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Comment by nradov | Hacker News Reader

As a practical matter it's tough to add more shows to a major tour (i.e. something that requires a convoy of multiple coaches and heavy trucks to carry all the people and gear) as a response to high demand. The venue may not be available, travel is already planned to the next city, and performers need rest. The tour manager basically has to build in the option for extra dates in particular cities from the start.

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It would require additional lead time definitely. But on the other hand, if someone is willing to pay $1000 for Taylor Swift tickets, they're probably also willing to participate in a pre-sale without guarantees or concrete dates before things are booked.

The idea also applies to things like GPUs and Playstations where they expect to sell out. Start the price high and decrease it over time as you get additional supply. Announce ahead of time that this is your plan along with what the eventual target price is, so people willing to pay the premium to get it early can do so, and others know they just need to wait and the price will drop.

"internet commenter realizes that the optics industry cares about optics"

So you agree scalpers provide value? The industry cares more about optics than providing limited goods and services to those who value them the most (i.e. are willing to pay the most). Scalpers correct the market (or act as a front for the industry to set prices correctly while blaming a bad guy that totally isn't just them under another name), and ensure that someone who really wants to see Taylor Swift and is willing to pay $10k for a ticket can do so.

Taylor can always do more shows to increase supply and lower prices. Or do an auction and give all sales above $x to charity so it's clear that it's not about greed and is about stopping the evil scalpers.

Scalpers provide value in the same way that any rent seeker provides value.

If you assume that the only way to make a profit is to provide value, then by a tautology anyone who has the ability to command as profit provides value.

The alternative is also true.

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