Vivid Seats is one of the most popular secondary ticket marketplaces for buying and selling tickets to live events like NHL games. As with any secondary ticket site, there are always concerns about whether they are a legit and trustworthy platform. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at Vivid Seats’ reputation, reliability and safety to help you decide if they are a legit option for buying NHL tickets.
What is Vivid Seats?
Vivid Seats is an online ticket marketplace that allows users to buy and sell tickets for sports games, concerts, theater shows and other live entertainment events. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2001 and has grown into one of the largest secondary ticket sites, processing over $3 billion in transactions since inception.
Like other secondary sites StubHub and SeatGeek, Vivid Seats doesn’t sell tickets directly. Instead, it provides a platform that connects buyers and third party sellers. Sellers list event tickets for sale and set their own prices. Buyers can search for tickets and purchase them directly through Vivid Seats’ website or mobile app.
Is Vivid Seats Legit?
When considering using a secondary ticket site, one of the biggest concerns is whether the company is legitimate and trustworthy. Here are some key factors that support Vivid Seats being a safe and reliable ticketing platform:
1. Longstanding Reputation
Vivid Seats has been in business for over 20 years, which speaks to its reputation and staying power in the competitive secondary ticket marketplace. The company has sold many millions of tickets and served hundreds of thousands of customers in that time.
2. A+ Better Business Bureau Rating
Vivid Seats has maintained an excellent A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB measures companies based on factors like transparent business practices, honoring promises, responsiveness to customer complaints and honesty in advertising. The A+ rating signifies a strong level of trustworthiness.
3. FanProtect Guarantee
All ticket orders through Vivid Seats come with the FanProtect Guarantee to give customers peace of mind. FanProtect protects against fraudulent tickets and provides a full refund if an event is canceled and not rescheduled. Vivid Seats will also refund the full cost, including delivery fees, if a customer does not receive valid tickets in time for an event.
4. Norton Secured Certification
Vivid Seats uses Norton Secured certification and McAfee SECURE trustmark to keep customer data safe and secure. These third-party privacy and verification services confirm that Vivid Seats uses encryption and follows security best practices to protect users’ personal and financial information.
5. No Hidden Fees
The prices listed for tickets on Vivid Seats already include all fees so there are no surprise charges added later in the checkout process. Their ‘No Hidden Fee Guarantee’ provides price transparency upfront.
What Payment Options Does Vivid Seats Accept?
Vivid Seats offers a variety of safe and convenient payment options to give customers flexibility at checkout:
- All major credit cards – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Vivid Seats gift cards
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Google Pay
- Apple Pay
The ability to pay with multiple credit cards or digital wallets gives customers choices to use their preferred payment method.
Are There Any Hidden Fees?
One common concern with secondary ticket sites is the potential for deceptive hidden fees that increase the cost of tickets. However, Vivid Seats has a “No Hidden Fees Guarantee” clearly advertised on their website:
“The price you see is the price you pay. Unlike our competitors, we don’t surprise you with hidden fees at the last minute.”
The advertised ticket price shown upfront already factors in the delivery fee and service fee so there will be no surprise costs added later. Customers can have confidence they won’t be hit with last-minute fees that inflate the real cost of their tickets.
Does Vivid Seats Offer Refunds?
Vivid Seats offers refunds in certain situations through their FanProtect Guarantee:
- If an event is canceled and not rescheduled, Vivid Seats will provide a full refund including delivery fees.
- If tickets purchased are lost, stolen or damaged, Vivid Seats will replace them or refund the total cost.
- If valid tickets don’t arrive in time for an event, the order will be refunded in full.
- If tickets received are fraudulent, Vivid Seats will provide a full refund.
Customers need to report any issues and request a refund within 5 days of the scheduled event. Providing this refund safety net for common ticketing problems gives customers greater peace of mind when ordering through Vivid Seats.
How Quickly Does Vivid Seats Ship Tickets?
Vivid Seats aims to ship ticket orders promptly with delivery time frames listed below:
Delivery Method | Est. Delivery Time |
---|---|
Mobile Delivery | Typically within 5 minutes or less |
FedEx | Typically within 2-3 business days |
Standard Mail | Typically within 5-10 business days |
Will Call Pick Up | Available at venue box office before event |
Mobile delivery of tickets directly to your smartphone is the fastest option, providing access instantly through the Vivid Seats app. For those wanting physical hard tickets, print-at-home eTickets and rush shipping are available for an added fee.
Buying NHL Tickets on Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats provides access to a wide selection of verified NHL tickets for regular season and playoff games. Here are some tips for buying NHL tickets successfully through Vivid Seats:
Search for Tickets Early
Don’t wait until the last minute if looking for tickets to hard-to-get NHL matchups like rivalry games or the Stanley Cup playoffs. Prices often go up closer to game day. Search early and set price alerts to find good deals.
Be Flexible on Seat Location
Tickets prices can vary widely based on seat location in an NHL arena. Sitting in the lower bowl will be more expensive than the upper sections. If your budget is tight, consider less desirable seats or end zone locations to pay a lower cost.
Compare All Fees Upfront
Make sure to factor in all delivery charges, service fees and processing fees before completing a ticket purchase so there are no surprises. Vivid Seats shows the full all-in price early in the transaction.
