StubHub is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces, allowing buyers and sellers to trade tickets for sports, concerts, theater and other live entertainment events. As with any secondary ticket source, there are advantages and drawbacks to using StubHub compared to buying tickets directly from the venue or primary ticket seller.
The Advantages of Using StubHub
There are several potential benefits to buying or selling tickets on StubHub:
- Access to hard-to-get tickets – StubHub provides access to tickets that may be sold out or unavailable through primary sources. Sellers can list extra tickets they are unable to use.
- Potential deals on ticket prices – Prices on StubHub may be below or above face value. Buyers can sometimes find deals on in-demand tickets being resold below original prices.
- Large selection of event tickets – StubHub provides tickets for MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS games, concerts, shows, and more. Buyers can find tickets for many events in one place.
- Electronic ticket delivery – StubHub provides instant downloadable e-tickets, avoiding the risk of lost tickets in the mail.
- Buyer protection guarantee – StubHub offers full refunds if tickets are invalid or if the event is canceled and not rescheduled.
- Seller services – StubHub provides tools for listing tickets, setting prices, and getting paid. Sellers can conveniently resell extra tickets.
For buyers, StubHub opens up access to tickets that may not be available from the venue box office or primary ticket sellers. Sports teams often sell out of season tickets and popular concerts sell out quickly when tickets go on sale. StubHub provides a way to still buy tickets from other fans looking to sell extras or tickets they can no longer use. The large selection of event tickets in one marketplace makes StubHub convenient for buyers.
For sellers, StubHub allows conveniently selling unwanted tickets to recoup some costs rather than letting tickets go to waste. The marketplace provides a way to easily list extra tickets not being used and tools for setting competitive prices based on demand. StubHub handles payment processing and electronically delivers tickets to buyers.
The Disadvantages of StubHub
While StubHub provides some benefits for ticket buyers and sellers, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
- Higher prices than face value – StubHub tickets often sell above original face value prices. Buyers may pay price premiums for in-demand events.
- Extra fees – StubHub charges service fees to buyers and sellers on top of the ticket price.
- Scammers and counterfeit tickets – As with any secondary source, scammers sometimes list and sell fake or invalid tickets.
- Cancellation risks – If sellers cancel or modify listings, buyers may lose out on tickets they already paid for.
- Lack of ticket transferability – Some venues restrict paperless tickets to the original purchaser only, making them non-transferrable.
The open marketplace model allows sellers to charge well above face value for hot events. Buyers may get stuck paying hundreds of dollars in fees and markups to obtain hard to get tickets. There are also risks of fake ticket scams, though StubHub does provide buyer protection in those cases. Cancellations and ticket transfer issues can also create headaches for buyers and sellers.
Is StubHub Reliable for Buyers?
While there are risks, StubHub does provide a reliable way for buyers to obtain tickets as long as some precautions are taken:
- Vet the seller – Review the seller’s ratings and sales history before purchasing tickets.
- Confirm valid delivery – Require electronic ticket delivery to avoid fake ticket scams.
- Review order carefully – Double check seat locations, event details, and final prices before completing orders.
- Use buyer protection – StubHub guarantees valid tickets or a refund. File claims promptly for invalid tickets.
- Shop early – Buying well in advance can sometimes yield better prices than last minute.
StubHub provides buyer protection against invalid tickets, which adds a layer of safety not present when buying from unknown sellers. While prices are not always cheap, StubHub does grant reliable access to high-demand events that might otherwise be sold out. Careful shopping can sometimes yield decent deals compared to other secondary markets or scalpers. Overall, StubHub is considered one of the more reputable and reliable secondary ticket marketplaces.
Checking Seller Histories
One key to buying reliably on StubHub is thoroughly vetting seller profiles before making purchases. Some red flags to watch for:
- Brand new sellers with no history
- Little sales activity over past months
- Mostly negative feedback ratings
- Sale prices way below market value
The best StubHub sellers have long site histories, numerous recent sales, positive feedback ratings, and reasonable pricing. Buying from established sellers helps minimize the risk of problems.
Using Buyer Protection
StubHub’s buyer protection backs up tickets in case issues arise. Under the FanProtect Guarantee, StubHub provides:
- Full refunds if tickets are invalid and a comparable replacement cannot be found.
- 125% refund if an event is canceled with no rescheduling.
- Refund of price difference if replacement tickets are of lower quality.
Buyers must report delivery issues or invalid tickets within a timely manner to qualify for the guarantee. But the policy does offer peace of mind for buyers. Make sure to carefully review the current StubHub buyer protection policy when purchasing tickets.
Is StubHub Reliable for Sellers?
Selling events tickets through StubHub also comes with some pros and cons:
Benefits for Sellers
- Large built-in customer base – StubHub draws millions of active buyers.
- Tools to optimize prices – StubHub provides pricing guidance based on demand.
- Convenient e-ticket delivery – StubHub handles ticket delivery electronically.
- Guaranteed payment – StubHub releases payouts to sellers once events are over.
The size and reach of StubHub makes it easy for sellers to find buyers for spare tickets. StubHub handles ticket delivery logistics electronically rather than having to ship paper tickets. Payments are reliable, with money released from held escrow accounts after events take place. Overall, StubHub provides a turnkey system for conveniently selling unwanted tickets.
Drawbacks for Sellers
- Fees subtract from profits – StubHub charges 10-20% seller fees on each sold ticket.
- Buyer cancellations – Buyers can potentially back out after you’ve already sold tickets.
- Limits on pricing – Extremely high markups may get removed for violating pricing policies.
- Electronic listing only – Sellers must have a mobile device or computer to list tickets.
StubHub’s fees can bite into seller profits, especially on cheaper tickets. Buyer cancellations and refunds can leave you stuck with sold tickets. Pricing limits may make it hard to maximize profits on hot events. The electronic mobile and web-based system may also limit some casual sellers. While generally reliable, these factors can make it tricky for sellers to optimize their returns.
Alternatives to Consider
In some cases, other secondary ticket marketplaces may be worth considering as alternatives to StubHub:
Vivid Seats
- Charges lower seller fees starting at 10%
- Also offers buyer protection guarantees
- Provides tools for optimizing ticket prices
- Specializes more in sports, concerts, and theater tickets
SeatGeek
- Lower total fees averaging 18% per transaction
- Integrates listing across multiple ticket platforms
- Provides Deal Score ratings to identify best values
- Covers wider range of live entertainment events
eBay
- Established broad marketplace with buyer protections
- Requires more manual work for creating listings
- Lower fees around 10% but less ticket-focused support
- Allows buyers to place best offers and negotiate prices
For very high-demand events like playoffs, finals or music festivals, Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale marketplace could potentially yield higher profits by avoiding third-party fees. For personalized sales, direct peer-to-peer exchanges through Facebook groups or Craigslist may also be an option.
Conclusion
Overall, StubHub generally provides a reliable ticketing marketplace for buyers and sellers as long as you know what to watch out for. The large selection of events, buyer protections, and convenient tools make it one of the better places to buy and sell secondary market tickets. However, you may want to shop around competitor sites to compare pricing and fees for certain events. Following best practices like vetting sellers, understanding fees, and leverage buyer guarantees goes a long way towards successful experiences on StubHub.