StubHub, the online ticket marketplace, allows sellers to list tickets for sale to events and get paid once the ticket is sold. However, one common question sellers have is – when exactly does StubHub pay you as the seller? Here’s what you need to know about StubHub’s payout timeline and process.
When does StubHub pay sellers?
StubHub pays sellers only after the event has occurred. This is an important policy that protects buyers and ensures that tickets are valid and verified.
Specifically, StubHub will process payments to sellers around 5-7 business days after the event date. This allows time for the buyer to attend the event and for any potential ticket issues, like cancellations or disputes, to be resolved.
So if you sell a ticket to a concert happening on Friday, you would expect payment from StubHub sometime the next week, likely the following Thursday or Friday once the funds have cleared.
Why does StubHub pay after the event?
There are a few key reasons why StubHub waits until after the event date to pay sellers:
- To ensure tickets are valid – StubHub wants to make sure sellers actually have the tickets they claim and that they check out as valid once scanned at the event.
- In case of cancellations – If an event is cancelled and refunds issued, StubHub needs time to process refunds before paying sellers.
- To handle disputes – If any issues come up with tickets, like fake/duplicate barcodes, StubHub and the buyer have time to address this with the seller.
- Buyer protection – Waiting until after the event protects buyers by ensuring the tickets they bought were legitimate and got them into the event.
Overall, StubHub’s post-event payout provides protection and security to both buyers and sellers when using the platform.
What do sellers need to get paid by StubHub?
As a seller on StubHub, there are a few requirements you must meet in order to receive your payout after the event:
- Valid account – You must have a legitimate StubHub seller account in good standing.
- Confirmed delivery – The tickets must be marked as delivered/accepted by the buyer in their StubHub account.
- No disputes – There can be no open disputes or complaints from the buyer related to those ticket sales.
- Event occurs – The event date must have passed and no refunds issued.
StubHub will email and notify sellers once funds are available for payout. Sellers can choose to receive their earnings via check, PayPal, direct deposit, or StubHub credit.
How long does it take for StubHub to pay sellers?
Once the event occurs, StubHub aims to process seller payouts within 5-7 business days. However, it can take up to 14 business days after the event to receive payment.
Here are some factors that influence exactly how long it takes for StubHub to release funds to sellers after an event:
- High volume events – Big concerts, playoff games, etc. with lots of transactions take longer to process.
- Issues or disputes – Any problems with ticket delivery or validity can delay all payouts for that event.
- Payment method – Direct deposit and PayPal are fastest, checks take longer to process and mail.
- Holidays – Days like Christmas, New Year’s, etc. can result in payment delays.
While it can be a hassle to wait, sellers can take comfort knowing StubHub will provide payment once they successfully handle their end of the transaction.
Getting paid faster
While StubHub aims to pay sellers within a week of the event, it can sometimes take longer for payouts to process. If you need access to your event sale earnings more quickly, here are some options:
- Request early payout – StubHub allows sellers to request payment before the event in some cases, usually for lower risk events.
- Use StubHub credit – Choosing to get paid in StubHub credit means faster access to funds.
- Resell more frequently – Selling tickets for events happening at different times cycles payment more regularly.
- Direct deposit – This allows faster payout compared to waiting for mailed checks.
Keep in mind early payouts are not guaranteed and you may lose funds if issues arise. Be cautious when requesting early payment from StubHub.
Best practices for getting paid quickly
Here are some tips sellers can use to help ensure the quickest payout from StubHub after an event:
- Double check ticket details before listing to avoid disputes.
- Stay on top of delivery dates and make sure the buyer receives the tickets.
- Follow up proactively with the buyer to confirm they received tickets.
- Provide StubHub with valid payment information and tax documentation.
- Choose direct deposit over check to get paid faster.
- Avoid high risk events when seeking early payout.
Following best practices like these can help reduce delays and speed up the time it takes to get paid by StubHub after an event.
Seller payout fees
In addition to the time required to get paid, sellers should also be aware that StubHub charges fees which are deducted from payouts. These include:
- Final Value Fees – Charged as a percentage of the ticket sale price, around 15% on average.
- Order Processing Fee – A flat $5 fee per ticket sold.
- Electronic Delivery Fee – $2.50 per electronic ticket sold.
- Seller Fee – 10% fee deducted for sellers with a poor track record.
Be sure to factor in these fees when determining your ideal ticket price on StubHub. You will not receive the full ticket value as your payout.
Getting help with payout issues
In some cases, sellers may experience issues getting paid by StubHub or receiving less money than expected. Here’s how to get help if you run into payment problems:
- Check your account for any flags or restrictions that could delay payout.
- Contact StubHub customer support by phone or online chat.
- Verify your payment information and confirm delivery of tickets.
- Open a formal complaint ticket if you feel you were underpaid.
- File a complaint with a regulatory agency if StubHub is unresponsive.
Documenting your sales history and payout timeline will help in resolving any payment issues with StubHub. Be proactive and polite, but persistent, in following up if you do not receive expected payment.
Does StubHub payout at the event?
StubHub does not offer any way for sellers to receive payment at the event when tickets are scanned or used to enter. Payout only occurs after the event date has passed.
Some reasons why on-site payout is not possible include:
- No ticket scanning or verification at every event
- Need time to handle cancellations or disputes
- Delay allows buyer protection and anti-fraud reviews
- Thousands of sellers per event make in-person payout infeasible
While on-site payment would allow sellers quicker access to earnings, the size and scale of StubHub makes post-event payment processing the only viable option.
Alternatives to StubHub for faster payout
If you need quicker access to ticket sale earnings, StubHub may not be the best marketplace. Here are some alternative ticket sites that offer faster seller payments:
- Vivid Seats – Pays in as little as 5 days once tickets are delivered.
- Ticketmaster – Offers expedited payout in some cases pre-event.
- SeatGeek – Claims to pay sellers in 2 weeks or less after ticket transfer.
- TickPick – No seller fees and payout in 2 weeks post-event.
- Gametime – Pays within 72 hours once tickets are marked used.
These alternatives come with their own requirements, fees, and restrictions. But can allow faster access to event sale earnings compared to StubHub’s standard post-event payout.
Should sellers use StubHub despite delayed payment?
Even with its post-event seller payout policy, StubHub remains one of the most popular and reputable ticket marketplaces. The delayed payment may be worth it for many of the benefits StubHub offers, including:
- Industry-leading buyer protections to prevent fraud.
- High sales volumes and event selection.
- Established brand draws in more buyers.
- Robust seller tools and support system.
- Guarantee against cancelled events and invalid tickets.
Weigh your need for quick payment against the advantages of StubHub’s platform, brand, and protections when deciding where to sell tickets. Just be aware that payment will not occur until several days after the event at the earliest.
Conclusion
StubHub’s post-event payout policy may be inconvenient for sellers needing quick access to event sale earnings. But it provides critical buyer and seller protections that have made StubHub one of the premier ticket marketplaces.
As a StubHub seller, you can expect payment around 5-7 business days after the event date, contingent on delivery confirmation and no disputes. While you can take steps to speed this up, immediate or on-site payout is not an option with StubHub.
Be sure to factor in StubHub’s delayed payment timeline as you price and list tickets. And explore alternative marketplaces like Vivid Seats or SeatGeek if you require faster seller payout after an event.