This Jan. 20, 2009 file photo shows President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama waving as they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue on their way to the White House in Washington, after taking the presidential oath. In a reversal from four years ago, President Barack Obama will accept unlimited sums of money from corporations and individuals to pay for events surrounding his Inauguration, a spokeswoman said Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tickets to President Barack Obama’s inauguration this month are supposed to be free, but they’re being sold on eBay and Craigslist for up to $2,000 apiece.
Efforts by congressional offices and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which are distributing tickets to inaugural events, haven’t stopped online entrepreneurs.
“These tix are going like hot cakes, and for FAR more than I am listing them for on here,” boasted one anonymous seller in a post Wednesday on Craigslist.
The seller, who did not return an email from The Associated Press, offered two seats to the Jan. 21 swearing-in at the Capitol for $4,000.
Even though enthusiasm isn’t as high as it was for Obama’s historic inauguration four years ago, memories of the incredible crowd for that sprawling outdoor event seem to have driven up prices for this year.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies issued some 250,000 tickets for lawmakers to give out however they see fit.
Scalping the tickets is not illegal. But the committee’s chairman, Sen. Chuck Schumer, says he is encouraging members of Congress to distribute them fairly.
Unlike congressional tickets, tickets distributed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee can’t be resold without permission of the committee.
Although tickets for the swearing-in ceremony are free, some other inaugural events charge admission.
The presidential committee is sold out of $25 tickets to the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and $60 tickets to one of its two inaugural balls. The committee says it’s contacting ticket brokers and websites where tickets are being sold and asking that they be alerted to scalping efforts.
Even with the warnings, the Internet marketplace is thriving.
Online ads on sites like Craigslist, eBay and StubHub offered ticket packages Wednesday for upward of $4,000 to presidential committee events.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
