With the rise of the secondary ticket market, selling tickets has become increasingly common. Many ticket holders look to recoup some of the money they spent on tickets by reselling them through secondary marketplaces like StubHub or Ticketmaster. However, this raises an important question – can you legally resell the same ticket on both Ticketmaster and StubHub? Let’s take a closer look at the policies of each platform.
Can You Resell Tickets on Ticketmaster?
In most cases, yes, you can resell tickets on Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster has its own ticket resale marketplace that allows ticket holders to resell their tickets. There are a few key things to know about reselling tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Ticketmaster generally allows ticket transfers or resales, unless explicitly prohibited by the event organizer or venue. This policy may vary for high-demand events where transferability is restricted.
- Season ticket holders may be subject to different policies set by sports teams or venues regarding reselling on Ticketmaster. Some may prohibit reselling certain games.
- There are no fees to post tickets for resale on Ticketmaster. They charge a percentage fee if your ticket sells.
- Ticketmaster guarantees all tickets sold through their resale marketplace for authenticity and timely delivery.
So in summary, for most events, you can resell your Ticketmaster tickets on their resale platform. But double check the specific event policies, as some organizers do prohibit transfers or resales.
Can You Resell Tickets on StubHub?
Much like Ticketmaster, StubHub also allows users to resell event tickets. Here are some key facts about reselling on StubHub:
- StubHub generally allows reselling tickets, unless the event explicitly prohibits resales. Certain high-profile events may block transfers.
- Season ticket holders may also face team or venue policies that restrict reselling on StubHub.
- StubHub charges both sellers and buyers fees when tickets are resold on their marketplace.
- StubHub also guarantees valid tickets and provides purchase protection for buyers.
In most cases, reselling event tickets on StubHub is perfectly legal, unless the event organizer or original ticket distributor prohibits it. But resellers should always verify the transfer policy for each specific event before reselling tickets.
Can You Resell the Same Ticket on Both Sites?
This is where things get tricky. Technically, you can list and sell the same ticket on both Ticketmaster and StubHub simultaneously. However, this violates the policies of both platforms.
Ticketmaster’s resale policy states that sellers can only list tickets they “have in hand and are authorized to resell.” So once a Ticketmaster ticket is sold, the seller no longer has it in hand, and listing it again on StubHub would violate Ticketmaster’s policy.
Similarly, StubHub prohibits reselling tickets you no longer own or have access to. Once a ticket sells on Ticketmaster, re-listing it on StubHub goes against their policy.
If you re-list a ticket already sold on one site on the other site, here are the potential risks:
- The order could be canceled if both sites detect you no longer own the ticket.
- You could be forced to refund the buyer on one or both sites.
- Your account could be suspended or terminated for policy violation.
- You could face fraud charges for selling tickets you don’t actually possess.
So in summary, while you could technically double list a ticket, doing so violates both platforms’ policies and could carry serious repercussions. The best practice is to choose one site and sell the ticket only there.
Strategies for Maximizing Resale Value
If you want to resell your tickets for the highest potential return, here are some tips:
- Sell as soon as possible once the event goes on sale, when demand is highest.
- Price 10-20% below current ticket prices to attract buyers.
- List on both sites to maximize exposure.
- Offer instant download or expedited shipping to provide a better buyer experience.
- Consider bundling multiple tickets together if you have them.
- Sell closer to the event date once ticket supply is lower.
Timing your sale, competitive pricing, and great service are key to getting the best price. Just don’t make the mistake of double listing a single ticket across sites.
Are There Other Places to Resell Tickets?
While Ticketmaster and StubHub are two of the biggest players, there are other secondary ticket marketplaces out there. Some other popular options include:
- Vivid Seats – Similar to StubHub with a ticket marketplace and buyer guarantees.
- SeatGeek – Allows users to compare ticket listings across multiple resale sites.
- Gametime -last minute ticket marketplace, often with discounted prices.
- eBay – Large general marketplace where event tickets are frequently resold.
- Craigslist – Classified ads site where tickets are often listed for local events.
