Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket selling and distribution companies in the world. The company sells tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows and more through their website and mobile apps. Ticketmaster also operates a ticket resale marketplace where users can buy and resell event tickets. This has led some to question just how reliable and trustworthy these resale tickets on Ticketmaster really are.
How does Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace work?
Ticketmaster’s ticket resale marketplace operates similarly to sites like StubHub. Sellers can list event tickets they are unable to use and buyers can purchase them. All transactions are handled through Ticketmaster with the company charging fees to both the buyer and seller.
Some key things to know about Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace:
– Sellers set their own ticket prices, which means resale prices are often higher than face value. Ticketmaster says prices are set by sellers based on supply and demand.
– Ticketmaster verifies all tickets on the resale marketplace to ensure validity before listing. This helps avoid counterfeits or other invalid tickets.
– Sellers can choose to set a minimum resale price for their tickets. This means the ticket can’t be resold below a certain price point.
– Buyers and sellers both pay fees to Ticketmaster on resale ticket transactions. This includes a buyer fee which is typically around 20% of the ticket cost.
– Ticketmaster guarantees refunds to buyers if tickets purchased on resale are invalid or if the event is cancelled and refunds are issued.
Are there risks to buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster?
While Ticketmaster does vet resale tickets and promises refunds for invalid ones, there are still some risks buyers take on when purchasing resale tickets:
– **Prices are often well above face value** – As a third party reseller driven marketplace, prices fluctuate based on demand. Big concerts or games can command prices many times the original face value price. Buyers have to decide if paying the premium is worth it.
– **Exact seat locations may vary** – Ticketmaster will guarantee a comparable seat if the exact resale seat is unavailable but it still creates uncertainty on the exact seat location.
– **Refunds and support can be a hassle** – Having to request a refund and deal with customer support if tickets are bad or events are cancelled is inconvenient versus dealing directly with the venue.
– **Scams are still possible** – While Ticketmaster has protections in place, scammers can still attempt to sell fake or duplicated resale tickets. Buyers have to be diligent.
Factors that impact resale ticket reliability on Ticketmaster
There are a few key factors that can determine how reliable Ticketmaster’s resale tickets are:
– **Event popularity** – The biggest concerts and games will have the highest demand and prices, increasing incentives for scammers. Less popular events are less risky.
– **Seller ratings and reviews** – Ticketmaster allows buyers to review sellers. Those with more reviews and positive ratings will be more reliable. Avoid first time sellers.
– **Cancellation and refund policies** – Ticketmaster guarantees refunds but it’s still key to review policies before purchasing as they can vary.
– **Purchase protection programs** – Ticketmaster offers buyer guarantees but third parties like PayPal also have purchase protection for extra peace of mind.
Tips for safely buying Ticketmaster resale tickets
Follow these tips to make purchasing Ticketmaster resale tickets as safe as possible:
– **Stick to sellers with lots of positive reviews** – This helps avoid new sellers who are more likely to be scammers. Look for well reviewed, Top Seller badge sellers.
– **Understand pricing** – Don’t assume resale prices align with face value. Research general ticket prices to know if you’re getting a good deal.
– **Look for e-tickets** – These are the safest and allow immediate delivery versus hard tickets which can get lost or stolen. Hard tickets also increase the risk of fakes.
– **Use buyer protections** – Pay with a credit card for purchase protection. Use PayPal where you can dispute charges for guaranteed refunds in case of issues.
– **Ask questions** – Contact the seller if you have any doubts or questions. A legitimate seller will respond promptly and knowledgeably.
– **Buy early** – Purchasing well in advance lowers risk as scammers often target last minute buyers when demand is highest.
Pros of buying Ticketmaster resale tickets
There are advantages to using Ticketmaster’s resale ticket marketplace, including:
– **Large inventory** – Ticketmaster has one of the largest pools of event tickets available for resale so selection and availability is generally solid.
– **Established company** – Dealing with a major company like Ticketmaster can feel more secure versus unknown resellers or scalpers.
– **Vetted tickets** – Knowing Ticketmaster validates all resale tickets before listing cuts down on the chances of fakes or duplicates.
– **Refunds guaranteed** – Ticketmaster promises refunds if tickets end up being invalid for any reason.
– **Support** – As a large company, Ticketmaster has customer service available to help with any issues or questions.
– **Verified sellers** – Sellers are Ticketmaster verified users with profiles showing ratings and reviews for peace of mind.
