What's the most equitable way to sell or give away something coveted & expensive that several friends want?

I'd been radiantly excited about going to Coachella both weekends with my sorority sisters and (literally) hundreds of other friends from my college and my hometown when we bought the passes a few months ago, but while everyone else's enthusiasm about it was percolating mine was slowly evaporating. I'm starting a 25 hour a week research internship next week that will be in addition to rigorous classes, and if I don't stay on top of everything my workload will become a sinkhole of stress I'll get lost in. Plus, I fell on my head at the gym this afternoon and my neck is seriously hurting now, so I don't want to sleep in a tent for the next two weekends, or spend hours sardined in a car road-tripping there and back. Anyways, so I told my friends that I'm not going at dinner tonight, and they were all disappointed but supportive of the decision................for like 5 minutes. Then everyone started asking me what I was going to do with my passes, haha. Both weekends are sold out, and passes are being scalped for outrageous prices. Some friends wanted me to just *give* them the passes, even though each pass is $349, plus camping fees. I don't plan on personally profiting from the passes, but it would be nice to get what I paid for them since they are in demand. I don't know who to sell them to because everyone willing to pay chimed in at once. I popped on Facebook for the first time in ages and made the announcement that I'm not going there to avoid having to text everyone else, and then got flooded with even more offers, requests, and pleas. Some have even offered to pay substantially more and donate the extra amount to my favorite charity, which is a nice thought.

I'm not sure if I should sell the passes to the person with the highest offer, to the friends who seem like they're in the most need of cheering up, or through a lottery system. One friend suggested picking a name out of a hat.

What are your thoughts? How would you go about selling the passes when several friends you care for equally offered you the same amount at the same time?

2013-04-12T03:10:17Z

April ~ this might help explain how I fell on my head: http://s353.photobucket.com/user/SkylarkMelody/media/2.png.html?sort=6&o=120
I lost some of my grip, then my sense of balance, and toppled over.

2013-04-13T02:38:31Z

MAZZZZZZZZY!!!!! Oh my gosh, little fireworks of happiness went off inside me when I saw your answer. My little brother (he recently turned 5) got very concerned about Australians after looking at the country on a globe and seeing that you're "upside down." He wanted to know how you don't fall off. I thought of that just now because I'm really glad you haven't fallen off the face of the Earth! Wooot!

I've been wanting you to come to California for yearrrrrrrrrs so I'd give you the passes if that would get you here, haha.

EMAIL ME! I totally detoxed my inboxes after they swelled up to 20,000+ messages (that's not even an exaggeration, unfortunately) and I no longer have your real email address. So message me!!!! I've got my email on my profile. So much has happened since winter break. Anyhoo. I'll tell you about it in an email. In the meantime, check out my blog (linked on my profile) to see a couple of new paintings. There's also an

2013-04-13T03:05:10Z

(^ got cut off)

There's also an album version of a song I shared with you ages ago (one I wrote that my friend sang).
Okay, I'll stop babbling here.

Kirsty misses you, too. : )

2013-04-19T20:42:57Z

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ANSWERS!

I did as suggested and wrote down the names of everyone who wanted the passes and could afford to pay exactly what I bought them for on Post It notes and then drew a name out of a hat for each weekend. My friend who went last weekend had a fantastic time, and I was able to accomplish all I hoped to by staying on campus. The other friend who got the passes left with a group tonight. All has worked out splendidly.

I appreciate all the answers and I hope you've stayed well during this stressful, crushing week in history.

Anonymous2013-04-12T16:00:44Z

Favorite Answer

*waves and shouts a very big hello!!* :)))

I have a very simple answer for you .... I will buy your pass and fly all the way from Australia so I can proudly take your position...not only will I take you in spirit, I will also bring my camera and big zoom lens so I can capture each of the shows,and by the end of both weekends, it will feel as if you never really missed it at all :P (will even photoshop you to be on the stage with your favourite artist for bragging rights :P)

In all seriousness .... if it was me who was in your position, I would simply put all of the names in a hat, and randomly let your fingers do all of the work :) Easy peasy!
I agree that selling the ticket to the highest bidder and giving the proceeds to a selected charity is a WONDERFUL idea, but in fairness to those who cannot compete with others who are more financially secure, this lucky dip draw out of the hat system, would keep it equal, civil and unbiased.

