<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mikey likes it:
I didn't know it was OK to sell WN FF tix. If so, that's the solution. Is it in fact OK per WN's T&C?
A "gray market" dealer is one that procures authentic product from an authorized dealer then remarkets the product. It is my understanding that gray markets exist in part because of inventory requirements imposed upon authorized dealers by product manufacturers. If an authorized dealer is required to stock, say, $250,000 of a reasonably slow selling item (such as a moderately expensive watch) they may liquidate some portion of that inventory to a gray market dealer, who then sells the goods to consumers. This is one way for the authorized dealer to manage inventory while preserving the dealership.
Manufacturers complain about gray marketing, but it's window dressing. A routine audit of the authorized dealer's books would uncover gray marketing (and depress demand for the manufacturer's goods).
Mike
[edited for clarity]
[This message has been edited by Mikey likes it (edited 06-09-2003).]</font>
Re: Southwest tickets. I believe that the T's & C's read just like everyone else's, but in practice Southwest doesn't attempt to oppose the practice like Delta, AA, and a few others do. I have never bought, sold, or even seen what a Southwest award ticket looks like, but I believe that it is a generic paper ticket that does not carry your name or FF number. Take a look at eBay: there are always dozens of auctions going on for the tickets. They look pretty straightforward, unlike the "blank envelope" shenanigans one sees with those selling FF miles.
Based on the above description, why would anyone NOT use a gray market dealer? I get the same warranty when I buy gear at Costco as I do when I buy it at a department store...or do I? (As I sit in a room that has a Costco air conditioner and a Costco boombox, drinking a beer that came out of a Costco minifridge...fortunately all in working order!
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