PSA

I wanted to draft a quick warning to everyone that attends Rangers games - specifically those of you that are inclined to buy tickets from scalpers/individual sellers in and around the ballpark.

StubHub has greatly improved the way in which tickets are transferred.  Season ticket holders can sell their tickets from within their "My Tickets" account with the Rangers.  The tickets are delivered to the StubHub buyer electronically.  In addition, anyone holding a ticket can sell it through StubHub by entering the bar code.  Again, the tickets are delivered electronically.

So, this is great for both (StubHub) buyers and sellers.  No more need for FedEx to be involved in the process.

The problem (and it's a very significant problem in my estimation) is that the physical tickets never change hands.  If I sell my tickets through StubHub, I retain the physical tickets.  If I sell through StubHub, retain my physical tickets and am a deceitful person, I can resell the physical tickets to unsuspecting buyers in the minutes/hours leading up to the game.

What's different?  People have always been able to make fake tickets, and with the exception of major events, it has never been a problem.  Now the tickets aren't "fake."  They are genuine tickets (with tear marks from taking them out of the books, holograms in some instances and other "real ticket" features).

Be careful - especially on opening day where thousands of tickets have changed hands on StubHub.  Also, this problem is relevant at every venue going forward - NBA, MLB, NFL, so keep this in the front of your mind.