I remember going to a Neil Young gig at the Brixton Academy a few years back. On the approach to the venue the touts were virtually giving the tickets away - I had already bought mine. When getting to the door I saw why - cancelled at the last minute due to illness. Any refund would go back to the original purchaser, not the final holder of the ticket. What a shame!

£5 for a seat at the Cambridge Corn Exchange

Without wanting to sound like an all round good guy who likes blowing his own trumpet...when the NME nu-rave tour came to town I blagged a pair of press tickets. Waiting for my mate in the pub, he called to cancel. I'm walking up to the venue with a spare and happen upon a group of four lads getting the cash sorted to buy a 15 quid ticket for 40 pounds. As I sauntered past I just handed over my spare ticket - there you go lads. It was fantastic to be able to share the free joy. The looks on their faces was priceless, as was he scowl on that of the tout.
God, I'm a nice guy sometimes.

selling your spare is not enitirely risk free as at seated venues you are in danger of sitting next to whomever you sell the tickets to.

One occasion springs to mind, rocking up late to gig at the Royal Albert Hall, we sold our spare to a guy in suit outside. Sadly he was a nightmare a coked up city type with no interest in the band, who spent the entire show on his phone, telling us in a loud voice how sh*t the band where (our brief transaction seemingly giving him the right to pester us, try to chat up the female members of group.) Eventually the persistant demands to be
quiet from everyone around,drove him off . But before leaving he made it appear further that he was us by trying to shake our hands pattting shoulders; leading us to be further berated by a women behind after the gig.

Sometimes that extra few quid isn't worth the hassle.