Buying tickets from Ticketmaster resale can be a great way to get access to sold-out events, but is it trustworthy? There are a few key factors to consider when buying tickets on Ticketmaster resale.
What is Ticketmaster Resale?
Ticketmaster Resale is Ticketmaster’s official ticket exchange platform that allows fans to safely buy or resell tickets. It was created to provide a secure, guaranteed way for fans to get tickets to sold out events. Sellers list their extra tickets for events they can no longer attend and buyers can purchase those tickets directly through Ticketmaster.
Key Features of Ticketmaster Resale:
- Guaranteed tickets – All resale tickets are 100% guaranteed by Ticketmaster to be authentic and valid
- No counterfeits – Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan tech prevents counterfeits from being posted
- Secure transfers – Tickets are transferred securely from seller to buyer within the Ticketmaster system
- Competitive pricing – Prices are set by sellers based on demand, similar to StubHub or VividSeats
- Buyer guarantees – Full refund if event is canceled or buyer is denied entry
By conducting all transactions through their platform, Ticketmaster is able to authenticate all tickets and ensure the buyer receives valid tickets for entry. This provides buyers with a higher level of security and protection compared to buying tickets through third party sites.
Are Ticketmaster Resale Tickets Guaranteed to be Valid?
Yes, one of the biggest benefits of using Ticketmaster Resale is that all tickets are 100% guaranteed to be valid and authentic. When reselling through Ticketmaster, the seller must verify they actually have the tickets in-hand before listing.
Once a ticket is sold, Ticketmaster securely transfers the ticket directly from the seller’s account into the buyer’s account. At no point do the physical tickets change hands or go to a third party site. This helps avoid any counterfeits or duplicates. Ticketmaster also backs every resale ticket with their 100% Guarantee which states if a ticket turns out to be invalid for any reason, they will find the buyer comparable replacement tickets for the event or provide a refund.
Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan Technology
In addition to secured ticket transfers, Ticketmaster also utilizes Verified Fan technology for added security. For high-demand events, Ticketmaster requires resellers to verify their identity and link their account before allowing them to list tickets. This prevents unauthorized users or bots from mass purchasing and reselling tickets.
Buyers also must have a Ticketmaster account to make purchases on Ticketmaster Resale. The ticketing giant can easily track the ticket’s chain of custody within their own database from original sale to resale and final purchase.
Are Ticketmaster Resale Prices Reasonable?
Pricing on Ticketmaster Resale, like other secondary markets, is driven by supply and demand. Sellers can price tickets however they like. As a result, prices typically reflect the current market value for that event.
For very high demand events where tickets are scarce, resale prices may be high. But for less popular events or ones far in the future, resale prices tend to be much closer to face value.
Event | Average Resale Price | Get In Price |
---|---|---|
Bruce Springsteen 2023 Tour | $350 | $125 |
Local Jazz Festival 2024 | $75 | $50 |
Buyers can filter and sort listings on Ticketmaster Resale to find the best deals. And sellers are incentivized to price competitively, otherwise their high priced tickets will be passed over.
Service and Shipping Fees
One area that can drive up the total ticket cost on Ticketmaster Resale is their service and shipping fees. Ticketmaster charges around 25% in fees on top of the ticket price. Other sites like StubHub and VividSeats typically have 10-15% fees. So factor those added costs in when evaluating Ticketmaster Resale prices.
Is Buying on Ticketmaster Resale Secure?
Buying tickets through Ticketmaster Resale comes with a high level of security for buyers. Ticketmaster strictly controls the ticket chain of custody within their own secure ecosystem. There is no physical exchange of tickets outside their database.
All sales are protected by their 100% Buyer Guarantee. And Ticketmaster avoids many of the fraud risks present on other resale sites by controlling identity verification and payment processing. Overall, Ticketmaster Resale provides a very secure ticket buying experience.
Security Feature | Description |
---|---|
Guaranteed valid tickets | Tickets directly transferred from Ticketmaster account to account |
Verified sellers | Sellers must verify identity and ticket possession |
100% Buyer Guarantee | Full refund if ticket invalid for any reason |
Secure payment processing | Handle all payments to avoid fraud risks |
What Protections Does Ticketmaster Resale Offer?