The same general rules apply on these sites – be sure to check the event’s transfer policy before reselling tickets. And never attempt to resell the same ticket across multiple platforms, as that violates policies.
Are Fan-to-Fan Ticket Transfers Allowed?
In some cases, tickets may not be fully transferable for resale on secondary marketplaces. But fan-to-fan ticket transfers are still permitted in many cases. This is when the ticket holder transfers the ticket directly to someone they know, often a friend or family member.
Platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub generally allow fan-to-fan transfers. The steps are:
- The ticket holder initiates the transfer process on the platform’s website or app.
- They enter the recipient’s name and email address.
- The recipient must accept the transfer and associate the ticket with their account.
- The tickets are then tied to the recipient’s account for access.
These direct transfers are less risky than reselling, since the ticket holder maintains ownership until the recipient claims them. Policies vary by event, so check the specific policy before transferring tickets.
Are there Fees for Reselling Tickets?
Both Ticketmaster and StubHub charge fees to facilitate ticket resales on their marketplaces. These are the typical fees:
- Ticketmaster
- Seller fee: Around 10-15% of the ticket sale price
- No fee to list tickets for sale
- Buyer fee: Around 10-20% of ticket price
- StubHub
- Seller fee: 10% of the ticket sale price
- Buyer fee: Around 10-15% of ticket price
- Extra fees may apply for shipping and electronic delivery
Other secondary ticket marketplaces have similar buyer and seller fees. The fees cover the platforms’ operating costs and buyer protections.
Are there Taxes on Resold Tickets?
When reselling event tickets online, you may be responsible for paying state and local taxes on those transactions:
- Sellers are required to pay any applicable state sales tax on ticket resales in about 35 U.S. states currently.
- StubHub handles collecting and remitting sales tax on the seller’s behalf in applicable states.
- On Ticketmaster, sellers must calculate and remit any sales taxes they collect from buyers.
- Sellers may also owe local ticket resale taxes and fees in some cities or municipalities.
Be sure to research the latest rules in the state and city where your event is taking place. Track any ticket taxes you collect from buyers and remit them to the proper tax authorities.
Are there Limits on How Many Tickets I Can Resell?
In most cases, there are no set limits on how many tickets you can resell through secondary marketplaces. However, be aware of a few potential restrictions:
- For high-demand events, there may be caps on how many tickets a single account can purchase and resell.
- Season ticket holders may only be allowed to resell a limited number of games per season.
- If you buy and resell a very high volume of tickets, you may be viewed as a ticket broker which requires additional licensing and registration in some states.
Outside of these types of restrictions, you can generally resell as many tickets as you possess for a given event. But abide by the policies for that specific event and venue.
Can Selling Tickets Lead to Legal Issues or Bans?
In most cases, reselling tickets on approved secondary marketplaces is perfectly legal and allowed. However, there are some circumstances where reselling could lead to legal action or bans:
- Selling counterfeit or duplicated tickets is illegal and punishable both civilly and criminally.
- Mass purchasing tickets just to resell at inflated prices may violate anti-scalping laws in some states.
- Using bots or automated means to unfairly buy up ticket inventory can lead to lawsuits and bans.
- Circumventing ticket limits or transfer policies could potentially lead to civil suits or criminal charges.
Use good judgment when reselling tickets. Don’t attempt to game the system and be sure to follow all event policies, terms of use, and applicable laws.
Conclusion
In summary, reselling tickets through approved marketplaces is permissible in most cases, but with some important caveats:
- Check the event and venue policies before reselling tickets, as some prohibit transfers.
- Never attempt to resell the same ticket on multiple platforms – this violates the sites’ policies.
- Be aware of potential taxes, fees, and limits that may apply to resellers in some cases.
- Avoid illegal activities like selling fake tickets or using bots which can carry serious penalties.
Both Ticketmaster and StubHub provide safe, approved online marketplaces for individuals to legally resell event tickets they can no longer use. But be sure to follow all applicable policies, laws, and taxes to avoid any issues.