Grateful Dead

Here's mine...New Year's '88, I drove from MN to Oakland for the New Year's shows in my '81 Olds Omega. The car was a wreck and we had to drive in second gear all the way through the Rockies. There were four of us, without a single ticket in hand between us. We camped in the parking lot at the Oakland Coliseum. I got into the first three shows without much trouble, but 12/31 was a little trickier as you might imagine. We had spent most of our money, maxed out the Visa, had only a Mobil credit card for gas on the way home, and the ticketless hordes were waiving hundred-dollar bills in the air. (I think face was $28.00 or $30.00). We had given up and were getting ready to catch to the KFOG simulcast in the parking lot. I made one last pass through the crowd and happened on a line of five or six guys following behind a fairy godmother--purple dress, a magic wand, glitter on her cheeks, a pointy hat with a veil, the whole thing. I knew something had to be up and slipped quietly into line. We followed the good witch of the west to a more secluded spot, where she produced a fist-full of tickets and proceeded to sell to us for $35.00 each, about five dollars over face NOT including service charges. She could have sold them in a minute for $200.00 each about 100 feet away. I was the second-to-last guy in line and when I pulled my money out, I found I only had $30.00. I almost cried. In a shaky voice, I asked the only other remaining ticket-buyer if he could help me out with $5.00. He did, of course, and I was in. I was flat broke, 2000 miles from home, but I was in. Now I just wish I could remember some of what went on in there. I'm pretty sure I had a good time.

A true community is more than shared musical taste. My brother and I have had a discussion about whether the movement will be bigger or smaller 5 more years after this summer. The peak, or the Resurgence? Strangely, the trauma of these weeks may strengthen us for the long term

Just passing it along

Wow! Amazing post. THANK YOU THANK YOU for summing it all up so beautifully! I had a "run in" with a Craigslist seller in my area on Monday night. Told him where to put his tickets... Seriously, what can we do moving forward (other than not buy) to keep the momentum you discuss going?

I have two nights reserved in a downtown hotel, but only for 7/2 and 7/3 (still hoping for a mere 2 tickets for 7/3). Not sure those two nights help you at all, but if you're interested you can PM me. I reserved them in early January before the prices skyrocketed so they're reasonable. And I guess I'll just keep posting on this site because this is really the only forum I trust -- I'd like to trade the hotel for 2 tickets for 7/3 if anyone knows of anyone with extras...I'm still holding out hope we'll get in.

True... 'That which does not kill us- (or put us in jail)- makes us stronger.'

Wow. I have always been a causal viewer of this forum, especially around tour time in years past, but never written anything. I don't blog, or twitter, or facebook, or anything like this. Just not my thing. But the "Battle Cry" I read by mbarilla gave me chills. It motivated me to register. I just got done flagging as many Chicago Craigslist ads for tickets as I could find. THANK YOU for restoring hope and giving me something constructive to do instead of sitting in stagnant limbo over tickets. I tried to flag the Ebay sales, does anybody have a step by step on how to do this? might be good to post for all to begin. THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, but lets screw the scalpers!

Man, if you need some therapy or want to get a taste of revenge, flagging and reporting scalpers is thoroughly fulfilling!

Sorry Bobby, I have no answers, only more questions. I think the 99.50 was before comm. ticket and the other charge maybe? I don't know but I was pretty sure the 99.50 was not for reserved but I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time... ,,,but this could be the last time, this could be the last time, this could be the last time I don't know...oh no....no no no

Nice job guys!!! It seems to be working. There is a major drop off of Scalper TIX on Craigslist now.

YEAH! What he said....

After 25 years, many shows, supporting this entire cast, past and present, it is with deep regreat, but it is time to get off this bus. I deserve an answer as to where my money is that I gave you. In this civilized society we call America, mail fraud is a federal offense. For all those other true heads, those that are being left in limbo, that is not an acceptable outcome. I challenge each of you to speak up and be heard. Contact each member of this "band" on facebook and demand accountability. These actions and inactions by GDTS TOO, should be a punishable offense with consequences and accountability. That means, it should go all the way to the top with each member of this band. Most of us have supported you and your families for many years. Jerry would be quite saddened by what this circus has become. Take accountability and responsibility for your actions. Mr. Shapiro should also be held accountable. To those going to Chicago, I wish you the very best and I hope you have a wonderful experience. I wish all my fellow Deadheads the very best. Jerry knew this was always about the music...the songs....the collective energy the crowd and the band found together. We will always have those memories. The music will last forever. This greed and the anxiety it has caused will fade away as a memory. If I have lost $230, it may be the best life lesson. The Grateful Dead changed my life in 1990, and for that, I am forever grateful. When the bus came by, I am very thankful I got on. It has been a wonderful ride. I hope the band reads these boards....they need to understand the irreversible damage they have caused to their legacy and the impact on so many Deadheads all over the world. Elvis and all the folks at GDTS TOO have done so much for us over the years. However, this has been a colossal failure that has consequences on so many. We have to demand accountability. Let your voices be heard....and let songs fill the air! We will survive.....we will get by.

