Back in 2005-2007 I used to live right by the ACC and so I went to a ton of games, and always bought off of scalpers. This is my opinion:
- The trick of going late only works if the Leafs are playing against the Florida Panthers or some other team that (a) isn't relevant (b) doesn't have any super stars.
Even if it's the middle of the season in an 82 game schedule and they're playing against the Lightning (Stamkos, St Louis) or Hurricanes (Staal brothers, Ward) on a Tuesday night, you won't get any deep discounts. The only way to do it is if u go to a scalper before the game with a Leafs gear on and you ask them how much, they shoot you a price, you tell them you can't afford it in a dissppointed voice. He'll ask you what your budget is, tell him $100 or whatever, he'll probably say for double or triple that he can get you a standing room only ticket, you tell him you don't have the money. He'll be busy, get out of his way... from there when you see things dying down and he's got no more customers, let him know you're a die hard fan with $100 on you, you don't care where the seat is or if it even is a seat, as long as it gets you in the door. From there, they may throw you a bone and sell you a ticket at $100 IF they have one.
- During a regular season Saturday night game against Montreal Canadiens, ticket prices are usually 25-30% more expensive then a regular game and they sell out before the puck drops. If you want seats together, you have to be ready to pay through the nose. Single seats usually go last and if you're willing to watch the game at the bar you can negotiate a little bit. The scalpers don't want to go home with their tickets, but they won't sell them for much lower then they're asking for.. so you tell them your budget is $25 or $30 below what they're asking and tell tell them you're willing to take whatever single ticket they have. But waiting till after the puck drops on a Saturday night game, there's no chance any scalpers would still have their tickets on them. So you can imagine what Montreal vs Toronto playoff game in Toronto would be like, even if you're willing to pay top dollar, I'd say you better go early.
- One other thing is if you're going to try and negotiate, don't try and say "that guy over there will sell to me for less" most of the scalpers all work together. Especially the guys who are dressed warm and asking people as they walk by. If they don't work together, they're at least friends. Don't make the assumption that they're competitors who don't know each other's prices.
Good luck!
