When looking to buy tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows and more, you’ll likely come across two major secondary ticket marketplaces – Vivid Seats and TickPick. Both platforms provide access to hard-to-find tickets for sold out events. But which one is better? Here’s an in-depth comparison of Vivid Seats vs TickPick to help you decide.
Quick Summary
Vivid Seats and TickPick have some key differences:
- Vivid Seats charges service fees, while TickPick has no service fees
- Vivid Seats has a loyalty program; TickPick does not
- TickPick offers a unique bid pricing system
- Vivid Seats generally has a larger inventory of tickets
- TickPick has a minimalist interface, while Vivid Seats provides more sorting/filtering options
Overall, Vivid Seats is better for buyers who want access to the widest selection and don’t mind paying service fees. TickPick appeals to buyers who want the simplicity of no hidden fees.
Ticket Prices
When it comes to ticket prices, Vivid Seats and TickPick take different approaches:
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats operates like most secondary ticket marketplaces. Sellers list tickets for sale at fixed “market prices” they select based on demand. As an intermediary, Vivid Seats charges service fees on top of the ticket price – usually around 10-20% of the total cost.
TickPick
TickPick uses a pure bid pricing system. Sellers submit the lowest price they’re willing to accept for tickets. Buyers can then place binding bids on tickets. If their bid meets the seller’s minimum price, the transaction processes. TickPick charges no added service fees.
This pricing model means TickPick tickets are sometimes listed below market value. However, specific seats may not be available at the lowest bid prices. Vivid Seats gives you more control over exact ticket locations.
Fees and Hidden Costs
One of the biggest differences between Vivid Seats and TickPick is their fee structure:
Fees | Vivid Seats | TickPick |
---|---|---|
Service fees | Yes (10-20% of order) | No fees |
Delivery fees | $2.49 (electronic) – $14.99 (overnight) | No fees |
Taxes and surcharges | Added to order | Included in ticket price |
Vivid Seats tacks on service fees, delivery fees, and taxes/surcharges that can add 15-30%+ to your overall order cost. TickPick includes taxes and all costs in its no-fee ticket prices.
Buyer Protection and Policies
The following table compares the buyer protection policies at Vivid Seats and TickPick:
Policy | Vivid Seats | TickPick |
---|---|---|
Refunds for cancelled/postponed events | 110% refund credit | Full refund |
Guarantee on invalid tickets | 150% credit or replacement tickets | 200% cash refund |
Refunds on unused tickets | No refunds | Full refund within 72 hours of event |
Key takeaways:
- Both sites guarantee full refunds if events are cancelled and will replace invalid tickets. TickPick offers cash refunds versus Vivid Seats’ credits.
- Vivid Seats offers no refunds on unused tickets. TickPick allows refunds up to 72 hours after an event.
- TickPick generally has more buyer-friendly policies on replacements and refunds.
Verified Tickets
Vivid Seats and TickPick both vet ticket sellers and use guarantees to ensure authentic tickets:
- Vivid Seats: Vivid Seats independently verifies each seller by checking background, trade references and licensing. All tickets come with a 100% Buyer Guarantee.
- TickPick: TickPick requires official documentation from sellers like business licenses and certifications. Their 150% Guarantee refunds you 150% of your order if tickets are invalid.
The bottom line – both marketplaces take significant measures to avoid counterfeits and scam artists.
Ticket Delivery
TickPick and Vivid Seats offer standard delivery methods like email, mobile transfer, UPS and FedEx. Delivery timeframes and fees are very similar for both platforms.
One advantage of TickPick is they allow instant downloads of tickets via their app up to an hour before an event. Vivid Seats mobile tickets can be accessed anytime but not for last-minute downloads.
Membership and Loyalty
Vivid Seats offers new buyers rewards through its Vivid Seats Rewards program:
- Credit matching: Get up to $25 in reward credits matching your first purchase.
- Bonus rewards: Earn a $5 reward for every $100 spent.
- Exclusive access: Get early ticket pre-sales and other VIP access.
TickPick does not currently have a membership program.
