Ticket reselling is a common practice, but there are some restrictions in place by Ticketmaster regarding how much you can resell tickets for and on which platforms. In most cases, Ticketmaster does allow ticket resale, but there are maximum resale prices set in place to prevent scalpers from hugely inflating prices. Reselling options can also differ depending on the event. This article will provide an overview of Ticketmaster’s policies, rules, and processes around reselling tickets.
Can You Resell Ticketmaster Tickets?
Yes, in most cases Ticketmaster does allow you to resell tickets that you purchased on their platform. However, there are some limitations in place:
Official Ticketmaster Resale Platform
Ticketmaster facilitates ticket resale through its own Ticketmaster Resale platform (formerly Ticketmaster Plus). If you wish to resell tickets you bought on Ticketmaster, you are required to resell them on the Ticketmaster Resale platform rather than third party sites.
This allows Ticketmaster to monitor resale activity and ensure their terms and conditions are being followed. It also guarantees buyers are receiving valid tickets resold through an official channel.
Maximum Resale Prices
When reselling tickets on Ticketmaster Resale, there are maximum resale price limits in place:
– The maximum resale price is limited to 50% above the original ticket price for most events.
– For very high demand events where Ticketmaster expects a large resale market, they may set different price limits.
– Price limits can also vary based on the event organizer or venue’s policies.
Exceeding the maximum resale price set by Ticketmaster can lead to penalties, including cancellation of your tickets or loss of your selling privileges.
Additional Fees
If reselling tickets on Ticketmaster Resale, the seller will be subject to a reseller fee, which is typically around 20% of the resale price. Buyers will also be charged a buyer fee based on the ticket price.
Are There Restrictions on Reselling Certain Tickets?
While most tickets can be resold on Ticketmaster Resale, there are some exceptions:
Non-Transferable Tickets
Some tickets are issued as non-transferable. This means the original ticket purchaser must attend the event and the tickets cannot be resold. Non-transferable tickets cannot be listed for resale on Ticketmaster.
Other Restricted Tickets
For high demand events, Ticketmaster may implement additional restrictions, such as:
– Setting a waiting period before newly purchased tickets can be posted for resale. This prevents immediate resale at inflated prices.
– Requiring the original purchaser’s credit card to be presented to enter the event. This prevents resale.
– Paperless/mobile only tickets that require ID verification at entry to match the ticket purchaser.
Always carefully check the ticket terms before purchasing or reselling tickets that you suspect may have restrictions. Reselling non-transferable or restricted tickets is prohibited.
How Does Reselling Work on Ticketmaster?
The process for reselling tickets on Ticketmaster Resale includes:
1. List the Tickets for Resale
Log into your Ticketmaster account and access your order history to select the event you want to resell. Specify the number of tickets and the per ticket resale price, keeping within Ticketmaster’s price limits.
Provide details on ticket locations to help buyers make purchasing decisions.
2. Ticketmaster Reviews the Listing
Ticketmaster will review the ticket listing to ensure it complies with their resale policies and the event organizer’s requirements.
Listings found to violate policies will be removed and the seller may face penalties.
3. Buyer Purchases the Resale Tickets
Once approved and listed, buyers can purchase the resale tickets. The buyer pays the resale price plus Ticketmaster’s buyer fees.
4. Seller is Paid
Once the tickets are purchased by a new buyer, Ticketmaster releases the resale funds to the seller, minus their reseller fee percentage.
5. Tickets Transferred to Buyer
The tickets are electronically transferred to the buyer through Ticketmaster. This completes the resale process.
Can You Sell Ticketmaster Tickets on Other Resale Sites?
According to Ticketmaster’s terms and conditions, tickets purchased on Ticketmaster can only be resold through their Ticketmaster Resale platform. Reselling Ticketmaster tickets on third party resale sites or privately is prohibited. This includes sites like:
– StubHub
– Vivid Seats
– Craigslist
– Facebook Marketplace
– eBay
If Ticketmaster tickets are found being resold outside their platform, they can cancel the original buyer’s ticket. This also applies if the resale price on a third party platform exceeds Ticketmaster’s allowed resale limits.
The only exception is for NFL games – the NFL’s contract with Ticketmaster allows for tickets to be resold on any NFL authorized resale marketplace.
Why Can’t You Resell Ticketmaster Tickets Elsewhere?
Ticketmaster restricts resale to their own platform for several reasons:
– They can enforce ticket limits and maximum resale prices. Third party sites have higher fees and less restrictions.
– It allows them to guarantee valid tickets are being exchanged. Resale scams are common on informal platforms.
– They make additional revenue through their reseller and buyer fees. Third party sites cost them commissions.
– It gives them better control and transparency into ticket inventory and pricing data.
– Exclusive resale rights are likely a condition venues and event organizers require when partnering with Ticketmaster.
What Are the Risks of Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets Externally?
Although reselling Ticketmaster sourced tickets outside their platform violates their terms, many sellers still do so to access a larger buyer pool and avoid Ticketmaster’s price limits and fees. However, if caught, there can be serious consequences:
Cancellation of Tickets
If Ticketmaster identifies their tickets being resold on unauthorized platforms, they can cancel the original buyer’s tickets before the event. This leaves the original buyer without valid tickets and the resale buyer without the tickets they purchased.
Banning of Ticketmaster Account
Those who breach Ticketmaster’s resale policies may have their Ticketmaster account permanently banned. This prevents any future ticket purchases through them.
No Payment Protection
When reselling tickets externally, you lose the purchase protection offered on Ticketmaster Resale transactions. This opens you up to the risk of non-payment or fraudulent sales.
Legal Action
In some cases, those breaching Ticketmaster’s terms at a high volume may face legal action. This is especially true if fraud or misrepresentation is involved.
Best Practices for Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets
To legally and safely resell Ticketmaster sourced tickets, your best approach is:
– Carefully review Ticketmaster’s resale platform rules and event-specific ticket transfer policies.
– Only resell through Ticketmaster Resale, not through third parties. NFL games are the only exception if using an authorized NFL resale site.
– Avoid buying tickets you don’t plan to use solely for immediate resale, as you may exceed time limits or price caps.
– Price your resale competitively within the allowed pricing levels. Don’t risk penalties over excessive mark-ups.
– Transfer tickets to buyers immediately after purchase to allow them time to receive and verify.
– Only resell tickets you can fully transfer. Do not resell non-transferable or restricted tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my Ticketmaster tickets for any price I want?
No, Ticketmaster sets maximum resale price limits, usually 50% above face value. You risk cancellation if exceeding those limits.
What happens if I resell Ticketmaster tickets on StubHub?
This violates their terms, allowing them to cancel your tickets. Only their Ticketmaster Resale platform is authorized.
Is reselling always allowed on Ticketmaster?
Some tickets have transfer restrictions or are non-transferable. Always check before reselling tickets.
Do I have to notify Ticketmaster if I resell?
No, just reselling through their Ticketmaster Resale platform is sufficient. They facilitate and track all resales.
Can buyers back out of resale transactions?
Yes, Ticketmaster Resale offers buyers the option to cancel resale orders and get refunds in certain situations.
Conclusion
In most cases, Ticketmaster tickets can be resold at moderate markups through Ticketmaster Resale under their pricing policies. While reselling externally is prohibited, some sellers take the risk to access a larger market. However, this can lead to serious repercussions if caught violating Ticketmaster’s terms. Ultimately, carefully adhering to Ticketmaster’s resale conditions and platform provides the only authorized and protected method for reselling tickets sourced through them.