Buying unsold concert tickets can be a great way to attend shows for a discounted price. Many concerts do not completely sell out, leaving venues trying to get rid of extra tickets. By knowing where and when to buy these leftover tickets, you can often score amazing deals. Here are some tips on how to find and purchase unsold concert tickets.
Check the venue’s box office
One of the best places to look for unsold tickets is directly at the venue’s box office. Box offices will frequently sell leftover tickets at discounted prices leading up to or on the day of the event in order to fill seats. Call or visit the venue’s box office and ask if they have any unsold tickets available for purchase. Be sure to ask if they offer any discounts for purchasing last minute tickets. You can often save 25-50% off regular prices.
Use ticket resale sites
Ticket resale sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats are great resources for finding unsold concert tickets. As show dates approach, resellers tend to drop prices on tickets they haven’t sold yet. Sort by the lowest priced tickets on these sites to find the best deals. Compare prices across a few different resale sites to make sure you’re getting the best price available. Also look for promo codes which can help you save on fees.
Wait until the last minute
If you don’t mind waiting until the last minute, you can often score amazing deals on unsold tickets the day of the event. Prices tend to drop drastically in the final hours as sellers become desperate to unload their remaining tickets. Apps and sites like Gametime and TickPick often run flash sales leading up to showtime with unsold tickets up to 70% off. Be prepared to purchase immediately if you see a good deal. The best tickets tend to go fast.
Where to look for unsold tickets
Here are some of the top places to find unsold concert tickets:
Official band/artist fan clubs
Many musical acts operate official fan clubs that give members access to ticket presales and other perks. Fan club members can sometimes purchase discounted last minute tickets that haven’t sold through these presales. Check the musical act’s official website to see if they offer an official fan club with ticket benefits.
Radio station promotions
Local radio stations will frequently run ticket giveaways and promotions in partnership with concert venues and promoters. Listen to your favorite stations for chances to win unused tickets. Radio stations may also sell select leftover tickets at a discount to loyal listeners.
Craigslist and Facebook
Tickets purchased on Craigslist and Facebook Groups/Marketplace carry some risk, but you can find seriously discounted unsold tickets being resold by individuals. Thoroughly vet sellers and use PayPal to ensure you’re protected against scams. Meet in person whenever possible.
Band forums and fan sites
Dedicated band forums and fan sites are great sources for leads on unsold tickets. Fans often post looking to sell extra tickets they aren’t able to use below face value. Again, thoroughly vet any sellers and transaction details when purchasing from individuals.
Tips for getting the best deal
Use these tips to ensure you’re getting the lowest price on unsold concert tickets:
Compare prices across multiple sites
Prices for the same unsold tickets can vary widely across different resale sites. Always check a few sites to make sure you’re getting the absolute cheapest deal. Set price alerts and pounce when you see unsold tickets drop below market value.
Buy single tickets
Single unsold tickets tend to be priced much lower than groups of 2 or 4 seats. If you’re attending alone or don’t mind being split up, only search for single ticket listings to unlock better deals.
Buy at the last minute
As mentioned earlier, prices plunge in the final hours leading up to showtime as sellers get desperate to dump inventory. If you have the patience, wait until the last minute to find unsold tickets priced up to 70% below face value.
Ask about special discounts
Venues, box offices, and ticket sellers will sometimes offer special discounts on unsold tickets for things like student IDs, military service, fan club membership, etc. Always inquire about any special pricing or promotions available when purchasing unsold tickets.
Avoid convenience fees
Many online ticket sites charge high convenience and processing fees, especially on unsold last minute tickets. Look for sites like TickPick that offer all tickets completely fee-free. You’ll save a ton on additional fees.
Sign up for sale alerts
Most ticket sites allow you to set custom price drop alerts for specific events you’re interested in. Use these notifications so you’re instantly aware when unsold tickets hit your target price range. Act fast, as they sell quickly.
Types of unsold tickets
Here are some of the ways unsold tickets may be listed for sale below face value:
Below market price tickets
Resellers will frequently list unsold tickets below current market value prices as shows approach in order to cut losses and dump inventory. These are usually general unsold tickets.
Flash seats
Some venues release unsold tickets as “flash seats” just hours before showtime available on a first come, first served basis. These tickets can sell out instantly.
Promotional tickets
Venues may partner with local radio stations, businesses, etc. to provide unsold ticket giveaways and promotions to quickly fill seats.
Opener tickets
If the main act sells well but the opener does not, venues may deeply discount unsold tickets specifically for the opening sets. Great way to see the headliner on the cheap!
Obstructed view tickets
You’ll often find unsold tickets priced lower for seats/sections with obstructed views of the stage. If you don’t mind a partial view these can be great deals.
Last row tickets
Rear sections and extreme side view sections are slower to sell, so you can find unsold tickets in the back rows at a discount as shows approach.
