StubHub is one of the most popular secondary ticket marketplaces that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater and other live entertainment events. When purchasing tickets on StubHub, buyers can opt to have the tickets delivered electronically, mailed to them or available for pick-up at the venue’s will call window. This leads many sellers to wonder – can I sell will call tickets on StubHub?
What are will call tickets?
Will call tickets are tickets that are held for pick-up at the box office or will call window of the venue. Instead of receiving a printed ticket ahead of time, the ticket purchaser will need to show ID at the will call window to retrieve their ticket on the day of the event. Venues use will call tickets for a variety of reasons:
- To prevent lost or stolen tickets
- When tickets are purchased or distributed close to the event date
- For group or corporate purchases
- When the original purchaser needs to exchange tickets
On StubHub, sellers can list tickets to be delivered by will call rather than mailing hard tickets or transferring barcodes to the buyer. This allows the seller to upload the tickets for sale on StubHub but still require the buyer to pick up the tickets at will call with an ID that matches the name on the sale.
Can you sell will call tickets on StubHub?
The short answer is yes, sellers can list will call tickets for sale on StubHub. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind:
- Buyers generally prefer hard tickets that can be delivered electronically or by mail. Will call tickets may be less desirable to buyers unless they are picking them up at the venue anyway.
- The seller must fully transfer ownership to the buyer by calling the box office and changing the name for will call pickup to the buyer’s name. This must be done before the tickets can be claimed.
- Will call ticket sales come with a higher risk of fraud or issues at the box office if not handled properly. Sellers need to provide clear instructions and ensure the box office knows about the transfer.
StubHub does allow and facilitate will call ticket sales, but it is typically recommended for sellers to transfer or mail hard tickets when possible. Using will call pickup should only be done when:
- The seller cannot transfer or mail the tickets, like season tickets or group tickets
- The event is rapidly approaching so mailing is not an option
- The buyer prefers to pick up tickets directly at will call
How to sell will call tickets on StubHub
Selling will call tickets on StubHub involves a few extra steps compared to direct transfer or delivery. Sellers must:
- List the tickets for sale as will call delivery
- Provide detailed pickup instructions for the buyer
- Change the name on the tickets to the buyer
- Ensure the box office knows about the transfer of tickets
To list will call tickets on StubHub:
- Select “Will Call” as the delivery method when listing the tickets for sale
- In the listing description, include clear pickup details like:
- Box office address
- Will call window hours
- Name the tickets are held under
- Any other pickup instructions
- Set a meeting time with the buyer to call the box office together to transfer the name
- Change the name on the will call tickets to the buyer’s name and confirmation number
- Call the box office ahead of time to authorize the name change on the tickets
It is critical that the seller calls the box office directly and changes the name on the will call tickets to match the buyer’s ID. The box office also needs to be informed that the tickets have been sold and transferred on StubHub. This ensures the buyer will be able to smoothly pick up the tickets under their name.
Best practices for selling will call tickets
While StubHub does facilitate will call ticket sales, there are some best practices sellers should keep in mind to reduce the risk of issues:
- Communicate clearly with the buyer – Be very clear in your listing about the pickup information and name transfer process. Set expectations upfront.
- Change the name proactively – Don’t wait until the last minute to call the box office. Transfer the name as soon as the tickets sell.
- Inform the box office – Call ahead of time to authorize changing the name and inform them the tickets were resold.
- Use mobile tickets when possible – Many venues now offer mobile tickets that can be directly transferred to the buyer digitally.
- Be available for issues – Provide contact information so you can help if the buyer has any trouble picking up.
- Cancel early if needed – If selling the tickets falls through, cancel the listing at least 48 hours before the event.
Following these best practices helps reduce confusion at the box office and ensures your buyer will have a smooth experience picking up their will call tickets.
