennan
061 Posted 31/03/2012 at 18:01:57
061 Posted 31/03/2012 at 18:01:57
Dennis, if he was offered £550 then why hold the orignial bidder to ransom and come in here to see if he can get more?
Benji is a lowly tout.
I remember hearing a story that a tout at the semis in 2009 had his tickets stolen off him when he tried to flog them over price. Whether it's true or not is another matter. I don't condone theft or violence but he definitely got his comeuppance. If you're going to steal and rip off people, expect the same to happen to you.
Benji is a lowly tout.
I remember hearing a story that a tout at the semis in 2009 had his tickets stolen off him when he tried to flog them over price. Whether it's true or not is another matter. I don't condone theft or violence but he definitely got his comeuppance. If you're going to steal and rip off people, expect the same to happen to you.
Colin Gee
075 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:07:04
075 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:07:04
Peter 045, I think the Wembley Season Ticket that your Spurs mate has is to do with the 'Club Wembley' seats, I seem to recall at the time Wembley was rebuilt they offered a 10 year 'season ticket' for all the games at Wembley for some ridiculous prices, all to do with the massive overspend on Wembley by the FA, they have to get their money back somehow and the only way to do it is to rip-off the fans.
Having just paid £50 for my seat I won't be buying anything to eat or drink when I get inside, wasn't it something like £8 for a pie and pint last time we were there in 2009, it will probably be £10 this time.
Having just paid £50 for my seat I won't be buying anything to eat or drink when I get inside, wasn't it something like £8 for a pie and pint last time we were there in 2009, it will probably be £10 this time.
Ray Roche
077 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:14:49
077 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:14:49
Colin, I seem to remember that it was £2 for a smallish drink of water. Water, FFS.
Dave Wilson
080 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:28:50
080 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:28:50
Colin Gee
Is right mate, contribute nothing to the FA coffers.
These money-grabbing bastards make me sick.
Is right mate, contribute nothing to the FA coffers.
These money-grabbing bastards make me sick.
Dennis Stevens
081 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:23:51
081 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:23:51
Shaun, I don't know the answer to your question - maybe it should be directed at the person selling the tickets. I don't know the vendor or his relationship to potential buyers of his tickets.
However, I'm confident that if I had 8 spares to sell & offered them at face value to people I don't know then it's highly likely that half of them would be sold on again at a great profit. But, as I mentioned above, were I that fortunate I'd be selling them on to people I know.
However, I'm confident that if I had 8 spares to sell & offered them at face value to people I don't know then it's highly likely that half of them would be sold on again at a great profit. But, as I mentioned above, were I that fortunate I'd be selling them on to people I know.
Peter Warren
086 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:47:12
086 Posted 31/03/2012 at 19:47:12
Colin ? ahhh at least I know. I went to final in 2009 but not semi final as thought it would ruin the feeling if we got through. Gave my ticket away to my nephew who was 10 at the time who was made up.
Semi against shite obviously great event but again would much prefer a different venue ? Old Trafford for example. The FA just do my head in, they are so rich and fans should be uppermost in their thoughts but all to do with maximising revenue. The 12:30 kick-off really is appalling.
Semi against shite obviously great event but again would much prefer a different venue ? Old Trafford for example. The FA just do my head in, they are so rich and fans should be uppermost in their thoughts but all to do with maximising revenue. The 12:30 kick-off really is appalling.
Lee Smith
158 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:44:07
158 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:44:07
I really don't know what you guys are moaning about. If you had all had a bit of hindsight, you would have simply stumped up the mere £10,000 (Ten Thousand Pounds) when the stadium was being built to purchase your '10 Year Wembley Licence'. Then, all you would have had to do is pay your Annual Wembley Season Ticket (at ADDITIONAL cost, EVERY year), and this would have guaranteed you access to every FA Cup Semi and Final.
(and they say money is ruining the working man's game, pffft.....)
(and they say money is ruining the working man's game, pffft.....)
