Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for a wide variety of events including concerts, sports, theater shows, and more. With dynamic pricing models, ticket prices can sometimes fluctuate leading up to an event. This often leaves customers wondering – if ticket prices drop after I’ve already bought my tickets, will Ticketmaster refund me the difference?
The Short Answer
The short answer is no, Ticketmaster does not offer price difference refunds if ticket prices decrease after purchase. Their official policy states that ticket prices are subject to change and they do not guarantee refunds for price drops or other incentives that may be offered after ticket purchase.
Examining the Ticketmaster Refund Policy
According to Ticketmaster’s Purchase Policy, once a ticket order is confirmed and payment has been processed, sales are final and no refunds or exchanges will be issued except as outlined in their policy. The policy has clear verbiage that they do not refund money or credit accounts for a drop in ticket prices after a purchase.
There are only a handful of exceptions where refunds are issued, such as if an event is canceled or postponed, if the tickets have defects that prevent admission, or if the tickets do not meet the description on the website. Nowhere in the refund policy does it mention offering refunds for price drops after purchase.
Ticketmaster also has a “Courtesy Refund Policy” that allows refunds on select tickets up to 14 days prior to an event. However, this only applies to certain tickets listed as “Courtesy Refund Eligible” during checkout. Tickets not marked as eligible are still subject to the standard no price drop refund policy.
Why Doesn’t Ticketmaster Offer Price Drop Refunds?
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster and other ticket sellers have policies against price drop refunds:
- Dynamic pricing – Prices fluctuate frequently based on demand. Refunding all drops would be logistically difficult.
- Assumption of risk – The buyer assumes the risk of prices dropping when purchasing non-refundable tickets.
- Anti-fraud measures – A price drop refund policy could allow scalpers to take advantage by buying up tickets then seeking refunds for fake drops.
Ticketmaster argues that prices may go up or down over time, and buyers need to be comfortable with the price at the time of purchase. Enforcing a strict no refund policy except in extenuating circumstances allows them to maximize revenues on high demand tickets.
Strategies to Get the Best Ticket Price
While Ticketmaster does not offer refunds if prices decline, here are some tips to pay as little as possible when buying tickets:
Wait to Buy at the Last Minute
Prices tend to drop in the final hours as sellers try to unload extra tickets. Risks are that desired tickets may sell out.
Buy Group or Season Packages
Group and season ticket packages typically have discounted bulk rates compared to individual tickets.
Look for Presales and Promotions
Many events offer special presale codes or promotions like military, student, or senior discounts to reduce prices.
Consider Reseller Sites
Sites like Stubhub may have below face value tickets being resold by individuals.
Become a Ticketmaster Verified Fan
Verified fan presales reward loyal customers with exclusive ticket access before the general public.
Checking for Price Drops After Purchase
To monitor for price drops, check back on Ticketmaster periodically and compare to the price paid. Some browser extensions can also automatically track listings and alert on price changes. If a significant price difference is found that exceeds any supplementary fees paid, reselling the original tickets and repurchasing at the new price may recoup the savings.
Contacting Ticketmaster About Price Differences
While Ticketmaster’s policy remains firm on no price drop refunds, some buyers have reported success by escalating their concerns and asking nicely. Here are some tips if you want to contact their customer service regarding a price difference:
- Chat or call customer service – have order details ready and politely explain the price drop found.
- Highlight extenuating circumstances – emphasize if it was a significant price difference or last minute change.
- Request a supervisor – if the first agent cannot help, politely ask for a supervisor who may have more discretion.
- Remain calm and patient – antagonizing will not help your case.
That said, understand that the odds are still slim of receiving any refund, even when contacting Ticketmaster directly. Their policies generally prohibit front line staff from issuing price drop refunds.
Alternative Sites That Offer Price Drop Refunds
While unlikely at Ticketmaster, some other ticket sites like Vivid Seats and StubHub do offer price drop refunds or credits in certain cases. Their policies may pay back 100% or a portion of the difference if prices decline after purchasing.
For example, StubHub provides a 101% Price Guarantee where if prices go down they will refund 101% of the difference in StubHub credits. Each site has specific eligibility requirements so read the fine print before purchasing.
Using Third Party Insurance
As a last resort, third party ticket insurance services like Ticketguardian allow customers to insure event tickets against potential post-purchase price drops for a small fee at time of checkout. This can provide reimbursement if prices decline by a significant amount.
Insurance payouts are subject to terms and conditions, limitations, and deductibles. So read the fine print before relying on these policies to recoup losses.
Summary: No Price Drop Refunds from Ticketmaster
In summary, Ticketmaster’s official policy is that they do not offer refunds in the event that ticket prices decrease after purchase. This is standard practice across the industry given the variable nature of event pricing.
The onus is on the ticket buyer to be comfortable with the current price when placing an order, as there is always a risk that prices could go down later. While some may get lucky contacting customer service, there is no guarantee.
Instead, focus on finding the best deal upfront through discounts, promotions, and timing your purchase strategically. Or consider reseller sites that offer more flexible refund policies. Otherwise, look for alternate insurance options to mitigate potential losses from post-purchase price drops when buying through Ticketmaster.