Buying event tickets from a resale marketplace like StubHub or Vivid Seats can get you into sold out shows and games, but it also comes with some risk. When you buy tickets secondhand, how can you be sure they’re legitimate? Here’s what to know about ticket verification for resale marketplaces.
Do resale marketplaces verify tickets?
Most major resale marketplaces do have processes in place to verify tickets before allowing them to be posted for sale. This helps cut down on fraud and ensure buyers receive valid tickets.
Here are the verification policies for some top resale sites:
- StubHub – StubHub has sellers upload ticket barcodes, which are then checked against venue records to confirm they match a valid ticket for the event.
- Vivid Seats – Sellers on Vivid Seats must provide order confirmation numbers, which are verified with the original ticket issuer. Tickets are also screened when they are sent to buyers.
- SeatGeek – SeatGeek validates ticket listings by working with ticket issuers to check barcodes and ensure tickets are authentic.
- Ticketmaster – For resales done via Ticketmaster’s own resale platform, the tickets have already been verified when originally purchased.
So in most cases, major resale platforms take measures to authenticate tickets and try to eliminate outright fake listings. However, there are still some caveats…
Are there any risks buying resale tickets?
While reputable resale platforms want to list only real, valid event tickets, there are still some risks to be aware of when buying secondhand tickets:
- Duplicate tickets – Even a valid ticket could potentially be sold to multiple buyers if a seller posts and sells the same ticket on multiple sites.
- Cancelled events – If an event is cancelled or postponed after you’ve bought resale tickets, you may still have issues getting refunded depending on the site’s policies.
- Fake tickets – Rarely, an invalid ticket may slip through verification processes, whether intentionally or due to errors in barcode checking. This is most likely on smaller, less regulated resale platforms.
To minimize risks, it’s always best to use well-known established platforms like StubHub or Vivid Seats when buying resale tickets. Also be sure to review the site’s buyer guarantees and policies in case any issues come up with tickets purchased.
What does ticket verification check for?
When resale platforms verify tickets, what exactly are they looking to validate? Here are some of the key details checked during the verification process:
- Barcode – The ticket barcode is checked against the venue’s records to confirm it matches a valid ticket for the event.
- Seat info – The seat numbers, section, and other ticket details are cross-referenced to ensure they are consistent with the event layout and venue maps.
- Purchase source – The original ticket source or seller is checked to make sure the tickets came from an authorized issuer or distributor.
- Availability – The ticket is confirmed to be available and not already sold to another buyer.
Validating these key details helps weed out counterfeit or duplicate tickets and verifies that each resale ticket matches up with a real seat for the event.
What if a ticket fails verification?
If a ticket fails the verification process, it will be rejected by the resale platform and not posted for buyers to purchase. The seller will be notified that their listing was rejected.
Some of the reasons a ticket might get rejected during verification include:
- The ticket barcode is identified as invalid or already used for another order.
- The ticket details like seat number don’t match the venue layout.
- The ticket source cannot be verified as coming from an authorized seller.
- The ticket is found to be a duplicate of another order.
Sellers should always be sure to provide accurate ticket details and only list tickets they fully own and control to avoid failed verifications. Buyers can feel confident that if a ticket is posted for sale, it has passed the resale platform’s authentication process.
Are print-at-home tickets verified?
Print-at-home tickets and e-tickets are trickier when it comes to verification. Since buyers can print multiple copies of the same e-ticket, resale sites have to take extra steps to validate them.
To verify printable tickets, resale platforms may require sellers to upload the original PDF file for review during the verification process. They can then add digital watermarks or other tracking marks to the ticket files to prevent duplication.
When you purchase print-at-home tickets from a resale site, make sure to only print them once. If duplicate copies of the same ticket are printed and scanned at the venue, one will likely be rejected.
Should I have the tickets transferred to me?
Some resale platforms offer the option to have tickets electronically transferred to you through the ticket issuer. This ties the tickets directly to your account and can provide some extra peace of mind.
StubHub and Vivid Seats are two sites that support ticket transfers for certain events. This can help avoid potential duplicate ticket issues down the line.
However, transfers do come with a fee and aren’t available for all types of tickets. So you’ll want to weigh the costs vs. benefits when deciding on ticket transfers.
Can I still get scammed buying verified resale tickets?
While the verification processes used by major resale platforms do make fake tickets unlikely, it’s not impossible to still get duped when buying secondhand tickets.
Here are some signs you may be dealing with a scam ticket seller:
- They insist on using payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards instead of secure payments through the platform.
- They contact you outside the resale platform and want to complete the sale privately.
- Their prices seem “too good to be true” compared to current ticket values.
- Their account is brand new or lacks purchase history and reviews.
Stick to reputable platforms, deal only through their websites, and be wary of sellers who seem sketchy or pushy. Use buyer protections available from sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats whenever possible.
Does seat verification matter?
Having your specific seat verified may provide additional assurance about your tickets, but it isn’t necessarily critical.
The most important thing is that the ticket barcode scans and gains you valid entry into the event. The actual seat number just ensures you sit in a certain assigned spot once inside.
However, if getting a specific seat matters to you for an event, be sure to confirm the tickets you’re buying have been verified as matching that seat location.
Do I still need to verify tickets myself?
It’s always smart to still do your own verification steps when you receive tickets, even if purchased from a resale platform that verifies listings.
When you get your tickets, thoroughly check that all the details like section, row, and seat numbers match your order confirmation. Carefully examine the tickets for any signs of alteration or tampering.
You can often verify barcode authenticity by scanning tickets using the venue’s app as well. This provides an extra layer of assurance on top of the resale site’s verification efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Reputable resale platforms use barcode scans and database checks to verify tickets posted for sale are valid and authentic.
- There is still some risk of duplicate or fraudulent tickets slipping through verification, though it’s unlikely on major resale sites.
- Print-at-home and e-tickets require extra verification steps to prevent duplication.
- Look for signs of scam sellers, and use buyer protections provided by trusted platforms.
- Do your own ticket verification as well when you receive them to be safe.
The bottom line
Ticket verification policies used by top resale platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats make it very unlikely you’ll receive outright fake or invalid tickets. But due to the nature of resales, there is always some risk involved when buying from resellers versus directly from the source. Thoroughly check any tickets you purchase to confirm you received exactly what you paid for.
