Buying tickets from ticket resellers like Viagogo can seem like a good way to get tickets for sold out events. However, there are some risks involved with using these types of services. The validity and authenticity of tickets purchased through Viagogo has come into question over the years.
What is Viagogo?
Viagogo is an online ticket marketplace that allows people to buy and sell tickets for events like concerts, sports games and more. Sellers can list tickets for sale on Viagogo and buyers can purchase tickets through the platform.
Viagogo operates as a secondary ticket market, meaning they facilitate the resale of tickets rather than selling the tickets directly. The tickets are sold by individual sellers, often at prices above the original face value. Viagogo collects a commission on each sale.
Criticisms of Viagogo
While Viagogo provides a way for people to resell extra tickets, the platform has faced some controversy:
- Lack of price caps – Tickets are often resold at very high prices compared to face value.
- Fake or invalid tickets – There are risks of fraud and invalid tickets.
- Lack of seller vetting – Viagogo does not thoroughly vet sellers or tickets.
- Consumer protections concerns – Critics say Viagogo violates consumer protection rules in some countries.
- Prohibited sale of some tickets – Some event organizers prohibit resale of tickets, but Viagogo still allows sellers to list them.
These issues have led some consumers to distrust Viagogo and question if the tickets purchased are valid.
Are tickets from Viagogo guaranteed valid?
Viagogo does not provide an absolute guarantee on tickets. Their Buyer Guarantee states that they will provide a refund if a buyer’s order is canceled or tickets are unusable. However, the buyer may still be left having to arrange last minute replacement tickets if an issue arises upon arrival at the event.
Some key points on Viagogo’s ticket validity guarantees:
- Viagogo will refund the purchase amount if the original tickets ordered can’t be provided.
- The refund does not cover replacement ticket costs or related expenses like travel.
- Viagogo states they work to ensure tickets are valid and authentic, but cannot provide a 100% validity guarantee.
- It’s the sellers responsibility to provide valid tickets, not Viagogo’s.
- Viagogo’s guarantees only apply if a ticket issue is detected beforehand, not at the event entrance.
So there is some protection if you can’t get the original tickets ordered. But Viagogo does not guarantee you will receive tickets that will necessarily get you entry into the event.
Risks of invalid or unusable tickets
There are a few scenarios where tickets purchased on Viagogo could potentially be invalid or unusable:
- Seller provides fake or duplicate tickets that are rejected at the door.
- Seller listed and sold tickets already sold elsewhere, leaving the Viagogo buyer with no valid ticket.
- Event organizer cancels and reissues tickets, rendering some tickets invalid.
- Tickets are non-transferable or resale is prohibited according to event policy.
These situations demonstrate that even if the ticket transaction goes through successfully on Viagogo, there is no absolute guarantee you will receive valid, usable tickets accepted for entry.
Tips for minimizing risk of invalid tickets
If you do choose to purchase tickets on Viagogo, here are some tips that may help minimize the risks:
Purchase early
Buying tickets well in advance gives more time for issues to be detected and resolved before the event. Last minute purchases leave little recourse if the tickets end up having problems.
Confirm all ticket details
Double check ticket details like the event name, date, seating details and any other identifiers match the event you are trying to attend. Make sure the tickets supplied match the listing.
Understand the policies
Review Viagogo’s Buyer Guarantee and Seller Pledge to know what protections and recourse are offered if ticket issues arise.
Pay by credit card
A credit card provides payment protection in case you need to dispute a purchase later. Avoid wire transfers and other non-reversible forms of payment.
Contact the seller
Try to contact the seller directly with any questions or concerns about the ticket listing and confirm they will provide valid tickets. Viagogo offers an anonymous messaging system.
Confirm resale is allowed
Some events prohibit ticket resale. Check with the original ticket issuer to confirm reselling the tickets you plan to buy is permitted.
Are Viagogo tickets legit according to reviews?
Viagogo gets mixed reviews from buyers regarding ticket authenticity and validity. Here are examples of Viagogo reviews that highlight the risks:
Positive reviews
“Bought last minute tickets to a sold out festival and they were accepted at the gate with no problems.”
“The resell price was ridiculous but my Viagogo tickets were legit and got me into the concert I wanted to see.”
These positive reviews show that many people do successfully receive valid tickets from Viagogo. When things go smoothly, the tickets can provide entry just like any other ticket.
