Fenway Park is scheduled to open this week. With the Boston Red Sox more popular than ever, fans need to know certain self-help tips as they scramble for tickets to opening day and other big games.
Beth Lindstrom, Director of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, and her Consumer Awareness Team will be outside Fenway Park on Opening Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. just outside Gate A. The mission is to educate consumers on the best ways to purchase and identify an authentic Red Sox ticket.
"Consumers need to protect themselves when it comes to ticket resale, " said Lindstrom. "Opening Day is always a day filled with fun and excitement and we want it to stay that way. By educating Red Sox fans, we help ensure that the day won't be ruined by ticket fraud or the unscrupulous activities of ticket scalpers."
The Office of Consumer Affairs recommends the following to fans looking to buy tickets:
Buy From the Red Sox Directly:
The best way to ensure purchase of an authentic ticket is to buy tickets directly from the Red Sox. Believe it or not, there may be tickets for the Opening Day available on Friday at the ticket booth or online through the Red Sox SmartFan service. Anyone can become a member of SmartFan for $49.95. The initiation fee grants the consumers 2 Red Sox tickets to an upcoming game and exclusive access to purchase premium tickets from Red Sox Season Ticket Holders who have tickets they cannot use. Fans can sign-up for SmartFan online at www.redsox.com. With unpredictable weather conditions, it is possible that Opening Day tickets will be for sale
Ask Questions When Buying From a Ticket Reseller:
Make sure the seller is a licensed ticket broker or reseller with the state. Consumers can call the Office of Consumer Affairs toll free at 888-283-3757 or the Office of Public Safety at 617-727-3200 to confirm the license of a broker. Consumers should also use a credit card to pay for the tickets instead of cash. There may be some protection from the credit card company to dispute the charges if there is improper billing, a cancellation or fraud. In addition, a consumer should check the company's refund policy.
Beware When Buying a Ticket on the Street:
Consumers should beware - this is the riskiest proposition of all. You may find yourself dealing with an unlicensed ticket scalper that may charge you double or triple the face value of the ticket. Consumers will also be required to pay for the transaction in cash so there is no record of the sale and no recourse if the ticket is counterfeit.
Finally, consumers should know how to identify an authentic Red Sox ticket by looking for the following features on any Red Sox ticket they wish to purchase:
*Navy blue border
*Picture of a baseball player on the top of the ticket with the Red Sox logo in one of the two top corners
*Picture of a baseball on the bottom right corner that says "Fenway" on top of the baseball, "Park" on the bottom of the baseball and the word "Game" followed by the actual game number.
*Just below the picture of the player, check for the opponent's team name, date and time
* Below that your seat location should be printed
* On the bottom of the ticket is the ticket stub. Here, the game information and ticket information is repeated.
A consumer who still feels anxious and has a cell phone available, can contact the Boston Red Sox ticket office located at Fenway Park to authenticate the ticket, 1-877-REDSOX9.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A North Adams Turnkey Home
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a three-story home that's newly renovated? Then this is the home for you.
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 74 Washington Ave.
This home was originally built in 1880 and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is 2,320 square feet on less than an acre.
The first floor includes the kitchen, a full bathroom, an office, a large open living room and dining area, and an entry with a staircase to the second floor, which has three bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and a laundry closet. The third floor was turned into a spacious primary suite with a full bathroom.
The house comes with major kitchen and laundry appliances.
It's on the market for $349,900.
We spoke to Allison Pacelli with Pacelli Zepka Corp., which has the listing.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
A house at this price point with so much space for several people is not easy to find. There are four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, large living room, kitchen, and a bonus room off the kitchen that could be an office or dining room or possibly even an extra guest room.
What was your first impression when you walked into this home?
I love some of the character of the house. For example, the banister and railing on the stairs is ornate and beautiful.
How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?
The house is light and bright. It's a great mix of some class features like the stairway and updates like the kitchen and bathrooms.
What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?
I can see all sorts of people in this house.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
North Adams is such a vibrant and welcoming community. You can walk to MCLA or downtown. Williams College and Mass MoCA are close. The hospital is nearby, and the house would be great for doctors or nurses. There are a lot of opportunities in the area.
Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?
The entire house was renovated about two years ago. The owners removed all knob & tube wiring, installed a new boiler, added a new laundry setup on the second floor, and redid the third floor into a great primary suite, with private bathroom. The kitchen and all three bathrooms are also new.
You can find out more about this home on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 74 Washington Ave.
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On Monday, developer Benjamin Crespi of 196 Marine LLC, was back before the Planning Board with a dramatically different proposal: 49 two-bedroom tourists cabins with a restaurant and recreational amenities.
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