Ted H.

Short version: I received two physical tickets from the seller that had the stub on the end of them containing the barcode torn off at the perforation. Venue refused to scan the tickets without the stubs even though another barcode was visible on the tickets. TickPick made me get official confirmation from the venue that their official policy is to deny entry without a stub. I did so and sent proof. TickPick still only offered a refund of their commission ($47) and not the entire charge ($469) since they said the seller confirmed with the venue (no proof offered) that the stub wasn't necessary. They admit I was denied entry through no fault of my own but said since seller did nothing wrong (apparently ripping off the stub containing a barcode doesn't count) there's nothing they can do. So much for their 100% guarantee. I'm doing a chargeback with my credit card.

Detailed version: I bought 2 floor seats for Calibash at Staples Center on Sunday for $469 total. Calibash is a two-day event with identical lineups both nights. (I had gone on Saturday as well but got cheap seats from another website [important detail]). Listing said they're physical tickets for local pickup. I texted the seller and after much back and forth because he wasn't making himself available to pick up the tickets at convenient places or times, I arranged to pick up the tickets at 2am at a rundown motel the night before the concert.

On event night I went with my date and arrived around 9:05pm. I had gone to Calibash the night before so I knew the artists didn't hit the stage until 9pm even though the event started at 8pm. The lady scanning tickets said the tickets were missing a barcode and needed to get her supervisor. I pointed out the bar code at the bottom of the ticket but she said no not that one. When her supervisor arrived, she said the tickets should have a stub at the end of the ticket that had another barcode. The stubs were missing and thus they could not scan the tickets. I noticed then that the tickets did have a perforated edge where I guess the stubs should have been. Time was running out since the artists were already hitting the stage so I had to scramble and get cheap tickets off stubhub for $255. The tickets obviously sucked. I didn't try calling TickPick when the tickets didn't work because the concert already started and it would have been midnight in New York. I didn't bother calling the seller because the scammer was the one who sold me defective tickets with the stubs ripped off.

I emailed * from TickPick later. I even found my old ticket from the concert I went to on Saturday that shows what a ticket with the attached stub should look like. He replied that the scan report showed the tickets I had were never scanned, implying I was never even there. He also said the tickets I had still had a barcode on them that should have still allowed access. Finally, he said the seller had sold other tickets in my section so clearly he wasn't a scammer. Apparently * had trouble understanding the situation. Of course the scan report showed the tickets were never scanned. I said from the beginning they refused to scan the tickets without the stub attached, not that the barcode was defective. I don't care if the seller sold other legitimate tickets, i only care that mine were denied. So if a seller sells 8 legit tickets and 2 defective tickets, that's ok? They should put on their website they have an 80% guarantee then.

I finally called TickPick and * answered. I told him the whole situation and told them the absurdity of them denying my claim. He told me to ask the venue for their official policy on entry if a ticket stub is removed. I asked why they hadn't done basic investigation work. Why didn't they ask the seller why he's ripping the stubs with barcodes off the tickets he's selling? Why didn't they ask the venue themselves what their policy is about admitting tickets without stubs before denying my claim? He had no answers. When I contacted the venue, * from guest services confirmed "yes if a ticket does not have a stub we cannot accept it as a ticket." I forwarded that information to *. A week later he says the seller confirmed with the venue that a stub is not needed for entry as long as a scannable barcode is present. He provided no evidence. This directly contradicts what * said because I had mentioned the other barcode. * said that since the seller did nothing wrong (apparently ripping off stubs containing barcodes doesn't count) they would only refund me their commission of $47 instead of the $469 I paid. TickPick admits I did nothing wrong and was denied entry but still refused to refund my money. What a joke. I'm asking for a chargeback with my credit card company and contemplating contacting the New York district attorneys office because this seems like blatant fraud to me.

*Personal information redacted by admin

*Response to Brett G from TickPick - You have provided zero documentation of your claims. I have provided documented proof of all of my claims (minus pictures that were removed by Sitejabber's admin, which I can respect.) Your story isn't even consistent with your coworkers. One of your coworkers specifically stated that the seller had ripped off stubs from other tickets sold but they still worked and he did not know why I had issue gaining entry. He admitted I had an issue gaining entry. You now state that there isn't sufficient proof I was denied entry. Stick to one story please.

Fact: I posted email proof from the venue that they do not accept tickets without stubs.
Fact: Your coworker admitted the tickets I received had the stubs removed because the seller had done so to other tickets.
Fact: You admit the tickets I received were never scanned (because the venue refused to scan them without stubs.)
Fact: I posted proof I bought another pair of inferior tickets to the same concert 15 minutes after I arrived at the concert.
Fact: I contacted your company 20 minutes after my tickets didn't work.

Where is your proof? You can save your apologies.