Buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster can seem complicated at first, but it’s actually a simple process once you understand how it works. Resale tickets are tickets that were originally purchased from Ticketmaster by someone else and are now being resold through Ticketmaster’s resale platform. This provides a safe, convenient way for fans to resell tickets they can no longer use and for other fans to buy tickets to sold out events.
What are Resale Tickets?
Resale tickets are tickets that were originally purchased from Ticketmaster for an event by someone who can no longer attend. Rather than letting the ticket go to waste, the original ticket buyer lists the ticket for resale on Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace. This allows other fans who missed out on getting tickets the first time around to purchase tickets to sold out events. The resale tickets are verified as legitimate and can be transferred securely through Ticketmaster’s platform.
Some key things to know about resale tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Resale tickets are tickets that were initially bought from Ticketmaster by another fan who can no longer go to the event.
- The tickets are then listed for resale by the original buyer through Ticketmaster’s safe, certified resale marketplace.
- You are buying tickets directly from other fans, not scalpers or third party sellers.
- Ticketmaster verifies and guarantees all resale tickets, so you can buy with confidence.
- Prices are set by sellers, based on demand, so they are usually above face value.
- There are no extra fees – just the price set by the seller.
- You can view the original ticket details to verify it’s legitimate.
In summary, resale tickets allow fans to safely resell and buy tickets to sold out events at market driven prices through Ticketmaster’s secure platform.
Why Buy Resale Tickets on Ticketmaster?
There are several benefits to buying resale tickets through Ticketmaster rather than other secondary ticket marketplaces:
- Reliability – Ticketmaster verifies all resale tickets on their platform are 100% legitimate and guarantees your tickets.
- Security – The tickets are transferred securely through Ticketmaster and protected from fraud.
- Convenience – You can shop for resale tickets alongside regular tickets in one place you trust.
- Transparency – You can view the original ticket details and seller info upfront before purchasing.
- Fair Pricing – Prices are based on supply and demand, not inflated like many secondary sites.
- No Hidden Fees – The price listed is the final price you pay, there are no surprise service fees.
- Access – Ticketmaster has the widest selection of verified resale tickets for high demand events.
- Buyer Guarantees – You are protected by Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee.
Overall, Ticketmaster Resale provides the most transparent, secure, and convenient way to buy resale tickets from other fans online. You can feel confident you are getting valid event tickets at fair market prices.
How Does Buying Resale Tickets on Ticketmaster Work?
Buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster involves just a few simple steps:
- Search for tickets to the event you want to attend on Ticketmaster.com or via the Ticketmaster app.
- If the event is sold out or low on ticket inventory, Ticketmaster will display a “View Resale Tickets” option – click this link.
- You will be shown a resale ticket listings page, where resellers list the tickets they have available for that event.
- Browse ticket listings and view details like section, row, number of tickets, and price set by the seller.
- When you find a listing you want, click the blue “Buy” button to purchase the tickets.
- If you are a new customer, create an account. If you have a Ticketmaster account, log in.
- Fill in your payment details and billing information to complete checkout.
- Ticketmaster will process your ticket purchase and delivery your tickets electronically to you.
- You can access your resale tickets in your Ticketmaster account and Ticketmaster app.
That’s it! The process is very similar to buying primary market tickets, just with the extra resale ticket browsing step. Ticketmaster makes it easy to shop primary and resale tickets in one place.
Tips for Buying Resale Tickets
Here are some helpful tips for getting the best deal on resale tickets:
- Shop early for the best selection – new resale listings are added continually.
- Be flexible on seating if you want the lowest price.
- Filter ticket listings by criteria like price and section.
- Check back often as prices may drop as the event nears.
- Buy together if you need multiple seats side-by-side.
- Compare StubHub listings for the same tickets.
- Buy as soon as you find what you want – don’t wait!
Where Does Ticketmaster Get Resale Tickets?