Kevin Sparke
163 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:59:03
163 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:59:03
It's a long time since I did Economics 101 but from what I remember touts are a perfect reflection of a market system where if you have a scarce commodity and a glut of buyers the price of the commodity will inevitably rise (Take the recent jump in the price of petrol as an example; the government has created a situation by flagging up the possibility of future strikes that there is a scarcity of petrol at the forecourts... therefor the price of petrol has risen by an average of 4p per litre in a week!)
The only way to reverse this trend is for buyers to form a collective and agree not to pay above a certain price for said commodity... which rarely if ever happens.
I've another solution - don't buy the fucking tickets off them in the first place and hope they're stuck with them.
The only way to reverse this trend is for buyers to form a collective and agree not to pay above a certain price for said commodity... which rarely if ever happens.
I've another solution - don't buy the fucking tickets off them in the first place and hope they're stuck with them.
Steve Smith
312 Posted 01/04/2012 at 21:00:13
312 Posted 01/04/2012 at 21:00:13
Club Wembley seats were sold as a way to make up the huge overspend on the stadium and likewise. All semi-finals will be played there for at least another four or five years for the same reason. Of course, selling Club Wembley seats was always going to be a mechanism for those who bought them to make a massive return on their initial outlay. I considered borrowing the cash to buy one, but my missus wouldn't let me; she now realises the error of her ways. Next time Club Wembley seats come up for renewal, they will probably be around the £40k mark I reckon.
Steve Sweeney
427 Posted 02/04/2012 at 15:09:50
427 Posted 02/04/2012 at 15:09:50
I think it stinks that our own fans are asking
£500 plus for a ticket that costs £50/80 quid.
Don't try and justify the reasons
Go fuck yourselves
£500 plus for a ticket that costs £50/80 quid.
Don't try and justify the reasons
Go fuck yourselves
Steve Barr
488 Posted 02/04/2012 at 19:57:17
488 Posted 02/04/2012 at 19:57:17
James Flynn at #959 (and any other Evertonians exiled here in the USA).
Unfortunately I won't be able to meet up in DC to watch the semi... managed to secure tickets for me and my two sons so will be heading out to London on Thursday the 12th.
Going to be the most expensive Everton game I've ever been to but here's hoping the lads do the business and continue the winning run!
I'm always up to getting together to watch Everton, much rather watch them with like minded fans, so maybe we can get some games in later.
COYBs
Unfortunately I won't be able to meet up in DC to watch the semi... managed to secure tickets for me and my two sons so will be heading out to London on Thursday the 12th.
Going to be the most expensive Everton game I've ever been to but here's hoping the lads do the business and continue the winning run!
I'm always up to getting together to watch Everton, much rather watch them with like minded fans, so maybe we can get some games in later.
COYBs
Phill Shipy
512 Posted 02/04/2012 at 22:38:35
512 Posted 02/04/2012 at 22:38:35
Ive just got one from Club wembley @ £295 all in. Rather than pay a tout, with the risk of getting ripped off, or a forged ticket, I would recommend this route. Sure it's pricey, but at least its surefire and legit. There is a £50 joining fee, but then you can buy upto 8 tickets, if a few of you chip in, it makes things a little easier.
Mark Riding
515 Posted 02/04/2012 at 22:47:31
515 Posted 02/04/2012 at 22:47:31
Sad to say but even our own fans will do you..
Last Goodison derby, a mate had no choice but to use a so called 'tout'.
He paid £120.. and got a ticket. Went to the turnstile and it had already been used !
Just how the fuck does that happen without a bit of 'insider' help ?
Be careful when paying over the odds, even off fellow Blues !
Last Goodison derby, a mate had no choice but to use a so called 'tout'.
He paid £120.. and got a ticket. Went to the turnstile and it had already been used !
Just how the fuck does that happen without a bit of 'insider' help ?
Be careful when paying over the odds, even off fellow Blues !
