Buying concert tickets can be a tricky endeavor. With so many ticket resellers out there, it’s hard to know who to trust. Vivid Seats is one of the biggest ticket marketplaces, but are they reliable? Here’s what you need to know about using Vivid Seats to buy concert tickets.
What is Vivid Seats?
Vivid Seats is an online ticket marketplace where people can buy and sell tickets for concerts, sports, and theater events. The company was founded in 2001 and has become one of the largest secondary market ticket providers in the world.
Vivid Seats operates as a ticket broker, providing a platform that connects buyers and sellers. Anyone looking to sell extra tickets can list them for sale on Vivid Seats. The company charges a commission when tickets are sold.
In addition to brokering sales between individual sellers, Vivid Seats also sources tickets directly from venues, teams, and other partners. This ensures reliable access to in-demand tickets.
Is Vivid Seats legit?
Yes, Vivid Seats is a legitimate business. Here are a few reasons why you can trust them as a ticket provider:
– They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and maintain an A+ rating. The BBB assesses many factors including transparent business practices and proper responses to customer complaints.
– Vivid Seats is certified safe and secure by Norton Secured and McAfee SECURE. These verify that the website uses encryption and other protections.
– They offer a 100% Buyer Guarantee on all ticket purchases. If tickets turn out to be fraudulent or invalid for any reason, Vivid Seats will find replacement tickets or provide a full refund.
– The company has processed over 6 million ticket orders since starting in 2001. They have served over 1 million happy customers.
– Vivid Seats is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), which has a strict code of ethics for ticket resale.
What fees and services does Vivid Seats offer?
When you purchase tickets through Vivid Seats, there are some common fees to be aware of:
– Service Fee – This is a charge from Vivid Seats for using their platform. It is typically 10-20% of the ticket price.
– Delivery Fee – This covers the costs of getting tickets to you securely. It ranges from $2-$12 based on method.
– Taxes and additional fees – There may also be venue fees, city taxes, and processing charges added on.
Here are some of the key services that Vivid Seats provides with ticket purchases:
– Free shipping – They offer free standard delivery on all orders over $150. For smaller orders, shipping costs can be avoided by choosing Instant Download or Will Call pickup options.
– eTickets – Most tickets can be delivered electronically via email as eTickets. This gets tickets to you quickly without waiting or paying for shipping.
– Ticket insurance – Optional Vivid Seats ticket insurance starts at 7% of the total ticket cost. It allows you to get a full refund if you can’t attend the event for covered reasons.
– Digital parking passes – For major venues where parking is an issue, you can also purchase parking through Vivid Seats. This guarantees you a spot.
Does Vivid Seats have good ticket availability?
Vivid Seats has a large and diverse ticket inventory. Here are some of the key factors in their availability:
– Broad network of sellers – They have over 6,000 seller partners of all sizes posting tickets for sale. This includes big ticket brokers plus individual ticket holders.
– Direct deals with major venues – Vivid Seats has official partnerships with major venues like Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl. This grants them reliable ticket access.
– Focus on top concerts and events – They emphasize having tickets in stock for the hot concerts and big games that are in high demand. Things like Beyonce’s next tour or the Super Bowl.
– Dynamic pricing model – Prices adjust based on supply and demand. When tickets are scarce prices go up, and likewise they go down when there is ample supply. This helps maintain availability.
– Standing inventory purchases – For the most popular events, they will purchase large batches of tickets upfront before they sell out. This guarantees them a steady supply.
How do Vivid Seats ticket prices compare?
Vivid Seats ticket prices are competitive but can be higher than face value. Here are some key points on their pricing model:
– Market-driven pricing – Ticket prices are not set by Vivid Seats. Sellers on their marketplace set their own ticket prices, which are dictated by supply, demand and competition. This means prices adjust dynamically based on what the market will bear.
– Charges and fees – The final price paid by buyers includes the ticket cost set by the seller plus Vivid Seats’ service fees, delivery charges, and other costs. These fees can add a significant premium versus the original base ticket price.
– Comparable to other large brokers – Vivid Seats’ prices are typically very similar to other major brokers like StubHub or SeatGeek. However, sellers may list very competitively priced tickets on one platform versus another.
– Cheaper than sold out events – Once an event is sold out, Vivid Seats will often have tickets available when the primary seller does not. But these scarce tickets come at higher market prices.
– Potential deals if patient – Prices usually start high after the on-sale and then come down as the event nears if it does not sell out. Savvy buyers can sometimes score deals by waiting to purchase.
Are there any hidden fees?