Good news for you both! Your going to the 50th Grateful Dead reunion!! Your view will not be obstructed, have a great time!!!! Wish I was able to go...

If GDTS received 60,000 pieces of mail, there are at least 50,000 envelopes to be returned. Say it would take 2 1/2 minutes to process each piece of mail. 250,000 minutes = approx. 2083 hours = approx. 52 work weeks. An entire year. With 10 people, it still takes about five weeks. I have faith the mail will bring me my MOs or tickets. One of the two will happen. (I popped for "any" for two nights, so there is a bit of skin in the game.)

For those in limbo still, I would hold out to the last minute before trying to get refunds on the money orders. Look at it this way, there is still hope you may get tickets. This is more than most of us have.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tid/4912725137.html these slimeballs claim to have 11 million tickets.

For those who keep claiming Mail Fraud, really?? I understand your frustration, but how does that make this "fraud"? Did they scheme to take your money? Did they invest it and earn interest? The only thing they're guilty of is being insensitive to the fans by refusing to update the website with any message whatsoever, hardly mail fraud.

Are you sure no obstructed view? Did you find out any specefics? I hope you get tix, sounds like a lot of people waving flags could put things in perspective for secondary ticket market...Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it. Right?

Awesome....guess Shapiro reconfigured Soldier field somehow!

For the most part you will either get tickets or your money order back. Since GDTS is such an archaic hands on system, there will be human error and a small number of people will get neither and will have to engage GDTS and/or USPS to figure out what is going on. IMO, I would just keep waiting for now.

https://archive.org/details/gd1969-06-08.123986.sbd.miller.flac16 I will be basking in this recording if a trip to Chicago is not in the cards

Mbarilla thanks for posting what you did, but please give credit to the poster, or a link to what was posted if it is from another site.

Dude or Dudette....who ever you are....you fuckin' rock! Got my smile back...and a bit more swagger in my step. and yes we are EVERYWHERE!

these guys are droping prices, down $1000 already, I'm thinking (hoping) they will be selling for face if we stick together and resist the urge, powerful as it is http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tid/4912725137.html

You will get your money back. GDTS has been sending it back as fast as they can. My brother received his back just the other day. There is no fraud here, rather just a minor inconvenience. Don't complain about having your money locked up in this. If you got tickets, your money would gone. Give the GDTS crew the time they need to get the job done. The first priority was to fill the orders and notify the lucky ones.

What an amazing story! Hope we see more Godmothers in our collective future!

@Bobby69 I don't know FOR SURE, but from what I have been reading here was that all the mail order tix were issued to GDTS TOO before the 360 configuration, thus meaning there were no obstructed tix at that time. Now I could be wrong but one could assume that obstructed tickets were only sold via the ticketbasterds. I hope I am right, another message from the authorities stated that the MO got all the best tickets for the true deadheads. This was a David Gans statement. This works in your favor big time! Again all here-say but if you are on the MO confirmed ticketholder list you have very little if anything to worry about. From my point of view: Be content with being 1 of the lucky few out of hundreds of thousands of rejected losers. (This coming from one the sorry ass losers) Sorry but, I can only dream what it is like to have tix and my only worry is where I will be sitting or dancing...

Bobby...what he said, if you got MO tix from GDTSTOO irrespective of the price of ticket...you got full view seating.... Klangstone....miracles do happen....I am not giving up hope for you quite yet!

I am not sure who wrote. Sorry for any confusion.

I hope the boycott strategy works. I checked out eBay a few minutes ago and a guy just sold a 3-day pit pass for $5,655. He said he is a Bears season ticket holder and bought "about six sets of tickets." He claims to be going to the shows and is only selling the pass to "fund his venture." Pretty disheartening to hear that Bears ticket holders got so many choice seats, but I like the boycott idea so hopefully that will make a difference in the overall success or failure of the scalpers. This guy obviously made out like a bandit though.

