TicketNetwork is an online marketplace for event tickets that allows users to buy and sell tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other live events. The company has been in business since 2002 and sells tickets for events worldwide. However, some consumers have questioned whether TicketNetwork is a legitimate and trustworthy company. This article will examine the evidence and help you decide if TicketNetwork is legitimate.
How TicketNetwork works
TicketNetwork operates an online ticket marketplace that connects ticket buyers and sellers. Sellers can list tickets for sale on the site, setting their own prices. TicketNetwork provides the platform and charges fees to sellers when tickets are sold. Buyers can search for and purchase tickets on TicketNetwork’s website or mobile app. The company gets tickets to sell in a few key ways:
- Tickets are listed for sale by individual sellers, often season ticket holders or others with extra tickets.
- Tickets come from partnerships TicketNetwork has made with professional sports teams, venues, promoters, bands, theaters, etc. to sell a portion of their ticket inventory.
- TicketNetwork will purchase tickets from primary market sources to resell on its marketplace.
The company makes money by charging fees to both buyers and sellers for ticket transactions. TicketNetwork collects the payment from the buyer and facilitates delivery of the tickets. Tickets are delivered electronically or physically shipped.
Evidence of legitimacy
There are several factors that indicate TicketNetwork is a legitimate business:
Long track record
TicketNetwork has been selling tickets online since 2002, giving it over 20 years of experience in secondary ticket sales. Older companies tend to be more legitimate than “fly by night” operations.
Major partnerships
TicketNetwork has official partnerships with numerous event venues, sports franchises, and entertainment companies to sell their tickets. Partners include Madison Square Garden, the Boston Celtics, Foo Fighters, Cirque du Soleil, and many others. These well-known organizations only partner with legitimate ticket sellers.
Accreditation and certifications
TicketNetwork is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and maintains an A+ rating. They are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. The company has implemented the PCI Security Standards Council’s compliance procedures for secure handling of payments.
Positive reviews
TicketNetwork has mostly positive reviews from customers on sites like TrustPilot (4.2 / 5 rating based on over 700 reviews). While there are some negative reviews, most report good experiences purchasing tickets on TicketNetwork.
Money-back guarantees
For added buyer protection, TicketNetwork offers a 200% money-back guarantee if tickets purchased on their marketplace are invalid or not delivered. Their FanProtect Guarantee also offers 110% money-back if an event is canceled and not rescheduled.
Government approved
TicketNetwork complies with state regulations on ticket resale marketplaces. The company holds required license and bonds in states that regulate secondary ticket sales such as New York and Connecticut.
Reasons some question legitimacy
While there are many signs it is an above-board company, there are a few reasons why some consumers may question TicketNetwork’s legitimacy:
User complaints
A few buyers have leveled complaints against the company, including issues with invalid tickets, hidden fees, unresponsive customer service, and difficulty getting refunds. However, most user reviews are positive.
High ticket prices
There is a perception that prices on TicketNetwork are overinflated compared to face value. But this is typical of the secondary ticket market where supply and demand determines prices.
Reselling without authorization
Some event organizers and teams don’t authorize TicketNetwork to resell their tickets. However, ticket resale is legal in most cases. Sellers on the marketplace own the tickets they list.
Scannability concerns
There have been some reports of tickets purchased from TicketNetwork not scanning correctly at venues. But this can happen with any resale tickets. Their guarantee protects buyers in such cases.
Conclusion
After weighing the evidence, TicketNetwork appears to conduct legitimate business practices as an online ticket marketplace. The company has been around for over 20 years, has major partnerships, and is compliant with industry regulations. User complaints are limited compared to the hundreds of thousands of tickets they sell annually. While pricing and scannability are concerns in the secondary ticket market, TicketNetwork has policies to protect buyers from issues. Overall, TicketNetwork exhibits the signs of a legitimate and reputable company.
Is TicketNetwork a Safe Website to Buy Tickets?
Along with assessing TicketNetwork’s legitimacy, it’s important to evaluate whether their website is safe for buying tickets. As an online ticket marketplace, TicketNetwork collects a lot of sensitive user data during transactions. This data must be kept secure. Here are some signs that TicketNetwork has safety procedures in place on their website:
Secure payment processing
TicketNetwork uses industry-standard encryption technology to process payments securely on their site. Users can pay with major credit cards and options like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Address verification
To prevent fraudulent transactions, TicketNetwork verifies the billing address on file with the user’s credit card company during checkout.
Protection of personal data
The company maintains a privacy policy detailing how user data is collected, used, and protected. Users have control over how their information is shared.
Compliance with standards
TicketNetwork displays trust badges onsite indicating compliance with regulatory standards like PCI DSS for security and the TrustE Privacy Seal for ethical data practices.
No reports of major breaches
There are no highly publicized reports of security breaches or hacking incidents on TicketNetwork’s website to date. This suggests their systems are designed securely.
Legal provisions
Their website terms outline provisions for security safeguards, technology policies, and confidentiality. Users must consent to these to use the site.
Tips for Safe Ticket Buying on TicketNetwork
While TicketNetwork appears to have safety measures in place, ticket buyers should still exercise caution on any secondary marketplace. Here are some tips for buying tickets safely on TicketNetwork:
Stick to official website
Only buy from ticketnetwork.com to ensure you are on the legitimate site and not being phished.
Use secure passwords
Always use unique, complex passwords on TicketNetwork and update them periodically to prevent unauthorized access.
