Buying concert tickets can be a frustrating experience. Ticket prices seem to get higher every year, and fees and other hidden costs quickly drive up the total price. At the same time, tickets for the most popular shows often sell out in seconds, leaving many fans empty-handed. With a little bit of planning and insider knowledge, though, you can beat the system and get great seats without paying outrageous prices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to scoring cheap concert tickets while avoiding scams and rip-offs.
Know When Tickets Go on Sale
Mark your calendar for the on-sale date and time. Sign up for the artist’s email list and follow them on social media to get notified about pre-sales. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget. Some venues announce on-sale dates weeks or months in advance, while others give very little notice. Being ready to pounce right when tickets go on sale will give you the best shot at getting good seats for face value.
Take Advantage of Pre-sales
Many artists and venues offer pre-sales in the days leading up to the public on-sale date. These are only open to fans who have special codes or links. To get pre-sale access, join the artist’s fan club, follow the promoter on social media, or sign up for the venue’s email list. Major credit card companies like American Express and Citibank also sponsor pre-sales for cardholders. Having multiple opportunities to purchase tickets before the general public gives you a huge advantage.
Use an Online Waiting Room
For very popular shows that are expected to sell out instantly, the ticketing website may employ an online waiting room. This requires you to log in ahead of time and wait in a digital queue. When it’s your turn, you get 10-20 minutes to shop for tickets before the next person goes. It seems tedious, but it’s more fair than everyone fighting for tickets the second they go on sale. Read up on the waiting room rules and get logged in early.
Shop Around for the Best Seats
Don’t just buy the first seats you see. Many ticketing sites show you the “best available” rather than the actual seat map. Take time to explore the venue layout and find seats you like. Front and center is great but you can still get a decent view from the sides or back at a lower price. For arena shows, upper level seats in the front sections often sound better than floor seats.
Compare Prices Across Multiple Websites
Tickets for the same concert will be available on the artist’s website, the venue website, and third-party sites like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Prices can vary across sellers, so check them all. Make sure to consider fees – sometimes the cheapest ticket has the highest fees. It pays to spend time finding the truly lowest price.
Use Tools to Search for Deals
Ticket search engine tools like SeatGeek can help you find the best ticket prices. You tell it which event you want, and it compiles listings from all over, including resale sites. This saves you from having to check dozens of sites manually. Some aggregators also offer predictions about whether prices will go up or down.
Don’t Rule Out Resale Sites
While StubHub, Vivid Seats, and other resellers have a mixed reputation, they can be a legit way to score tickets – sometimes even below face value. There is risk in using them, but read reviews, buy from a top-rated seller, and use a credit card for protection. Set price drop alerts and you may just get lucky.
Avoid Scams and Rip-Offs
To steer clear of fraud when buying tickets, follow these tips:
– Stick to reputable, well-known ticket sites like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Avoid sellers with no reviews or ratings.
– Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, or other non-refundable methods. Use a credit card.
– Don’t buy from someone on Craigslist, Facebook, or other unofficial sources. It’s very risky.
– Verify the ticket details. Fake tickets will often have the wrong seat numbers, event date, or venue.
– Make sure the ticket says “This ticket is not redeemable for cash” – if not, it’s probably counterfeit.
Get Refundable Tickets When Possible
Many ticketing websites now offer refundable tickets for a slightly higher fee. While more expensive upfront, this guarantees you can get your money back if plans change. Even if tickets are non-refundable, you can often resell them yourself and recoup most of the cost. Refundable tickets provide peace of mind.
Join a Fan Club
Die-hard fans can benefit hugely from joining an artist’s official fan club. There is usually a yearly fee, but members get first dibs on tickets during presales, plus access to VIP packages with premium seats. Fan club members often get discounts on merch as well. If you love the artist, it’s worth it.
Find Presale Passwords
Presale passwords give you access to purchase tickets before the general public. Some passwords get leaked online ahead of time. Search “[artist] presale password” on Twitter, Reddit, and fan forums. Of course, sharing passwords is technically not allowed by most artists. Use at your own discretion.
Be Ready Right at the On-Sale Time
Tickets sell out incredibly fast these days, thanks to bots used by scalpers. When that on-sale time hits, you need to be on the ball. Have accounts set up ahead of time, payment info entered, and constantly refresh and click to get tickets in your cart ASAP. Hesitate even a few seconds and they could be gone.
Use Multiple Devices
Your odds improve if you’re searching for tickets on multiple devices simultaneously. Have family or friends help by logging in on their phones or laptops. The more connections you have, the better chance you have of beating the bots and scoring seats. It may seem excessive but it works.
Consider Season and Weekday Shows
Concerts on weeknights or in colder months often don’t sell out as fast. You may have more luck getting affordable tickets to a Tuesday show in November than a Saturday in July. Off-season concerts and weeknights are less convenient but can save you big on ticket prices.
Buy at the Box Office
If the show hasn’t sold out, you can avoid fees by buying tickets directly at the venue box office. Some larger venues even have kiosks for last-minute purchases. Box office tickets are simpler and cheaper. The downside is you may get stuck with subpar seats if you wait too long.
Wait Until the Last Minute
This risky strategy can pay off big for patient, flexible people. Many shows don’t actually sell out months in advance. As the event gets closer, prices often drop as sellers get desperate to offload tickets. Use tools to track prices, and you may score an amazing deal hours before showtime.
Conclusion
Scoring cheap concert tickets takes effort, but it certainly can be done. Avoiding scams and rip-offs comes down to being smart – buy only from trusted sellers, watch out for red flags, and use payment methods that protect you. By using presales, hunting for deals, and being strategic, you can get great seats at face value or less. Remember: a little time invested upfront saves you big money down the road. So get ready to enjoy the show, without emptying your wallet!
Tip | How it helps |
---|---|
Join fan club | Get access to presales |
Use ticket search engines | Find the best prices across sellers |
Buy refundable tickets | Option to get your money back |
Shop at the last minute | Take advantage of decreasing prices |
Use multiple devices | Increase your odds in on-sale rush |