AND WHILE WE’RE ON THAT SUBJECT: Eagle-eyed...

AND WHILE WE’RE ON THAT SUBJECT: Eagle-eyed rock fans may have noticed that the mountain of ticket-broker ads printed in the Sunday Calendar (and other publications) contain considerably more information than in past years. The reason: state Senate Bill No. 675, passed in January, which requires ticket agencies to be more responsive to consumer needs. The bill guarantees fans a full refund of deposits for postponed or canceled shows, requires agencies to clearly state a place of business and service charges in ads and ensures that consumers ordering tickets over the phone will receive an exact description of ticket locations (unlike Ticketron or Ticketmaster, which simply offer a “best available seat” location).

“The new law has really helped keep carpetbaggers away,” said Harlig, who said the brokers’ umbrella organization lobbied heavily for the bill. “In the past, at Super Bowl time, a lot of out-of-towners would set up shop in a hotel room and sell tickets, without being responsible for paying taxes, offering refunds or (truthfully representing) ticket locations. Now the consumer has some protection against those kinds of abuses.”

Unfortunately, the bill still doesn’t offer a solution for rock fans’ biggest complaint--that a ceiling should be set for top agency ticket prices.

“We’re very opposed to a ceiling,” Harlig said. “I don’t think there should be any government intervention in what’s clearly a non-essential commodity. Ticket prices shouldn’t be treated any different from pork bellies or gold. As long as people are willing to pay the price, I think tickets should be kept in a supply and demand situation. We’re providing a service, and we don’t feel we’re gouging anyone.”