SeatGeek is an online ticket marketplace that allows users to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater and other live entertainment events. The site operates similarly to other secondary marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats. SeatGeek has grown rapidly in popularity due to its large inventory, competitive prices and seamless mobile experience.
But is SeatGeek a legit and trustworthy platform for buying event tickets? Let’s take a closer look at how SeatGeek works and the steps they take to ensure ticket validity and buyer protection.
What is SeatGeek?
SeatGeek was founded in 2009 by three friends – Jack Groetzinger, Russ D’Souza and Eric Waller – who were frustrated by the difficulty of finding affordable tickets online for live events. Their goal was to make ticket buying simple, fair and fun.
The company is based in New York City but tickets are available for events across the United States and even some international destinations. Users can search for tickets on SeatGeek’s website or mobile apps (iOS and Android).
SeatGeek does not sell tickets directly. Instead, it’s a marketplace that aggregates inventory from a variety of sources including:
- Official primary marketplaces (like Ticketmaster)
- Other secondary marketplaces (like StubHub)
- Season ticket holders
- Professional ticket brokers
- Venues and event promoters
- Fans
By pulling inventory from so many different suppliers, SeatGeek is able to display far more ticket options and price points than most other resale sites. They also utilize technology to rate each ticket based on value – a score of 1 to 100 displayed as a Deal Score.
Are SeatGeek Tickets Real?
SeatGeek takes a number of steps to ensure all tickets sold on their platform are valid and authentic. These include:
- Verifying sellers – All ticket sellers must provide valid contact and payment information which is verified before they can list tickets for sale.
- Guaranteeing ticket authenticity – SeatGeek’s employees manually review ticket listings to confirm barcodes and required item details. Suspicious or duplicate tickets are removed.
- Validating transfers – When a ticket is purchased, the seller must transfer the ticket to the buyer through SeatGeek using the official delivery method for that event. This process ensures the tickets remain valid.
- Offering buyer guarantees – In the rare case a ticket is invalid, SeatGeek provides a buyer guarantee up to $2,500 per ticket. They work quickly to find replacement tickets or provide a full refund.
SeatGeek also utilizes technology like barcodes, QR codes and NFC to make transferring and confirming tickets seamless. Most tickets sold on SeatGeek are mobile tickets so buyers can have their tickets easily accessible from their smartphone.
Common Questions about SeatGeek Ticket Validity
Are PDF tickets from SeatGeek valid?
Yes, PDF tickets are valid on SeatGeek as long as they are transferred officially through their website. The PDF will contain a unique barcode or QR code that can be scanned for entry. PDF tickets provide another delivery option alongside mobile tickets.
Can tickets be fake if bought from SeatGeek?
It is highly unlikely for a fake ticket to be sold undetected on SeatGeek. Their review processes make it very difficult for counterfeit or duplicate tickets to be listed and sold. In the rare instance a ticket is not valid, they provide a buyer guarantee up to $2,500 per ticket.
Why are some tickets on SeatGeek cheaper?
You can often find tickets on SeatGeek priced below face value. This can happen for a few reasons:
- Season ticket holders selling extra games
- Brokers unloading inventory at discounted prices
- Fans unable to attend events and selling below cost
- SeatGeek Deal Score algorithm identifying good value
While the cheap ticket prices may seem too good to be true, they are almost always legitimate tickets being resold at low prices for various reasons.
Can I get scammed or sold fake tickets on SeatGeek?
It is highly unlikely. SeatGeek goes to great lengths to verify sellers, validate ticket transfers, manually review listings, and offer buyer guarantees in case any issues arise.Fake tickets tend to get quickly removed from the marketplace.
That said, it’s always smart to use caution on any secondary ticket marketplace. Price can sometimes be an indicator – an extremely low price compared to other similar tickets could signal a scam. Be sure to carefully review ticket details before purchasing.
How are mobile tickets transferred on SeatGeek?
Mobile tickets are transferred securely using SeatGeek’s app or website:
- Seller lists and sells their ticket
- Buyer purchases ticket and payment processes
- Seller approves the sale within SeatGeek
- SeatGeek automatically transfers the mobile ticket to the buyer’s account
- Buyer can access the mobile ticket in their SeatGeek account
The mobile ticket will contain a rotating barcode that scans for entry. This process ensures tickets remain valid and get securely transferred.
What if my SeatGeek ticket doesn’t scan?
