If you are unable to sell a ticket on Ticketmaster, you do get to keep the ticket. Ticketmaster does not take back unsold tickets. As the original ticket purchaser, you remain in possession of the ticket and have a few options of what to do with it.
What happens if my ticket doesn’t sell on Ticketmaster?
If your ticket doesn’t sell on the Ticketmaster resale marketplace, nothing happens automatically. Ticketmaster does not cancel or void the ticket if it expires without selling. The ticket will remain in your Ticketmaster account with the status “Expired.”
You have two options if your ticket doesn’t sell:
- You can keep the ticket and still use it yourself or give it to someone else.
- You can relist the ticket for resale again if reselling is still available for the event.
The key thing is that Ticketmaster does not void or cancel a ticket that fails to sell. As the original ticket purchaser, you retain ownership and possession of the ticket.
Why doesn’t Ticketmaster take back unsold tickets?
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster does not automatically take back tickets that fail to resell on their platform:
- You, as the ticket owner, have not violated any terms or conditions by failing to resell the ticket. Ticketmaster has no reason to confiscate or void your ticket.
- It would create logistical challenges for Ticketmaster to track and take back every unsold ticket. It’s simpler to leave the tickets with the original purchasers.
- Unused tickets still represent lost revenue potential for the event organizer. Confiscating unsold tickets would take them out of circulation entirely.
Ultimately, Ticketmaster facilitates ticket resales but does not force any recalls or cancellations if the resale does not go through. The original ticket remains valid and in the possession of the purchaser.
Can I relist my unsold ticket?
In most cases, yes, you can relist a ticket that did not sell on Ticketmaster. There are a couple caveats:
- Resale must still be open for that event. If resale has closed or the event is past, you cannot relist the ticket.
- Some event organizers restrict how many times a ticket can be resold. You may only get one shot at reselling on Ticketmaster.
Provided reselling is still available, you can typically relist an unsold ticket. The process is the same as listing it the first time:
- Access your Ticketmaster account and find the unsold ticket.
- Select the option to relist the ticket.
- Enter a new resale price and resale end date.
- Agree to the resale terms again.
- Pay the Ticketmaster resale fee again.
Then your ticket will be posted for resale once more. You can lower your resale price in hopes of attracting buyers this time around.
What should I do if I can’t resell the ticket?
If you can no longer relist the ticket for resale on Ticketmaster, you have two options:
- Use the ticket yourself – Since you paid for the ticket, you have every right to use it yourself if you are unable to resell it. You can attend the event instead.
- Sell the ticket through other means – You could try selling the ticket through a different resale site, through classified ads, or in person to someone you know. The ticket is still valid for admission.
Essentially, don’t let the ticket go to waste just because it did not resell on Ticketmaster. You now have a paid-for ticket you can use or sell through other methods instead.
Can I get a refund if my ticket doesn’t resell?
In most cases, you cannot get a refund from Ticketmaster if your ticket fails to resell through their marketplace. Their resale terms state that the original purchaser assumes all risk if the ticket does not resell.
There are a couple exceptions where you may be able to get a refund:
- The event was canceled – In this case, all ticketholders are eligible for refunds.
- You purchased Ticketmaster’s special “FanProtect” insurance at the time of initial ticket purchase. This guarantees a full refund if you can’t resell the ticket.
Barring those special circumstances, Ticketmaster does not offer refunds on tickets that fail to resell. Be prepared to use the ticket or sell it through other means if it doesn’t move on their platform.
How can I increase my chances of selling my ticket?
Here are some tips to maximize your odds of successfully reselling an event ticket on Ticketmaster:
- List the ticket as soon as resale opens – Take advantage of early buyer demand.
- Price the ticket competitively – Price it below face value or at least below other resale listings.
- Set a reasonable end date 1-2 weeks before the event.
- Choose the “Buy It Now” option – This lets buyers purchase immediately.
- Consider lowering your price if the ticket doesn’t sell initially.
- Relist if possible – Try again if permitted.
Proper pricing and timing are key. Be flexible on your price and give buyers adequate time to purchase. That will increase the likelihood of selling.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster allows you to retain possession of any tickets that fail to resell through their marketplace. The ticket does not get automatically canceled or voided. You can either use the ticket yourself, relist it for resale if possible, or sell it through other means. Refunds are not offered by Ticketmaster, so be prepared to make alternate use of unresold tickets.