Craigslist, eBay fighting Michael Jackson scalpers

Humanity knows no depths.

On Monday, Craigslist and other sites were adorned with many of those lucky to have won tickets to Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial service celebrating their good fortune--by trying to sell the free tickets.

On Craigslist's LA site the bereaved are brazenly asking buyers to take away the burden of their pain. One, for example, wanted $2,000 for two tickets. His posting, however, has been flagged for removal.

As, it appears, have most, if not all related postings on Craigslist and eBay.

Naturally, many of these posters knew this might happen, so, in a pre-emptive strike worthy of a paparazzo, they have put their phone numbers and e-mail addresses into the headlines so that the grieving and the gullible can contact them directly.

While some of those who were not lucky enough to score tickets are posting requests craving the indulgence of others, might one just wonder whether these are equally squalid scoundrels who, if someone took pity, would merely try to sell the tickets on?

Several Craigslist posters have, however, made reference to a Los Angeles Times blog post that suggests that even if people buy tickets, they won't be able to get in. This poster, for example, prints the blog post in its apparent entirety.

The post quotes Michael Roth, a spokesman for AEG, the company that was organizing Jackson's 50 London concerts and is organizing the service, as saying: "Several apparent ticket holders posted intentions to sell the tickets on eBay, but Roth warned that the security system in place will prevent anyone from doing so."

Roth makes very clear the layers of security that have been put in place: "In addition to the vouchers received via a special code, ticket holders will have to show a valid driver's license, and those whose IDs do not match the registration information will be eliminated as guests.

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But then there's the case of Rob O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan, from Houston, Texas, was featured on NBC's "Today Show" on Monday (video embedded here). He decided to enter the memorial service lottery as "a lark." He won.

However, he is unemployed and cannot afford to go to LA to pick up the tickets. So he put the tickets up for sale on eBay for $15,000. Then he says he dropped the price a little.

Interviewed by Meredith Viera, O'Sullivan explained that his daughter needs heart surgery and he therefore believes it reasonable to try to sell these tickets. He also said he would offer a money-back guarantee if, for some reason, the buyer could not pick up the tickets.

Is his case different? Perhaps you can decide.

[Truckdrvr]

Sort of a slimy way to earn a few bucks, but I might do the same thing if I was in his place.

[GKrynen]

He could/should have told the agent that he was unable to attend. His story may be sad, but there are organizations to help with his daughters difficulty.

[Lerianis3]

Not many and most of them are severely stressed with the economic problems right now.

I don't fault anyone trying to sell these tickets. This is 'supply and demand' in practice. I registered for tickets for the same reason, but was not lucky enough to get chosen.

[The_happy_switcher]

Anyone who would pay 15K to attend a memorial whackier than the deceased.

[bicparker]

This is a public spectacle anyway. It is not a funeral, it is a promotional event being billed as a memorial service. AEG is just sorry that they can't sell the tickets because they would look slimy (which is a bit relative at this point). AEG is going to get so much promotional value out of this memorial service that they will be selling MJ junk for as long as they can.

I say power to anyone who got a ticket and somehow sells it. It doesn't matter if the money is going to heart surgery or a bad day at the tracks as far as I'm concerned. It isn't anyone's business but those who are making the exchange. If the recipient wants the tickets and feels that it that important, then let's not worry about it. Remember, someone has to buy it and if it makes them feel better and no one is getting hurt, I don't see what the problem is. After tomorrow it won't matter, anyway.

[Jack K1]

Hype now = high Official Memorial DVD sales later.

The Jackson family is now and has always been about one thing: money. And they're willing to do anything to get it - including selling their souls to Satan.

[viper396]

@Jack K1. People like you are very obvious in your intentions. It doesn't matter who the personality actually is, you'll always try to demonize them for having talent and being successfull. It's just a sad and pathetic way to justify you're own lack of success and make yourself feel good.

[terminalblue]

OK, Chris, i am done reading your "blogs". honestly, dead links to craigslist postings? its not even a remotely professional way to write an article. Don Reisinger almost chased me off of CNet with poor research and blatant trolling, but at least his "blogging" has improved over the last few months. But the fact that you posted a link to a blog in the article without even quoting its contents and only hinting at its relevance is not just bad writing, its poor journalism.

[GoldenfireReviews]

What if everyone sold their ticket to receive $1,000 dollars or more? Sounds to me like the public is copycatting criminal behavior and taking advantage of a generous offer and the death of Michael Jackson. No situation, in my view, should be given the opportunity to sell their tickets. Ban all ticket sales!

[thebumboys]

I won and picket up my tickets. I was wristbanded when I picked them up. I recieved another wristband with my two tickets. I can give or sell the other ticket and wristband to absolutely anyone I choose. Anyone who says I can't give or sell my other ticket and wristband to anyone is mistaken. mykldean at gmail dot com

[RighteousSoutherner]

Why bother! Like New York congressman Kind said today "He was a pervert, a child molester; he was a pedophile. And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? I just think we're too politically correct."

[davidmcelroy_dotmac]

It's stupid to try to stop the market. If the folks running the concert wanted to give the tickets away, that's their right. But if someone wants to take something that is his and then sell it to the highest bidder, that's his right, too. Craigslist and eBay are stupidly trying to police what it tacky and what is not. That's not their proper role.

[MaryH24]

I fail to understand why anyone would want to attend this "event" unless they personally knew him?!

[garagehero]

Are you kidding me???!!! Not only is the slimy jerk Joe Jackson trying to stick the City of Los Angeles with the 4 million dollar bill for the memorial, but he kept people from making a little on the side by selling their tickets??? Hey...why should scumbag Joe Jackson be the only one making a PROFIT????
Can I have an AMEN??!!!

[JimBrittTN]

WHY would you want to go to the memorial service for has-been Michael Jackson?

If you have a ticket you have the right to sell it! The estate has cost the tax payers of California millions of dollars and will bring in millions more; they have a lot of never gripping about average citizens trying to make a few dollars.