Vivid Seats tries to be transparent about all their fees upfront. There aren’t really any hidden fees in the normal purchasing process. However, buyers should be aware of these charges before checkout:
– Service fee – Vivid Seats charges a 10-20% service fee on all tickets. It will display during the order process but is easy to overlook.
– Delivery fee – There is a shipping and delivery fee for each ticket order. eTicket delivery or Will Call pickup avoid this.
– Insurance and protection fees – Optional ticket insurance, damage protection, or a VIP order guarantee add extra costs. These are opt-in purchases though.
– Venue-specific fees – Some venues include mandatory fees for maintenance, facility charges, etc. Vivid Seats includes these venue fees in prices.
– Taxes – Local taxes like sales tax, entertainment tax, etc get tacked on at the end. The exact rate depends on the event location.
– Resale restrictions – A very small number of tickets cannot be resold. These tickets are clearly labeled but it is still buyer’s responsibility to check.
As long as you read the full details before checking out, there should be no surprises with Vivid Seats’ service fees, delivery charges, and other costs. They try to be as upfront as possible.
What are Vivid Seats ticket limits?
To discourage mass scalping and give more customers access, Vivid Seats enforces some limits on how many tickets buyers can purchase:
– 6 ticket limit for popular concerts – For major pop, rock, and rap concerts in huge venues, each customer is limited to 6 tickets.
– 8 tickets is common for other concerts – Lower demand shows often have an 8 ticket limit per customer.
– 10 tickets for smaller venues – More intimate club and theater shows typically have a 10 ticket cap.
– Sports and theaters vary – Sporting events and theater shows have widely varying limits, but 2-8 tickets per customer is standard.
– Special event limits – For ultra high-demand events like the Super Bowl or Grammys, limits can be as low as 2-4 tickets.
– Verified fan limits – Some events use a verified fan presale which comes with even tighter 1-2 ticket caps per buyer.
Vivid Seats reserves the right to adjust these ticket limits at any time based on the event, demand, and other factors. But buyers can expect 2-10 tickets to be the norm.
What are the pros and cons of Vivid Seats?
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Large selection of tickets | – Higher prices than face value |
– Reliable delivery options | – Expensive fees |
– 100% Buyer Guarantee | – Some listings overpriced |
– Reputable brand | – Refunds and support can be slow |
– Secure purchasing experience | – No loyalty or rewards program |
What protections does Vivid Seats offer?
Vivid Seats aims to make buyers feel secure through various protections:
– 100% Buyer Guarantee – Full refund if tickets are invalid or unusable for any reason.
– Secure online checkout – Vivid Seats uses encryption, protection against fraud, and other security measures.
– FanProtect Guarantee – Refunds if event is canceled or postponed (less delivery fees).
– Official ticket sources – Many tickets come directly from venues, teams, and artists.
– Ticket insurance – Optional insurance covers you if plans change and you can’t attend.
– Secure ticket delivery – Tickets delivered electronically or by major carriers with tracking.
– Customer service – 24/7 phone, chat, and email support if any issues come up.
While problems don’t happen often, Vivid Seats has proper protections in place. Make sure to closely review policies before making a large purchase.
Are there any service fees or hidden costs?
Yes, Vivid Seats does charge service fees, delivery fees, and other costs on top of the base ticket price. Here are the key charges to look out for:
– Service fee – This ranges from 10-20% of the ticket price. It covers costs for Vivid Seats to provide its platform.
– Delivery fee – Standard delivery costs $2-$12 depending on method. ETickets and Will Call pickup avoid this.
– Seller fees – Sellers sometimes tack on their own fees to the ticket price which buyers pay.
– Order processing fee – A small $2-$5 fee per order for payment processing.
– Taxes – Local taxes like sales tax, entertainment tax, etc get added to the ticket cost.
– Venue fees – Some venues charge mandatory fees that get bundled into the ticket prices.
– Insurance – Optional ticket insurance costs 7%+ of the total order. Other protection plans have fees too.
Vivid Seats does try to break out all these extra costs during checkout rather than hiding them. But buyers should be prepared for 20-30% in fees on their total concert ticket purchase. It helps offset these charges if you can use promo codes or shop sales when available.
How reliable is delivery and getting into the event?
Vivid Seats offers a few delivery options to get tickets in time for the event:
Email/Mobile Delivery
– eTickets can be sent to your email or accessed on the Vivid Seats app.
– Typically delivered within 1 business day or instantly.
– Removes risk of shipping delays.
– Can be accessed from your phone to enter the venue.
Standard Delivery
– Tickets are shipped via FedEx or UPS.
– U.S. delivery takes 2-7 business days. Allow extra time for international.
– Tracking number provided to follow along.
– Physical tickets may have delayed risk.
Will Call Pickup
– Tickets held at venue box office under your name.
