Reselling tickets on Ticketmaster is legit for the most part, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Ticketmaster provides a platform for people to resell tickets they have purchased, but all sales are final and Ticketmaster does not guarantee tickets sold through resellers. While many tickets sold this way are legitimate, scams do occur. Buyers need to be cautious when purchasing resold tickets.
Is it legal to resell tickets on Ticketmaster?
Yes, reselling tickets through Ticketmaster is legal in most cases. Ticketmaster serves as a regulated secondary resale marketplace. Similar to sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster allows season ticket holders, fans with schedule changes, and other ticket owners to post tickets for resale at a price they set. This is a legitimate way to recoup some of the cost of an unused ticket. Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale platform requires resellers to register and provides buyer guarantees to ensure the tickets are legitimate.
Are there any risks buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster?
There are some risks when buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster or any secondary ticket marketplace. Scams do occur, so buyers need to be cautious. Some specific concerns include:
- Fake tickets – While rare, especially on Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale platform, fake ticket scams can still happen. Scammers may duplicate a bar code and sell the same ticket to multiple buyers. The last one to arrive at the venue is usually out of luck if this occurs.
- Speculative tickets – Some resellers will list tickets they don’t actually have yet, hoping to buy them for a lower price later and make a profit. If they can’t get the tickets in time, the buyer is out of luck.
- Significantly marked up prices – Resellers can charge well above face value for tickets on resale sites. Buyers need to watch for price gouging and inflated service fees.
- Non-transferable tickets – Some tickets include the original purchaser’s name and cannot be resold or transferred.
How can I avoid scams on Ticketmaster resale?
Here are some tips for buyers to avoid scams and ensure a smooth Ticketmaster resale purchase:
- Buy from Verified Resale sellers – Ticketmaster vets resellers and ensures tickets offered are in-hand or guaranteed for delivery. This greatly reduces scam risks.
- Check for ticket guarantees – Ticketmaster provides a 100% ticket guarantee through Verified Resale. Other protection may be available.
- Review seller ratings – Ticketmaster Verified Resale sellers are rated, so check ratings for quality and reliability.
- Compare prices – Look at the initial ticket prices and fees to spot inflated resale prices.
- Read policies – Review Ticketmaster’s transfer policy and guarantees before buying.
- Use secure payment methods – Pay with a credit card for purchase protection.
- Avoid wire transfers or cash – Never pay with wire transfers, gift cards, Venmo or cash apps.
- Verify before the event – Check that the tickets are valid and working shortly before the event date.
Is reselling tickets at a higher price legal?
In most cases, resellers can legally sell tickets at prices higher than face value. There are some exceptions though:
- Some states implement ticket resale price ceilings, capping markups at 10-15% over face value. Selling above these caps could risk fines.
- Resellers cannot advertise tickets as sold out or falsely manipulate prices by limiting ticket availability.
- Sellers usually need a certificate of resale in some states to resell tickets legally.
Sellers also need to follow FTC guidelines against unfair pricing schemes or deceptive practices. As long as resellers follow state laws and clearly communicate pricing, higher resale prices are generally legal.
Does Ticketmaster have rules against ticket scalping or bot use?
Ticketmaster does not allow ticket scalping in its initial ticket sales. Its Purchase Limits Terms prohibit:
- Using bots, scripts or specialized software to purchase tickets.
- Buying tickets with the intent to resell above face value.
- Purchasing an excessive amount of tickets in order to control supply.
These rules apply specifically to Ticketmaster’s primary marketplace when tickets initially go on sale. On resale platforms like Ticketmaster Verified Resale, sellers can resell tickets at any price as long as they follow state laws.
Does Ticketmaster restrict how many tickets resellers can list?
Ticketmaster does limit how many tickets a single account can resell. Sellers are restricted to posting only the following:
- A total of 50 live event ticket listings at any given time.
- No more than 12 tickets per event per seller.
These limits aim to discourage resellers from buying up significant ticket volume. Resellers who exceed the limits may have their tickets removed from the site.
Can you sell tickets on Ticketmaster anonymously?
No, Ticketmaster does not allow anonymous sales for resold tickets. All sellers must create an account that includes:
- Name, address, and contact information.
- Credit card or bank account details.
- IP address tracking.
This ensures there is always a verified seller attached to each resale listing who buyers can contact with any questions or concerns.
