Louis C.K.’s Sold Out, And You Can’t Buy Your Way Out Of It

Update 2:06 p.m.: A second show has been added, later the same evening at the Majestic.

Last night Louis C.K. sent out an email announcing fall tour dates, which included a now sold-out stop in Dallas. The correspondence was, in-part, an alert for fans to act quickly. It was primarily a thoughtfully hilarious, 14 paragraph rant explaining his new and completely customized ticketing method. He created it to empower his fans, financially. By handling all sales through his website he negates service fees, gains more direct communication with his audience and is able to track and monitor the status of his sold tickets. What this means is that scalpers can no longer stockpile clusters of seats for Louis C.K. shows when they’re released and then flip them for profit.

From Louis’ email:

If you try to sell the ticket anywhere for anything above the original price, we have the right to cancel your ticket (and refund your money). this is something I intend to enforce. There are some other rules you may find annoying but they are meant to prevent someone who has no intention of seeing the show from buying the ticket and just flipping it for twice the price from a thousand miles away.

The policy reinforces much of Louis C.K.’s appeal — that he’s the type of celebrity who constructs his life, tour and comedy routine with a “we’re all trudging across this mound of Earth together” mantra. Still, here’s where things get sticky: tickets are now sold out. They are not available on Stubhub. Craigslist cannot save you. It took fewer than 12 hours and if you didn’t buy them, you’ll have to sit this one out — regardless of how much you’re willing to spend. It’s a 180 degree flip from last week’s Chappelle effect.

So, how do you feel about it? Is fair, fair? Stick it in the comments.

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