Selling event tickets can be tricky, especially when those tickets are from major ticket sellers like Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster has certain restrictions in place to prevent ticket scalping and unfair pricing. However, there are some cases where reselling Ticketmaster tickets on other sites is allowed. Here is a quick rundown of the rules around reselling Ticketmaster tickets and some tips for doing so safely and legally.
Can You Resell Ticketmaster Tickets?
In general, yes, reselling Ticketmaster tickets is allowed in most cases. However, there are some important exceptions and restrictions to be aware of:
- Ticketmaster prohibits reselling tickets on ANY site for the first 48 hours after the initial onsale. This is to prevent ticket brokers from buying up all the tickets and immediately relisting them at inflated prices.
- After 48 hours, Ticketmaster tickets can be resold on any site EXCEPT Ticketmaster. You cannot resell tickets on Ticketmaster itself unless you are an authorized broker.
- Ticketmaster offers a Verified Resale program, allowing season ticket holders and other authorized resellers to relist tickets at market value prices. Only these Verified Resale tickets can be resold on Ticketmaster.
- For high demand events, Ticketmaster may implement additional transfer restrictions to make tickets fully non-transferrable. This is rare but does happen.
- Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use prohibit the mass buying of tickets for immediate resale. If you plan to resell more than a handful of tickets, proceed with caution.
As long as you follow Ticketmaster’s rules, reselling tickets on sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and Craigslist is allowed in most cases. However, always check the specific event’s ticket policies just to be safe.
Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets on StubHub
StubHub is one of the most popular secondary marketplaces for buying and selling tickets. Here are some tips for reselling Ticketmaster tickets on StubHub:
- Make sure the 48-hour no-sale period has passed before listing the tickets.
- Double check that the event does not have special transfer restrictions in place.
- List the section, row and seat numbers accurately in your listing.
- Select electronic or instant delivery to transfer the ticket barcodes securely.
- StubHub charges both buyers and sellers fees. Consider this when pricing your tickets.
- You will need to list a valid credit card to get paid. StubHub releases funds 3-5 days after the event.
- StubHub offers seller guarantees in case the buyer runs into issues. This provides buyer confidence.
As long as you provide detailed and accurate listings, clearly communicate with buyers, and follow StubHub policies, you should not run into any issues reselling Ticketmaster tickets here.
Reselling on Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats is another large secondary ticket marketplace similar to StubHub. Here are some tips for reselling on Vivid Seats:
- Make sure to review Vivid Seats’ prohibited items policy. Some event tickets cannot be resold there.
- Select electronic delivery and transfer tickets ASAP after selling.
- Vivid Seats charges a 10% sellers fee, so account for fees in your price.
- You can choose payout options like direct deposit or paper check.
- Funds are released around 5 days after the event date.
- Provide detailed listings and communicate clearly with buyers.
- Take advantage of seller guarantees to build buyer trust.
As long as you take the time to understand Vivid Seats’ policies and seller fees, it can be a good marketplace for reselling Ticketmaster tickets.
Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets on Facebook
Facebook Groups and Marketplace provide other options for reselling tickets. Here are some tips for using Facebook:
- Join Groups specific to the team/artist/event you have tickets for. Fans buy eagerly here.
- Make Posts in these Groups with ticket details and photos.
- Use Facebook Marketplace and select the “Tickets” category to list locally.
- Marketplace has no fees, but cannot guarantee sales like StubHub.
- Only accept secure payment options like PayPal or cash on delivery.
- Beware of scammers on Facebook. Only sell to real profiles with feedback.
- Communicate all details in messages and agree on delivery method before paying.
Facebook provides access to highly engaged fans who will pay face value prices for tickets. Just take precautions to avoid scams and banned ticket sales.
Other Sites to Resell Ticketmaster Tickets
A few other reputable secondary ticket marketplaces include:
- SeatGeek – Similar to StubHub with competitive seller fees and process.
- Craigslist – Best for local buyers who can pay cash and avoid fees.
- eBay – Large audience but higher fees compared to ticket sites.
- TickPick – All prices shown include fees and has flexible selling options.
- Gametime – Specializes in last-minute sports tickets with good mobile experience.
Each site has its own pros, cons and fees to consider. Do your research to pick the best marketplace for your specific tickets.
Tips for Safely Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets
Here are some top tips for reselling Ticketmaster tickets safely and effectively:
- Review Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use and event policies first to avoid issues.
- Wait 48 hours after onsale before listing tickets anywhere.
- Pick reputable sites that guarantee ticket validity and sales.
- Disclose ticket details accurately and communicate clearly with buyers.
- Transfer tickets electronically when possible for security.
- Consider fees when pricing tickets on secondary marketplaces.
- Only meet locally for cash payments if comfortable.
- Join relevant Facebook Groups to access fan buyers.
- Avoid mass buying tickets solely to resell at high markups.
Legal Implications of Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets
Some key legal implications to keep in mind when reselling Ticketmaster tickets:
- Reselling tickets is legal in most states, but some require reseller licenses for large volumes.
- Violating Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use against mass buying tickets to resell can have legal consequences.
- Not disclosing ticket details accurately in listings can be considered fraud.
- Backing out after agreeing to sell tickets can breach contract laws.
- Reselling non-transferrable tickets may violate state ticket scalping laws.
As long as you follow marketplace rules, provide accurate listings, and comply with Ticketmaster policies, reselling small volumes of tickets is normally legal and low risk. But violating Terms of Use or scalping laws could result in legal action.
Conclusion
Reselling Ticketmaster tickets is allowed in most cases, with some restrictions. Make sure to review event policies, wait 48 hours before listing, pick secure marketplaces, accurately represent ticket details, and comply with state ticket laws. As long as you follow best practices, use reputable sites like StubHub and Facebook, and avoid mass ticket scalping, reselling Ticketmaster tickets can be safe, effective and legal in most cases. But always exercise caution and good judgement.