Ricky Gervais is one of the most popular stand-up comedians in the world. His no-holds-barred comedy style and controversial jokes often generate headlines and sell out arena tours. This leads to high demand and limited ticket availability for Ricky Gervais shows.
Many fans want to see Gervais live but struggle to get tickets before they sell out. This leads some to consider purchasing resale tickets from secondary marketplaces. Here is a look at the legality and process of reselling Ricky Gervais tickets.
Is it legal to resell Ricky Gervais tickets?
In most cases, reselling event tickets is legal in the United States and United Kingdom. However, there are some important caveats to keep in mind:
- Ticket resale laws vary by state/country. Some places restrict how and when tickets can be resold for profit.
- Venues and event promoters often prohibit ticket resale or place limits on pricing. This is usually printed on the ticket.
- Some states require ticket resellers to be licensed businesses to legally resell tickets.
So while ticket resale is generally legal, resellers still need to follow all applicable laws and ticket terms to avoid civil or criminal penalties. The safest way to resell tickets is through an authorized ticket exchange or broker.
How ticket resale sites work
There are several large online marketplaces that facilitate ticket resale. The two most prominent are:
- StubHub – An online ticket exchange where fans can buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live entertainment events.
- Vivid Seats – Another secondary ticket marketplace that allows users to buy and sell live event tickets.
These sites work similarly to other online marketplaces like eBay:
- Sellers list available tickets and set a resale price.
- Buyers browse listings and purchase tickets.
- The resale platform handles payment processing and delivery of tickets.
- The platform collects a commission on each ticket sale – often around 15-20% of the resale price.
Ticket resale platforms provide guarantees on valid tickets and access to events. This provides buyer and seller protections for online ticket transactions.
How to resell Ricky Gervais tickets
Here are some tips for fans looking to resell tickets to Ricky Gervais shows:
- Review ticket terms – Check for any resale restrictions printed on the ticket before listing.
- Pick a listing platform – StubHub and Vivid Seats are leading choices to reach large audiences of buyers.
- Price tickets competitively – Research current ticket prices to determine fair market value and set an attractive price.
- Provide details – Note the exact seat location, venue, date, and start time so buyers can make informed decisions.
- Follow sale guidelines – Ship tickets promptly with tracking and only accept payment through the platform to enable buyer protections.
Sellers who provide a smooth, protected buying experience tend to get their tickets sold quickly and avoid problems. Following the steps above helps maximize resale success.
Are there risks to reselling Ricky Gervais tickets?
While reselling event tickets is generally legal, some risks include:
- Voided tickets – If tickets violate resale restrictions, venues can cancel barcodes making them invalid for entry.
- Scams – Fake or duplicate tickets are common scams on the secondary market that leave buyers unable to access the event.
- High fees – Resale sites charge sellers and buyers fees that can significantly increase costs.
- No guarantees – Delays, shortages, and changing plans can prevent sellers from fulfilling ticket orders.
These issues make it important for both buyers and sellers to use reputable platforms and understand all ticket details before transacting. Protecting against fraud and non-delivery makes the process much safer.
Are there limits on reselling Ricky Gervais tickets?
Event promoters and venues often place specific limits around ticket resale. Common restrictions include:
- Price caps – Limits on maximum resale price to prevent price gouging.
- No resale allowed – Total ban on ticket resale outlined on the ticket.
- Exclusive exchanges – Requirement to only resell tickets on an “official” ticket exchange associated with the event.
- Fan-to-fan only – Restriction on selling tickets for a profit to cut out professional brokers.
Ricky Gervais tickets typically have few restrictions beyond a ban on mass purchases by brokers. But it’s important to check the fine print on any ticket before reselling.
What are average Ricky Gervais ticket resale prices?
For an idea of potential resale value, here are sample secondary market ticket prices seen for Ricky Gervais shows:
City | Venue | Original Price Range | Resale Price Range |
London | O2 Arena | $75 – $125 | $110 – $350 |
New York | Madison Square Garden | $50 – $150 | $75 – $500 |
Chicago | United Center | $45 – $100 | $65 – $200 |
A few key observations on Ricky Gervais ticket resale prices:
- Cheaper original tickets tend to upcharge the highest percentages on resale.
- Front row and VIP tickets command the highest resale premiums.
- Resale prices are highest in New York where demand is extreme.
- Tickets tend to rise in resale value as show dates approach.
Understanding the market value on secondary sites can help guide pricing decisions for sellers listing tickets.
Are there fake Ricky Gervais tickets sold online?
Unfortunately, fake tickets are a real problem when buying tickets from resellers. Scammers take advantage of hot shows like Ricky Gervais to sell counterfeit or spoofed tickets.
According to the National Consumer League, an estimated 5-10% of event tickets resold online are fake. This equals billions in fraud each year.
Some signs a Ricky Gervais ticket being sold is fake include:
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- Seller requests only wire transfers or cash payments
- Barcodes that won’t scan or verify on official ticketing sites
- Generic ticket images instead of authentic copies
- Seller has no reviews or verified sales history
Fans should thoroughly vet sellers, inspect ticket copies, and only use trusted resale platforms to avoid getting scammed. Paying with a credit card through a secure marketplace provides buyer protection as well.
Are there other ways to buy Ricky Gervais tickets?
Beyond general resale sites, some other options to find Ricky Gervais tickets include:
Official ticket exchanges
Many event venues run their own ticket exchanges in partnership with their original ticketing provider. Fans can safely relist and buy from other verified ticket holders.
Fan-to-fan exchanges
Dedicated fan communities like Reddit or Facebook groups often have fans posting tickets for sale to other fans without markup.
Ticket auction sites
Some specialty secondary platforms like Charitybuzz allow fans to bid on tickets with proceeds going to nonprofits.
Ticket package deals
VIP experience packages that bundle great seats with backstage access, merchandise, and other perks are sold through promoters and travel sites.
Exploring multiple purchasing avenues expands options to find scarce tickets. Just be sure to use caution and protect against potential scams on unregulated sites.
Is reselling tickets worth it?
Whether reselling Ricky Gervais tickets is worth it depends on several factors for individual sellers:
- Profit potential – How much upside profit can be made reselling at current market prices?
- Time and effort – Is the time commitment for selling tickets justifiable?
- Risk tolerance – Are risks like fraudulent sales and voided tickets acceptable?
- Legality – Do local laws allow profitable ticket resales? Are all limits and disclosure rules followed?
For buyers, the higher cost of resale tickets may be worth it to fans who really want to see Ricky Gervais live and cannot find primary tickets. But budget-conscious buyers should carefully weigh the value.
In general, ticket reselling creates opportunities for fans to access sold out events they would otherwise miss. But all parties should educate themselves on the process to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
Conclusion
Reselling tickets to highly sought after comedy events like Ricky Gervais shows can be very lucrative. However, fans looking to resell or buy resale tickets need to follow some best practices to avoid legal issues or getting scammed.
Performing due diligence on where and how tickets are sold is key to safely navigating secondary ticket markets. While buying fan-to-fan or using reputable exchanges does not eliminate all risks, it does help minimize many downsides of reselling Ricky Gervais tickets.
Understanding all the costs, limitations, and protections involved allows buyers and sellers to make informed decisions. Given the right circumstances, reselling tickets provides fair access for fans to see their favorite entertainer.