Ease of Use
In terms of interface and site navigation, Vivid Seats and TickPick stack up as:
Vivid Seats | TickPick | |
---|---|---|
Event discovery | Robust explore section and search tools | Minimal – focuses on search |
Sorting and filters | Advanced filters and sorting | Basic filters |
Seat maps and views | Interactive 3D seat maps with multiple views | Simple list of tickets |
Mobile experience | Full-featured iOS and Android apps | Streamlined app focused on tickets |
Key differences:
- Vivid Seats has robust discovery tools to find events, with detailed ticket filters and interactive seat maps.
- TickPick has an extremely simple interface focused solely on ticket browsing and purchasing.
Seller Commissions
On the seller side, Vivid Seats and TickPick take different commission structures:
Vivid Seats | TickPick | |
---|---|---|
Seller commission | 10% of transaction | $5 per ticket sold |
Payout timing | Direct deposit every 31 days | Direct deposit after event |
How sellers list | Sellers select prices | Sellers enter minimum bid prices |
Key differences for sellers:
- TickPick charges a flat $5 commission versus 10% for Vivid Seats.
- Vivid Seats pays out every 31 days. TickPick pays post-event.
- Vivid Seats sellers pick prices. TickPick is bid-based.
Trust and Track Record
As established secondary ticket marketplaces, both Vivid Seats and TickPick have excellent reputations:
- Vivid Seats: Founded in 2001. A+ Better Business Bureau rating. 4.6/5 TrustPilot score based on over 19,000 reviews.
- TickPick: Founded in 2011. A+ BBB rating. 4.9/5 TrustPilot score from 3,600+ reviews.
Each company has proven trust through decades of service, top marks from the BBB, and overwhelmingly positive customer feedback.
Support and Customer Service
Vivid Seats and TickPick offer customer support via:
- Phone support
- Live online chat
- Detailed FAQs and help sites
Support is available 7 days a week for both companies. Average wait times are 5-10 minutes for phone and chat.
From reviews, TickPick sometimes has faster responses via email and chat. But both sites provide solid customer service overall.
Company Backgrounds
Some quick facts on the companies behind Vivid Seats and TickPick:
Vivid Seats
- Founded: 2001
- Headquarters: Chicago, IL
- CEO: Stan Chia
- 2021 Sales: $2+ billion
TickPick
- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: New York, NY
- CEO: Brett Goldberg
- 2021 Sales: $500+ million
Vivid Seats has been selling tickets online for over 20 years. TickPick is a newer platform but has quickly gained popularity in 10+ years.
Selection and Inventory
With over 10 million tickets per year across 140,000+ events, Vivid Seats has one of the largest inventories among resale marketplaces.
TickPick also provides access to millions of tickets but tends to have a more limited selection versus Vivid Seats for niche events. You’ll find the most popular concert tours and major league sports easily on TickPick but may have fewer options for smaller venues and teams.
Where to Sell Tickets
For those looking to sell extra tickets, Vivid Seats and TickPick both provide platforms to list tickets for resale:
- Vivid Seats: Higher selling fees at 10% but wider buyer reach.
- TickPick: Lower flat $5 fees but smaller buyer audience.
Vivid Seats may generate more selling activity due to its larger buyer base. TickPick offers sellers simpler flat-rate commissions.
The Final Verdict
So which secondary ticket marketplace is better – Vivid Seats or TickPick?
For ticket buyers, choosing comes down to preferences on:
- Prices: Vivid Seats for specific seats. TickPick for potential deals.
- Fees: TickPick to avoid all fees. Vivid Seats if fees don’t matter.
- Policies: TickPick for flexibility. Vivid Seats for buyer guarantees.
- Experience: Vivid Seats for discovery. TickPick for simplicity.
If saving money is most important, TickPick wins out with its no-fee model and great buyer policies.
For the largest ticket selection and premium buying experience, Vivid Seats is hard to beat.
Sellers may also prefer Vivid Seats to leverage its huge buyer audience, despite the higher commissions versus TickPick’s simpler flat-rate pricing.
In the end, choosing between Vivid Seats and TickPick comes down to your specific needs as a buyer or seller. Fortunately, both provide legitimate services with strong consumer protections in place. Evaluate each against your priorities, and you can confidently buy or sell tickets on either platform.