Thomas Windsor
563 Posted 03/04/2012 at 10:09:12
563 Posted 03/04/2012 at 10:09:12
I remember going to the Cup Winners Cup Final in Rotterdam and staying till Thursday night after having a few beers. I got into London Friday, on the beer again, went to the FA Cup final on the Saturday...
I only remembered 20 minutes before kick off that i had a spare ticket so i was talking to a man and his son outside and I gave his son the ticket for nothing ? his face dropped .
I have seen this lad at nearly every home game since 27 years later and he still talks about that day. Okay, we got beat but to make one child's day was better than making a few shillings off one of our own.
ps: He still buys my a pint!
I only remembered 20 minutes before kick off that i had a spare ticket so i was talking to a man and his son outside and I gave his son the ticket for nothing ? his face dropped .
I have seen this lad at nearly every home game since 27 years later and he still talks about that day. Okay, we got beat but to make one child's day was better than making a few shillings off one of our own.
ps: He still buys my a pint!
Andy Codling
580 Posted 03/04/2012 at 13:02:21
580 Posted 03/04/2012 at 13:02:21
I hope the "toffees" touting to their own fans get a good fucking hiding down at Wembley.
Chris Stewart
588 Posted 03/04/2012 at 14:31:28
588 Posted 03/04/2012 at 14:31:28
As a STH with no away credits etc etc I finally got mine at lunch time today. There seemed to be loads left so those watiing for general sale should be in with a shout.
Steve Sweeney
741 Posted 04/04/2012 at 11:39:12
741 Posted 04/04/2012 at 11:39:12
Hi
Just for Information,
My Wembley Mebership closed 2 years ago so those that joined when we got to the Final in 2009 are pretty lucky.
The only way to access tickets direct from Wembley is by Joining Club Wembley which costs £1200 to join.
Just for Information,
My Wembley Mebership closed 2 years ago so those that joined when we got to the Final in 2009 are pretty lucky.
The only way to access tickets direct from Wembley is by Joining Club Wembley which costs £1200 to join.
Andy Codling
892 Posted 05/04/2012 at 07:13:49
892 Posted 05/04/2012 at 07:13:49
You always hear storys of how people on here dislike kopites because of their arrogance and behaviour, but lets face it there are a lot of scum bags on here fleecing fellow fans to make a quick profit on a cup game, we have some of the worst fans in the country!
Eric Myles
896 Posted 05/04/2012 at 08:05:49
896 Posted 05/04/2012 at 08:05:49
Hopefully Andy those with a MyWembley membership already will use their full allocation to get tickets for fellow blues at cost and so more than make up for the overpriced touts.
Bob Turner
104 Posted 06/04/2012 at 17:42:00
104 Posted 06/04/2012 at 17:42:00
http://findlaw.co.uk/law/consumer/other_consumer_law_topics/500485.html
Seems to suggest that selling tickets without authorisation is a criminal offence...
I wonder what would happen if, having bought an overpriced ticket and watched the game, you then made a complaint (the FA, police, Trading Standards, Everton, take your pick)...
Seems to suggest that selling tickets without authorisation is a criminal offence...
I wonder what would happen if, having bought an overpriced ticket and watched the game, you then made a complaint (the FA, police, Trading Standards, Everton, take your pick)...
Carl Peters
210 Posted 07/04/2012 at 13:14:03
210 Posted 07/04/2012 at 13:14:03
Andy892
I went to the semi-final in 2009. I was basically in the same boat as I am now, without a ticket.
I did eventually get one the so-called Everton supporters were asking way over the odds then also.
I did get one in the end; I paid £65 for it off a Manc, and watched the game from underneath the scoreboard in their end but at least I saw the game.
I went to the semi-final in 2009. I was basically in the same boat as I am now, without a ticket.
I did eventually get one the so-called Everton supporters were asking way over the odds then also.
I did get one in the end; I paid £65 for it off a Manc, and watched the game from underneath the scoreboard in their end but at least I saw the game.
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959 Posted 31/03/2012 at 01:57:03