Jackson memorial tickets being sold for thousands

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Jackson's concerts always were difficult to get tickets to, but that's nothing compared to the pop star's memorial service.

On eBay, bids for tickets for Tuesday's event were reaching as high as $1,000 and $3,000, though it was impossible to verify the seriousness of those bids. Others on Monday were submitting offers more in the $100-$200 range.

On Craigslist, asking prices also were in the thousands. Some unable to attend, though, simply wanted to give away their tickets -- as one post read -- "to only true fans."

The memorial service will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. More than 1.6 million fans registered online for a chance to attend, and only 8,750 names were chosen -- each of whom received two tickets.

Ticket winners were to present a unique code and receive a wristband. They were permitted to give anyone their second bracelet.

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