The Better Business Bureau has issued a consumer alert for anyone who goes online to buy tickets to concerts, sporting events or the theater.

The BBB says "you might get burned" if you shop at a site called TicketsMyWay.com. In recent months, hundreds of people from across the country have filed complaints with the BBB about the company.

"They're not receiving their tickets at all, they're receiving their tickets too late, the seats that they wanted aren't the seats they got," said BBB spokesperson Steve Cox.

Mike Harrison from Norwood, New Jersey is one of those unhappy customers. He loves the Allman Brothers Band. Harrison had tickets to see them this summer in upstate New York. At least he thought he did.

Harrison paid MyTickets.com $400 for his eighth row seats. But as the concert got closer, the shipping date kept slipping. The day of the concert Harrison got an e-mail saying the tickets were not available. Harrison disputed the charge with his credit card company and got his money back. He never heard from the company again.

Company service representative Andrew Sims says the unsatisfactory rating from the BBB is not fair.

"About 90 percent or more of those complaints have been taken care of with the customer," he said.

Sims admits the company has made mistakes, but he blames most of the problems on canceled shows and delivery problems. Whatever the reason, the BBB says TicketsMyWay.com, which is based in Las Vegas, does not resolve most consumer complaints and will not respond to the BBB. Because of the volume of complaints and the lack of response to them, TicketsMyWay.com has an "unsatisfactory" rating with the BBB.

And here’s something else to consider: TicketsMyWay.com has a bizarre cancellation policy.

According to the company's Web site, "If you dispute the charge with your credit card company any time after you place your order, you agree to pay a litigation fee of a minimum of $125 and may be responsible for the entire amount of your order plus any interest and penalty fees associated with the servicing of the account."

The BBB's Steve Cox says this is not illegal. But he asks, "Is this good customer service? Is this ethical? We don't think so." Cox tells me they have received complaints from people who have disputed the charge with their credit card company and were threatened with court action or being sent to collection.

The BBB offers the following advice for online ticket buyers:

- When buying from a ticket reselling company online, buyers should always look for the BBBOnLine seal. The BBBOnLine logo is a sign that the company has a good reputation for satisfying customers and a secure Web site for processing payments.

- Paying with a credit card or through PayPal will provide protection and the opportunity for potential reimbursement if the company is uncooperative. Consumers should never pay with a cashier's check or wire money to a seller, as they will have no way to get their money back if the tickets do not arrive.

- Individual sellers often include pictures of the tickets with their posts on auction sites or bulletin boards. Buyers should scrutinize the tickets closely for any inaccuracies or alterations, and cross-check the seat assignment with the map on the venue's Web site before buying.

- Before buying from an online ticket reseller, consumers need to read the fine print and policies stated on the Web site and pay special attention to the consumer protections provided if they aren't satisfied.

- Consumers who have been ripped off buying tickets online can file a complaint with Better Business Bureau online at www.bbb.org. They can also file complaints with their state Attorney General's office.

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If you live in Western Washington and feel like you were ripped off by this company I'd like to speak with you. E-mail me at Consumerman@komonews.com

For More Information:

BBB Warns Sports Fans, Concert-Goers, and Theater Buffs: Beware of TicketsMyWay.com