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Looking for a last-minute deal on sports tickets? Need a ticket to a sold-out concert? There are a lot of reasons why fans buy festival, concert, sports, and other event tickets from online resellers, such as Stubhub, Vivid Seats(a BBB Accredited Business), or SeatGeek. But unfortunately, it’s easy to fall for fake ticket scams or simply overpay. Keep these tips in mind when buying from ticket resellers.
What to look for in a ticket reseller
Follow these tips for navigating your ticket resale options and avoiding scams:
- Look for ticket resellers that protect buyers. Ticket resellers should have a consumer protection policy and/or be registered with the National Association of Ticket Brokers.
Most major ticket resellers will typically provide a full refund if the
ticket turns out to be a forgery. It’s a service that’s covered by
charging a commission on the sale.
- Buying from a reseller that also sells primary tickets adds a layer of protection. For example, Live Nation or TicketMaster will invalidate the original ticket and create an entirely new bar code for you to use. This ensures you are the only one in possession of the resale ticket.
- Review the policies before making a purchase. You should only buy tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details
about the terms of the transaction and how you will be refunded if the
tickets are fake. Also, if the tickets are not available immediately,
the reseller should disclose when the tickets will ship or be available
for pick up.
- Buy tickets with a credit card. Using a credit card
helps protect you if the tickets are not as promised. Watch out for
resellers who ask for unusual payment methods, such as sending gift
cards or wiring money. This is a red flag. Learn more about payment types and how to protect yourself.
Tips for finding a good price on tickets
Here are tips for getting the best deal on resold tickets:
- Compare prices. Like with many other purchases, it pays to shop around for tickets. Compare major resellers and look for the best deal. This list of online ticket resellers from Consumer Affairs is a good place to start. Check the business's profile on BBB.org to be sure they are a reputable business.
- Account for extra fees. Don’t let hidden fees foil your comparison shopping. Be sure that you include fees into your calculations by navigating all the way to the checkout page. Some resellers don’t disclose their fees until you are almost ready to pay.
- It (probably) pays to wait. Buying tickets within a week of the event, rather than securing a ticket more than a month in advance, will likely get you a lower price. However, this tactic could backfire if the event proves popular enough.
For more information
Read about buying tickets and purchasing insurance for your tickets. To stay safe while purchasing event tickets, be sure to read this BBB Scam Alert about fake events and phony tickets.
Cover image courtesy Pixabay