When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, whether you get the tickets immediately or have to wait depends on a few key factors:
E-Tickets
If you purchase e-tickets on Ticketmaster, you will get your tickets immediately via email after your purchase is completed. E-tickets allow you to access your tickets digitally via your mobile device or computer without having to wait for hard copy tickets to ship. This offers convenience and instant access to your tickets.
Here are some key things to know about e-tickets on Ticketmaster:
- E-tickets are offered for most events on Ticketmaster. You will see during checkout if e-tickets are available.
- After completing your purchase, you will receive your e-tickets via email within minutes, along with instructions for accessing them.
- You can access your e-tickets from your mobile device using the Ticketmaster app or by logging into your Ticketmaster account online. This allows for convenient access when you are on the go.
- E-tickets have special security features like rotating barcodes to prevent fraud and unauthorized duplication.
- If you lose your phone or have trouble accessing your e-tickets, you can contact Ticketmaster for assistance resending them prior to the event.
So in summary, if e-tickets are available and you select this option, you will receive your event tickets digitally and instantly upon completing your Ticketmaster purchase.
Hard Tickets
If you choose standard hard copy tickets during checkout on Ticketmaster, you will not receive the tickets immediately. Instead, the tickets will have to be shipped to you via postal mail.
Here is what to expect with hard copy Ticketmaster tickets:
- Hard tickets are printed out on ticket stock paper and mailed via USPS or UPS.
- Ticketmaster will mail out the tickets as soon as possible after you complete your order.
- Standard mail delivery times apply, so expect to receive the mailed tickets within 3-7 business days in the US.
- For international addresses, mail delivery can take 2 weeks or longer in some cases.
- You can select expedited shipping for an extra fee to reduce the delivery time by a few days.
- Tracking numbers are provided to track the status of your ticket shipment.
- Once the tickets ship, you own them even if you don’t receive them for any reason.
The main downsides of standard mail delivery include having to wait for your tickets and not having instant digital access. However, some ticket buyers still prefer having the tangible hard tickets.
Will Call Pick Up
Some events may also give you the option to have your Ticketmaster tickets held at will call at the venue’s box office. Here is how will call pickup works:
- During checkout, you can select will call delivery instead of e-tickets or standard mail.
- Your name and ticket information will be provided to the box office along with instructions to hold your tickets.
- You will need to pick up and claim your tickets directly at the box office, usually within 30-60 minutes of the event start time.
- ID and payment verification are typically required to claim will call tickets.
- The tickets are held until the specified pickup deadline, after which they may be released back to the general public if unclaimed.
Will call can provide convenience of not having to carry around tickets beforehand. However, you do need to make sure to arrive early enough to retrieve your tickets from the box office.
Factors That Impact Delivery
When you will receive your Ticketmaster tickets depends on several key factors:
- Delivery Method – E-tickets are instant, hard tickets require mailing time, will call requires box office pickup.
- Shipping Speed – Standard mail is 3-7 business days in the US, expedited shipping is faster.
- Destination – Local or domestic addresses get tickets faster than international.
- Event Date – Earlier purchases allow more time for ticket delivery.
- High Demand – Extremely popular events may have later e-ticket delivery to allow time for fraud checks.
So in general, e-tickets offer the fastest access to your tickets while hard tickets and will call require a bit more time and planning. Pay close attention to delivery method, destination, and event date when purchasing to know what to expect.
Tips for Receiving Your Tickets on Time
Here are some tips to ensure you get your Ticketmaster tickets in time for your event:
- Purchase tickets as early as possible to allow adequate delivery time.
- Select e-ticket delivery if the option is available for instant access.
- Choose expedited shipping for hard tickets if needed to reduce mailing time.
- Enter accurate contact and address info during checkout to avoid delivery issues.
- Use the Ticketmaster app to store e-tickets if you don’t want to worry about losing a printed copy.
- Schedule a reminder for yourself to pick up will call tickets an hour before the event starts.
- Contact Ticketmaster support if you encounter any delivery delays or issues accessing your tickets.
Planning ahead and understanding the delivery method for your specific tickets goes a long way towards ensuring you can get into the event seamlessly.
