Quick Answers
When you buy tickets from a verified resale marketplace like StubHub, Vivid Seats or SeatGeek, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Verified resale sites thoroughly vet the third party sellers on their platform, ensuring the tickets being sold are authentic and valid.
- Many resale sites also guarantee the tickets or offer refunds if there is an issue with entry.
- Resale tickets may be more expensive than face value, but provide peace of mind and quick access to in-demand events.
- There are still risks with any resale purchase, so buyers should confirm policies and use common sense precautions.
- Overall, verified resale platforms are generally considered safe and reliable sources for event tickets, especially major sites with millions of sales.
How Do Resale Sites Verify Sellers?
Unlike individual resellers or ticket scalpers, major resale marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats have rigorous seller verification processes. This is how they ensure tickets being sold on their platform are legitimate:
- Require seller accounts – Sellers must create a user account, providing identity, contact and payment details.
- Check legal ticket sources – Sellers must prove they legally obtained tickets, like season ticket holders or fan club members.
- Examine ticket barcodes – Unique ticket IDs are checked against box office records to confirm authenticity.
- Require ticket guarantees – Sellers must guarantee the tickets or allow refunds if there is an issue.
- Rate and review sellers – Buyers can rate their purchase experience to hold bad sellers accountable.
- Quick digital delivery – Secure digital ticket delivery fights fraud by preventing physical counterfeits.
- Cancel suspicious sales – Suspicious sellers or sales activity may have accounts and tickets cancelled.
These and other precautions provide a higher level of security and buyer protection compared to individual resellers. Of course, no system is perfect, but verified resale sites have a strong incentive to maintain integrity and prevent fraud.
Top Verified Resale Sites
Some of the largest and most trusted verified resale marketplaces include:
Site | Annual Sales | Buyer Guarantee |
---|---|---|
StubHub | 60 million | Refund if issue with ticket |
Vivid Seats | 20 million | 125% money back guarantee |
SeatGeek | 10 million | 100% money back guarantee |
These large marketplaces have facilitated tens of millions of ticket transactions over many years. Their longevity, scale and financial incentives show they are doing extensive work to validate sellers and uphold their money back guarantees.
Are There Still Risks Buying Verified Resale Tickets?
While reputable resale sites go to great lengths to ensure ticket validity and prevent fraud, there are some general risks to keep in mind:
- Higher prices – Resale sites charge higher prices driven by demand, sometimes 2-3X face value or more.
- Fees and shipping – There are typically 10-20% buyer fees, plus shipping costs if physical tickets.
- Cancellations – Events can be postponed or cancelled, leaving tickets unusable.
- Policy limits – Refunds may exclude fees, have time limits or other conditions.
- Sellers still a risk – Even vetted sellers could make mistakes or attempt fraud in some cases.
While major sites have made the secondary market much safer, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed. Savvy buyers should still research seller ratings, read policies closely and use common purchasing precautions before buying.
Are Verified Resales Better Than Alternatives?
When buying tickets second-hand, verified resellers provide clear advantages over some riskier alternatives:
Vs. Scalpers or Street Sellers
- No way to validate street seller or their tickets.
- High fraud risk buying physical tickets in-person.
- No refunds or guarantees if ticket is invalid.
- Must negotiate prices and protections in person.
Vs. Classified Sites
- Sellers have no accountability or oversight.
- Much higher fraud risk as anonymity makes scams easier.
- No support or guarantees if issues arise.
Vs. Social Media Groups
- Informal platforms with minimal protections or oversight.
- Fake tickets or seller scams more likely.
- No mediation if transactions go wrong.
The protections, guarantees and security at reputable verified resellers make them a much safer choice compared to these riskier alternatives. Whilecosts may be higher, you are paying for greater peace of mind.
Tips for Spotting Unreliable Sellers
Even at well-regarded resale platforms, dishonest sellers can occasionally slip through the cracks. Watch for these red flags:
- Prices that seem too good to be true.
- New sellers with no reviews or ratings.
- Cancellations or unresponsiveness after purchase.
- Aggressive demands to complete sale off-platform.
- Grammatical errors or other signs of foreign scammers.
Use common sense precautions like avoiding wire transfers, reviewing seller profiles, confirming delivery details and completing sales through the marketplace.
Can You Safely Buy Direct From Strangers?
Buying tickets directly from strangers online or in-person can be extremely risky compared to verified sites. There are a few factors that improve safety when buying direct:
- Mutual connections – Buy from friends-of-friends or known community members.
- Social media profiles – Review full profiles to confirm seller identity.
- Digital delivery – Reduce fraud by avoiding physical ticket hand-offs.
- Secure payments – Avoid irreversible money transfers that can’t be recovered.
- Meet in person – For physical exchanges, meet to verify before paying.
However, there is no practical way to eliminate all risks when buying directly. Verified resale platforms remain the best option for guaranteed authentic tickets.
What to Do if You Receive a Fake Ticket?
If you realize too late you’ve been sold an invalid or fake ticket, here are some options to recover losses or gain entry:
- Contact the seller – Explain the situation and request a refund.
- Dispute with resale site – If sold on a marketplace, file a claim.
- Dispute payment – Request a chargeback from your credit card or PayPal.
- Contact venue – Explain you’re a victim of fraud, they may give you entry or discounted seats.
- Try ticket scalpers – As a last resort, buy a scalped ticket if affordable.
Having purchase confirmation and communication records will help support your case. Always avoid threats or violence trying to gain entry with fake tickets.
Are Ticket Transfers Safe?
Many ticket issuers and resale sites now allow ticket transfers to send digital tickets securely to a recipient:
- Legitimate transfer features maintain ticket validity and prevent duplication.
- Tickets can be sent to friends or buyers without physically meeting up.
- Allows easy, secure delivery of verified resale tickets.
- Transferring eliminates risks of paper ticket fraud or counterfeiting.
As long as you only use official transfer tools from reputable platforms, ticket transfers provide a convenient and risk-free alternative to physical ticket exchanges.
Conclusion
Verified ticket resale marketplaces have made buying second-hand event tickets much safer compared to riskier alternatives like scalpers or classifieds. While some risks remain, top sites provide extensive seller vetting, buyer guarantees and other protections.
Savvy buyers should still use precautions like avoiding new sellers, meeting locally or paying securely. Overall though, platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats have brought transparency, convenience and security to ticket resales.