Imagine finding a ticket to the upcoming National Championship Game between Oregon and Ohio State for just $414.84. A ticket for a seat, mind you, that was not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill binoculars seat. This seat gave you "access to Field Level Club and Founders Club which includes all-inclusive food and beverage...Roomier cushioned seats". For many of us, that may still sound pretty expensive. However, when you consider the fact that these types of seats are currently selling for a dollar amount closer to $4000, it's hard to say that $414.84 is a bad deal.
Now, imagine finding four of those $414.84 seats, and then purchasing them for "$16,59.36 USD" via StubHub. Sounds like you just scored the ticket package of a lifetime, right? Field level seats with all-inclusive food and drink for just over $1500? Who could say no?
As it turns out, StubHub can say no, even after they sell you the tickets for the listed price. Such is the case for University of Oregon alum Patrick Leonard, who managed to purchase these tickets on January 1 for his whole family. Unfortunately, when Leonard checked his credit card statement the next day, it turned out that he had been charged for the actual amount of the tickets: $16,059.36.
However, Leonard wasn't having it. The Ducks fan contacted a StubHub sales representative and sent her a screenshot of the price that had been displayed to him on his phone. He wanted the tickets for the price that StubHub had advertised.
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Per Leonard:
Obviously, they screwed up when they posted the price, e.g. listing it for $414 vs. $4014, but I am certain that they should not have the right to unilaterally cancel the contract even if they have rigged the system to limit the rights of consumers, see below. She basically told me to shove and that they are cancelling my order. I told her that I hope she can sleep at night given the lack of humanity and soul that she and Stubhub have shown in this matter. She then said that they would provide me with a fancode coupon for future purchases.
Leonard is pissed about the no-sale, referring to it as a "travesty" and calling on the Internet to "get the word out to the masses." Easy, guy. Let's take a step backward; this isn't a matter of national security.
Still, however, he's insistent about calling StubHub out on their bullshit:
This is a travesty and StubHub is counting on two things.
1. People will not take the time to stand up to this type of abuse. The thing they didn't realize is that I am a rabid Duck and college football fan and that this isn't just any other game. It is a once in a lifetime type thing. Let alone it is rare for most teams (except Alabama and USC) to play for the Championship numerous times, this is the FIRST College Football National Championship. There will never be another FIRST National Championship game.
2. That the current viewpoint of the Supreme Court will prevent a little guy like me taking them to Court for anything more than a small claims matter.
Due to the time constraints (the National Championship Game is being played on the 12th), Leonard will not be taking StubHub to court. But should he get his tickets? As of now, StubHub is only offering him a $1,600 voucher for his troubles. Unfortunately, a coupon isn't quite the same as getting to see your team fight it out for a National Championship.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.
[via Kinja]
