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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jesse White |
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White bill to ban automated ticket buying goes to head of the line
HARRISBURG, April 27 – The state House today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, to protect Pennsylvania consumers from being victimized by automated ticket-buying software.
The bill (H.B. 464) would end the use of software bypassing online ticket sale protection systems. The bypass allows a mass purchaser to buy tickets faster than the general public can access them. They order hundreds of tickets instantly, selling out venues and shutting out individuals actually standing in line to buy tickets, or who are attempting to purchase tickets online for their own use.
The perpetrators then can market the tickets to the public at inflated prices.
"This is a grossly unfair practice," White said. "I heard from many people with children who wanted to see Hanna Montana and went through the prescribed procedure, only to find themselves shut out or asked to pay exorbitant prices."
White said the system doesn't only work against concert tickets, but for any popular venue, including professional sports.
"Say your family wants tickets to the circus or some live-action show," White said. "What we have now is literally a permit for ticket scalpers to take unjust advantage of the public," White said. "Some companies do it blatantly and advertise that they have plenty of tickets available to events that the general public could not get.
"These unethical tactics make it hard on families who want to attend an event together, but can't afford the high cost. The jacked-up prices could put the tickets beyond their means."
The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
"I hope Pennsylvanians let their state senator know what an unfair pain this situation is so that the Senate will at last take action," White added.
Last year the House unanimously passed a similar bill sponsored by White but the Senate failed to act on the measure.
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