With Taylor Swift announcing her highly anticipated Eras Tour for 2023, demand for tickets is incredibly high. Many fans who missed out on tickets during presales are turning to the resale market, hoping to buy tickets at any price. This raises an important question – are Taylor Swift resale tickets valid?
The short answer is yes, resale tickets are valid as long as they are purchased through official resale partners. However, there are some key things fans need to know when buying resale to avoid scams and ensure entry into the show.
How Resale Ticketing Works for Taylor Swift’s Tour
For a major tour like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the primary ticketing provider is Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster facilitates initial ticket sales during presales and the general public onsale. Any unsold tickets are then opened up for resale through Ticketmaster’s official resale exchange.
Fans can resell extra tickets they aren’t able to use through Ticketmaster as well. These resale tickets are verified as legitimate tickets originally purchased through Ticketmaster. They maintain their validity when changing ownership on the resale market.
Ticketmaster is the only authorized resale source for Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets. Any resale tickets purchased through them can be guaranteed as valid.
Dangers of Buying from Unauthorized Resale Sites
While tempting, buying resale Taylor Swift tickets anywhere except Ticketmaster comes with big risks:
- Tickets may be fake or scam listings with no actual ticket for sale.
- Tickets could be duplicates that have already been sold to someone else.
- Tickets might be flagged as invalid and not scan at the venue entrance.
- Prices on unauthorized resale sites are often highly inflated.
Fake or invalid tickets mean getting turned away at the door with no recourse. Only use Ticketmaster resale to avoid these problems!
Spotting Scam Listings
Scam brokers attempt to sell fake, duplicated or non-existent Taylor Swift tickets on unauthorized resale sites. Here are some red flags to watch for:
- Listings substantially below or above current resale market value.
- Seller cannot provide specific seat numbers or barcode information.
- Seller requests unusual payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
- Listing has spelling errors or inconsistencies.
- Seller does not have ratings, reviews, or verified account status.
Use extreme caution with sellers exhibiting any of these attributes. Legitimate resale tickets will never ask for direct bank payments or gift cards. When in doubt, report the listing.
Safe Buying Tips for Taylor Swift Resale Tickets
Follow these tips when buying Taylor Swift tickets on the resale market:
- Only buy through Ticketmaster Resale – the official source.
- Double check ticket details like section/row/seat and barcode.
- Read seller reviews and ratings carefully before transacting.
- Avoid sellers offering prices that seem too good to be true.
- Pay with official payment methods like credit cards.
- Save all documentation in case any issues arise pre-concert.
As long as fans exercise caution and only use Ticketmaster Resale, they can securely obtain valid Taylor Swift tickets.
Price Trends for Taylor Swift Resale Tickets
Taylor Swift ticket prices on the resale market tend to fluctuate leading up to each concert. Here are some trends fans can expect:
Time Before Concert | Expected Resale Price Trends |
---|---|
2+ months out | Above face value pricing as demand is high |
1-2 months out | Peak pricing 80-100%+ above face value |
2-4 weeks out | Decline to 30-60% above face as supply increases |
Last 1-2 weeks | Sharp drop nearing face value if not sold out |
Day before/Day of | Below face value pricing for any remaining tickets |
Of course, these trends vary city-to-city based on local demand. Fans should check StubHub listings regularly for price drops leading up to the event. Last-minute deals can sometimes be found!
Getting the Best Deal on Taylor Swift Resale Tickets
Given the above pricing trends, here are some tips for getting the best bargain on Taylor Swift resale tickets while avoiding scams:
- Be flexible on city/date if possible – less popular shows will have far lower prices.
- Aim to buy 1-4 weeks out – prices higher at 2+ months.
- Check listings daily for price drops as concert approaches.
- Consider seats in the upper deck or behind the stage to save money.
- Buy single tickets instead of groups to enable better deals.
- Join fan exchange groups – fans often resell at face value prices.
While the cheapest resale deals come in the last 1-2 weeks, keep in mind this inventory risk. Savvy fans who can be flexible will find the best Taylor Swift ticket values.
Are Resale Tickets Transferable for Taylor Swift?