Ticketmaster gets its resale ticket inventory from a few sources:
- Fans reselling tickets – Average fans list their extra tickets to recoup costs.
- Season ticket holders – Those with season tickets often sell some games they can’t attend.
- Brokers and small businesses – Some brokers get allocation of tickets to resell.
- Last minute cancellations – Acts may release held-back tickets at the last minute.
- Speculators – People who bought tickets to resell for a profit.
Ticketmaster thoroughly vets all resale ticket sellers on their platform and lists the original ticket source when available so you know who you are buying from. The majority of resale tickets come from average fans who had a schedule change or can no longer attend an event they planned to.
What Fees are Charged on Resale Tickets?
Unlike many secondary ticket marketplaces, there are no extra service fees on top of the ticket price when buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster. The price listed for the ticket is the final amount you will pay at checkout. Here are the fee details:
- The ticket price is set solely by the seller.
- There are no extra Ticketmaster service fees added during checkout.
- You only pay the ticket price set by the seller.
- The seller does pay a seller fee to list the tickets for resale.
- Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable.
That’s it! The upfront ticket price you see is exactly what you will pay. There are no hidden junk fees factored in later in the buying process.
What are Ticketmaster’s Resale Ticket Guarantees?
Ticketmaster provides the following guarantees when you purchase resale tickets through their marketplace:
- Verified tickets – All resale tickets are 100% verified and guaranteed valid for event entry.
- Secure ticket transfer – Tickets are delivered electronically to prevent fraud or delays.
- On-time ticket delivery – They ensure you receive tickets in time for the event.
- Visible seller info – You can see the source of tickets and seller details.
- Fair market pricing – Prices are based on supply/demand, not inflated.
- Full refunds – You get a refund if event is canceled or you don’t get valid tickets.
Ticketmaster also offers FanProtect Guarantee which provides 125% refund if event is canceled, 150% if your tickets are invalid, and full refund for certain other issues.
What If My Resale Tickets Don’t Arrive?
It is extremely rare for resale tickets purchased on Ticketmaster to not arrive in time for an event. However, if your tickets are somehow lost or not delivered, contact Ticketmaster Fan Support immediately. They will work to resolve the issue and ensure you receive replacement tickets or a full refund. Their FanProtect Guarantee provides a 150% money back refund if your tickets are invalid and not delivered.
Can I Sell My Resale Tickets Back?
Yes, you can relist your resale tickets purchased on Ticketmaster for resale again yourself if you can no longer attend the event. To sell your resale tickets:
- Access your Ticketmaster account where the tickets are stored.
- Select the tickets you want to relist for sale.
- Choose the resale listing option and price you want to sell them for.
- Agree to Ticketmaster’s resale terms and complete the listing.
- Interested buyers will then contact you to purchase the relisted tickets.
Ticketmaster makes it easy to relist your resale tickets if needed. You can also transfer or sell them locally through other means.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted?
Ticketmaster accepts all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and debit cards backed by a major credit card company. They do not accept cash, checks, gift cards, or PayPal as payment for resale tickets purchased online.
To complete your resale ticket purchase, you will need to enter valid credit or debit card information associated with your Ticketmaster account. Tickets will be delivered electronically once the payment processes successfully.
Can I Buy Resale Tickets at the Box Office?
No, Ticketmaster resale tickets can only be purchased online through their website or mobile app. The box office at the event venue is only able to sell unsold primary market tickets for that event if any remain. The box office does not handle resale tickets. Your resale tickets will be delivered electronically to your Ticketmaster account.
How Are Resale Ticket Prices Determined?
For events with high demand, resale ticket prices are determined based on supply and demand, similar to a stock market. Sellers list their tickets at prices they believe buyers will be willing to pay. When demand is high, prices go up as buyers compete for limited tickets. When demand is low, sellers lower prices to attract buyers.
Factors that influence resale ticket prices include:
- How far in advance the tickets are listed.