Negative reviews
“Turned away at the door – apparently my Viagogo tickets were already used. Do not trust them!”
“Viagogo would not refund me after the tickets I bought were clearly counterfeit. Horrible experience.”
“Tickets cancelled and reissued by the NFL left me with invalid tickets. Viagogo refused responsibility.”
These negative experiences reveal that there certainly are cases of invalid tickets leading to denied entry. Issues like fraud and non-transferable tickets do happen.
The legitimacy and validity of the tickets depends on the individual seller supplying them. There are risks involved when buying from anonymous resellers.
Does Viagogo verify tickets?
Viagogo does not verify the validity of every ticket sold on its platform. The responsibility lies with sellers to provide legitimate tickets.
Viagogo does claim to take measures to detect fraudulent or duplicate ticket sales. According to Viagogo, these efforts may include:
- Reviewing sellers accounts for suspicious activity.
- Checking that ticket numbers are not uploaded and sold multiple times.
- Monitoring for ticket sales violating event policies.
- Using data and analytics to identify high risk sellers.
However, these measures are focused on deterring fraudulent activity rather than verifying legitimate tickets. Viagogo ultimately leaves it to sellers to supply valid tickets and buyers to determine if tickets are acceptable for their needs.
Some reasons Viagogo does not directly verify or authenticate every ticket sold:
- Viagogo has over a million ticket listings making it difficult to verify each one.
- Viagogo operates globally making it hard to coordinate authentication with all events.
- Tickets are sold by individuals who physically hold the tickets, not Viagogo.
- Tickets have varying authenticity measures like holograms making universal verification impractical.
So while Viagogo claims efforts to monitor fraud, the company does not have a direct ticket verification process that buyers can rely on.
What legal protections exist for buyers of invalid tickets?
There are some legal protections that aim to protect buyers if they purchase invalid or fraudulent tickets from Viagogo and other secondary sellers.
Viagogo’s Buyer Guarantee
As mentioned earlier, Viagogo offers refunds for tickets that end up being unusable or if an order is cancelled. However, their guarantee has limits and may not cover all costs.
Consumer laws
Consumer protection laws in many countries prohibit misleading practices and false advertising. These laws can sometimes apply to ticket sales. For example, Viagogo was sued in the United States for deceptive practices related to ticket validity and other issues.
Credit card chargebacks
Credit card chargeback rights allow consumers to file a dispute if goods or services paid for with a credit card were not delivered as promised. This offers a way to potentially obtain a refund for unusable tickets.
Small claims court
In cases of ticket fraud, consumers may be able take sellers to small claims court to seek compensation for costs incurred. This can be an option if Viagogo’s refund is insufficient.
However, legal action can be complex and outcomes are variable. Overall, protections remain limited, underscoring the risks of relying on secondary ticket sources.
Should I avoid buying tickets from Viagogo?
Whether to use Viagogo or not comes down to an individuals risk tolerance. Here are some factors to consider:
Considerations for using Viagogo:
- It provides access to high demand, sold out events.
- Many people successfully receive valid tickets.
- Refunds are available if original tickets are not provided.
- An option if you have no other way to get tickets.
Reasons to avoid Viagogo:
- No guarantee tickets will be valid for entry.
- You may be left needing last minute replacement tickets.
- Tickets often sold above face value.
- Risks like fraud, unusable tickets, or denied entry.
- Reselling tickets might violate event policies.
For very high demand events where tickets are hard to come by, Viagogo may be one of few options. But buyers should understand the risks involved.
Where possible, buyers are best served purchasing from official sources. But when that fails, Viagogo provides an alternative – just not one without risks.
Conclusion
Viagogo connects sellers with willing ticket buyers – but they make no absolute guarantees on ticket validity and entry. Issues like fraud, unusable tickets, and denials at the venue do occur. Viagogo generally provides refunds if original tickets are unusable, but has limits on further compensation. While some buyers get lucky with no problems, others are left scrambling when tickets fail at the door.
Viagogo tickets carry risks that buyers must consider carefully given the platform does not independently verify or authenticate every ticket. Where possible, it’s safest to buy from official sources. For high demand events with few other options, Viagogo provides a marketplace for tickets – caveat emptor. Understanding the policies, protections, and potential pitfalls is crucial for buyers using these secondary ticket services.