Ticketmaster Resale provides the following key protections and guarantees for buyers:
100% Guarantee
This guarantee states that if a ticket purchased on Ticketmaster Resale is invalid for any reason – it was already used, counterfeit, etc – Ticketmaster will find the buyer comparable replacement tickets for that event or issue a full refund of the purchase price.
Verified tickets
As described above, Ticketmaster uses technical measures like Verified Fan to authenticate tickets and prevent fraud before listings are posted. This greatly reduces the risk of counterfeits.
Secure ticket delivery
Tickets are electronically transferred from seller to buyer with no physical shipment. This avoids the risk of lost or stolen tickets.
Refunds if event canceled
If the event is canceled with no reschedule date, buyers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket purchase price. The same refund is issued if the buyer is denied entry to the event for any reason.
What are the Drawbacks of Ticketmaster Resale?
While Ticketmaster Resale provides a secure, protected way to buy event tickets, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
Higher prices
As a premium, official resale platform, Ticketmaster Resale tends to have higher ticket prices driven by the convenience and guarantees they provide.
High fees
Ticketmaster tacks on service and shipping fees to all resale purchases that typically add 25%+ to your total ticket cost.
Limited inventory
The resale selection is dependent on users reposting their tickets. For niche events, there may be little to no ticket availability on Ticketmaster Resale.
Requires Ticketmaster account
You must have or create a Ticketmaster user account to make purchases on Ticketmaster Resale. This adds an extra step vs other resale sites.
How Does Ticketmaster Resale Compare to StubHub and Other Resale Sites?
Ticketmaster Resale differs from third party resale sites like StubHub in a few key ways:
Feature | Ticketmaster Resale | Third Party Resale Sites (StubHub, VividSeats, etc) |
---|---|---|
Pricing | Tends to be higher | Varies – can be higher or lower than Ticketmaster |
Seller authentication | Strict identity and ticket verification | Little to no seller ID verification |
Buyer protections | 100% guarantee on all tickets | Varies by site, some offer guarantees |
Ticket delivery | Electronic transfer only | Electronic or physical ticket shipment |
Inventory | Dependent on user resales | Can source tickets from many sellers |
The main advantage Ticketmaster Resale provides is the absolute guarantee that tickets are valid and authentic combined with strong buyer protections. You avoid much of the fraud risks present on third party marketplaces.
The trade-off is potentially higher prices and lower inventory as Ticketmaster is dependent on having users repost tickets through their platform.
Tips for Buying Tickets Safely on Ticketmaster Resale
Follow these tips when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster Resale to ensure a smooth, secure experience:
Set up a Ticketmaster account
You need a Ticketmaster login to make Resale purchases. Set up your account ahead of time.
Compare prices
Evaluate multiple listings for the event you want. Prices can vary widely for the same seats.
Check seating chart
Verify the seat locations before buying using the interactive seating charts.
Buy early
Buying well in advance often provides the best deals before demand drives prices up.
Avoid last minute purchases
Last minute ticket buys have a higher fraud risk as scammers try to dump fake tickets.
Pay securely
Always pay by credit card on Ticketmaster Resale for added fraud protection.
Should You Buy Tickets from Ticketmaster Resale?
Buying tickets from Ticketmaster Resale generally provides a very safe, secure way to purchase authentic event tickets. While you tend to pay higher prices compared to other resale sites, you also get iron-clad guarantees, strict seller verification, and protected ticket transfers.
For high-demand events where tickets are scarce, Ticketmaster Resale is likely your safest option to avoid fake or fraudulent tickets. Just be sure to compare multiple listings and factor in the additional fees.
For less popular events that are not sold out, you will often find better pricing looking at other resale platforms or marketplaces like Craigslist.
Overall, Ticketmaster Resale is best suited for buyers who prioritize security, guarantees, and convenience over finding the absolute lowest priced tickets.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster Resale provides a trusted, secure marketplace to purchase event tickets directly from other fans. While its prices skews higher than other resale sites, all tickets are 100% verified authentic and come with strong buyer guarantees. For high-demand events, Ticketmaster Resale is a smart option to avoid counterfeits – just be sure to compare prices across multiple listings.