Scalpers make four times cost of tickets

Some fans at last weekend's test paid up to four times the retail price of their tickets to see the All Blacks beat the Springboks. Photo / Greg Bowker

All Black test tickets have been resold for up to four times their face value in online auctions without any penalties, despite strict crackdowns on scalping planned for the Rugby World Cup.

At least 29 tickets are for sale on Trade Me to this weekend's Springbok match in Wellington, although official tickets are still available from Ticketmaster.

All the auctions begin at prices lower than retail value, with some sellers specifying they are only "selling for face value" and not to make a profit.

These disclaimers reflect the tickets' terms and conditions, which prohibit selling at a premium.

But tickets to last week's Eden Park test sold for up to four times their retail price. An auction for two $50 tickets fetched $400. The listing said there was a genuine reason for sale.

Other sellers who sold for significant profits said the tickets were for friends who could not get to the match.

Pairs of $50 tickets also sold for between $320 and $365, while a single one sold for $151.

New legislation bans the sale of Rugby World Cup tickets for more than their retail value, but the All Blacks' tests are not covered.

Scalpers selling World Cup tickets can incur a fine of up to $5000, and the tickets will not be released until next year even to people whose applications have already been selected.

All Black test tickets are covered by their terms and conditions.

New Zealand Rugby Union acting chief executive Neil Sorensen said people who bought tickets at a premium on Trade Me risked having them invalidated, but the union had yet to take this step.

"In recent seasons scalping has not been a major problem, and action has not been taken. This position is reviewed regularly."

Trade Me trust and safety manager Chris Budge said that at other big events like the Wellington Sevens, organisers had electronically cancelled tickets being obviously sold for a profit.

Trade Me pulled such auctions so visitors to the site did not purchase invalid items, he said. But this had not happened for any of the Springbok test tickets because the rugby union had not contacted Trade Me.

Mr Budge said there was no tool available on Trade Me to cap prices.

If people wanted to avoid scalpers, they should simply refuse to pay more than the retail price.

Scalping: The Law

Rugby World Cup: Illegal under the Major Events Management Act.

* Penalty: $5000.

2010 Rowing World Championships: Illegal under the Major Events Management Act (the only other event covered so far).

* Penalty: $5000.

Wellington Sevens: Banned by tickets' terms and conditions.

* Penalty: Tickets have been electronically invalidated and auctions removed.

All Black tests: Banned by tickets' terms and conditions.

* Penalty: Tickets could be invalidated but no action has yet been taken.