[phkahler]

>> There is nothing inherently wrong with middlemen asserting themselves into a transaction.

Some middle men serve a function to buyer and seller. Specifically they are motivated to put those two in touch with each other and in some cases act as a sort of mediator for a transaction. The ones who insert themselves between parties that are already in touch and ready to deal offer no value.

Example. When the Wright brothers wanted to sell an airplane to the US army, after much effort they got the army to solicit bids on a flying machine that basically matched the capabilities they had (even that was a big deal because nobody though it could be done and the army didn't want to fund "research"). Strangely they got 3 bids. The Wrights IIRC was $25,000. One of the other two dropped out because the reality was they had no product. The third intended to bid lower than the Wrights - enough that he could buy a plane from them and sell it at a markup to the army. The Wrights told him they would not sell an airplane to him (fuck off dude) and he dropped out. That other guy was what I'd call "trying to insert himself as a middleman" where one was not needed in any way, strictly to enrich himself while adding no value.

Back to scalpers - they do offer one particular thing that might be of value. Some can get their hands on premium seats, and by selling those at very high prices they allow rich people to pay extra for special privilege. What you think about that varies from person to person ;-) It's still something the venue could have done a better job of.