Another common question – can I resell a Taylor Swift resale ticket I purchased? The short answer is yes. As long as the ticket is valid and purchased through Ticketmaster Resale, the barcodes remain fully transferrable.
The original resale buyer can re-list the tickets on Ticketmaster Resale to recoup costs if needed. The key requirements are:
- Must resell through Ticketmaster Resale to ensure next buyer’s validity.
- Only transfer via Ticketmaster’s official ticket transfer process.
- No “recording” or photocopying physical tickets.
As long as resale buyers follow the official transfer process, the next buyer will have no issues gaining entry with their tickets. This enables efficient recirculation of tickets by fans.
Beware of Counterfeit Tickets
With Taylor Swift mania in full effect, counterfeiters also unfortunately take advantage by selling fake tickets. Some things to look for when assessing if a physical ticket may be fake:
- Blurry/faded text, graphics, barcodes
- Misspellings, incorrect venue or artist details
- Different paper type, size, or feel than standard tickets
- Lack of perforations/punch-outs around edges
- Missing or obscured security design features like holograms
Many counterfeit tickets utilize photocopies with washed-out images and text. They lack sharpness of real machine-printed tickets. Some other signs – cheap plain paper, sloppy cutting, or inconsistent printing.
Closely scrutinize any physical tickets purchased outside of Ticketmaster Resale. Paying with credit card via official resale provides buyer protections.
What if My Resale Tickets Don’t Scan?
In the unlikely event a Taylor Swift resale ticket purchased through Ticketmaster Resale does not scan at entry, don’t panic. Simply present the ticket to the ticket-taker or box office for verification.
As long as the resale ticket came from Ticketmaster and can be referenced in their systems, they will be able to print a replacement “ticket on arrival” to enable entry. The barcode may need a refresh if it was transferred multiple times.
For any other issues with Ticketmaster Verified Resale tickets not scanning:
- Remain calm and do not argue with staff
- Request a supervisor for assistance
- Reference purchase documentation/order number
- Don’t attempt to fraudulently “re-use” any tickets
With all the proper documentation, Ticketmaster support can resolve any legitimate resale ticket scanning issues at the event. Only buy from Ticketmaster Resale to guarantee this backing.
When to Buy Taylor Swift Resale Tickets
Taking into account pricing trends and risk factors, here are some recommendations on timing for purchasing Taylor Swift resale tickets:
- Now – Pay higher prices for peace of mind and best seat selection
- 2 weeks out – Balance of price savings with inventory risk
- 24 hours out – Score last minute deals but very limited selection
Ultimately there is no “perfect” time to buy for all scenarios. Fans need to assess their personal priorities:
- Pay more for certainty of tickets and better seat location.
- Save money but risk missing out and having worse seats.
- Try to find a middle ground in the 2 weeks prior timeframe.
Every fan values these factors differently. Buy Taylor Swift resale tickets based on your own needs and price sensitivity.
Should I Wait to Buy Taylor Swift Tickets?
Trying to perfectly time buying Taylor Swift resale tickets is unlikely. Here are the risks of waiting too long:
- Pricing unlikely to drop significantly until under 2 weeks out.
- Many fans have FOMO and buy instantly – prices stay higher.
- Waiting too long risks no inventory remaining.
- You may end up paying more for worse seats.
While last minute deals can happen, continuing demand from fans often keeps prices elevated until very close to concerts selling out completely.
Strike a balance between delaying for better pricing and securing tickets before they disappear. Don’t wait too long!
Conclusion
Taylor Swift fans have many options when it comes to buying resale tickets. While tempting, unauthorized resale sites have huge risks of scams or invalid tickets. Fans should only purchase through Ticketmaster Resale to guarantee valid entry.
Carefully assess pricing trends to find an optimal time 1-4 weeks out to balance cost savings with inventory risks. While last minute deals are enticing, stock may be totally depleted by the day before or day of shows.
As long as Swifties take the right precautions, resale tickets provide a trustworthy method to see these historic concerts. Following fan exchange groups can also score great deals on legit extra tickets from other fans.
The key is never taking risks outside of Ticketmaster Resale for Taylor Swift tickets. Paying market value prices from reputable resellers beats being turned away at the door any day!