When trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, you may come across the message “These tickets are currently not in hand.” This simply means that the tickets you are trying to buy are not yet available in the Ticketmaster inventory. There are a few reasons you may see this message:
The tickets are not on sale yet
Often, Ticketmaster will list events and allow users to set reminders even before the tickets officially go on sale. If you try to purchase tickets that are not yet on sale, you will see the “not in hand” message. This is Ticketmaster’s way of letting you know the tickets are not yet available for purchase but will be soon.
The tickets are sold out
If an event is very popular, tickets may sell out extremely quickly once they go on sale. If you try to buy tickets that are already sold out, the “not in hand” message indicates that there is no more inventory for that event. Sometimes more tickets will be released later, but this message generally means they are all gone for now.
The tickets are on a presale
Often tickets will go on presale before the general public on-sale date. Presales may be for certain groups like fan club members, credit card holders, or newsletter subscribers. If you try to buy tickets during a presale without the required access code or link, you’ll see the “not in hand” message indicating they are not available to you yet.
The tickets are reserved but not purchased
When you put tickets in your cart on Ticketmaster, they are usually reserved for around 5-10 minutes until you complete the purchase. During this time, the tickets are technically still available for other buyers. So if someone else attempts to purchase those same held tickets, they will get the “not in hand” message.
The tickets are held for verified resale partners
Ticketmaster partners with resale sites and reserves some tickets specifically for resale rather than general on-sale. If you try to buy resale tickets on Ticketmaster that are allocated to a resale partner but not yet posted for sale, you will encounter the “not in hand” message.
You have not selected specific seats
For reserved seating events, you need to select the specific seats you want to purchase. If you simply try to purchase a quantity of tickets without choosing seats, Ticketmaster does not have any inventory assigned and will show the “not in hand” message until seats are selected.
There is an error with the ticket request
Less commonly, the “not in hand” message may indicate an error or problem with the ticket request rather than an actual lack of inventory. Some potential error causes could include:
- The event or ticket details in the request are incorrect
- There is an issue with the customer account
- There is a technical problem processing the request
If you receive the message but believe tickets should be available based on the on-sale details, it is best to contact Ticketmaster customer support for assistance.
How to resolve the “tickets not in hand” issue
Here are some tips for dealing with the “tickets not in hand” message:
- If tickets are not on sale yet, wait until the official on-sale date and time to purchase.
- If tickets are sold out, check back later as more inventory may be released, or consider reseller options.
- If tickets are on a presale, try again once tickets open to the general public.
- Avoid putting tickets on hold that you are not committed to buying right away.
- For reserved seating, be sure to select exact seat numbers before purchasing.
- If you suspect an error, contact Ticketmaster Customer Service for help.
Getting tickets in high demand
For very popular events where tickets sell out instantly, these tips can help increase your chances of getting seats:
- Set up an account ahead of time with payment info saved for faster checkout.
- Be logged in right before the on-sale time and refresh constantly.
- Have alternative seats picked out in case your first choice is taken.
- Use presales or special offers from artists/venues whenever possible.
- Consider joining the fan club or newsletter to get presale ticket access.
- Use the Ticketmaster app which may work faster than the website.
Buying tickets from resellers
If you absolutely must have tickets to a sold out event, your only option may be to purchase through a ticket reseller or resale site. Here are some tips for going this route:
- Stick to reputable resale sites like StubHub or VividSeats.
- Sort by price to find the best deals.
- Check for ticket guarantees protecting you from fraud.
- Read the seller ratings and reviews.
- Confirm total costs including fees before purchasing.
- Use e-tickets if possible to avoid shipping delays.
Just be aware that reseller prices are usually much higher than face value. Also print tickets as soon as you receive them since many are non-transferable.
Waiting for more ticket releases
If an event is still a ways off, it is possible more tickets may be released over time:
- As the event date approaches, artists may release production holds or additional seats.
- Additional tour dates are often added based on demand.
- Follow fan pages or sign up for event notifications so you hear about new ticket releases.
- Returned or resold tickets may pop back up sporadically.
- Keep checking ticket sites leading up to the event.
Just be aware that there are no guarantees of new ticket releases. But periodically checking back for inventory is your best bet apart from resellers.
Using Ticketmaster exchanges
If you purchased tickets to an event you can no longer attend, Ticketmaster has an exchange system that allows you to list your tickets for other fans to buy. Here is how it works:
- Post the tickets you cannot use for sale via a Ticketmaster ticket exchange.
- Fans looking for tickets can purchase them directly through your exchange listing.
- Once sold, Ticketmaster will transfer the tickets to the buyer and send you a refund.
- Exchanges let you recoup costs while other fans get access to tickets.
Just be aware of exchange time limits and requirements around transferring tickets. Read the full exchange policies before listing tickets for sale this way.
Conclusion
The “tickets not in hand” message on Ticketmaster simply indicates the ticket inventory you requested is not currently available for purchase. This could be for a variety of reasons including upcoming on-sale dates, sold out events, presales, or technical issues. Your best bet is checking back on the on-sale date, using presales when possible, or considering resale options for hard to get tickets. With persistence and the right timing, you should hopefully be able to score the tickets you want!