Selling tickets on Ticketmaster is a great way to get rid of tickets you can no longer use. However, it does require some follow-up actions after the sale is complete. Here are some steps to take after selling tickets on Ticketmaster:
Make sure payment has been received
The first thing you’ll want to do is confirm that the buyer’s payment has come through. Log into your Ticketmaster account and check under “My Sales.” You should see the status of the order as “Paid” if the payment went through successfully. If for some reason it still says “Unpaid,” you may need to follow up with the buyer or Ticketmaster to resolve any payment issues before sending over the tickets.
Transfer or email tickets to the buyer
Once payment is received, it’s time to complete the transaction by officially transferring or sending the tickets to the buyer. For mobile tickets, you can transfer them directly to the buyer’s Ticketmaster account. Just click “Send Tickets” and enter their email or phone number.
For paper tickets, you’ll need to ship them or meet up to exchange them. Be sure to ship with tracking and require a signature upon delivery so you have proof they were received. Only provide ticket barcodes and confirmation numbers once the buyer confirms they’ve received the hard tickets.
Leave feedback
As a seller, leaving feedback helps future buyers feel confident purchasing from you. Leave honest feedback on how the transaction went, noting things like good communication, prompt payment, etc. This is also a chance to report any issues, should they arise.
Remove tickets from original order
It’s important to remove any tickets you re-sold from your original order in your Ticketmaster account. This prevents any confusion down the line should you need to access those original tickets again. You can remove tickets by going to your order history, clicking on the order, and selecting “Remove Tickets.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to formally transfer tickets that were emailed to me?
For mobile tickets you received electronically and need to resell, you do need to formally transfer them to the buyer via Ticketmaster. Forwarding the email with your mobile tickets is not sufficient. You need to use the “Send Tickets” feature in your Ticketmaster account to securely transfer mobile tickets to the buyer and remove them from your account.
What if I can’t complete the ticket transfer?
If for some reason you can’t complete the ticket transfer process on Ticketmaster, reach out to Ticketmaster Fan Support for assistance. Issues like technical problems, account limits, etc. may prevent transfer. The buyer may also need to create a Ticketmaster account first if they don’t already have one.
Do I have to disclose that I’m reselling the tickets?
Technically you don’t have to proactively disclose that you are reselling your tickets. However, it’s generally good practice to mention it to avoid any surprises or confusion for the buyer. Most buyers will appreciate the transparency.
Can I sell tickets I already sold to someone else?
No, you should never try to resell the same tickets to multiple buyers. This creates major issues and is illegal in many states. Only sell tickets you actually own and have access to. Once sold, immediately transfer to the buyer and remove from your account.
What if the buyer never uses the tickets?
As the seller, your responsibility ends once tickets have been delivered to the buyer. What they choose to do with them after that point is out of your control. The sale is complete, so you have no obligation if they later decide not to use the tickets for any reason.
Am I responsible if the tickets turn out to be fake or invalid?
If you purchased valid tickets from an authorized seller like Ticketmaster and are reselling those same unaltered tickets in good faith, you generally will not be responsible if it turns out later they are fake or invalid for some reason out of your control. As long as you fully transferred the original tickets you purchased, you fulfilled your role as the seller. The buyer would need to take up any issues with the original ticket provider.
What if I sold tickets above face value? Could I get in trouble?
Reselling tickets above original face value is entirely legal in most states, as long as you comply with state ticket resale laws. Many limit how much you can upcharge. Provided you stay within reasonable resale value limits, you should not get into trouble just for selling above face value. StubHub and other secondary markets allow above-face pricing.
Do I report the income from reselling tickets?
If you resell tickets as an individual on occasion, for example just to get rid of tickets you can’t use, you generally don’t have to report it. But if you make a business of reselling tickets for profit, income over a certain amount does need to be reported. Check IRS guidelines on criteria that require reporting hobby or self-employment income from informal ticket resales.
When to Resell Tickets
Here is a table comparing the pros and cons of reselling tickets at different time frames:
| Time Frame | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| As soon as purchased |
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| Closer to event date |
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| After event starts |
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As you can see, there are pros and cons to reselling tickets at different points in time. In general, earlier is better to maximize sale value, but does come with higher risk. Closer to the event date guarantees the event will happen but demand and prices drop. After the start, tickets may be very hard to sell.
How to Minimize Risks as a Seller
Here are some tips to help minimize your risks when reselling event tickets:
Sell through a reputable platform
Using an established marketplace like Ticketmaster, Stubhub, VividSeats, etc. comes with protections and guarantees for both buyers and sellers. This helps minimize risks on both sides.
Avoid direct sales for high-demand events
Directly selling tickets through classified ads or social media can be risky for high-profile events since you lose the fraud protections of a marketplace. The additional value of hot tickets also tends to attract scammers.
Thoroughly vet buyer before delivery
Do some due diligence on the buyer before finalizing a sale outside of a marketplace. Review their profile, look for shared connections, or talk to confirm their identity. Only deliver tickets once you feel confident the buyer is legitimate.
Use secure protected payment methods
Never accept direct bank transfers, checks, or cash when selling tickets. Platforms like PayPal Goods and Services offer protection. If direct, use a service like Venmo Purchase Protection with credit card.
Transfer tickets immediately upon payment
Don’t wait to transfer tickets to the buyer. The longer you hold them after payment, the higher fraud risk you assume as the seller. Formal transfers and delivery should happen immediately to limit liability.
Maintain thorough documentation
Keep records of all ticket listings, communications with buyers, payments, transfers/delivery confirmations, and other details to defend yourself against potential disputes or fraud accusations.
Protecting Yourself from Scams as a Buyer
Here are some tips to avoid scams and other issues when buying re-sold tickets:
Vet the seller thoroughly
Research the seller, looking for reviews, joined date, sales history, and other clues to credibility. Many sites show seller ratings. Ask questions if something seems off.
Meet in person when possible
For direct sales, try to meet the seller in person to exchange payment and tickets. This gives you a chance to verify authenticity. Public meet-ups are safest.
Inspect tickets carefully before paying
If you do meet up for a direct sale, thoroughly inspect the tickets for any signs of fraud – incorrect details, misspellings, duplicate barcodes, etc. Never pay before inspecting.
Pay with credit card or protected app
Never pay direct with cash, check, or bank transfer. Use a credit card or service like PayPal Goods and Services so you can dispute if needed.
Confirm valid transfer if electronic
Before paying for e-tickets, make sure the seller shows proof of initiating a formal transfer to you through the official ticketing platform.
Leave seller feedback afterward
Let the marketplace and community know about your experience buying from the seller. This helps prevent fraud. Be truthful in your review.
Conclusion
Reselling tickets takes a few simple post-sale steps like securing payment, safely delivering tickets to the buyer, leaving feedback, and more. Following best practices around timing, pricing, communication, and documentation can minimize risks for both buyers and sellers in the secondary ticket market. While providing some helpful extra income on unused tickets, ticket reselling does come with inherent risks to manage. Do your due diligence and use trustworthy marketplaces to ensure smooth transactions.
