Selling tickets to events is common practice, but there are some important factors to consider when selling tickets to a show like the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a hugely popular Broadway show that often sells out far in advance. If you find yourself unable to attend a show you have tickets for, you may be wondering if you can sell your Book of Mormon tickets to recoup some of the cost. There are a few key things to keep in mind when looking to sell Book of Mormon tickets.
Check the ticket resale policy
Before attempting to sell your tickets, it’s essential to check the resale policy for the particular venue and production. Many theaters and shows have strict policies prohibiting the resale of tickets. This is done to discourage scalping (buying tickets only to resell them at a higher price). The policy should be printed on the ticket or available through the theater website. The Book of Mormon typically prohibits ticket resales.
Use an authorized ticket resale platform
If resale is allowed, make sure to use an authorized resale platform approved by the venue. Selling tickets anonymously or through unauthorized channels may result in cancellation of the tickets. Examples of safe resale platforms include Ticketmaster Fan Exchange and StubHub. These sites work directly with venues and guarantee valid tickets. Selling through classified ads or online marketplaces is risky.
Be upfront about restrictions
If reselling Book of Mormon tickets, be transparent to buyers about any restrictions, like non-transferrable tickets that require an ID match. Make sure the buyer is aware of policies before purchasing to avoid problems at the door. Listing details like seat numbers and locations is also advised.
Price tickets fairly
Avoid drastically inflating prices when reselling tickets. Price gouging is frowned upon and, in some areas, illegal. A fair mark-up over face value is reasonable to cover your costs. But an excessive markup may fail to attract buyers anyway. Consider comparable ticket resale prices when pricing your tickets.
Use secure payment platforms
When selling tickets online, only accept payments through secure platforms that offer buyer and seller protection. PayPal Goods and Services or StubHub are recommended over risky options like bank transfers or cash payments. This guards against non-payment or invalid tickets. Avoid mailing hard tickets until payment is received.
Is it legal to sell Book of Mormon tickets?
The legality of reselling tickets depends on the applicable state laws and the specific terms and conditions set forth by the venue/producer. Here are some key factors:
State Laws | Venue Policies | Common Restrictions |
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The Book of Mormon standardly prohibits any ticket resale. The box office requires ID verification and voids any tickets being resold. There are generally no exceptions made even in states with loose ticket resale laws, due to the show’s strict anti-scalping stance. While penalties are rare, being caught reselling Book of Mormon tickets could technically result in criminal charges along with cancelled tickets. The only way to legally sell them would be if the production company provided explicit resale approval. But this approval is virtually never granted.
Bottom Line
It is best to avoid reselling Book of Mormon tickets altogether due to the near universal ban. Exceptions may occasionally be made for charity fundraisers or similar special circumstances only if the box office is notified in advance. Either use the tickets yourself or return them to the venue for a refund if possible. Attempting to sell the tickets through unauthorized channels is likely to result in failure anyway.
What are the risks of reselling Book of Mormon tickets?
There are a few key risks to be aware of if you try to sell your Book of Mormon tickets despite the restrictions:
Your tickets could be canceled and invalidated
This is the most likely outcome if you resell tickets against policy. The box office will most probably identify the tickets as being resold and render them unusable. Even if you already sold the tickets, they would not work for the buyer at the door. Both parties would be out the money in this case.
You could be denied entry
If you show up with tickets that were already resold, the box office will not accept them. You will be turned away at the door without being able to see the show. This outcome wastes both your tickets and your time.
Legal action is possible but unlikely
In rare cases, those caught blatantly violating ticket policies could potentially face legal prosecution for scalping or fraud. But in practice, the show itself has no incentive to pursue legal action. They will simply cancel the resold tickets. Still, the outside possibility exists in some states and counties.
Your accounts could be banned
Venues may blacklist you from purchasing future tickets if you are revealed reselling tickets. This could restrict your ability to buy highly coveted tickets in the future for any shows at that theater. Some may go as far as banning your credit card or mailing address.
You will damage your seller reputation
If using a resale platform like StubHub, repeatedly attempting to sell canceled or invalid tickets could get you booted from the platform. Buyers may also leave bad reviews that hurt your seller rating and credibility. This could limit your ability to resell other tickets successfully down the line.
Bottom Line
The clearest risk is wasted time and money from having tickets invalidated. Beyond that, there is some possibility of legal consequences and damage to your future ticket buying and selling prospects. These risks reinforce why reselling Book of Mormon tickets is not recommended.
What are some tips for safely getting rid of Book of Mormon tickets?
If you truly cannot use your Book of Mormon tickets, there are a couple proper channels to go through:
Return the tickets to the box office
Most theaters will accept ticket returns for a full refund provided the show has not passed. This is the safest option to recover your costs. Be aware of time limits on returns imposed by the venue.
Sell them through an authorized exchange
Some theaters like the Eugene O’Neill Theatre where Book of Mormon runs may operate their own fan ticket exchange or resale partnership with Ticketmaster. This provides a legal avenue to resell at fair market value. Availability varies by venue.
Gift the tickets to a friend or family member
You can legally give the tickets away to someone you know rather than reselling to a stranger. This allows you to share the experience if you cannot attend yourself. It would need to be someone you trust not to resell them afterward.
Donate the tickets to charity
You may be able to write off the ticket value as a tax-deductible donation by giving them to a recognized charitable organization, if you alert the box office. This recoups some value in a good cause rather than letting the tickets go to waste.
Bottom Line
Always consult the venue’s policies before taking any action. If reselling is prohibited, take advantage of one of the above legal ticket transfer options instead. This ensures the tickets are not canceled and puts them to good use.
What are some ticket reselling best practices to follow?
If you do have tickets to an event that legally allow resale, here are some best practices to follow:
Research event policies and local laws
Always thoroughly check if any restrictions apply before assuming tickets are OK to resell. Some events ban transfers or limit prices while others are less strict. Know the laws too.
Use a reputable resale platform
Trusted sites like StubHub provide buyer and seller protections that smaller exchanges lack. This also gives your listing greater visibility tobuyers.
Price fairly and transparently
Find comparable sales data to set fair asking prices. Disclose details on seats, conditions, restrictions, etc. This builds trust and converts buyers.
Only accept secure digital payment
Never take cash, checks, or money orders that leave you vulnerable to fraud as a seller. Use instant digital payments through the platform.
Avoid high-demand events at first
If new to reselling tickets, start with lower-profile events to get experience before tackling hot ticket shows. Less popular events come with less risk.
Stay organized with sales records
Keep detailed records of ticket sources, sales, payments, fees, etc. for taxes and performance tracking. Digital tools can help.
Bottom Line
Following best practices reduces headaches and maximizes successful ticket transactions. Do your homework, use common sense precautions, and build a selling track record on lower-risk events before attempting high-dollar ticket resales.
Conclusion
Reselling tickets to popular Broadway shows like Book of Mormon tends to be prohibited by venues due to anti-scalping policies. These tickets generally cannot be resold without being voided or canceled by the box office. Those looking to sell Book of Mormon tickets are best off returning them for a refund or gifting them to someone they know who can attend. While reselling other event tickets is often legal with common sense precautions, attempting to profit by reselling restricted tickets comes with substantial financial risk and no guarantee of success. Always thoroughly check event policies before assuming any tickets can be resold.