Selling concert tickets can be a great way to make extra money, especially for popular shows that sell out quickly. With some planning and effort, you can develop effective strategies to sell tickets at fair market prices and avoid common pitfalls. Here are some tips on the best practices for selling concert tickets successfully.
Understand the Market
The first key is researching the concert ticket market to get a sense of current prices and demand. Factors like the popularity of the artist, venue size, tour promotion and more will influence the ticket value. Check sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats to see the going rates for similar shows. This will help you price your tickets fairly based on real market data.
Use Reputable Selling Platforms
Sell tickets through established third-party sites like StubHub or Vivid Seats where you can list them securely with buyer protection. Avoid selling directly to strangers on social media or Craigslist due to the risks of fraud and scams for both buyers and sellers.
Price Tickets Strategically
It’s important to be strategic when pricing your tickets to maximize returns. Consider pricing slightly below current market rates to incentive buyers to purchase from you faster. You can also adjust prices leading up to the event as demand increases.
Be Transparent in Your Listings
Provide key details like the exact seat numbers, row, section, venue maps and any obstructions. Buyers will feel more confident purchasing when you’re upfront. Prominently advertise transferable guarantees, if applicable.
Highlight Desirable Ticket Features
If you have tickets with VIP amenities, premium seating like floor access or celebrity box suites, highlight this in your ad. Buyers will pay more for special experiences and privileges.
Use Good Quality Photos
Include quality photos of the actual tickets in your online listings. Avoid stock images or screenshots. Quality images build trust and interest from potential buyers.
Sell at Opportune Times
Look to sell when demand is highest, like right after a show sells out or leading up to the event date. Avoid trying to sell months in advance. Promote the listings heavily 1-2 weeks before the concert when buyers are anxious to secure tickets.
Leverage Social Media
Share your ticket links on Facebook groups and Twitter using relevant event hashtags. Reddit and Craigslist are also options. Social promotion can help drive buyers to your listings.
Consider Ticket Resale Sites
For very high demand tickets, listing on an auction site like eBay can work well. The competition can drive up bidding and sell tickets for higher prices.
Avoid Risky Behaviors
There are some precautions to take when reselling tickets to avoid legal issues or financial loss:
Don’t Impersonate the Box Office
Never pretend to actually work for the concert venue or claim you’re selling “official” tickets. Be honest that you’re a third-party reseller.
Avoid Drastically Inflating Prices
While scoring tickets to a sold-out event can be lucrative, massively inflating prices beyond market rates looks greedy. Find a fair price.
Don’t Resell Tickets You Don’t Have
Only sell tickets that are already in your possession. Listing tickets you don’t actually have yet can get you in legal trouble.
How to Identify Fake Tickets
Watch for counterfeit tickets by looking for these signs:
Fake Ticket Signs | Real Ticket Signs |
---|---|
Generic stock images | Images of authentic ticket |
Inaccurate seat/row numbers | Accurate seating info |
Misspellings, typos | Correct band and venue names |
Abnormally low prices | Fair market price |
Seller unresponsive | Seller offers proof of tickets |
Use Safe Payment Options
When buying tickets, only pay through secure provider-approved payment methods, never by direct bank transfer. Legitimate sites like StubHub guarantee all transactions so you get the tickets or your money back.
Avoid Risky Payment Types
– Direct bank transfers
– Prepaid cash cards
– Irreversible cryptocurrency
– PayPal Friends and Family
Use Payment Methods With Buyer Protection
– StubHub official payments
– Major credit cards
– PayPal Goods and Services
– Venmo purchase option
How to Tell if a Seller is Trustworthy
There are a few key signs that indicate a seller is legitimate and trustworthy:
Longstanding Account History
Established sellers with a long track record of positive reviews are less risky. New accounts with no history may be scammers.
Responsive Communication
Reliable sellers will quickly respond to questions and provide any info needed to prove they have the tickets.
Fair Pricing
Prices set at or below current market rates show a seller isn’t greedy and dishonest.
Secure Payment Methods
A willingness to use protected payment platforms like StubHub indicates an honest seller.
Protect Yourself From Scams
Avoid buying from or selling to untrustworthy buyers by watching for these red flags:
Pushy Demands
High-pressure tactics like demanding immediate payment or meeting up are suspicious.
Requiring Unsafe Payment
Insisting on Zelle, Venmo, cash or crypto could signal a scam attempt.
Unwillingness to Provide Proof
Legit sellers readily provide documentation, account history and ticket source info.
Communicating Outside Platform
Shady buyers/sellers try to move discussion off monitored sites to avoid accountability.
Conclusion
Reselling concert tickets can be lucrative but requires informed strategies. Research the market, leverage reputable platforms, price competitively, highlight ticket features, sell at peak demand times and avoid risky behaviors. Prioritize payment security for buyers and sellers. With preparation and caution, you can successfully buy and sell event tickets.