Beware of “too good to be true”
Extremely low prices can be a red flag for fake or invalid tickets. Scrutinize prices that seem suspiciously below market rate.
Research sellers
TicketNetwork has seller profiles – read feedback and ratings before purchasing from a high-volume seller.
Pay with credit card
A credit card offers the most protection for disputes or fraudulent activity. Avoid risky payment options.
Confirm order details
Double and triple check the event name, date, seat location, and quantity before completing the ticket purchase.
Print tickets and receipts
Always print hard copies of tickets and receipts in case you need to reference them for customer support issues.
Review policies
Understand TicketNetwork’s terms around fraudulent tickets, cancellations, and other risks before buying.
Is TicketNetwork cheaper than other resale sites?
TicketNetwork is competitive on pricing with other major secondary ticket marketplaces. Prices can vary across sites based on inventory and demand. Here is how TicketNetwork’s ticket prices typically compare:
vs. StubHub
StubHub is frequently the cheapest resale option by a small margin. But TicketNetwork runs comparable sales and promotions.
vs. Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats and TicketNetwork are nearly identical on average ticket prices across multiple sporting events and concerts.
vs. SeatGeek
TicketNetwork tends to be 5-10% cheaper than SeatGeek for the same events. However, SeatGeek has a great interactive seat mapping tool.
vs. Ticketmaster
For high demand events, Ticketmaster’s resale prices are 25-50% above TicketNetwork. TicketNetwork offers big savings over Ticketmaster.
vs. Gametime
Last minute tickets on Gametime can be cheaper than TicketNetwork closer to event dates. But TicketNetwork likely has a wider selection.
vs. Craigslist
Craigslist has cheaper options but comes with more risks around fake tickets and scams. TicketNetwork provides protections Craigslist does not.
Does TicketNetwork have hidden fees?
TicketNetwork does charge some additional fees during the checkout process beyond just the ticket price. Here are the main fees to expect:
Service fees
A service fee of approximately 25% is added to all ticket purchases. This helps cover costs of running the marketplace.
Delivery fees
Tickets delivered by mail or courier incur a shipping/delivery fee, typically $15-$25 per order.
Facility fees
Some venues charge a facility fee on all tickets, and this gets passed onto TicketNetwork buyers for that event.
Taxes and surcharges
Local taxes and surcharges may apply based on the event location. These are not TicketNetwork fees.
While these various fees do add to the total cost, they are not exactly “hidden.” TicketNetwork does disclose they charge service and delivery fees. The specifics just aren’t shown until later in the checkout process, which some buyers dislike.
How does TicketNetwork customer service compare?
TicketNetwork provides customer support via phone, email, and online chat. Here’s how their level of customer service compares to alternatives:
vs. Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats offers slightly longer phone support hours. But TicketNetwork responds quicker to email and chat inquiries.
vs. StubHub
StubHub has longer phone support times but frequently long hold times. TicketNetwork’s phone support feels more personalized.
vs. SeatGeek
TicketNetwork has more customer service channels than SeatGeek’s email-only support. But SeatGeek may be faster responding to emails.
vs. Gametime
Gametime has strong customer reviews for phone support availability. But TicketNetwork offers more ways to get support.
vs. Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster’s huge size leads to very long phone waits. TicketNetwork provides much quicker phone assistance.
Common questions about TicketNetwork
Is TicketNetwork the primary or secondary market?
TicketNetwork is considered part of the secondary ticket market, not the primary market. They resell tickets to events but are not the original source of the tickets.
Can you negotiate prices on TicketNetwork?
There is no way to negotiate or make offers on posted ticket prices on TicketNetwork. Their prices are set by sellers listing tickets.
Are there any TicketNetwork discounts or promo codes?
TicketNetwork does offer first-time buyer promo codes and other discounts on occasion. Checking RetailMeNot and other coupon sites can reveal potential TicketNetwork discount codes.
How does TicketNetwork verify tickets?
They have ticket verification processes to ensure validity of tickets sold on their marketplace. Tickets must pass a 5-point authentication system before listing.
What are TicketNetwork’s service fees?
TicketNetwork charges service fees to buyers of around 25% of the ticket price. For a $100 ticket, expect around $25 in service fees.
Can you return tickets to TicketNetwork?
Returns and refunds are at the discretion of TicketNetwork. Their policies list valid reasons for returns like event cancellation, invalid tickets, or other exceptional circumstances.
Is TicketNetwork owned by Ticketmaster?
No, Ticketmaster and TicketNetwork are completely separate companies and competitors in the ticket resale marketplace.
Is TicketNetwork legit on Reddit?
The consensus on Reddit threads discussing TicketNetwork is that they are a legitimate company. Many Redditors report good experiences buying tickets from TicketNetwork.
The bottom line on TicketNetwork
When evaluating a secondary ticket marketplace like TicketNetwork, no company is perfect. There will always be some negative reviews and instances of poor customer service. However, when the evidence is weighed objectively, TicketNetwork exhibits the characteristics of a legitimate, safe, and ethical ticket reseller:
- Long history and track record in business
- Official partnerships with major organizations
- Positive reviews from most customers
- Industry certifications and accreditations
- Security and privacy protections
- Competitive ticket prices
- Responsive customer service
While consumers should exercise caution when buying anything online, TicketNetwork appears to be one of the better options for purchasing resale tickets to live events through a trusted marketplace.