I Need Advice on How to Deal with a Tout

[ColdCuts]

I'll be trying to buy a pair (2 seats together) in the Utd end for the Carling Cup Semi at Stamford Bridge on Jan 12. I've found a tout online who claims to have a pair for 65 quid (each). Besides the high cost, and the possibility that he's going to try to sell me singles rather than adjacent seats, is there anything else I need to be wary of? Thanks.

[Eddie26]

I'll be trying to buy a pair (2 seats together) in the Utd end for the Carling Cup Semi at Stamford Bridge on Jan 12. I've found a tout online who claims to have a pair for 65 quid (each). Besides the high cost, and the possibility that he's going to try to sell me singles rather than adjacent seats, is there anything else I need to be wary of? Thanks.

I wouldn't deal with a tout personally. Especially one off the web.

[ColdCuts]

I wouldn't deal with a tout personally. Especially one off the web.
Well, unfortunately, I haven't got a choice. It's either a tout, or I don't see the match. I live in New York, so it's not every weekend I have the chance to see Premiership football live. What would you do, watch it on Sky Sports? When you say, "especially one off the web," do you mean that the ones found on the web are less trustworthy than the ones found outside the grounds?

[Mel B]

Well, unfortunately, I haven't got a choice. It's either a tout, or I don't see the match. I live in New York, so it's not every weekend I have the chance to see Premiership football live. What would you do, watch it on Sky Sports? When you say, "especially one off the web," do you mean that the ones found on the web are less trustworthy than the ones found outside the grounds?


Mate. I wouldnt buy off a tout. He is probs some weirdo winding you up. Just go to the ground. Find a pub. PIFF PAFF POOF. You have saved yourself sh!t loads of ££££££. While still having the matchday atmosphere.

[Eddie26]

Well, unfortunately, I haven't got a choice. It's either a tout, or I don't see the match. I live in New York, so it's not every weekend I have the chance to see Premiership football live. What would you do, watch it on Sky Sports? When you say, "especially one off the web," do you mean that the ones found on the web are less trustworthy than the ones found outside the grounds?

Honestly, yes. I am not trying to be a dick. If you go to the game and take the tube, soon as you get out of the Fulham Broadway tube station they'll be there. You are probably better off there. I think they are more legit than one off the web. Maybe a little cheaper too.

[Eddie26]

Well, unfortunately, I haven't got a choice. It's either a tout, or I don't see the match. I live in New York, so it's not every weekend I have the chance to see Premiership football live. What would you do, watch it on Sky Sports? When you say, "especially one off the web," do you mean that the ones found on the web are less trustworthy than the ones found outside the grounds?

Can't you get MU away tickets with a membership? I know you can with Chelsea. Overseas fans get priority too.

If I was you I wouldn't try to watch it outside the ground at a pub unless I wore nothing United. But I would go, try to get a ticket and if I can go in, if not find a pub and watch it outside and just be unassuming.

[Matt Clark]

Two points:

1) You will not see "Premiership football" at that game. You will see the cup equivalent of a Pontins Reserve League match.

2) A tout who deals online? Please. Just send the £130 to me, I'll look after it for you.

Do as the others have said - go to the ground and haggle. Leave it until just before kick-off and it's not inconceivable that you could even get the tickets for less than face value. It requires a steady hand, but it's a heck of a lot better than handing some punter on the Internet £130 of your hard-earned.

One other idea - have you tried all the CFC and United message boards? I don't know about any in particular, but for Liverpool ones it is pretty common that they have a tickets wanted/for sale section where you can arrange to buy spares off genuine fans. Worth a pop first, surely?

[ColdCuts]

Two points:

1) You will not see "Premiership football" at that game. You will see the cup equivalent of a Pontins Reserve League match.

2) A tout who deals online? Please. Just send the £130 to me, I'll look after it for you.

Do as the others have said - go to the ground and haggle. Leave it until just before kick-off and it's not inconceivable that you could even get the tickets for less than face value. It requires a steady hand, but it's a heck of a lot better than handing some punter on the Internet £130 of your hard-earned.

One other idea - have you tried all the CFC and United message boards? I don't know about any in particular, but for Liverpool ones it is pretty common that they have a tickets wanted/for sale section where you can arrange to buy spares off genuine fans. Worth a pop first, surely?

So, forgive me for being ignorant, but are you saying they'll field reserve teams only for this match?! We'll see none of the big guns?

Yeah, I'm sure you're right about leaving it just before kick-off to get the best price, but I haven't got the nerve for that, and my girlfriend, forget it. I'd rather be in my seat enjoying a meat pie and a lager just before kick-off.

I appreciate all the tips though. I will try the message boards.

[nicephoras]

So, forgive me for being ignorant, but are you saying they'll field reserve teams only for this match?! We'll see none of the big guns?

Partially. You'll likely see half of Chelsea's first team, and most of United's reseves, including, most likely, Phil Neville. I'm not sure I'd pay money for a game Phil Neville's guaranteed to start.

[Matt Clark]

So, forgive me for being ignorant, but are you saying they'll field reserve teams only for this match?! We'll see none of the big guns?


United's last Carling Cup match team: Tim Howard, Wes Brown, Phil Neville, John O'Shea, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Chris Eagles, Quinton Fortune, Jose Kleberson, Liam Miller, Kieran Richardson, David Bellion

(and that was at Old Trafford, against Arsenal)

United's last Premiership match team: Roy Carroll, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Phil Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Alan Smith.

I think that answers your question. I suppose it's not too bad if you're a Yank - you'll get to watch T-Ho or whatever he's called. ;)

[ColdCuts]

United's last Carling Cup match team: Tim Howard, Wes Brown, Phil Neville, John O'Shea, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Chris Eagles, Quinton Fortune, Jose Kleberson, Liam Miller, Kieran Richardson, David Bellion

(and that was at Old Trafford, against Arsenal)

United's last Premiership match team: Roy Carroll, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Phil Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Alan Smith.

I think that answers your question. I suppose it's not too bad if you're a Yank - you'll get to watch T-Ho or whatever he's called. ;)

Yeah, that answers my question all right. And these touts want me to pay 130 quid for me and my girl to watch the B-Team?! Why are tickets so hard to come by for a reserves match?! Ah well, I'd still like to go and see Timmy at least--He was just Timmy back when he was playing for us in New York. Thanks for the info Matt.

[DAGSports]

Probably only because it's against Chelsea.

Normally, tickets for midweek Man U games except EPL matches aren't too tough to get and may even be cheaper than their weekend counterparts (based on past visits to Man U's website, I've never gone to a game of any club in England).