– No shipping times to worry about.
– Avoid shipping costs.
– Must pick up in-person day of event.
– Need photo ID to claim tickets.
Between various delivery methods, timely access to tickets and entry should be reliable as long as you order with ample time before the event. Make sure to account for processing and shipping time when buying close to event date.
Does Vivid Seats offer any guarantees if plans change?
Vivid Seats does offer some options if your plans unexpectedly change after buying tickets:
– Standard refunds – Refunds are available on most tickets if you notify Vivid Seats in time before the event starts (typically at least 48 hours).
– 100% Buyer Guarantee – Get full refund if ticket has issues at entry or is unusable for unforeseen reasons.
– FanProtect Guarantee – Receives refund (less fees) if event is postponed or canceled.
– Ticket insurance – Optional insurance covers you for covered reasons if you can’t attend like injury, sickness, travel issues, etc.
– Reselling on Vivid Seats – Rather than return tickets, you can relist them for sale yourself on Vivid Seats. You keep any profit when they sell to a new buyer.
– Gift and transfer – Tickets can be electronically gifted or transferred to someone else through Vivid Seats up until event starts.
Make sure to carefully review Vivid’s policies and guarantees before purchasing tickets to understand refund eligibility and what is covered. This will vary by event.
Is my personal data secure on Vivid Seats?
Yes, Vivid Seats uses reasonable security practices to keep your personal information protected:
– Encryption – Data in transit and sensitive data at rest is encrypted. This prevents interception.
– Anonymization – Some data like browsing habits may be collected anonymously when possible.
– Limited collection – Only collect necessary user data for business functions.
– Secure access – Employee access to data is limited and secure protocols enforced.
– Third party verification – Security practices are audited annually by independent security firms.
– Limited sharing – Vivid Seats only shares user information with partners as needed to deliver services.
– Consumer choice – Users can opt-out of marketing communications and set data sharing preferences.
No website can guarantee 100% security. But Vivid Seats takes appropriate precautions to secure payment information and other user data. Be sure to use strong passwords and safe browsing practices when visiting any website.
What if I have problems with my order?
Vivid Seats has a few options if you encounter issues with your ticket order:
– Live customer service – You can contact their support team 24/7 via phone, chat, social media, and other channels.
– Resolution team – For major delivery or entry issues, their resolution team will personally assist you and liaise with venues.
– 100% Buyer Guarantee – Invalid or unusable tickets qualify for a full refund under their purchase guarantee.
– FanProtect Guarantee – Get a refund (less fees) if the event date changes or is canceled altogether.
– Ticket insurance – File a claim if you can’t attend a show for a covered reason and insurance was purchased.
– Cancellations – Events that are fully canceled will automatically be refunded. Notify them if tickets were transferred.
– Reselling – If you can’t attend, try reselling purchased tickets yourself on Vivid Seats to recover costs.
In most cases, Vivid Seats’ customer support team can help identify solutions if any troubles come up before or during the event. Be sure to contact them promptly within their required timeframes.
Is Vivid Seats trustworthy?
In summary, yes Vivid Seats is generally trustworthy for these reasons:
– Strong customer service and protections – Vivid Seats has solid purchase guarantees, insurance options, and responsive customer support. This provides recourse if issues arise.
– Reputable brand – Well known ticket resale brand with millions of customers and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
– Reliable supply – Strong inventory sourced both from individual sellers and directly from venues and artists. This reduces risk of fake/void tickets.
– Secure platform – Vivid Seats uses site encryption, fraud monitoring, and ticket delivery tracking. This adds protection against scams.
– Transparent pricing – All costs including fees are shown upfront during checkout rather than hidden later. Ensures no surprise overcharges.
– Event guarantees – Backup refund options if the event is changed or you can’t attend for covered reasons like illness.
There are never absolute guarantees when purchasing tickets secondhand. But Vivid Seats offers ample buyer protection through policies, guarantees, support channels, and overall business reputation. For these reasons, they are considered trustworthy for most customers buying concert tickets.
Conclusion
Purchasing concert tickets on the secondary market comes with some risks. But Vivid Seats is one of the most established and reputable options among major ticket resellers.
They provide ample buyer guarantees, secure delivery methods, and strong customer service. This adds protection when using their marketplace to buy concert tickets.
While their ticket costs and fees are higher than face value, they grant reliable access to high-demand events when primary tickets sell out.Vivid Seats also allows selling unwanted tickets as an added option.
For most concert-goers, Vivid Seats is considered a dependable choice to buy tickets from verified sellers and ensure entry into events. Just be sure to compare costs across sites, read policies closely, and order early with extra processing time.