Getting a refund on event tickets purchased through Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace can be tricky, but it is possible under certain circumstances. Ticketmaster’s resale platform allows ticket holders to resell their tickets to other fans at market-driven prices. This differs from Ticketmaster’s primary ticket sales, where tickets are sold at face value directly from event organizers and venues. The resale marketplace operates more like a secondary market similar to StubHub or Vivid Seats. As a result, the refund and exchange policies can vary compared to primary ticket sales. Here is what you need to know about getting refunds on Ticketmaster resale tickets.
Ticketmaster Resale Refund Policy Overview
The main thing to understand is that refunds and exchanges on Ticketmaster resales depend entirely on the individual seller’s policies. Ticketmaster acts as an intermediary platform between buyers and third-party sellers for resale tickets. Ticketmaster states that they do not set policies regarding refunds, exchanges, or cancellations on resale tickets. The company also cannot force sellers to provide refunds or exchanges.
Instead, it is up to each seller to determine if they will allow refunds or exchanges on tickets resold through Ticketmaster. The seller has full control and discretion over their posted tickets. Policies may vary from seller to seller. Some may issue full refunds, partial refunds, or no refunds at all. Others may only allow exchanges for comparable replacement tickets. Seller refund policies are disclosed during the purchase process before tickets are confirmed and paid for.
In most cases, you will only be eligible for a refund directly from the seller, not Ticketmaster itself. You need to contact your specific seller and determine if they are willing to offer any type of refund or future ticket credit on the resale transaction.
Refund Exceptions
There are certain limited exceptions where Ticketmaster will process and issue refunds on resale tickets, including:
Event Cancellation
If an event is cancelled with no rescheduling, Ticketmaster will void the tickets and issue full refunds to the original purchaser. This includes all fees associated with the order. Refunds are generally issued back to the original payment method used within 30 days following the event cancellation.
Seller Unable to Deliver Valid Tickets
In the rare case a seller is unable to provide the exact tickets sold (for example, wrong seat numbers), Ticketmaster will cancel the order and refund the full purchase amount. This guarantees buyers receive what they paid for.
Major Event Change
If there is a major change to the event, like the headline act drops out or there is a significant date/venue change, buyers can request an order cancellation within 5 days of the announcement. Ticketmaster may issue a refund in these cases if they deem the change to materially impact the event.
Proven Fraud
If Ticketmaster identifies fraudulent sales activity by a seller, they have the ability to cancel orders and issue refunds at their discretion to protect buyers.
So in limited scenarios, Ticketmaster may process refunds on resale tickets directly. But generally, you need to contact your seller and hope they have a refund policy in place.
How to Request a Refund on Ticketmaster Resale Tickets
Here are the steps to request a refund on Ticketmaster resold tickets:
1. Review the Seller’s Refund Policy
This is displayed during checkout when purchasing tickets. It outlines if the seller provides refunds or exchanges and under what conditions. The policy terms are legally binding. If the seller has a “No Refunds” policy clearly stated, then you will likely be out of luck requesting a refund later on.
2. Contact the Seller
If the seller has a posted refund policy that fits your situation, reach out to request a refund. You can find the seller’s contact info on your Ticketmaster order confirmation email or account transaction history. Send them a direct message explaining why you need a refund and referencing their posted policy terms.
3. Open a Dispute Claim
If the seller refuses to issue a refund despite having an applicable refund policy posted, you may need to open a dispute claim to get your money back. This initiates Ticketmaster’s dispute resolution process between buyers and sellers. Be prepared to provide evidence showing the seller’s refund policy and why you qualify for a refund under the posted terms.
4. File a Credit Card Dispute
As a last resort if the seller still refuses to refund a purchase despite their clear refund policy, you can dispute the credit card transaction. This requests your card issuer to reverse the charge and refund your money as an adjudicated dispute case. You’ll need to present your communications with the seller and their unfulfilled refund policy.
Tips for Getting Approved for a Refund
Here are some key tips to improve your chances of getting a Ticketmaster resale order refunded:
– Screenshot or save the seller’s refund terms during checkout, before paying. This documents their policy in case they try to change it later.
– Only buy from sellers who offer refunds that cover your cancellation reasons. Buy from sellers with flexible vs. strict policies.
– Request refunds as early as possible, within hours or days vs. weeks or months after ordering tickets.
– Be polite and patient when contacting the seller – don’t make demands or threats.
– If communicating by email, follow-up with a phone call to show urgency.
– If the seller stops responding, escalate to opening a dispute claim right away. Don’t let it drag out.
– Gather and submit all evidence showing you qualify for a refund under the seller’s policy.
– Familiarize yourself with Ticketmaster’s Fan Guarantee and Seller Terms of Use – these may support your case.
– As a last option, file a credit card dispute if you have sufficient documentation.
Common Reasons for Needing a Refund
Some of the most common reasons buyers request refunds for Ticketmaster resale orders include:
Scheduling Conflict:
You can no longer attend the event due to a scheduling conflict like a work obligation, family emergency, or overlapping event.
