If you try to resell tickets you purchased on Ticketmaster and receive an error that they are not eligible, there are a few common reasons why. Ticketmaster has restrictions in place for certain high-demand events and sets limits on ticket transfers to discourage scalping. Understanding Ticketmaster’s resale policies can help you avoid running into problems when reselling tickets.
Ticketmaster’s Resale Policies
Ticketmaster has implemented resale restrictions for tickets to many major concerts, sporting events, and live entertainment shows. This is an effort to deter scalpers from buying up large quantities of tickets and reselling them at inflated prices. Some of the common resale restrictions include:
- Non-transferable tickets – These cannot be resold or transferred under any circumstances.
- Paperless tickets – These require the original purchaser to be present and show ID.
- Limit on number of tickets that can be resold – Often just 1 or 2 per order.
- “Price level limit” tickets – Only certain lower-priced ticket levels are resalable.
If you purchased paperless tickets, non-transferable tickets, or a ticket type that exceeds the resale limit, Ticketmaster will not allow you to resell them on their platform.
Why Ticketmaster Implements Resale Restrictions
Ticketmaster uses these policies to discourage scalpers and brokers from buying up large volumes of tickets solely to resell them at a profit. Some of the key reasons include:
- Preventing scalpers from buying out all the tickets and creating a shortage.
- Helping “real fans” access affordable tickets for in-demand shows.
- Capping resale prices to face value to avoid significant markups.
- Reducing complaints about lack of ticket availability and high prices.
- Creating a more reliable ticket marketplace with fewer scams/counterfeits.
While fans are sometimes frustrated when they can’t resell extras, Ticketmaster feels these policies lead to a fairer and more accessible ticketing environment.
Ways to Tell if Your Tickets are Resalable
If you want to resell tickets you bought on Ticketmaster, here are some tips to check ahead of time if they will be eligible:
- Carefully read the ticket listing before purchasing. It should indicate if there are any resale restrictions.
- Avoid paperless/mobile tickets which require ID of purchaser to enter.
- Only buy the allotted number of tickets that can be resold per order.
- Stick to regular-priced ticket types and avoid platinum or premium levels.
- Log into your Ticketmaster account and check for any notices that your tickets are non-transferrable before reselling.
If you already purchased restricted tickets, unfortunately Ticketmaster does not make exceptions to their resale policies. You will have to attend the event or sell the tickets outside their platform.
Selling Your Tickets Elsewhere
If your Ticketmaster tickets cannot be resold on their exchange, you may be able to sell them on a different resale platform. However, this comes with some caveats:
- The tickets are still tied to your name/account and require your ID for entry if paperless.
- You have no guarantee the buyer will pay or show up once you transfer tickets to them.
- Ticketmaster can cancel any tickets resold against their policy if detected.
Despite this, sites like StubHub, VividSeats, and Craigslist may be your only option if Ticketmaster restricts you from reselling there. Be very careful only dealing with legitimate buyers to avoid being scammed or losing money on unused tickets.
Circumventing Resale Limits
While tempting, trying to circumvent Ticketmaster’s resale limits often ends badly. Tactics like:
- Creating multiple accounts to buy more tickets.
- Using stolen credit cards or fraudulent info to make purchases.
- Selling restricted paperless tickets via screenshot.
- Misrepresenting the ticket details to buyers.
Can result in your tickets being canceled without refund or even civil/criminal charges in some cases. It’s best to avoid unethical actions and work within Ticketmaster’s policies.
Why Some Tickets Avoid Resale Limits
In some cases, certain tickets for popular events on Ticketmaster will lack resale restrictions. This may happen when:
- The event promoter/team don’t require resale limits.
- The initial onsale doesn’t immediately sell out.
- Additional batches of tickets are released over time.
- The event goes on sale close to the date, reducing hype.
Timing your ticket purchase and selecting regular ticket types that typically go unsold can sometimes result in getting resalable tickets, even for hot events.
Appealing Ticket Resale Limits
Unfortunately, there is no formal appeals process with Ticketmaster if you are unable to resell tickets due to their restrictions. Some potential options are:
- Calling their customer service to ask nicely for an exception or refund.
- Contacting the event box office/promoter to request a refund.
- Sell them below face value to minimize financial loss.
- Giving the tickets to friends or family if possible.
However, Ticketmaster and event organizers rarely make exceptions given the intent of limiting scalping and brokers reselling at high markups. Your best option is learning to identify resale restricted events and tickets when making purchases.
Avoiding Resale Restricted Tickets
Here are some tips to get tickets that you can easily resell if your plans change:
- Research events ahead of time for resale policies.
- Read ticket details carefully before selecting seats to purchase.
- Choose regular mobile or hard ticket types, not paperless.
- Only purchase the allowed resale limit per order.
- Buy during presales or just before event instead of immediately at onsale.
While not foolproof, following these guidelines can help minimize the chances of getting stuck with non-transferrable tickets if you later want to resell them.
Use Caution When Reselling
Even if your tickets are eligible for resale on Ticketmaster, you still need to follow proper procedures to avoid issues:
- Make sure tickets actually sold before sending to buyer.
- Only accept payment methods that can’t be reversed, like cash.
- Transfer tickets to buyer’s account as soon as they pay.
- Bring a friend and meet in busy public location for exchanges.
As the original ticket purchaser, you are responsible if any problems arise with reselling. Follow best practices to avoid being scammed or losing money on unused tickets.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster implements a variety of restrictions on ticket resales as an anti-scalping measure, especially for highly coveted events. Non-transferrable paperless tickets, limits of 1-2 per order, and premium price level restrictions are common. These policies aim to deter scalpers and brokers and give more fans a chance at face value tickets. Unfortunately Ticketmaster makes very few exceptions, so check for resale limits before buying. For restricted tickets, your options are limited to selling outside their platform, taking a loss, or turning unused tickets into a gift for someone else. With some diligence, you can learn to purchase transferable tickets when available and responsibly resell any extras on Ticketmaster’s exchange. Just be sure to follow safe selling practices to avoid any issues.