SEATTLE — As excitement builds ahead of Game 5 in the Mariners’ playoff series against the Detroit Tigers Friday, the Better Business Bureau and labor analysts are warning of ticket scams.
Before the crowds return to T-Mobile Park for Home Game 3 in the American League Division Series, the rush was on for many people looking to buy a seat to witness the Mariners try to make a fourth appearance in the AL Championship Series.
“So far on GameTime and StubHub, I’ve found quite a few available. Seems like there are a lot of resellers,” Josh Mackenroth from Seattle said. “I know people are trying to resell them for double, so maybe $300 or $400.”
The BBB warns to try to avoid the ticket scams that have been reported country-wide in the MLB postseason, to buy from official MLB-authorized sources like the MLB Ballpark app, official team websites or verified resellers that offer ticket confirmation. That means avoiding the deals on social media, Craigslist, or trying to buy day-of from individual sellers.
“Are you guys seeing new ways people are getting scammed? Especially with technology and people making fake websites. Is there anything specific you guys are noticing?” KOMO’s Jackie Kent asked.
“A lot of it is taken through social media, a lot of it is online,” BBB Spokesperson Cameron Nakashima said. “There’s no recourse. There’s no way for them to really get back at the scammer. Once that transaction’s completed, you find out your ticket’s a fake. You reach out to them- their entire account on social could be deleted.”
Nakashima suggests looking up a company on the BBB website to check its grade and reviews.
The National Association of Ticket Brokers is a BBB partner that lists off which second-hand ticket sellers are legitimate and are part of its association.
Buying tickets with a credit card is a secure payment method, document everything, and to act fast if issues do come up, Labor Analyst Thomas Fellows said.
Fans like Mackenroth admit there is sticker shock, but the chance at seeing his team at home in the playoffs is priceless.
“I think it is worth it,” Mackenroth stated. “We need to pack T-Mobile Park, for sure.”