Pros and cons of selling will call tickets
There are some advantages and disadvantages sellers should consider when listing will call tickets on StubHub:
Pros
- Allows you to sell tickets without having to mail physical tickets
- Convenient for selling large group ticket orders
- Buyer can still feel secure picking up tickets at the venue
- An option if unable to transfer tickets electronically
Cons
- Higher risk of box office issues or complications
- Less convenient for buyers who want tickets delivered digitally
- Requires coordination with box office for name changes
- No way to track if tickets were successfully picked up
Weighing these pros and cons will help sellers decide if listing will call delivery makes sense for their ticket sale.
Seller requirements for will call tickets
StubHub does impose some requirements on sellers listing will call tickets for sale:
- Sellers must have access to the original order and be able to change the name for will call pickup
- Tickets must be fully transferable according to the venue or event policies
- Tickets must be listed for sale at least 72 hours before the event
- Clear delivery instructions must be included in the ticket listing
Sellers need to follow some additional steps when the tickets sell as well:
- Contact the buyer to arrange changing the name to their legal name
- Call the box office directly to authorize the name change on the tickets
- Provide the buyer with contact information in case of any pickup issues
As long as sellers meet these requirements and follow the proper protocols, they can successfully sell and transfer will call tickets on StubHub.
Fees for selling will call tickets
StubHub charges sellers a commission fee when they make a sale. On top of that, there may be extra fees involved specifically for will call ticket sales:
Fee Type | Cost |
---|---|
StubHub seller commission | 10-15% of the total sale price |
Will call processing fee | $5 per will call order |
Pickup changes | $20 for name changes, hours before the event |
The main fees are StubHub’s standard seller commission, plus an extra $5 flat fee per will call order to cover the extra processing. There may also be fees if last minute changes are needed at the box office before pickup.
Steps for picking up will call tickets
Once tickets are listed for will call delivery, the buyer will need to follow StubHub’s process for retrieving the tickets:
- Purchase will call tickets on StubHub and receive an order confirmation
- Wait for the seller to contact you confirming the name change
- Bring a printed copy of the order confirmation, along with photo ID and payment card used
- Arrive at the event venue and locate the will call window
- Provide your ID and confirmation to pick up the tickets
- Enjoy the event!
StubHub also provides support for buyers if any issues come up during the pickup process. However, buyers should allow extra time in case delays happen at the box office. Picking up will call tickets is not always a straightforward as having them delivered electronically or by mail.
What to do if there is a problem with will call tickets
Despite the best efforts of sellers, problems can sometimes happen during the will call ticket pickup process. Here is what to do in case of common issues:
The box office cannot find your tickets
- Provide your full order confirmation information including the order number
- Double check the tickets are listed under your name for pickup
- Contact the seller if they did not change the name correctly
- Work with StubHub support if the box office cannot locate the order
You are unable to pick up tickets on time
- Contact the seller immediately to arrange a later pickup time
- Authorize someone else to pickup the tickets on your behalf
- Sell the tickets back on StubHub if unable to attend the event
The order confirmation does not match your ID
- Inform the seller of the name mismatch and ask them to update the box office
- Provide alternate ID that matches the ticket name
- Contact StubHub to update the order confirmation if possible
In any case of issues, always start by contacting the seller since they control the tickets at the box office. The seller should provide assistance or work with the box office to resolve problems. StubHub can also step in if problems cannot be resolved directly. Ideally, there will be enough time before the event to get any will call ticket problems fixed.
Conclusion
In summary, sellers on StubHub do have the option to list tickets for will call delivery rather than by transfer or mail. However, will call tickets require extra coordination between the buyer, seller, StubHub, and box office. There is higher risk of complications compared to direct ticket delivery methods. Sellers need to follow some best practices like clearly communicating with the buyer, changing the name proactively, and being available if issues come up. Buyers should also allow plenty of extra time when retrieving will call tickets. While will call can be more complicated, StubHub does aim to make the process smooth and provide support when needed. With the right preparation by both sellers and buyers, will call tickets can be a viable delivery method on StubHub.