I have bought scalped tickets (since it has become legal, of course) but only for concerts and sporting events that I really wanted to see and wasn't on the ball when tickets became available.

The scalped ticket prices are outrageous, but they are generally really good seats.

I think the scalpers generally give promoters a bad name, but yes, people need to realize promoters are not setting the hiked-up prices for these shows- those dirty scalpers are.

Here's a hint to anyone thinking of purchasing scalped tickets.

Buy the tickets after the show has started. Once the show starts and there are fewer "clients" for the scalpers to sell to, the prices come way down, sometimes below face value. A simple lesson in supply and demand.

The tickets don't do anyone any good if they are not going to be used.

So approach a scalper minutes before the show, or minutes after the show starts and give them your price and walk away if they don't agree to it.

Chances are that they have made their money on others and would rather dump the tix than go home with a handful of stubs.

In this instance may be hard because you don't want to get your child's hopes up only to dash their spirits at the last minute, but it is a way to avoid the inflated prices.

Remember, it's all a game!!