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Fnal Four Tickets (New York Times Travel)

01/12/2005

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Mike Hagel screamed, "Yes," as the Minnesota Vikings scored a touchdown against Green Bay Sunday afternoon.

Hagel said, "I was born in Minnesota I'm a big Vikings fan. I've lived here for a long time so of course now I'm a big Jaguar fan."

He loves his football so much, he not only holds season tickets to the Jaguars, but, he's a Redskins season ticket holder. His wife, he explains, is from D.C. .

When Jacksonville got the bid for the Super Bowl, Hagel didn't want to miss the opportunity to go to the game.

The only thing that was holding him back was the price being charged by ticket brokers.

"Tickets seemed to be ranging anywhere from $2000 to $10,000 depending on the ticket," said Hagel.

Right when he thought he'd have to give up his dream of going to the big game, he saw an ad on eBay.

"This particular seller on eBay was willing to do it for a little bit less and immediately," said Hagel.

The eBay seller claimed to have two tickets for $1500, and he appeared to be a legitimate eBay user.

Hagel recounts that "They had been, according to the web site, a member since 1998 and not a single complaint ever."

He agreed to send the seller part of the money, $850 via Western Union, and he would receive the tickets the next day.

"It's been several days now and we still haven't received the tickets," said Hagel.

Plus, He says, "[The sellers] e-mail address has been terminated, and the web site has been taken off eBay."

eBay's user agreement clearly states in part "......we have no control over the quality, safety or legality of the items advertised..... ."

"I'm not anti eBay at all we buy a lot of things on eBay, I bought a car on eBay once, and we sell a lot of things on eBay," said Hagel.

But, he admits he's learned a valuable lesson.

"When you're looking for a deal if it's too good to be true it usually is.