- The number of tickets available relative to demand.
- The desirability of the event.
- The day of the week and time of the event.
- The attractiveness of the specific tickets (section, row, etc).
Using dynamic pricing, sellers can adjust their prices based on market demand in real-time leading up to an event to maximize sale value.
Are Resale Ticket Prices Higher Than Face Value?
In most cases, yes – resale ticket prices are higher than the original face value printed on the ticket. Sellers list their tickets above face value to turn a profit and account for high demand. The amount above face value depends factors like those mentioned above.
For very high demand events like playoffs or concerts by major artists, resale prices can be many times the original face value. For lower demand events, resale prices may be at or just slightly above face. It depends entirely on the market demand.
Are Resale Tickets on Ticketmaster More Expensive?
Not necessarily. Ticketmaster resale prices are driven purely by supply and demand, not artificially inflated like some other secondary sellers. Their large inventory and no added fees also help keep costs competitive. It’s best to compare Ticketmaster resale prices to other major resale sites.
That said, for extremely high demand events, prices for the best seats may be higher across all resale platforms, including Ticketmaster. The more limited the supply and higher the demand, the higher prices will be driven up by market forces.
What is Ticketmaster Platinum?
In addition to fan resales, Ticketmaster also offers some tickets directly through its Platinum program. Platinum tickets are tickets in high demand sections that Ticketmaster prices dynamically based on market value. These are primary market tickets, not resales.
Key things to know about Platinum tickets:
- They are primary market tickets, not resales.
- Prices fluctuate based on market demand.
- These are tickets in the most popular sections.
- Platinum tickets are marked with a “Platinum” designation.
- The prices shown include all fees – there are no extras.
Platinum tickets from Ticketmaster provide official tickets in top locations at current market prices. The convenience comes at a premium.
Should I Wait to Buy Resale Tickets?
It depends. For high demand events, Ticketmaster resale prices typically start off high and then gradually come down as the event approaches. But there is risk in waiting too long as the best tickets may sell out and selection decreases closer to the event date.
For lower demand events, there may not be much price fluctuation over time so it doesn’t matter as much when you buy. However, prices can sometimes increase again right before an event if last minute demand spikes.
In general, earlier is better for popular events to get the best selection. Set price alerts and watch for price drops if time allows. But don’t wait too long or risk missing out.
When are Ticket Prices Lowest?
As a rule of thumb, the best time to buy resale tickets for the lowest prices is typically 1-3 weeks before an event. Prices tend to decline heading into an event as sellers get more anxious to sell their extra tickets. Exceptionally high demand events like playoffs may sustain higher pricing longer.
The day of the event often sees prices drop again as sellers scramble to get whatever they can for tickets they can’t use. But at that point, selection is very limited.
Should I Buy Resale Tickets for Sold Out Events?
If it’s an event you really want to attend and resale tickets are available, it can make sense to buy from resellers versus missing out. However, be aware you will pay a premium over face value. Weigh how badly you want to go and whether the ticket price and experience will be worth it to you.
Buying resale is really the only way to get tickets to sold out concerts, games, and shows unless more tickets are later released. Ticketmaster resale tickets provide a verified, convenient way to access those limited tickets.
Can I Get Resale Tickets Refunded or Exchanged?
Resale tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are not refundable unless the event is canceled or you don’t receive valid tickets. The resale tickets are being sold by other fans, not the venue or performer, so exchanges and refunds are generally not allowed after purchase.
However, if you need to cancel your plans, you can relist the tickets for resale yourself on Ticketmaster as explained earlier. Or you may be able to sell or gift them locally through other means.
Conclusion
Buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster offers a secure, convenient way to get tickets to sold out and high demand events. While you will likely pay above face value, you are guaranteed legitimate event tickets delivered on time without hidden fees. Just be aware of the higher prices compared to buying direct during the initial onsale. Planning ahead and being flexible on dates and seating can help you land better deals on resale tickets.