The Phillies and Rays will be in town this weekend for the World Series. But there will be third parties joining them: scalpers and counterfeiters.
With the current state of the economy, ticket scalpers, counterfeiters and consumers alike are trying to make a quick buck and find the best deal.
Philadelphians are excited and some might be ready to celebrate by buying a pair of tickets off the street along with a World Series T-shirt and cap before heading inside Citizens Bank Park.
However, there are two words to remember: buyer beware.
With the way ticket prices are increasing, especially for games of this magnitude, fans need to be wary of what they're purchasing.
StubHub is a national ticket broker where fans can buy or sell tickets. StubHub, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of the Phillies, offers suggestions on how to safely buy a ticket. It suggests not negotiating a deal on the streets and to beware of below-market prices.
Razor Gator is another national ticket broker. "If you don't buy from a reputable source you don't know if the ticket is authentic," said Razor Gator co-founder Stephen Cucci.
Cucci said that every team makes its tickets differently, but to look for a hologram on the ticket. He added that it's difficult to re-create a ticket but said: "I would never buy a ticket at the stadium."
Ethan Orlinsky, senior vice president and general counsel for Major League Baseball Properties, warns that fans also need to be conscious of what they put on their backs or head.
Orlinsky and MLB are warning fans to be aware of counterfeiters selling unauthorized and poorly produced merchandise. Potential counterfeit victims will range from legitimate retailers to Phillies fans who think they are obtaining authentic merchandise, only to find their purchase to be unauthorized and of inferior quality.
"Counterfeiting is harmful to our economy as taxpayers," Orlinsky said. "It's an economic crime on a number of fronts."
Orlinsky mentioned numerous ways fans can spot what merchandise is not the real thing.
Fans should check that all merchandise has an MLB-licensed silver hologram sticker. This year there is also an unique World Series hologram. Other things to look for: red-stitched design on all postseason apparel and for the company producing the merchandise - such as Majestic - to have its name and logo on the product.
"We want our fans to support their team with all the vigor and enthusiasm and make sure their experience is not tainted," Orlinsky said. *
