Can you sell your own concert tickets?

Selling concert tickets can be a great way to make some extra money, especially if you can no longer attend an event you already purchased tickets for. However, there are some important legal and practical considerations when it comes to reselling your own tickets.

Is it legal to resell your own tickets?

In most cases, yes, it is legal to resell tickets you have already purchased, even at a higher price than you originally paid. Certain states do regulate ticket resales, but they generally focus on resellers using ticket brokerages or bots to buy up large quantities of tickets. As an individual reselling a spare ticket or two, you are unlikely to run into legal issues.

There are a few exceptions to be aware of:

• Some event venues or artists try to prohibit ticket resales through the “fine print” on the back of the ticket. However, these types of restrictions are not enforceable under law.
• A small number of states do have laws against reselling tickets above face value. For example, it is illegal to resell tickets over face value in New Jersey without a broker’s license.
• If you initially purchased the tickets based on a special group discount (e.g. for students, military, etc.), reselling them could be considered fraudulent.

As long as you are reselling spare tickets you genuinely purchased yourself at normal prices, you should be in the clear legally.

Where can you resell concert tickets?

There are a few popular online platforms that provide a marketplace for individuals to resell event tickets:

• StubHub – One of the largest ticket resale sites. They charge both buyers and sellers fees, but provide services like delivery guarantees.
• Vivid Seats – Similar ticket marketplace to StubHub. Vivid Seats tends to have higher buyer fees.
• eBay – Allows users to list event tickets for auction or sale like other goods. Requires sellers to handle ticket delivery and protection.
• Craigslist – The ticket sales section of Craigslist allows locals to connect to buy and sell tickets. No fees, but also limited services and support.

You also have the option to resell your concert tickets through classified ads, social media marketplaces like Facebook Groups, or even in-person outside the venue on the day of the event.

How to price your tickets for resale

Determining the right ticket resale price is part art, part science. In general, these tips can help maximize your profits:

• Research what the tickets are currently going for through official box offices and resellers. Price similarly to compete.
• Factor in fees charged by the sales platform so you net your desired amount.
• Price higher than face value – enough to turn a profit after fees, but not so high buyers turn away.
• For high-demand shows, start with a higher price and gradually drop it as the event nears.
• Consider the section and row – tickets near the stage or in prime locations command higher prices.

There are some online ticket pricing tools like TicketAnalyst that use historical sales data to forecast optimal resale prices. Checking comparable listings gives you a good sense of the current market rate.

Risks to keep in mind

While reselling event tickets is generally legal and lucrative, there are some risks to keep in mind:

• Non-payment – Buyers online may back out and leave you stuck with the tickets.
• Fraud – Scammers use fake ticket listings to trick eager buyers.
• Theft – Physically mailing paper tickets has a small risk of loss or theft in transit.
• Cancelled events – If an event is cancelled or postponed, your tickets lose value.

Protect yourself by using trusted sale platforms, avoiding deals that seem too good to be true, and insuring or tracking tickets you mail. Only sell an amount of tickets you could comfortably eat the cost of if unsold.

How to ensure a smooth transaction

Here are some best practices for selling your concert tickets hassle-free:

Reputable selling platforms can streamline much of the verification and security aspects. But following these tips on both ends helps ensure a smooth, successful transaction for all parties.

Pros of reselling your tickets

Reselling your spare tickets offers several potential upsides:

• Earn back the cost – Recover what you paid for tickets to events you can no longer attend.
• Profit – High demand lets you resell at a markup and make extra money.
• Convenience – Online marketplaces make it easy to list and manage sales.
• Wider audience – Reach buyers beyond just friends and locals through online platforms.
• Put tickets to use – Give unused tickets to fans who will truly appreciate them.

Cons to keep in mind

There are also a few potential downsides of reselling tickets to weigh:

• Fees – Most resale platforms charge seller fees that cut into profits.
• Limits – Some tickets have transfer limits or must be sold as a pair/group.
• Effort – You have to devote time to listing, coordinating sale, and delivery.
• Risk – No guarantee a buyer will follow through or tickets will sell.
• Guilt – Contributes to shortage of affordable tickets for ordinary fans.

Key takeaways

In most cases, reselling your own concert tickets that you can no longer use is perfectly legal and legitimate. Key points to keep in mind:

• Check your state laws, but restrictions on individuals reselling spare tickets are rare.
• Online marketplaces like StubHub provide the most convenient platform.
• Price tickets based on demand and comparable listings to turn a profit.
• Take measures to verify buyers and protect yourself from fraud or non-payment.
• Consider pros like earning back costs and cons like fees before deciding to resell.

With some common sense precautions, reselling extra tickets yourself can be an easy way to recover some costs and avoid waste. Just make sure to offer fair prices and accurate listings to keep the experience positive for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Reselling your own spare concert or event tickets is generally legal and can be financially lucrative through online marketplaces like StubHub. However, it does require following some best practices around pricing, verification, and transfer logistics to ensure smooth transactions and avoid fraud or non-payment. If done properly and ethically, reselling unused tickets benefits both the original purchaser and other fans by exchanging fair value for a wasted seat. But it is crucial that individuals reselling spare tickets do not engage in predatory practices that squeeze out ordinary buyers. As with any transactions, both buyers and sellers share responsibility for reasonable pricing, transparency, and follow-through.