– **Secure platform** – Resale transactions happen directly within Ticketmaster’s secure ticketing platform.
Cons of buying Ticketmaster resale tickets
There are also some downsides to keep in mind when using Ticketmaster for ticket resales:
– **Higher prices** – Resale prices are often well above face value as sellers look to profit. Deals can still be found but expect to pay more.
– **Extra fees** – On top of elevated ticket prices, Ticketmaster charges fees to both buyers and sellers.
– **Uncertain seats** – Unless a specific seat resale is guaranteed, the exact location may vary slightly.
– **Scam risk still exists** – While small, the chance of scammers posting fake tickets exists. Buyers have to be cautious.
– **Complicated refunds** – Refunds if needed can be a time consuming process versus dealing directly with a venue.
– **Tickets can sell out** – Popular tickets will sell quickly. Choosing resale doesn’t guarantee better availability.
– **Questions on policies** – Resellers may not know venue policies on things like cameras or age limits. Buyers need to check directly with the venue.
How Ticketmaster resale prices compare to other secondary markets
Ticketmaster resale prices are generally competitive with other major secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub. However, pricing can still vary between sites. Some general comparisons:
Secondary Marketplace | Average Resale Price Markup |
---|---|
Ticketmaster | 15-25% above face value |
StubHub | 10-20% above face value |
VividSeats | 12-18% above face value |
SeatGeek | 18-28% above face value |
As seen above, Ticketmaster tends to price slightly higher versus some competitors but is still reasonably competitive. StubHub in particular often has similar or lower average prices. However, prices vary greatly event to event. It’s recommended to check prices across multiple sites.
Factors impacting resale ticket prices across marketplaces
There are a few key factors that drive fluctuations in resale ticket prices across secondary marketplaces:
– **Event demand** – Extremely high demand events like playoffs or major artist tours will command the highest premiums across all resale sites.
– **Inventory availability** – Sites with the most ticket availability will generally have lower prices based on supply and demand.
– **Seller competition** – More ticket sellers and competition drives prices down across marketplaces.
– **Buyer protections** – Sites with stronger buyer guarantees may have higher prices as sellers account for this risk.
– **Reseller exclusives** – Some tickets may only be available on specific sites, giving them more pricing power.
– **Service and convenience fees** – Sites with higher fees tacked on at checkout effectively increase final prices for buyers.
Is Ticketmaster Resale more reliable than other secondary markets?
Ticketmaster doesn’t necessarily provide greater reliability versus other major secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub or VividSeats. These platforms also vet sellers, verify tickets, and offer buyer guarantees.
Some key reliability considerations across major secondary ticket marketplaces:
Marketplace | Seller Screening | Ticket Verification | Guarantees |
---|---|---|---|
Ticketmaster | Strict seller ID verification | Full ticket vetting | Full refunds for invalid or cancelled tickets |
StubHub | Seller approval and monitoring | Full ticket vetting | Full refunds for invalid tickets |
VividSeats | Account verification required | Ticket validity checking | Full refunds for unusable tickets |
As you can see, most major secondary ticket sites take measures to screen sellers, validate ticket authenticity, and offer buyer refund guarantees. Ticketmaster doesn’t offer significantly greater protections beyond competitors. However, their end-to-end ticketing integration can help streamline the resale process.
Should you feel comfortable using Ticketmaster Resale?
**For the most part, yes**. While no secondary ticket source is 100% risk-free, Ticketmaster Resale provides a solid, mainstream ticket resale marketplace for fans. As with other major resale platforms, taking basic precautions like vetting sellers and understanding policies goes a long way towards buying safely.
Here are some good guidelines around comfort with Ticketmaster Resale:
– Feel comfortable if sticking with highly reviewed, Top Seller badge sellers to minimize fraud risk.
– Feel comfortable if comparing prices across sites to ensure you’re getting a decent deal.
– Exercise caution buying last minute high-demand event tickets where scams are most likely.
– Consider backup plans in case refunds or support are needed to avoid hassles.
– Don’t assume it’s completely risk-free, but protections make it reasonably trustworthy.
While there are some disadvantages and risks, Ticketmaster Resale remains one of the top sources for verified resale tickets. With sensible precautions, fans can feel reasonably comfortable using the marketplace. As with any ticket purchase, it pays to be an informed, vigilant buyer.