Is a ticket broker legit?

With prices for concerts, theater performances, and sporting events continuing to rise, more and more people are turning to ticket brokers to find affordable seats. But are ticket brokers legit? Can you trust them to deliver valid tickets for the events you want to attend? Here’s what you need to know about the ticket broker industry.

What is a Ticket Broker?

A ticket broker is a person or company that buys tickets to events and then resells them, often at higher prices. Ticket brokers typically purchase large blocks of tickets directly from venues or event organizers before the tickets go on sale to the general public.

Some key things to know about ticket brokers:

• They enable consumers to buy tickets to sold out or high demand events.
• They may get early access to tickets through special partnerships or contracts with venues.
• They sell tickets above face value – sometimes at significant markups.
• There are dedicated online ticket resale marketplaces like StubHub where brokers sell tickets.
• Tickets can also be resold peer-to-peer between individuals.

So in summary, a ticket broker steps in to buy up inventory and then resell it on secondary markets. This allows people to access tickets, but often at inflated prices compared to face value costs.

Are Ticket Brokers Legal?

In most cases, yes, ticket brokers are legal operations. Here are some key legal considerations:

• At the federal level, ticket resale is legal in the United States thanks to legislation like the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016.
• Individual states also have laws permitting ticket resale activities, though some regulations exist around resale price caps.
• Ticket brokers must comply with anti-scalping laws that prevent completely automated purchases of tickets for immediate resale.
• Ticket brokers cannot misrepresent themselves as official ticket sources or claim false affiliations.
• As long as brokers follow applicable rules, the actual practice of reselling tickets is legal.

However, some unscrupulous brokers do engage in illegal practices like using ticket bots to quickly sweep up inventory. Most operate legally though within resale guidelines and laws.

Are There Risks to Buying from Ticket Brokers?

While ticket brokers are generally legitimate, there are some risks to be aware of when buying resale tickets. Here are some potential issues:

• Lack of buyer protections – If tickets are fake or invalid, you may have limited recourse compared to buying directly from the venue.
• Possibility of counterfeit tickets – Scam brokers may knowingly sell fake or duplicate tickets.
• Price inflation – Brokers often charge 2-3X or more compared to face value ticket prices.
• Bait-and-switch schemes – Listings don’t always accurately reflect seat locations you will receive.
• Hidden fees – Resale sites often add substantial processing fees at checkout.

These risks are real, but there are also plenty of legitimate ticket brokers who run honest operations. Being an informed buyer is key.

How to Tell if a Ticket Broker is Reputable

Here are some signs that indicate a ticket broker is operating legitimately and reliably:

• They have an established site and company history.
• They offer tickets to many different events across regions and venues.
• Sales listings accurately specify seat numbers, row, and section.
• Money-back guarantees or other buyer protections are provided.
• They have positive customer reviews and minimal complaints.
• Reasonable shipping and handling fees are charged.
• Responsive customer service is available to answer questions.
• Refunds or order cancellations are allowed within a reasonable timeframe.
• They comply with state resale laws and licensing requirements.

Vetting brokers thoroughly and only buying from reputable sources can help avoid problems. Top resale marketplaces like StubHub also offer buyer guarantees against fake tickets or other issues.

Are Prices from Brokers Worth It?

It depends. Here are some things to consider when evaluating if inflated resale prices are justified:

• How in-demand and scarce are the tickets? Sold out events mean brokers may provide the only way to buy seats.
• Are you able to attend on a specific date that limits options? Brokers may provide more flexibility.
• How important is it to secure ideal seats? Brokers may provide premier seats that are impossible to get otherwise.
• Are you flexible on expectations for seat location quality? More options open up if you don’t need front row.
• How last-minute is the purchase? Short notice needs often mean paying broker premiums.

While steep markups are common, sometimes paying above face value is worth it to fans that really want to see an event or get exceptional seats. Season ticket holders also use brokers to resell unused tickets and recoup costs.

