Vivid Seats is one of the largest secondary marketplaces for buying and selling event tickets. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2001 and has grown steadily over the past two decades, facilitating ticket sales for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other live events. But is Vivid Seats a trustworthy source for tickets? Here’s what you need to know about using Vivid Seats.
The Pros of Using Vivid Seats
There are several advantages to purchasing tickets through Vivid Seats:
Large inventory
Vivid Seats has a massive inventory of tickets for sale. At any given time, they have tickets available for over 100,000 live events across North America. This large inventory gives buyers ample options to choose from.
Competitive pricing
As a secondary ticket marketplace, Vivid Seats tends to have very competitive pricing compared to primary marketplaces like Ticketmaster. Sellers on Vivid Seats are independent brokers and season ticket holders, not the venues or performers themselves, so there is more price variation.
Buyer guarantees
Vivid Seats offers buyers a 100% Buyer Guarantee on all ticket purchases. This guarantees that your tickets will arrive in time for the event, will be valid for entry, and will match the listing description. If not, Vivid Seats will find you comparable replacement tickets or provide a full refund.
Reliable delivery
Vivid Seats utilizes several ticket delivery methods to ensure on-time delivery. Tickets can be sent electronically, Express mailed, or picked up at will call. Season ticket holders and verified sellers help facilitate quick fulfillment.
Customer service
Vivid Seats has a customer service department available seven days a week to assist with any issues before, during, or after a purchase. They provide support via phone, chat, social media, and email.
The Cons of Using Vivid Seats
Despite the advantages, there are also some downsides to purchasing from Vivid Seats:
No refunds
Unlike primary marketplaces, Vivid Seats does not offer refunds if you change your mind about attending an event. The only exception is if the event is fully canceled with no reschedule date announced. Otherwise, no refunds are issued, only credits.
Counterfeit tickets
There is always a small risk of counterfeit tickets when using a secondary marketplace like Vivid Seats. Dishonest individual sellers may attempt to sell fake or duplicate tickets. However, Vivid Seats scans tickets and verifies sellers to minimize this occurrence.
Hidden fees
Vivid Seats does charge service fees, delivery fees, and other processing fees on top of the ticket price. These fees can add a significant amount to your total cost, so be sure to consider them when comparing ticket prices.
Canceled events
If an event is outright canceled with no reschedule date, Vivid Seats will provide a refund. But postponed or rescheduled events can create hassles as your original tickets may no longer be valid for the new date.
Is Vivid Seats Legit and Safe?
When weighing whether or not to use Vivid Seats, one of the biggest questions is whether the platform is legitimate and safe. Here are some key facts about Vivid Seats’ safety and security:
- Vivid Seats is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating
- They are a verified authorized ticket reseller by organizations like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB
- Vivid Seats uses Norton and McAfee and daily scans for malware and vulnerabilities
- SSL encryption protects all financial transactions and customer data
- Independent sellers are carefully vetted before they can list tickets
- A dedicated Trust and Safety team monitors transactions for fraudulent activity
While no secondary ticket marketplace can be 100% foolproof, Vivid Seats has implemented ample protections and safeguards to earn its reputation as a trusted source of tickets.
How to Save Money on Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats offers many ways to get the best deal on tickets and avoid overpaying. Here are some tips:
Use promo codes
Vivid Seats frequently offers site-wide promo codes, especially for first-time buyers. These can offer anywhere from $10-20 off your purchase and are easy to find online.
Promo Code | Discount |
---|---|
VFAN10 | $10 off |
VIVID20 | $20 off |
Buy last minute
Prices for events often drop dramatically in the last 24 hours as sellers slash prices. If you can handle the uncertainty, huge deals can be found at the last minute.
Avoid convenience fees
Opt for standard mail delivery over more expensive options like Express or E-delivery. Pick up tickets at will call to avoid delivery fees altogether.
Compare listings
Always compare ticket listings for the same event. Sort and filter by quantity, price, section, row, etc to find the best value listing.
Top Events on Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats offers tickets to every imaginable type of event. Here are some of the top-selling events and categories on the platform:
Sports Tickets
Sporting events make up a huge portion of sales. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and college sports are immensely popular. Specific big-ticket events include:
- Super Bowl
- World Series
- The Masters
- NCAA Final Four
- Monday Night Football
- UFC fights
Concert Tickets
Concerts for major touring artists always have high demand. Some of the hottest current concert tickets include:
- Taylor Swift – Eras Tour
- Bad Bunny – World’s Hottest Tour
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- The Weeknd – After Hours Til Dawn Tour
- Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road
- Harry Styles – Love on Tour
Theater Tickets
Broadway and Las Vegas theater shows are popular on Vivid Seats. Top-selling shows include:
- Hamilton
- Wicked
- The Lion King
- The Book of Mormon
- Dear Evan Hansen
- Cirque du Soleil
Is Vivid Seats Worth It?
When considering the pros and cons, here are some key points in determining if Vivid Seats is worth using for your ticket needs:
- Vivid Seats is best for sold out events or flexible dates – If an event is not yet sold out or you need tickets on one specific date, primary marketplaces may have better availability and pricing.
- Buyers have ample protections like guarantees – You avoid big risks thanks to Vivid’s policies.
- There are risks like counterfeits and canceled events – While rare, fake tickets or cancellations can happen.
- Savvy buyers can find great deals – Using promos and price shopping gives you an advantage.
- Customer service resolves most issues – Vivid Seats has helpful customer service to assist if problems arise.
For many live event goers, the advantages and protections offered by Vivid Seats outweigh the risks. As long as you shop carefully, use buyer guarantees, and contact customer service with any problems, Vivid Seats is typically a trustworthy option for tickets.
The Bottom Line
Vivid Seats provides a legitimate secondary marketplace for event tickets, though it is not without risks. Carefully comparing ticket prices, reading listings closely, and utilizing buyer guarantees and customer service are the best ways to mitigate those risks. While no secondary site can be risk-free, Vivid Seats has built a reputation as one of the web’s safer, more reliable platforms for connecting buyers and sellers of live event tickets.