I admire your passion and drive for your upcoming internship, and the fact that you are putting that before Coachella, which I know you always look forward to attending each year .... your dedication and enthusiasm is going to take you a very long way, and if you were my daughter, I would be so proud of the spirited young woman that you have become.
I hope that your neck injury gets better before it gets any worse .... my whole body went into a sympathetic spasm just from looking at your photo! lol :P

Ok...my spare 5 minutes is up, my coffee cup is empty, and its time for me to embark on a big black forest cake :)
( I know that I owe you and email, and I promise that I'll send one soon.)

Big massive ((hugs)) .... and best of luck with your internship, a speedy recovery and selling your tickets! xxx

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?2013-04-12T04:01:49Z

Yahoo! Answers is screwing me over on the length limit again, so I'm posting my answer on my blog (haha). Now my only other post there won't be so lonely.

Answer located at: http://www.mattinnominate.com/
Direct link: http://www.mattinnominate.com/2013/04/one-of-my-wonderful-contacts-on-yahoo.html

Hope you feel better. On the bright side, at least you didn't break anything! One of my friends recently (like, two months ago) broke her foot doing a pole trick, and is still recovering. Ouch.

Oh, and so that I have a legitimate answer to the question also presented here, you should sell the passes high and donated the proceeds to a carefully chosen charity, making sure to spell out the charity in advance (and providing information about the charity as well, beforehand, to jack up what people are willing to pay).

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?2016-08-07T19:30:49Z

Put together a scrapbook with you and her throughout the years. Go to the Scrapbook element of a craft store, and there are lots of specific scrapbooks out there, some are very simple that you simply put the snap shots in little slots, some are predone pages that you simply just put the photographs on the page, and then perhaps write whatever in regards to the pics. You're pressed for time So i would propose something really simple. I'd go for a pocketed scrapbook- where there are pockets to put the snap shots, that you could additionally buy journal bins or photo mounting paper - if you wish to customise it and write some unique messages to her. Simply write it on the slip of paper and stick it within the pocket. Should you inform the gals on the craft retailer what you need to do, they are able to offer you some first-rate ideas too. Edit** additionally i noticed at Walgreens they've all types of gift cards- they even have some for US airways and Hyatt and first-class Western- you might get her gift playing cards for journey- that may be slightly out of the budget though (can be for me).

00

Milton2013-04-14T04:52:03Z

There is nothing about equity here except in the minds of your friends. You have an asset for which you paid. You choose to surrender it. If you were a store, would you care who bought which apple in the produce bin? This is a one-way street. You owe your friends nothing unless you want to give it away or sell only to them. You could advertise it on Craig's list. I have sold many items that way. Because I live in a secured building with a desk staff, I don't mind people coming to my home. But, you might want to think about meeting in a very public place like a Starbucks for safety sake. Insist on cash.

If you choose to keep it among friends, a lottery is the best solution. That way, everyone who wants to participate has an equal chance to have his or her ticket drawn as the winner. And, do not give away something that you paid for and is in demand.

What is funny, I was just reading my Facebook page and Sarah Silverman put up a statement that she is glad that she isn't going to Coachella.

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Daisy2013-04-12T02:43:53Z

Well not to be nosy but Im pretty sure you come from money. It would be really nice to give the passes to your friends who will never be able to afford them. Ask whose birthday is next. give it the friend in need who has the nearest bday. Spread the love you know. If you dont want to do that then the names in hat idea sounds fair. How did you fall on your head at the gym? Hows that even possible to do?

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