Can You Get Refunds if Tickets Are Not Delivered on Time?
If your Ticketmaster tickets do not arrive in time for the event due to an error or delay, you may be eligible for a refund or credit in some cases. Here are some guidelines around late ticket delivery refunds:
- You should contact Ticketmaster as soon as possible if your tickets are late arriving.
- If the tickets were not delivered due to an error on Ticketmaster’s part, you will typically be issued a full refund. Examples include website glitches, shipping to the wrong address, etc.
- For late delivery due to standard mail times, you may receive a credit for future events rather than a cash refund.
- The venue or event organizer ultimately decides on any refunds for undelivered tickets.
- If you picked up will call tickets late due to your own error, you are unlikely to receive any refund.
- Make sure to provide supporting documentation like your order confirmation when requesting a refund.
In summary, you may be able to get a refund from Ticketmaster if they made a mistake that resulted in late delivery, but late tickets due to normal mail times or user error likely won’t be eligible. It depends on the specific circumstances around the delay.
Alternative Options If Tickets Are Not Delivered on Time
If your tickets are not delivered in time for you to attend the event, there are a few options you can pursue as alternatives:
- See if duplicates can be issued – Contact Ticketmaster to see if they can issue duplicate tickets or new e-tickets if the originals don’t arrive in time.
- Purchase last-minute tickets – Check if there are any tickets still available for purchase right before the event either via Ticketmaster or resale sites.
- See if venue has extras – The box office may have a few extra tickets released at the last minute you could try to claim.
- Check upgrade options – venues will sometimes offer upgrades to better seats on the day of the event if available.
- See if venue has a waiting list – Some venues keep waiting lists for sold out events and you may be able to join.
- Consider attending a later show – For concerts or performances with multiple dates, see if you can exchange your tickets for a later show.
While late ticket delivery is certainly frustrating, being proactive with Ticketmaster and exploring all options can often help you still be able to attend the event you want to see.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the key points to keep in mind when it comes to getting your tickets from Ticketmaster:
- E-tickets are delivered instantly, hard tickets require mailing time, and will call pickup is done at the venue.
- Delivery speed depends on method, destination, demand, and when the order was placed.
- Purchase early, choose e-tickets when possible, and enter accurate info to ensure on-time delivery.
- Refunds are sometimes possible for late delivery due to Ticketmaster errors but not usually for normal mail delays.
- Explore backup options like reissues, upgrades or waiting lists if tickets don’t arrive on time.
Understanding when and how you will receive your tickets allows you to manage expectations and make arrangements to have access by the event date. Carefully review all delivery details provided after placing your Ticketmaster order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get Ticketmaster tickets in the mail?
For standard mail delivery in the US, Ticketmaster tickets usually arrive within 3-7 business days after shipping. International delivery can take 2 weeks or more. Expedited shipping can reduce the delivery time by a few days.
What do you do if your Ticketmaster tickets don’t arrive on time?
If your Ticketmaster tickets are late, contact their customer service right away to see if replacement tickets can be issued. Also explore other last minute options like purchasing additional tickets or checking with the venue box office.
Can you get a refund from Ticketmaster if tickets are late?
You may be able to get a refund if Ticketmaster was directly responsible for the late delivery due to an error on their end. For standard mail delays, you typically cannot get a refund but may receive a credit for future events.
How do you access your Ticketmaster e-tickets?
Ticketmaster e-tickets can be accessed via the Ticketmaster mobile app by logging into your account. You can also access them on a computer by logging into your Ticketmaster account and accessing your ticket dashboard.
What should you do if your Ticketmaster tickets are lost in the mail?
If your Ticketmaster ticket shipment does not arrive due to being lost in transit, contact their customer service immediately. They may be able to void the original tickets and issue replacements if they have verification that the delivery failed.
Conclusion
In most cases, purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster is a convenient and reliable way to gain access to the events you want to attend. Being aware of the delivery methods and timeframes involved allows you to best ensure you receive your tickets in time. E-tickets provide the fastest and most immediate access while hard tickets require build in a few days for mailing. If any delivery issues arise, be sure to contact Ticketmaster right away for assistance getting replacement tickets or refunds if you are unable to attend the event.