Event Cancellation:
The event is cancelled completely with no replacement date.
Artist Drops Out:
A main act or performer withdraws from the event lineup.
Venue Change:
The event venue is moved to a less desirable or farther away location.
Double Purchase:
Accidentally purchasing tickets twice, meaning you no longer need the extras.
Changed Plans:
A change in your personal plans makes attending no longer possible or desirable.
Excessive Price:
The ticket price on the resale market exceeds your budget or perceived value.
Fraud:
A scam seller takes your money but does not deliver valid tickets.
Knowing these common reasons for ticket refunds can help guide your purchasing choices with resellers. Opt for flexible policies that allow refunds under likely cancellation scenarios you may encounter as a buyer.
Alternatives to Refunds
If you are unable to get a full refund approved from the seller, here are some alternatives to recover value on the tickets:
Request an Exchange:
Ask the seller if you can exchange the tickets for a different event or performance date. This salvages some value.
Resell the Tickets:
You can try reselling the tickets yourself on Ticketmaster or another secondary market. Price them competitively to sell fast.
Gift the Tickets:
Give the tickets to a friend or family member if the event date still works for them.
Donate the Tickets:
You can donate unwanted tickets to charity and get a tax deduction for the rough value.
Use the Tickets:
If you can’t resell the tickets in time, still try attending the event to get some value versus wasting them.
Eat the Cost:
As a last resort, you may have to accept the loss and count the purchase as an expensive life lesson.
Exploring alternative options can potentially help you recover some monetary value or enjoyment from non-refundable tickets. Don’t let tickets go to complete waste as a last ditch effort.
Can I Resell My Ticketmaster Resale Tickets?
Yes, tickets purchased on Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace can be resold again. However, there are some restrictions in place:
– Ticketmaster prohibits reselling tickets on any site other than Ticketmaster Resale. You cannot list them on competitor sites.
– Ticket Transfer functions are restricted, requiring physical ticket delivery in most cases. Digital transfers are only allowed under selective circumstances.
– Season ticket holders may have special limits for playoff and high-demand games prohibiting transfers.
– There are maximum resale price caps in place for certain partner events/teams/venues.
Provided these restrictions are followed, you can relist your Ticketmaster Resale tickets for sale to other fans. This is a good option to recover some value if you can no longer use the tickets yourself. Be aware that Ticketmaster collects a second round of seller fees on resold tickets.
Is Purchasing Resale Tickets Risky?
Buying tickets from Ticketmaster Resale comes with some inherent risks, including:
– Sellers may overcharge well above fair market value or face value. Prices are not regulated.
– Fake/scam tickets are listed for sale, resulting in denied entry.
– Sellers renege on delivery and do not supply valid tickets.
– High convenience and processing fees drive up the total cost.
– Refunds, exchanges, and cancellations are restricted or impossible.
– Tickets could exceed budget and perceived value or worth.
To mitigate risks, thoroughly vet sellers, look for buyer protections, review policies before purchase, use credit cards, and buy from reputable platforms like Ticketmaster Resale versus unknown sites. There are steps you can take to buy resale tickets more safely.
Is Buying Resale Tickets Worth It?
Buying tickets from Ticketmaster Resale comes down to a cost-benefit analysis:
Potential Benefits:
– Gain access to high-demand tickets that are sold out from primary sales.
– Wider selection of ticket locations to choose your preferred seating.
– Can obtain tickets closer to event dates after box office sales end.
– Provides a regulated resale marketplace versus risky classifieds sites.
– Covers highly coveted events where tickets are scarce.
Potential Drawbacks:
– Paying inflated prices significantly above face value.
– No guarantee tickets are valid or as advertised.
– Few buyer protections and limited refund options.
– Risk of counterfeit or scam ticket listings.
– Excessive fees driving up total checkout costs.
If you can stomach the risks and costs, resale tickets may be worth it to attend premier events with extreme demand. But brace yourself for paying a premium over face value. Consider all options before using Ticketmaster Resale.
Key Takeaways
– Refunds on Ticketmaster resales depend on individual seller policies, not Ticketmaster.
– Contact your seller directly to request a refund and cite their posted policy terms.
– Ticketmaster will only issue refunds in special limited cases like cancellations or fraud.
– Alternatives like exchanges, resales, and donations can recoup some value if refunds are unavailable.
– Buying resale tickets carries risks, so weigh the benefits vs. total costs.
– Vet sellers, read policies closely, and use buyer protections to be cautious.
The Bottom Line
Getting a refund on Ticketmaster resale ticket purchases requires some persistence and good timing. You are at the mercy of seller policies, not Ticketmaster itself in most cases. Review seller terms before transacting, document policies, and act quickly within the allowed timeframes. With preparation and diligence, you may get lucky receiving a refund approval. But otherwise, look into options for exchanges, resells, or donations to avoid a total loss.