Ticketmaster is one of the largest primary ticket providers for concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment. However, Ticketmaster also operates a resale marketplace where fans can buy and sell tickets to events. This raises the question – are resale tickets bought on Ticketmaster’s platform legit? There are a few key factors to consider when assessing the legitimacy of Ticketmaster resale tickets.
Ticketmaster Verified Resale
In response to the massive secondary ticket market, Ticketmaster launched its own verified resale platform in 2011 called Ticketmaster Verified Resale. This provides a way for season ticket holders and other fans to resell extra tickets in a safe, controlled marketplace. Sellers have to verify their tickets are authentic before listing them for resale. Buyers can thus feel more confident that the resale tickets they are purchasing are valid.
Here are some key facts about Ticketmaster Verified Resale:
- Sellers must verify ownership of their tickets by accepting Electronic Transfer tickets from the primary market into their Ticketmaster account. This confirms they have the tickets in-hand to resell.
- Tickets purchased on Verified Resale are guaranteed by Ticketmaster to be authentic and as described in the listing.
- Ticket barcodes are not revealed to the buyer until shortly before the event to prevent fraud.
- Ticketmaster backs every Verified Resale ticket purchase with a 100% money-back Guarantee if the ticket ends up being invalid for any reason.
So when fans use Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace, they can have peace of mind that the tickets are legitimate.
Other Resale Tickets
In addition to Verified Resale tickets, you may also find tickets on Ticketmaster that are listed by third party resellers not affiliated with Ticketmaster. For example:
- Professional ticket brokers or scalpers who have bought up tickets with the intent to resell at a profit.
- Other fans who purchased tickets and need to resell them but did not verify their tickets through Verified Resale.
For these resale tickets, there are some extra risks to be aware of:
- No guarantees the tickets are authentic and will scan successfully at the venue.
- Potential for ticket duplications if barcodes are copied and resold multiple times.
- Higher likelihood of fraud since sellers identities and ticket origins are not verified.
That said, Ticketmaster does have some protections in place even for non-Verified Resale tickets:
- Sellers must have a Ticketmaster account and provide identifying information.
- Ticketmaster’s Transfer technology helps prevent duplicated barcodes.
- There is still buyer protection – if tickets end up being invalid for any reason, buyers can get a full refund under Ticketmaster’s Fan Guarantee policy.
So there are mechanisms to weed out outright fake ticket scams. But there is still some added risk that “non-Verified” resale tickets could end up being fraudulent or unusable. Buyers just need to be aware of that increased level of risk.
Factors in Assessing Resale Ticket Legitimacy
When looking at potentially buying a resold ticket on Ticketmaster, here are some key factors to help evaluate legitimacy:
1. Verified Resale vs. Third Party Seller
As covered already, Verified Resale tickets come with much greater guarantees and protections. Prioritize these first rather than taking a risk on unverified third party resellers.
2. Seller Rating and History
Ticketmaster displays seller profiles with ratings and reviews. Favor highly rated sellers with a long history over new users with no transaction history.
3. Price Point
Extremely low prices far under face value are a red flag. Likewise, dramatically inflated speculative prices could mean the tickets don’t really exist. Favor reasonably priced tickets aligning with average resale rates.
4. Delivery Method
Mobile Transfer via Ticketmaster’s app provides the most secure delivery and validation. Avoid sellers trying to conduct sales outside of Ticketmaster’s ecosystem.
5. Ticket Details
Cross-check ticket details like section, row, seat numbers against Ticketmaster’s venue maps. Make sure quantities, ticket classifications and other specifics look legitimate.
Best Practices for Buying Resale Tickets on Ticketmaster
Here are some top tips for finding and purchasing valid resale tickets on Ticketmaster:
Buy early
Buying well in advance of the event date increases options and reduces risk compared to last minute purchases.
Sort by Verified Resale first
Filter search results by Verified Resale sellers only to ensure you’re getting legit tickets backed by a guarantee.
Research prices
Check average resale rates on sites like SeatGeek to spot red flags like prices wildly above or below market rate.
Vet the seller
Favor longtime, highly rated sellers over anonymous accounts with zero reviews.
Examine ticket details
Cross reference seat info, ticket classifications, quantities and other listing specifics against the venue layout.
Pay securely
Never pay by methods like bank transfer, PayPal, etc. Stick to Ticketmaster’s secure checkout flows.
Use Transfer
Have the seller electronically transfer tickets through Ticketmaster which is safer and more legit.
Avoid handoffs
Never complete the transaction offline, in cash, in person, or via third party delivery. Too risky.
Are other secondary sites safer than Ticketmaster?
Ticket resellers like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and others also offer certain protections when buying resale tickets:
Pros
- Some provide their own guarantees against fraud.
- Large selection of inventory from multiple sellers.
- May have more competitive pricing.
- No fees to list tickets for sale like Ticketmaster.
Cons
- Less ability to verify ticket origins and legitimacy.
- Transfer and delivery methods may be less secure.
- Fewer protections for last minute resellers with unverified tickets.
- Less recourse if issues arise after sale is complete.
So there are trade-offs. Ticketmaster still provides the most secure regulated marketplace when priorities are:
- Buying verified resale tickets with guarantee protections.
- Ensuring tickets are authentic and valid for entry.
- Having recourse for issues with the transaction.
But for factors like price, selection, and convenience, other resellers may be on par or better choices over Ticketmaster resale.
Conclusion
In summary – yes, resale tickets purchased through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program are legit and come with guarantees against fraud or other issues. There are some risks buying from unverified third party resellers, but Ticketmaster does have protections in place to limit outright scams. Your best bet is to stick with Verified Resale tickets, research seller profiles, follow secure purchase methods, and avoid any red flags when buying secondhand tickets on Ticketmaster. This will give you the greatest peace of mind that your tickets are guaranteed valid and authentic for entry.
