WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/05/2011) - Over the weekend, the University of Wisconsin Badgers football team victory over Michigan State Spartans won the Badgers the right to head to the Rose Bowl for the second straight year, meaning many Badgers fans will be making travel plans to Pasadena. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) urges consumers to use caution when buying travel packages to guarantee they have a seat at the big game.

"A cheap deal that sounds too good to be true is probably more thorns than roses," said Sandy Chalmers, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection.

"For instance, not all travel packages include tickets, so don’t assume anything," Chalmers warns.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers these consumer tips when planning your Rose Bowl trip:

A. - Buy tickets from established and legitimate people and businesses that you can trust. Buying tickets from classified ads or online sites increase the chances of the ticket being fake.

B. - Buy tickets from sources endorsed by the team or members of the National Association of Ticket Brokers.

C. - Verify your travel agent is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents or another recognized trade organization.

D. - Before sending money for a ticket, ask the seller to email or fax a copy of the actual tickets. Confirm the date, time, location, and seat location is as promised.

E. - When making payment, use a credit card instead of cash, check, debit card, or wiring money. Credit cards offer some protection if you do not receive the tickets.

F. - Do not give your credit card number over the phone unless you have initiated contact, and you know who you are talking to.

G. - Do not email your credit card number as it is not completely secure.

“Never step on the plane without having your official game tickets in hand,” reminds Sandy Chalmers, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection.

“Keep a paper trail of your trip details, including flights and hotels. We want your game day experience to be a win for you, and a win for our Badgers,” adds Chalmers.


----
TRUST WISCONSINREPORT.COM FOR THE REAL TRUTH
WisconsinReport.com is an independent online internet news publication not affiliated with Wisconsin Government, Wisconsin Public Broadcasting, the University of Wisconsin System, or any other entity, agency, department, network, business or organization with Wisconsin in it's name. WisconsinReport.com is a Morbizco Media Group/Morbizco, Inc., non-partisan, internet publication.

BE A FAN OF WISCONSINREPORT.COM ON FACEBOOK!
WisconsinReport.com now has a page on Facebook. We would love to have you as one of our Facebook friends. If you haven't already done so, search for WisconsinReport.com on Facebook. Then follow the Facebook link to the WisconsinReport.com page on Facebook. While you're there, Click on LIKE. You'll receive brief notifications when new WisconsinReport stories are added.

You can also find our Facebook page by going to the WisconsinReport.com website front page and clicking on the Facebook Link at the bottom left side of the website front page. OR, copy and paste this internet address into your browser's address field: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WisconsinReportcom/132641770112067
----