UPDATE: A shocking ticket mishap has left Buffalo Bills fans on high alert. Just hours before the highly anticipated game on Sunday, the Barlett family drove a staggering five hours to Highmark Stadium, only to discover that their tickets had not been delivered.
The couple, Dave and Michelle Barlett, purchased two fourth-row tickets back in August through StubHub, a popular ticket marketplace. Despite assurances of timely delivery by game time, they arrived at the stadium to find their seats were still missing.
StubHub has confirmed that the seller failed to deliver the tickets and offered alternative seating under their FanProtect Guarantee. However, the Barletts rejected the replacements, stating they were significantly inferior to their original fourth-row seats. Instead, they opted for a full refund, expressing frustration over the situation.
In a statement to WGRZ, a StubHub spokesperson acknowledged the issue: “We understand how frustrating this was—especially after a long trip—and we’re sincerely sorry for the experience they had.” The company has since issued an apology and offered complimentary tickets for a future event of their choice.
CEO Nick Giammusso of local ticket brokerage VIPTix cautioned fans to purchase tickets only from trusted sellers to avoid similar problems. “We never list seats unless we physically have the tickets in hand,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of reliability in ticket sales.
The Barletts are now apprehensive about using StubHub again, concerned that they may face similar ticket delivery issues in the future. “How comfortable am I going to be leaving here to drive to Buffalo to go to a game not having tickets yet?” questioned Dave Barlett, highlighting the anxiety many fans may share.
As this situation continues to unfold, fans are urged to be vigilant when buying tickets online. StubHub claims that fewer than 0.2% of orders encounter problems at the door, but for those affected, the experience can be devastating.
With the NFL season in full swing, this incident serves as a crucial reminder for fans to verify ticket sources and ensure delivery before planning long trips. As the Barlett family considers their future options, they hope StubHub will revise its policies to improve the ticket purchasing experience for all fans.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on social media using #BillsTicketTrouble.