If a ticket purchased from SeatGeek does not scan at the venue, start by having the ticket rescanned or manually checked by box office staff. Issues like poor barcode scans do come up on occasion.
If the ticket remains invalid, contact SeatGeek’s customer support right away. They will work to resolve the issue including reissuing a valid replacement ticket so you can still attend the event.
Can I sell tickets on SeatGeek?
Yes, SeatGeek allows any user to list tickets for sale. Sellers go through an approval process by providing contact information, payment details, and ID verification. Tickets also get reviewed before listing.
SeatGeek provides tools to help sellers price and list their tickets. Sellers receive payment when the ticket successfully transfers to the buyer. SeatGeek charges 15% seller fees.
Is SeatGeek a Trusted Marketplace?
SeatGeek has established itself as one of the most trusted secondary ticket marketplaces. Several factors contribute to their reputation:
- Strict seller vetting – Rigorous approval process provides confidence in sellers.
- Ticket authenticity guarantees – Manual review and transfer process prevents invalid tickets.
- Industry partnerships – Official partnerships with venues, teams and promoters.
- No hidden fees – All-in pricing with fees shown upfront.
- Excellent customer service – 24/7 support via phone, chat, email.
- Positive reviews – Rated excellently by customers and industry experts.
SeatGeek is an authorized ticket reseller partnered with major event providers like the NFL, NBA, NHL and WWE. They’ve formed official relationships that prove their operational integrity to key industry players.
The company is also a member of industry associations like the National Association of Ticket Brokers, which promotes best practices in ticket resale.
Overall, SeatGeek has established a very positive reputation over their decade in business. Their processes and precautions enable a trustworthy ticket buying experience.
SeatGeek Buyer Protection and Guarantees
On the rare chance something goes wrong with a ticket order, SeatGeek provides the following buyer protection:
- Refunds – Full refund if your event is cancelled and not rescheduled.
- Invalid ticket replacement – Replacement ticket if yours does not scan for entry.
- Price drop refunds – Refund for price drops on already purchased tickets.
- $2,500 ticket guarantee – Pays up to $2,500 per ticket if invalid and cannot find replacement.
SeatGeek’s Happiness Guarantee ensures a full refund in case of seller fraud or tickets that don’t work. Their SeatGeek Guarantee covers certain price drops too.
The company places a high priority on customer service with 24/7 phone, chat and email support. Issues tend to get resolved promptly by their experienced support staff.
Tips for Safely Buying SeatGeek Tickets
While SeatGeek goes to great lengths to ensure ticket validity and customer protection, it always helps to exercise caution when buying tickets online. Here are some useful tips:
- Review seller info – High rating and large number of sales signal an established seller.
- Check ticket details – Cross-reference with venue seating charts.
- Compare multiple listings – Look for consistent pricing for similar seats.
- Pay with credit card – Provides purchase protections if any issues.
- Save confirmation email – Contains details needed to access tickets.
- Download tickets ASAP – To allow time to address any potential problems.
- For high-demand events, buy early – Less chance of scams for popular event sellouts.
As long as you research the tickets and seller, pay via credit card, and download your tickets promptly – you can buy with confidence on SeatGeek.
Are SeatGeek Tickets Worth It?
SeatGeek makes finding and purchasing event tickets simple and affordable. Key benefits include:
- Largest inventory with tickets not found elsewhere
- Great prices, often below face value
- No hidden fees – all costs shown upfront
- Streamlined mobile experience
- Reliable delivery of valid tickets
- Excellent customer service and buyer guarantees
Common criticisms of SeatGeek include:
- Less brand recognition than StubHub or Ticketmaster
- Some lack of confidence in third-party sellers
- Processing fees can add up on large orders
However, SeatGeek remains highly rated by review sites and customers. Their operational controls and customer service help provide a great ticket buying experience in most cases.
For those flexible on seats and looking for a deal, SeatGeek is often worth checking for its unrivaled access to affordable tickets.
The Bottom Line – Are SeatGeek Tickets Legit?
In summary – yes, SeatGeek is a safe, legit, and reliable place to buy event tickets.
Their industry partnerships, operational controls, manual reviews, guarantees and stellar customer service give confidence in the validity of their tickets.
While no secondary marketplace is completely immune to occasional issues, SeatGeek provides extensive protections in case anything does go wrong with your order.
Millions of fans have used SeatGeek over the past decade to gain access to amazing live events. As long as you take basic precautions, you can feel comfortable using SeatGeek to find great deals on guaranteed authentic tickets.