Tickets: Why Won't They Scan Barcodes from a Mobile Device?

Why won't Staples Center scan my ticket barcode from my mobile device (mobile phone, iPad, etc.)?

At Monday's game, I tried to have the ticket scanner lady scan my ticket barcode from my mobile phone instead of from a printout of the same. She jerked back the scanner away from my phone and said "unh unh" while shaking her head. I said, "What, you can't scan the barcode?" And she said, "Not from there. I need your paper." Not wanting to hold up the line, I already had the paper version ready and unfolded it for her to scan. Move along...

Am I missing something? Each barcode is a graphical representation of a unique ticket number. When scanned, the number is checked against a database in real-time and the database is amended to show use/redemption. Once the ticket's been used, it's been used. So whether I bring my fancy season ticket holder pre-printed ticket, a Ticketmaster print-out, or display the barcode on my device, as long as it's readable and converted to a valid ticket number, WTF?

If you had the paper version ready why didn't you just show her that one?

Scanner might not work on a glass surface.

Staples Center has not had the scanners updated yet. Same reason you can not have tickets bought through the Ticketmaster App loaded onto your passbook account on your iPhone.

Someday they will...

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Originally Posted by Claw21

If you had the paper version ready why didn't you just show her that one?

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It was a test so that I wouldn't need a paper version in the future.

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Originally Posted by rinkrat

Scanner might not work on a glass surface.

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Possibly, but the way she acted was less "it won't work" and more "we're not allowed to do that".

Man thats easy , try ordering 2 hot dogs and a beer . And you'll see them struggle !!!!! - They act like they have never done it before . - Peace

What rinkrat said, scanner will scan it on a phone but it takes time, you have to be holding it at a certain angle n stuff. I'm guessing they tell them not to do it so it wont hold the lines?

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Originally Posted by Phos Chek

Staples Center has not had the scanners updated yet. Same reason you can not have tickets bought through the Ticketmaster App loaded onto your passbook account on your iPhone.

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I totally understand if it's a hardware issue. They can't do what they can't do. But then I say:

1. C'mon, it's Staples Center, home of the Stanley Cup Los Angeles Kings, Clippers, Lakers, $11 beers, et al. Shouldn't we have the technology? Go and buy some upgrades! They're probably free after rebates (FAR!) at Fry's.

2. Instead of gesturing and grunting, a simple customer service explanation would've helped. "I'm sorry sir, our scanners aren't able to read barcodes from mobile devices. You'll have to use a printed ticket with barcode."

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Originally Posted by Phos Chek

Staples Center has not had the scanners updated yet. Same reason you can not have tickets bought through the Ticketmaster App loaded onto your passbook account on your iPhone.

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They asked this in the STH survey I filled out about a month ago.