How Do Ticket Brokers Get Inventory?

Ticket brokers use a variety of methods to obtain tickets for resale. Primary ways brokers source inventory include:

• Direct deals with venues, sports franchises, or event promoters to buy ticket blocks at wholesale rates.
• Season ticket holder agreements where they buy seats for in-demand games or shows throughout a season.
• Online ticket pre-sales where they strategically purchase tickets the moment sales open to the public.
• Special presale code access obtained through sponsorships or partnerships with organizations or venues.
• Using ticket request period methods to acquire group tickets before on-sales.
• Paying event attendees or fans to acquire extra tickets from their existing purchases.

These methods allow brokers preferential access to tickets before the general fan base can buy them. This ensures inventory for resale to meet market demand.

Are Ticket Brokers Better Than Scalpers?

Ticket brokers and ticket scalpers both resell event tickets, but there are some key differences:

In general, ticket brokers offer a safer, more convenient way to buy resale tickets than scalpers. But prices may still be very high.

Should I Buy from the Venue Instead?

Here are some pros and cons of buying direct from the venue versus using a ticket broker:

Venue Box Office

• Pro: Authentic tickets guaranteed
• Pro: Official source for inventory
• Pro: Avoid high resale markups
• Con: Limited to available inventory and sell out risk
• Con: Less flexibility for hot events unless you buy quickly

Ticket Broker

• Pro: Can buy hard-to-get or sold out tickets
• Pro: More delivery options including instant e-tickets
• Pro: Can still get tickets close to event dates
• Con: Prices are inflated vs. face value costs
• Con: Some risk of counterfeits or other scams

For maximum assurance, buying directly from the source is safest. But for high demand events or last minute needs, brokers may be the only option.

Should I Use a Ticket Resale Marketplace?

Large ticket reselling marketplaces like StubHub offer some potential benefits over buying directly from individual brokers:

• They vet and approve brokers using their platform.
• Reviews and seller ratings enable easier vetting.
• Buyer guarantees provide reimbursement if issues arise.
• Central platform makes it easier to compare multiple ticket options.
• May be safer than dealing with unknown individual brokers.

For less risk and access to buyer protection policies, marketplaces can be preferable. But convenience comes at the cost of fees and markups.

Is Reselling Tickets for Profit Legal?

Flipping tickets can be very lucrative but there are some legal considerations:

• Anti-scalping laws prohibit completely automated resales but manual reselling is legal.
• Price gouging bans may prohibit extreme markup rates on resold tickets in some states.
• Reselling NFL tickets may be prohibited based on regulations against speculative selling.
• Sellers must comply with tax requirements on any income from ticket resales.
• Buyers may sign agreements prohibiting resales for profit when buying season or group tickets.

Occasionally reselling extra tickets is perfectly legal. But large-scale ticket flipping operations tread into riskier territory. Sellers should know the law.

Should I Become a Ticket Broker?

Here are some key considerations if you are interested in becoming a ticket broker:

• Requires upfront capital to get started and buy inventory.
• Must be internet and tech savvy to list and manage online sales.
• Need to establish suppliers and inventory sources.
• Admin work like licensing, accounting, and taxes required.
• Competition is fierce against established brokers and marketplaces.
• Need great customer service and sales skills.
• Low barriers to entry but high effort required to succeed.

With high demand events, reselling tickets can be lucrative. But achieving steady profits requires knowledge and effort. Most successful brokers spend years building their business.

Conclusion

Ticket brokers play a prominent role in the event ticket market, for better or worse. While inflated prices and risks like counterfeits make buying from brokers less than ideal, they satisfy market demand by providing access to sold out events.

As a ticket buyer, carefully vetting brokers, comparing options, and understanding your rights can lead to smart purchases. But patience and flexibility to buy directly from venues when possible is also wise. With caution and common sense, ticket brokers can offer a legit, if expensive, way to get seats to your desired events.