Do Ticketmaster refunds really take 30 days?

Getting a refund on Ticketmaster can be a frustrating process for many customers. The company states that refunds can take up to 30 days to process, which often leaves customers wondering why it takes so long and if that timeline is really necessary.

Why does Ticketmaster say refunds take 30 days?

Ticketmaster claims refunds can take up to 30 days because the process involves multiple steps and parties. Here’s a look at what’s involved:

• The refund request has to be processed by Ticketmaster and approved.
• The request then gets sent to the event organizer or venue.
• The event organizer has to confirm the refund is approved on their end.
• The refund money has to be returned to Ticketmaster from the event wallet.
• Ticketmaster then processes the refund and sends the money back to the original purchaser.

With multiple companies involved, Ticketmaster states the whole process can take 3-5 weeks from initial request to money in your account. The 30 days timeframe covers the range they see for most refunds.

Does it really take 30 days to get a Ticketmaster refund?

While Ticketmaster warns refunds can take up to 30 days, in reality the timeframe can vary quite a bit. Some key factors include:

• Event Type – Refunds for concerts, sports and other one-time events are typically faster than festival or conference passes which involve more logistics.
• Event Cancelled vs. Customer Request – Refunds due to a cancelled event are usually much faster as Ticketmaster can process them all at once.
• Payment Method – Refunds back to the original credit card are generally quicker than getting money back by check or to a Gift Card.
• Volume of Requests – During busy periods with lots of refunds to handle, the process tends to take longer.

To get an idea of real world examples, here are some timeframes customers reported for Ticketmaster refunds:

As you can see, the refund timeframe can vary greatly depending on the situation. Some customers received refunds in less than two weeks, while others waited the full 30 days quoted by Ticketmaster.

Tips to get your Ticketmaster refund faster

While Ticketmaster’s stated policy is to allow 30 days for refunds, there are some things you can do to try and speed up the process:

• Request the refund immediately if the event is cancelled or you can’t attend. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you’ll get your money back.
• Double check you request the refund back to the original credit card. Refunds to different payment methods often take longer to process.
• Follow up if you haven’t received the refund within 2 weeks. Contact Ticketmaster to confirm the request is being processed.
• Escalate to a supervisor if you reach 3-4 weeks with no refund. A supervisor can often expedite the approval process.

Being proactive about contacting Ticketmaster and checking your refund status can help speed things up when possible. The company provides a refund status tool online to track where your refund is in the process.

Reasons Ticketmaster refunds may take longer

In some cases, there are legitimate reasons why a Ticketmaster refund can exceed the typical processing time. A few key reasons include:

• High Volume Events – For major concerts, sporting events or festivals, a huge volume of refunds all at once can bog down the system and result in longer handling times.
• Older Events – If you request a refund long after an event has ended, it may take extra effort to track down the details needed to issue the refund.
• Issues Verifying Purchase – If Ticketmaster has trouble verifying your purchase for some reason, that can add delays as they investigate the proof of purchase.
• Payment Processor Delays – Occasionally delays or errors on the part of the payment processor can hold up refunds getting back to customer accounts.

In most cases, it’s bureaucracy or logistical delays with high volume events that extends the refund window past 30 days. Ticketmaster is still working to streamline and speed up the process when possible.

Options if your Ticketmaster refund is taking too long

If your Ticketmaster refund is delayed past 30 days with no communication or updates, you do have options to escalate the situation:

• File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This puts public pressure on Ticketmaster to resolve the issue.
• Report the issue to your State Attorney General. They mediate consumer complaints and can follow up with Ticketmaster on delayed refunds.
• Dispute the charge with your credit card company. For credit purchases, you can dispute the charge if you haven’t received the refund within a reasonable time.
• Consult a consumer protection lawyer. In some cases, retaining legal counsel experienced with consumer protection laws can encourage Ticketmaster to speed up and prioritize your refund.

Before taking legal action, make sure to fully document your purchase details, proof of cancellation/request, and all communication you’ve had with Ticketmaster requesting the refund. The more organized details you can provide, the better.

How to avoid issues getting Ticketmaster refunds

To avoid headaches for you (and your bank account), here are some tips when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster:

• Review the refund policy before purchasing – Be clear on Ticketmaster’s refund policy and timeline before you buy, so you know what to expect if you need to cancel.
• Pay with a credit card – Credit card purchases have added fraud protection and allow you to dispute charges if you don’t receive the refund.
• Keep proof of purchase – Save confirmation emails, receipts or screenshots in case you need to provide proof of purchase later.
• Register the ticket purchase – Link your Ticketmaster purchase to an account so you have easy access to details needed for refunds.
• Buy refundable tickets when possible – Some event tickets are non-refundable, so double check policies before purchasing.

While most Ticketmaster purchases go smoothly, it pays to educate yourself on policies and protections in case you do need to request a refund down the road. The company could make improvements by shortening and standardizing refund timeframes whenever possible.

Conclusion

Ticketmaster states that refunds can take up to 30 days to process, but in reality wait times vary widely based on the event and reason for the refund. Concert or event cancellations are often refunded in 1-2 weeks, while customer requested refunds take longer on average. If your Ticketmaster refund exceeds 30 days with no communication, you can escalate the issue through consumer protection agencies or your credit card company. To avoid headaches, review refund policies up front, keep detailed records, and purchase with a credit card when possible. While Ticketmaster refunds can be a slow process, being an informed customer goes a long way.