Craigslist, eBay agree to stop sale of scalped tickets to Inauguration

Craigslist and eBay have agreed to stop the sale of scalped Inaugural tickets, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced on Thursday.

After it was reported in The Hill last week that the tickets were available for purchase, Schumer publicly urged the websites to end the sale of the tickets, which are free to the public and distributed through congressional offices.

“This year’s Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies are not for sale,” said Schumer in a statement. “eBay and Craigslist are doing the right thing in stopping the sale of scalped tickets to one of our nation’s most sacred events. I hope that everyone who has an Inaugural ticket will think twice before posting these tickets on any ticket resale site. This is a chance for people from all 50 states to celebrate our democracy, not for ticket scalpers to make a quick buck.”

Staffers for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) had been working with Craigslist and eBay over the past few days and they agreed to curtail the sales, according to a source close to the discussions.

Schumer, the chairman of the JCCIC, unveiled the inaugural tickets, which state “Not for Sale” on the back, on Monday, when they were given to House members for distribution. Senators got them on Tuesday. Once they are out of the lawmakers' hands, the recipients can do with them what they please. And while their sale isn't technically illegal, it is frowned upon.

Craigslist agreed to monitor the site and remove any listings involving the tickets, while eBay will enforce a policy not to allow the listings, according to the JCCIC.

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