Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows, and more. Many people use Ticketmaster to buy tickets for popular events that sell out quickly. However, some have questioned whether Ticketmaster is a legit and safe company to use. This article will examine the key facts about Ticketmaster to help you decide if they can be trusted for your ticket purchases.
Overview of Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is a ticket sales and distribution company based in Beverly Hills, California. It was founded in 1976 and has grown to be one of the largest players in the industry. Here are some key facts about Ticketmaster:
- Operates in over 28 countries worldwide
- Sold over 485 million tickets in 2019 alone
- Processes over 62 million ticket transactions per year
- Over 10,000 clients including venues, theaters, sports teams, etc.
- Wholly owned by Live Nation since 2010
- Processes tickets sales across their website, mobile apps, and over 2,000 retail outlets
As you can see, Ticketmaster is a major company that handles ticket distribution for a huge number of venues and events worldwide. Their large size and status as an industry leader lend them credibility.
Is Ticketmaster Legit?
When determining if a company is legitimate, key factors to consider are:
- Legal business registration and operations
- Track record over many years
- Major brand recognition and reputation
- Positive reviews from a majority of customers
Here is how Ticketmaster stacks up in these areas:
Legal Business Operations
Ticketmaster is a legally registered and operating business. They have been around for over 45 years since 1976. The company has grown and expanded significantly since then. There is no doubt they are running a real ticketing business.
Long Track Record
With over four decades in business, Ticketmaster clearly has proven themselves over many years. They have sold billions of tickets and worked with thousands of client venues. Their ability to operate successfully for so long demonstrates legitimacy.
Major Brand Recognition
Ticketmaster is one of the most well-known brands in event ticketing. Their name recognition across the U.S. and in many other countries establishes them as a trusted source for tickets. They have built up major brand equity over decades.
Mostly Positive Customer Reviews
While no company is perfect, the majority of Ticketmaster customer reviews are positive. On TrustPilot, they have a 3.8 out of 5 star rating based on over 22,000 reviews. Most customers are satisfied with the convenience and range of ticket options Ticketmaster provides.
So by all major standards of evaluating business legitimacy, Ticketmaster does check all the boxes. They are without a doubt a real and legal ticketing company you can trust.
Is Ticketmaster Safe to Use?
Now that we’ve established Ticketmaster is a legitimate business, is it safe to use for your ticket purchases? Let’s examine several key factors:
Secure Website and Payments
Ticketmaster has invested heavily in website security protections. Their website uses SSL encryption and other measures to keep your personal data protected. They utilize secure payment processing when you purchase tickets online.
Protection Against Fake Tickets
There is always a risk of fake or scam tickets when buying from resellers and secondary markets. With Ticketmaster, you can feel confident you are getting real, valid event tickets directly from the source. This avoids the risk of spending money on fake or invalid tickets.
Refunds Available on Most Tickets
Many tickets sold on Ticketmaster allow refunds or exchanges if plans change. Their FanProtect Guarantee allows refunds on sold out popular event tickets. This provides a level of safety if you cannot attend an event you bought tickets for.
Responsive Customer Service
Ticketmaster provides customer support through phone, email, and online chat. Their large support staff is available to help resolve any issues or assist with ticket purchases. Responsive support enhances the safety of the Ticketmaster ticketing experience.
Consumer Protections on Billing
Consumers are protected by credit card company policies if any unauthorized charges or billing disputes occur. Additionally, Ticketmaster’s use of secure checkout and encryption provides layer of protection for your billing information.
So across the key measures of safety – website security, fraud prevention, refund availability, customer service, and billing protections – Ticketmaster has systems in place to ensure a safe ticket buying process. While any ticketing service has risks, Ticketmaster has done a lot to minimize them.
Potential Downsides and Controversies
While Ticketmaster is largely a legitimate and safe option for event ticketing, there are some downsides and controversies to note:
- High fees – Customers frequently complain about excessive booking and service fees on each ticket purchase. These can significantly increase the cost versus the base ticket price.
- Lack of pricing transparency – Ticketmaster does not always make all fees and charges clear upfront during the purchasing process.
- Legal issues – They have faced some lawsuits over the years related to fees, refunds, and anticompetitive behavior in the ticketing industry.
- Customer service complaints – Wait times and difficulties getting issues resolved efficiently is a common complaint about their customer service operation.
So despite their overall legitimate operations, Ticketmaster is not without flaws in their business practices. Customers may get frustrated with the fees, lack of price transparency, legal issues, and customer service problems that arise from time to time. These are important factors to keep in mind.
Alternatives to Ticketmaster
If some of Ticketmaster’s potential downsides make you hesitant to use them, here are some alternative ticket companies to consider:
StubHub
– Online ticket marketplace where resellers can sell event tickets they can no longer use. Provides access to sold out events.
VividSeats
– Ticket reseller offering competitive pricing on sports, concert, theater and other tickets. No service fees on some ticket sales.
SeatGeek
– Mobile-focused ticket marketplace where buyers can view interactive seat maps before purchasing. Good sorting and filtering tools.
AXS
– Digital ticketing platform used by many major event venues. Clean, easy to use website and apps. Lower fees than Ticketmaster.
Etix
– Enterprise level ticketing service focused on live entertainment events. Low service fees and good customer service reputation.
So there are several alternatives that may better meet your preferences around pricing, fees, and customer experience. Each comes with their own pros and cons to evaluate.
Is Ticketmaster Worth Using?
With the information provided in this article, you can make an informed decision about whether Ticketmaster is worth using for your ticket needs. Here are some key takeaways:
- They are clearly a legitimate legal business with a long history in event ticketing.
- Safety precautions like website security and fraud protections make Ticketmaster relatively safe to use.
- High fees and poor pricing transparency lead to many customer complaints.
- Legal controversies and poor customer service are other downsides to consider.
- Alternatives may have lower fees and better customer experiences.
In the end, Ticketmaster is still a go-to option for many consumers to purchase tickets for sold out and popular events where limited options exist. But their flaws around fees, pricing, and service are worth weighing when you have alternatives available. Consider your specific needs and preferences to decide if Ticketmaster is your best choice.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster is largely a legitimate and safe ticketing company, but not without some controversies and customer complaints. Their huge size and brand recognition provide convenience and access to in-demand events. But higher costs and poor transparency around fees remain issues for many consumers. There are smaller ticketing companies that may offer better service and prices in some cases. Evaluate your particular situation, needs and preferences to determine if Ticketmaster is the best fit for your next ticket purchase. Considering the pros and cons outlined here will help you make an informed decision.