Justice for a Disney Ticket Scammer?

January 5, 2015, 1:02 PM · We've said it more times than we can count: Don't buy theme park tickets on Craiglist or eBay. Nevertheless, people continue to do this, hoping for a great deal but ultimately being disappointed when the tickets they buy turn out not to work.

Ticket booth crowd
You're better off waiting in this queue to buy your Disneyland tickets than trying to buy them on Craigslist.

Still, no one who sells these fake, expired, or inactivated tickets on Craigslist or eBay deserves to get away with it. Ultimately, it's the seller who is at fault for these scams, not the victim.

That's why it's good news to see someone who allegedly sold some bogus tickets actually get caught and charged. Here's the story of one Southern California man who is now facing charges for selling bogus Disneyland tickets on Craigslist, thanks to a buyer who had the good sense to take a cell phone picture of the seller's car when she met him to complete the deal.

In this case, the tickets in question appear to have been the type that you can buy in a grocery check-out lane. The report suggests that the suspect shoplifted them, so they never had been activated at the register, rendering them useless plastic cards. In other cases where people sell bogus tickets, the tickets might not have any unused days on them, might be associated with another person's photo or finger scan (making them useless to you), or might be outright forgeries.

Again, let's take this opportunity to share our advice once again: Buy your theme park tickets from the theme park's own website or authorized resellers. You can find authorized resellers through your local auto club, credit union, human resources department, or student union. (We have links to official ticket purchase pages on theme park tickets page.) You will not find authorized theme park ticket sellers on Craigslist or eBay. So, please, stay away when you are ready to buy your tickets.

Replies (9)

January 5, 2015 at 8:33 PM · I would also put out there never to buy from shacks on the side of the street either (mostly for WDW).

Honestly, AAA is your best bet for less expensive tickets. Also, do not expect to get a SIGNIFICANT savings anyplace for WDW tickets. A few dollars here and there really do add up, but there is not a massive difference in price.

I also think it might be a felony in FL to sell bogus or used tickets (Disney, Universal, Seaworld, etc)

January 5, 2015 at 8:51 PM · Be careful in offsite hotels a lot of those are bogus too and always buy before the January price jump
January 6, 2015 at 8:13 AM · Disney barely offers any discounted tickets. You might save a few dollars at AAA or your company's ticket office. AAA does offer free parking at least.

Disney has priced themselves out of many people's budgets. These are desperate people.

January 6, 2015 at 8:41 AM · Hey guys, I just found some cheap Disney tickets on Craig's List - Looks Legit to me - I am going for it...
January 6, 2015 at 10:39 AM · Unrelated... Anyone in the market for a bridge in New York?
January 6, 2015 at 11:23 AM · This one isn't quite as big as it was in the past, but it worthwhile to mention, especially for first-time travelers on a budget. NEVER respond to anyone who pitches you "Free Disney (or Universal)" admission tickets. Almost without exception, they are fronting for a sales company, usually involving a timeshare purchase. The lure of a free admission ticket may tempt you, but it is neither worth the time wasted nor in your best financial interest.
January 6, 2015 at 11:58 AM · Although I would be reluctant to purchase a theme park ticket from any source other than the park itself or an authorized merchant, a friend of mine purchased tickets to Six Flags New England on eBay and they proved to be perfectly legitimate. His visit to the park - except for Bizarro- wasn't the greatest due to the attitude of the staff but at least the tickets worked and saved him a bundle of money.
January 7, 2015 at 9:36 AM · My wife and I were scammed by a Craigslister a few years ago to the tune of $900 in WDW park admissions. Ironically we had used them about eight months earlier and the tickets were totally legit and we saved at least $200 off the regular price of admission. Just because they worked once doesn't mean they're a worthwhile source for return business. I now just buy directly from Disney - I've learned my lesson.
January 7, 2015 at 6:23 PM · I have never sold any theme park tickets online, but I have season tickets for a hockey team only because I'm able to sell many of them on eBay. I know I have worked hard to maintain a 100% positive feedback rating, and would feel comfortable buying from someone with good feedback that isn't a new seller. Craigslist is another story. No sympathy for grifters nor ne'r do wells.

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