Only Buy from Highly Rated Sellers
Check the seller’s rating before finalizing your purchase. Vivid Seats highlights power sellers who have proven to be reliable. Buying from reputable sellers protects you from potential issues.
Purchase Ticket Insurance
For high-cost tickets, added peace of mind can come from optional ticket insurance to cover you in case of unexpected issues. Vivid Seats offers Ticket Assurance at checkout.
Vivid Seats NHL Ticket Refund Policy
If purchased NHL tickets go unused or have issues, Vivid Seats offers refunds in specific circumstances:
- Full refund if event is canceled (no reschedule)
- Full refund if valid tickets are not delivered timely
- Full refund if tickets received are fraudulent or counterfeit
- Refund (less delivery fee) up to 24 hours before event with no reason required
- Partial credit on credit card if unused tickets are returned within 5 days after event
Customers need to contact Vivid Seats customer support within 5 calendar days after a canceled or unused event to request a refund. Credits are typically applied within 3-5 business days. Buyers are not guaranteed a refund simply because they cannot attend an NHL game.
Is Vivid Seats Trustworthy?
When reviewing Vivid Seats, there are a few key signs that it is a trustworthy source for purchasing NHL tickets:
- 20+ years in business with millions of tickets sold
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating
- Positive customer reviews on TrustPilot and SiteJabber
- Partners directly with NHL teams for distribution
- No reports of fraud or scamming buyers
- Offers 100% money-back guarantees on valid orders
While no secondary ticket marketplace is risk-free, Vivid Seats has proven itself to be a legitimate and reliable platform based on its long track record in the industry.
Is It Safe to Buy NHL Tickets from Vivid Seats?
There are a few reasons why it is generally safe buying NHL tickets on Vivid Seats:
Encrypts All Financial Transactions
Vivid Seats uses encryption and security protocols like Norton Secured and McAfee SECURE to protect users’ financial information during transactions.
Covers Fraudulent Tickets
If tickets purchased on Vivid Seats are found to be fraudulent or counterfeit, the FanProtect Guarantee provides a full refund to the buyer.
Highly Rated Sellers
The site provides seller ratings and reviews to help identify trustworthy sellers with a history of valid ticket transactions.
Direct API Partnerships
Vivid Seats has direct data partnerships with many NHL teams to ensure a reliable ticket inventory.
While no secondary ticket site is 100% risk-proof, Vivid Seats has security protections in place to give customers confidence in safely using the platform.
Pros of Buying NHL Tickets from Vivid Seats
Here are some of the key advantages that Vivid Seats offers for buyers of NHL tickets:
- Large NHL ticket inventory across all teams and venues
- Often has tickets to sold out or high demand NHL games/playoffs
- All-inclusive ticket prices shown upfront with no hidden fees
- Reliable delivery of mobile tickets and hard tickets
- FanProtect Guarantee refunds for problems like canceled events or fraudulent tickets
- Can search for best deals and set price alerts for NHL games
- Easy sorting tools to filter NHL ticket selection by price, location, seller rating, etc.
Vivid Seats makes it convenient and affordable to get access to live NHL games across the league.
Cons of Buying NHL Tickets from Vivid Seats
Potential drawbacks of using Vivid Seats include:
- No refunds for simply being unable to attend an NHL game
- Doesn’t sell NHL tickets directly – all sellers are third parties
- Tickets for top NHL matchups can still be expensive
- Not an option for NHL fans who prefer to buy only direct from team box offices
- Some user complaints about difficulties reaching customer service
- Delivery delays can happen during holidays or peak times
While Vivid Seats is generally considered trustworthy, buyers give up some guarantees versus buying directly from the source.
Is It Legit to Buy NHL Playoff Tickets from Vivid Seats?
Yes, it is perfectly legit and safe to buy NHL playoff tickets on Vivid Seats. Here’s why:
- Vivid Seats is an authorized NHL ticket reseller, directly partnered with teams.
- Tickets for high demand NHL playoff games often sell out arena box offices quickly.
- Vivid Seats provides a marketplace with reliable sellers and ticket availability for sold out playoff games.
- All tickets sold are verified as genuine NHL tickets.
- FanProtect Guarantee refunds buyers if playoff tickets turn out to be fraudulent.
- NHL playoff tickets can be instantly delivered via the Vivid Seats app for quick secure access.
Vivid Seats gives NHL fans a legitimate way to buy hard-to-find tickets for Stanley Cup playoff games through a safe, trusted source.
Verdict: Vivid Seats is a Legit Place to Buy NHL Tickets
In summary, Vivid Seats is considered a legitimate, reliable marketplace for purchasing NHL tickets based on the following:
- 20+ year track record with millions of verified ticket transactions
- Maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Provides 100% money-back guarantees if tickets have issues
- Uses encryption and security measures to protect user information
- Has partnerships directly with NHL teams for ticket inventory
While prices are set by third party sellers, Vivid Seats gives NHL fans a trustworthy source to buy tickets conveniently online for a hassle-free experience, even for high demand events like the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There are some risks buying from a secondary marketplace that fans should weigh when choosing options. However, Vivid Seats has proven itself to be one of the most legitimate, safest sites for purchasing NHL tickets.