Thanks for sharing it with those of us who don't facebook.

You are a ray of sunshine in my daydream! Here's a question about obtaining a miracle ticket for face value or a "reasonable price." Maybe someone who got a ticket here on this forum from another deadhead can explain. It is really hard to trust people this day and age. So how would this work? For example, someone says "hey Klang, I got a ticket to sell you if you let me share your hotel room." So I say, "great". But here's the catch. The miracle provider has no tickets yet (nobody has). So do I send them a check for the ticket and "hope" they will make good on it and meet me in a huge city when I get there? How do I know that I haven't just been taken to the cleaners? Honor system? Hmmm, not sure about that idea. I am a skeptic and have been burned trusting people I don't know before. Anyone have any insight on this (should my luck take a turn for the positive)?

Have you ever done mail order before dude? They used to have a 1-800 number and that was the only way to get in touch with them. And they NEVER answered the phone. So many people in limbo are getting their panties in a wad because they don't have their money back. You sent the money in to get tickets, right? You wouldn't be angry if you got an e-mail, right? So consider yourself lucky you still have a chance at getting them...I do..No Gnews is good Gnews says Gary Gnu!!

Klagstone and RGERGELIS, I think you two should get a room!! LOL!

Nothing wrong with a little optimism....and I never met Klangstone...don't even know if it's a dude....but when I see the name I think Kramer! ....in a good way! The are a lot of kind hearted Heads here....that is what we should continue to be about.... So phillyfawn....to quote Graham Nash.... Won't you please come to Chicago....and join in the festivities....plenty of room in the 80 Chevette....just need a space in someone's parking lot :-)

When the shows were announced I did what any "responsible" parent would do, I booked a trip for me and the kids so I wouldn't start dreaming up ways to go have one more twirl, but now, I realize that the spirit is still alive and well, and I have not been fulfilled watching the afterprojects, I need one more night, weekend, spent with all of us doing what we love. . . .if it's meant to be, somehow I will find my way to at least one, hopefully all, of these shows, if not I will be "there" with all of you, ENJOY!!!!

Just read back the thread Phillyfawn commented on....it's even creeping me out now.... :-) but offer holds...get tix and we will party like its 1977! Who's in? Let there be songs to Phil the air!

I think all the camaraderie is great! Seriously, I love reading all these wonderful threads filled with amazing GD experiences and reminds me of my own. And, it keeps my mind off of darker thoughts (MO). Oh, I will definitely be in Chicago. I can't wait for the last dance and I will be twirling and spinning all weekend long! Carry on : )

Hope you get your miracle.... On a serious note, all of us who venture to Chicago need to pick a space and time to connect, if even for a moment, put faces with names with stories........this family is NOT about the band, they are the catalyst, with or without Jerry.... Now I have to find a space in someone's parking lot.... To finish the quote Phillyfawn..... ....Love is coming....love is coming to us all!

I was setting up the steel and stage setup in '93 I'm pretty sure, we were at Buckeye Lake, the boys did "Book of Rules" for sound check, just myself and Mike from Mich. standing about halfway between sound board and stage, so I had him take a picture, the boys were playing just for me or so it appeared, then we got up next to Healy as he puts on "The Charge of The Light Brigade" as the gates open. Heads running, skipping and falling, it was great we all laughted our asses off Hey Mike if you are out there I sure would like a copy of that pic!!!

To anyone who got a lucky email and who is now fretting about your location, I have never known GDTSTOO to get any "bad" tickets". They always rock, they always distribute the best seats. Anytime I've been fortunate enough to score through GDTSTOO I've always felt so privileged when I arrive to find some of the best seats int he house. You will all be please, I guarantee it, and if you're not then text me when you get to your seat and I will refund your money for you in exchange for your ticket :)

To anyone who got a lucky email and who is now fretting about your location, I have never known GDTSTOO to get any "bad" tickets". They always rock, they always distribute the best seats. Anytime I've been fortunate enough to score through GDTSTOO I've always felt so privileged when I arrive to find some of the best seats int he house. You will all be please, I guarantee it, and if you're not then text me when you get to your seat and I will refund your money for you in exchange for your ticket :)

To anyone who got a lucky email and who is now fretting about your location, I have never known GDTSTOO to get any "bad" tickets". They always rock, they always distribute the best seats. Anytime I've been fortunate enough to score through GDTSTOO I've always felt so privileged when I arrive to find some of the best seats int he house. You will all be please, I guarantee it, and if you're not then text me when you get to your seat and I will refund your money for you in exchange for your ticket :)

I dutifully sent my money orders on the morning of 1/20/15. I have heard nothing. Not a letter telling me I'm out of luck or an email saying I am or I'm not. I know one guy that got an email saying his order WOULD be filled. This was nearly a week before the Ticketmaster on sale. I know several others who got "pink slips" delivered by snail mail. Me? Nada. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my decades of ordering from GDTS count for something but the suspense is killing me.

