Having extra concert tickets can be a blessing or a curse. If you can’t make it to a show you were excited about, you may be able to recoup some of the money you spent by reselling them. But if you wait too long or don’t know where to sell them, those tickets could end up being worthless.
If you want the best chance at recovering your investment, you need to start the selling process as soon as you know you can’t attend. Popular shows will sell out quickly, so the longer you wait, the harder it will be to find a buyer. You also need to know the different places you can list the tickets and the pros and cons of each option.
Should You Try to Sell Your Concert Tickets?
Before you attempt to sell your tickets, make sure reselling them is allowed. The original ticket seller may prohibit reselling tickets through third-party sites and individuals. This is known as a paperless ticket policy, which requires the credit card used to purchase the tickets to be shown at the venue for entry. If you sell paperless tickets, the buyer won’t be able to get in.
Also, check to see if the concert is sold out. If tickets are still widely available through the box office, you’ll have a hard time finding a buyer willing to pay face value or more. And you typically can’t sell tickets for more than their original price. Your best bet is having tickets to a popular show that’s no longer available to the general public.
Pros of Reselling Tickets
- Recover some or all of the money you spent on tickets
- Prevent tickets from going to waste if you can’t attend
- Help out fans who want to attend but couldn’t get tickets
Cons of Reselling Tickets
- Many venues prohibit reselling
- Less demand if show hasn’t sold out
- No guarantee you’ll find a buyer
- Processing fees to use reputable resale sites
Where Should You Sell Your Concert Tickets?
You have a few options when it comes to reselling your tickets. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.
Ticket Resale Sites
Resale marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats make it easy to list your tickets online. Fans know to check these sites for hard-to-find tickets. Selling on a reputable resale site offers protection for both buyers and sellers.
Many resale sites charge sellers a commission fee of about 15% of the ticket price. As the seller, you’re also responsible for shipping the tickets safely and securely to the buyer.
Social Media
Posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social sites lets you tap into your existing network to find potential buyers. However, you’ll have less protection than using a dedicated resale marketplace. Make sure any buyers are reputable.
The upside is you don’t have to pay any fees or commissions when selling through social media. Just make arrangements with the buyer to exchange the tickets for payment.
Ticket Exchange and Fan Sites
Many teams and venues operate their own ticket exchanges to allow fans to swap or resell tickets. There are also unofficial fan sites and exchanges for selling tickets to specific artists or events.
Going through an official exchange offers more security than other direct sales. But unofficial exchanges still pose risks, so vet potential buyers thoroughly. Also keep in mind any rules prohibiting resales.
In Person
For local events, you may be able to sell your tickets to people you know or by networking with other local fans. Sites like Craigslist allow you to list tickets for sale and meet up with buyers to exchange them for money.
The downside is you’ll have to put in more time and effort to find interested buyers. You also run the risk of flaky buyersfalling through after you’ve already made arrangements to meet up.
Resale Method | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Ticket Resale Sites | Large buyer network, protections for buyers & sellers, convenient sale platform | Fees to list tickets, shipping required |
Social Media | Tap into existing network, no fees | Smaller buyer pool, less protections |
Ticket Exchanges | Official exchanges offer security, specialized buyer network | Unofficial exchanges carry risks |
In Person | No fees, network locally | Time consuming to find buyers, risks with payments & no-shows |
How to Price Your Concert Tickets
Setting the right price is important for maximizing your profit. Price too high and your tickets may not sell. Price too low and you’ll lose out on money you could have made.
Check Current Listings
Research what other sellers are listing similar tickets for. Is face value the going rate, or are the tickets in such high demand they’re going for more? Don’t price yours drastically higher or lower than comparable listings.
Factor In Fees
If you’re selling through a resale site, remember they will take a commission. So if tickets are listed for $100 on StubHub, the seller may only get around $85 after fees. Make sure your asking price accounts for fees.
Consider the Buyer
Some buyers will be willing to pay a premium for hard-to-find or sold out tickets. Others may not be able to afford more than face value. Think about the buyer demographic and their price sensitivity when pricing the tickets.
Allow Room to Negotiate
You may need to be flexible on price to complete a sale. Listing tickets a bit higher than your minimum gives you room to negotiate to your walkaway price. Just don’t go so high buyers will ignore the listing altogether.
How to List Your Concert Tickets for Sale
Once you’ve picked a selling method, create effective listings to attract buyers. Follow these tips.
Pick a Good Title
Make the concert name, performer, and important details like the date visible. For example: “2 tickets to Adele in Los Angeles on 7/17 lower level seating”.
Add Photos
Include quality photos showing the seat locations and ticket details. Avoid blurry shots or distant photos. Clear images build trust with buyers.
Describe Important Details
Note the seat section, row number, seat number, and any amenities like VIP access. Mention if the tickets are paper or digital. Be transparent about any restrictions.
Highlight Desirable Features
Play up selling points like great seats for exciting acts and sold out shows. But avoid excessive hype or exaggeration that could mislead.
Disclose Flaws
If the seats aren’t amazing or the tickets have quirks, disclose that upfront. Surprising buyers leads to problems down the road.
Price Competitively
As mentioned above, check comparable listings to price appropriately. List at the upper end of, but not drastically above, current rates.
How to Finalize the Sale Securely
Once you start getting bites from interested buyers, you’ll have to finalize the transaction. Follow these tips to make for a smooth, secure exchange.
Vet the Buyer
If selling through an online marketplace, check the buyer’s feedback and ratings. Require buyers to have an established account in good standing.
For direct sales, vet social media accounts and profiles. Require phone calls to confirm identity.
Avoid Scams
Watch for red flags like buyers wanting to pay more than list price or pushy demands to sell.
Never accept checks, money orders or non-secure payment methods. Only take cash or services like PayPal Goods and Services.
Use Safe Exchange Methods
If shipping tickets, use tracking and insurance to cover them getting lost. For in-person sales, meet in a busy public place and bring someone with you.
Have Contingencies for Problems
If a buyer falls through, have back-up buyers lined up. And if you sell through insecure methods, transfer tickets as close to event time as possible.
Conclusion
Selling concert tickets you can no longer use can help recoup costs. But it takes some time and effort to maximize your profits. Price competitively, list tickets effectively, vet your buyer, and handle payment securely. With smart selling tactics, you can turn unused tickets into cash and make fans happy.