Places to avoid when buying unsold tickets
While most sources for unsold tickets are legitimate, there are some places to avoid due to high likelihood of scams:
Individual sellers on social media
Buying directly from strangers on platforms like Twitter and Instagram carries big risks of fake ticket scams. Avoid these kinds of transactions.
Unsolicited emails
Don’t trust unsolicited emails claiming to offer unsold ticket deals. Delete these spam messages immediately to avoid phishing scams.
Ticket scalpers outside the venue
In-person ticket scalpers frequently sell counterfeit or fake print-at-home tickets to unsuspecting buyers outside venues. Purchase only through trusted sources online or at box office.
Unknown secondary ticket sites
Be wary of lesser-known secondary ticket marketplaces you come across online. Vet sites thoroughly and look for signs of legitimacy before making purchases.
Craigslist sellers with no post history
Avoid buying tickets on Craigslist from sellers with no previous post history or reviews on the site. Increased likelihood of scam attempts from these users.
How to spot fake unsold tickets
Unfortunately, fake unsold tickets tend to rise as demand goes up near show dates. Here are some tips for spotting counterfeit tickets:
Blurry/photocopied barcodes
One sign of a fake ticket is a blurry, duplicated or photocopied barcode. Genuine barcodes will be crisp and clear.
Incorrect venue, event details
Fake tickets may display incorrect info like venue name, performer name, date of event. Double check details.
Lack of official branding
Authentic tickets will feature official branding and logos from the concert venue, promoter, band, etc. Lack of any official branding is a red flag.
Mismatched seat info
If the seat info doesn’t match the venue layout or the ticket lists a non-existent seat, it’s likely fake. Confirm seats exist.
Prices too good to be true
Unsold tickets well below average resale value prices have an increased chance of being counterfeit. Exercise extra caution.
Won’t accept protected payment
A seller unwilling to accept credit card or PayPal and demanding unusual payment types likely means a scam.
Safely buying unsold tickets
Here are some best practices for safely buying unsold tickets:
Buy from trusted vendors
Stick to reputable sources like official venue websites and major ticket resale marketplaces with buyer guarantees.
Pay with credit card or PayPal
Use credit card or PayPal when possible to benefit from buyer protection policies in case tickets are invalid.
Verify ticket transfer
If buying electronic tickets, ensure they properly transfer to your account before paying. Don’t screen shot someone else’s QR code.
Meet in public space
When meeting local sellers, always pick a safe public place like a cafe or bank lobby to complete the exchange.
Register tickets immediately
Once received, register paper tickets on the official concert website as soon as possible so they can’t be resold again.
Cross-check seat info
Carefully verify seat info matches official venue seating charts to confirm tickets are genuine.
Triple check event details
Before paying, triple check the event date, venue, performer and other listing details match the show you want to attend.
Risks of buying unsold tickets
While great deals are possible, there are some risks to be aware of:
Buying from scalpers
You have little recourse if tickets from scalpers outside venues turn out to be fraudulent or invalid.
Counterfeit tickets
If you accidentally purchase fake tickets, you could be denied entry to the event and out the money spent.
Scams
Some unsold ticket sellers may attempt to scam buyers by taking payment and never delivering valid tickets.
Non-transferrable tickets
Listed tickets may be non-transferrable and unusable if already registered to someone else.
Additional fees
Watch for additional processing/delivery fees added during checkout that increase the overall cost.
Personal safety
Meeting strangers in-person to exchange tickets can carry personal safety risks. Exercise extreme caution.
Non-refundable purchases
Most unsold ticket purchases are final and non-refundable, so you’re out the money if plans change.
Is it legal to resell unsold tickets?
In most cases, reselling unsold event tickets is perfectly legal and a normal transaction. However, there are some guidelines sellers must follow:
– Tickets cannot be resold above face value or market value to turn a profit (anti-scalping laws).
– Tickets must be sold through approved marketplaces and exchanges, not just randomly on social media, outside venues, etc.
– Sellers must comply with all transfer limits, terms and conditions imposed by original ticket issuers.
– Sellers must register ticket transfers with issuers and provide accurate purchaser information.
– Sellers must accurately represent seat locations, event details, ticket restrictions, etc.
– Buyers cannot duplicate or screenshot digital tickets to distribute, only original purchaser can use barcode.
As long as unsold tickets are resold fairly and legally through approved channels, both buyers and sellers remain in compliance with ticket resale regulations.
Recap
– Check box office and authorized resale sites for unsold discounted tickets
– Time your purchase close to event for best deals
– Thoroughly vet any secondary market sellers and ticket details
– Pay with credit card/PayPal for buyer protections
– Register tickets immediately to prevent fraudulent resales
– Avoid unsolicited offers and deals that seem too good to be true
Conclusion
With some strategic searching and smart precautions, scoring unsold concert tickets can unlock huge savings and allow you to enjoy shows at a fraction of the price. Take your time vetting all ticket purchases, and don’t be afraid to wait until the last minute for prices to drop. With a little effort you’ll be able to find amazing deals to see your favorite music acts perform live. Happy deal hunting!