Friday, April 12, 1985. Finished with the work week. Celebrating with some cold ones and a new colleague. She looked like a twirly girl, but I was not sure. Asked about favorite bands, in unison: Grateful Dead. Hey, they're playing this weekend at Irvine Meadows. Called Ticketmaster. Sold out! "Well," she said, "tomorrow is my birthday and I believe in miracles." So we left from our job/home about two miles south of Yosemite National Park and drove to Santa Barbara to spend the night at her friend's house. Saturday we drove on through L.A. and arrived at the venue without tickets. I found one ticket and bought it for her. It was her birthday miracle. But she said, "No, you paid for it, so you keep it. I am going to sneak in." I could not talk her out of it,so we parted ways. I figured I would wait for her after the show until they kicked me out of the parking lot. Turns out she climbed over the fence and got caught by security. "It's my birthday," she explained. "Sure. That's what they all say," as they escorted her out. She produced her I.D. to prove it was indeed her birthday, so they let her go. She got a miracle on her birthday. We had a great drive home discussing the set list which started with a Beatles cover: Why Don't We Do It In the Road and included her favorite: Throwing Stones. Sonny, if you go to Chicago without a ticket, don't jump the fence! It's not your birthday and you're 30 years older. I am glad you were part of my favorite road trip story.

Klangstone, I hear you about the complications of working a lodging-for-ticket trade. I have a large apartment for the weekend booked through Air B&B that sleeps six, and there are only two of us going. I posted an offer to trade half the apartment for the right to buy tickets, but then took it down. I'd probably take my chances if it was a hotel room, but can't risk someone else's home. I'd hang on to my money, agree to meet in the hotel lobby, and hope for the best.

Hey I already HAVE a room! (I am a dude and have not met anyone here in person that I am aware of.) RGERGELIS just seems like a kind soul with a lot of optimism (unlike that TT fellow). TT does have a sense of humor; albeit profane, negative and very dark most of the time. Trying not to appear doom and gloom ALL the time, but this reunion has got me all "weir"ded out. Weird, huh? (this I know I am) I will try better to not come across as so desperate, or despairet...

I just can't bring myself to purchase an airline ticket without at least the promise of at least 1 ticket. I am not a rich man, so it is hard for me to take the risk of flying out there without knowing if I am gonna get a ticket into 1 of the shows. Staying outside for all 3 days is not worth the price of hotel and airfare for me. Even if it wasn't a trade, just an outright purchase, how do you make a money transaction with someone you do not know who does not yet have the tickets themselves. Seems like a big risk and very uncertain about the outcome (a lot moreso than sending MOs to GDTS TOO which apparently had its own risks as well).

You can click on Report Item on the right hand side of the listing.Under Report Category, Choose Listing Practices Under Reason for Report, Choose Inappropriate Seller Terms. Under Detailed Reason, Choose Presale. See the below for why they're violating Ebay's terms. Policy overview Presale listings generally consist of items that are offered before they're available to the general public, such as video games, tickets, and custom-made items. (For the rules on magazine subscriptions and certain promotional items and events, see Additional information.) These items often aren't in the seller's control or possession when they're listed. If you want to list presale items, you must meet all of the following criteria: Guarantee that the item will be available for shipping within 30 days from the purchase date. Be sure to clearly state this information in your listing. Clearly indicate in the listing that the item is a presale item. The handling time specified in your listing should reflect the time from the end of the listing until the item is shipped to the buyer. Be sure to specify the correct handling time in your listing. Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

If your city is served by Southwest Airlines, you can buy their best fare tickets--Wanna Get Away, I believe--and get full credit for a future flight if you cancel anytime prior to departure. I did the same before the ticket sale to make sure the flights weren't sold out and will now use it to fly elsewhere. Other carriers may have similar programs. You may already know that, but just thought I'd pass it along. Good luck!