Does Ticketmaster notify buyers if a ticket is resold?
Ticketmaster will notify the original ticket purchaser if their ticket is resold on Ticketmaster’s platform. The original buyer will receive an email that their ticket was posted for resale along with details on the new buyer.
This allows the initial purchaser to cancel the transfer if the resale was unauthorized. It also creates a record of the ticket being resold through Ticketmaster rather than an external broker.
Can you sell mobile tickets on Ticketmaster?
Most tickets sold on Ticketmaster are mobile tickets delivered through the app. Mobile tickets can be transferred and sold on Ticketmaster as long as they are not restricted as non-transferable.
To resell mobile tickets, sellers need to:
- Ensure location services are enabled on the app.
- Accept ticket transfers within the Ticketmaster app.
- List the verified ticket for resale, which transfers it to the buyer’s app.
Mobile tickets reduce fraud risks since they cannot be duplicated or counterfeited like paper tickets. The dynamic barcode protects against duplication fraud.
How are tickets fulfilled for Ticketmaster resales?
For resale orders, Ticketmaster will void the original ticket and issue a new ticket in the buyer’s name. Fulfillment options include:
- Mobile transfer – Ticketmaster transfers the ticket to the buyer’s verified app account.
- Print-at-home – Buyer receives a PDF ticket to print out and bring to the event.
- Venue box office pickup – Buyer picks up a ticket at will call on the event date.
- Overnight shipping – A hard stock ticket is shipped to the buyer by FedEx.
The specific method depends on the event policies but mobile transfer provides the most convenience and security.
Can you request ticket cancellations or refunds for resale purchases?
For Ticketmaster resales, all sales are final and tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged except in very rare cases where an event is cancelled or tickets are found invalid. The company’s policy states:
- No refunds will be issued for changes in schedule, when a buyer can no longer attend an event, or any personal circumstances.
- No exchanges will be made for different performance dates, seating locations, or ticket quantities.
- No refunds or exchanges even if a ticket is unused.
Buyers must be sure about their purchase before finalizing the transaction.
Can you sell tickets at any price on Ticketmaster resale?
There are no price floors or caps on what sellers can charge on Ticketmaster resale, but prices are subject to market pressures. Sellers have full control to:
- Price tickets above or below face value.
- Adjust prices dynamically based on demand.
- Offer discounts or deals.
Ticketmaster’s platform does encourage reasonable markups, however. Excessively priced tickets tend to linger unsold which costs the seller money.
Does Ticketmaster collect fees on ticket resales?
Yes, Ticketmaster does collect fees on both the original ticket sale and any secondary resales. Typical fees include:
- Seller fee – Around 10-15% charged for each resold ticket.
- Buyer fee – Varies based on event, typically $5-$25 per ticket.
- Delivery fee – Added for shipping and mobile transfers.
- Service fee – Up to 25% on the total transaction cost.
These fees can add significant costs for both buyers and sellers on top of the ticket price itself.
Does Ticketmaster report resale transactions for tax purposes?
Ticketmaster does provide 1099-K tax forms for high volume resellers on its platform. According to IRS requirements:
- Sellers with over 200 transactions and $20,000 in gross sales will receive a 1099-K.
- This reports gross sales for tax purposes, including any fees collected by Ticketmaster.
- Casual sellers under these limits typically do not need to report resales.
Sellers who exceed 200 sales or $20,000 in a calendar year should consult an accountant on properly reporting resale income.
Can artists and teams restrict ticket resales?
Performers, teams, and event organizers can implement restrictions to limit unofficial resales. Common policies include:
- Non-transferable tickets – Tickets are tied to the original purchaser’s name and cannot be resold.
- Exclusive presales – Special ticket allotments are sold only to fan club members.
- Paperless ticketing – Buyers must show ID matching the ticket at entry to prevent resales.
- Zone restriction – Tickets can only be resold within a local region or zone.
Artists partnering with Ticketmaster typically allow some degree of regulated resale. But restrictions can make it difficult for sellers to list certain tickets.
Conclusion
Reselling through Ticketmaster provides a legitimate and regulated marketplace for ticket owners to post seats for resale. While buyers need to beware of potential scams, Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program aims to increase transparency, security, and buyer guarantees compared to unauthorized brokers. Sellers also benefit from reaching Ticketmaster’s large buyer base. With some precautions, both buyers and sellers can have success on Ticketmaster’s resale platform.
