SeatGeek is an online ticket marketplace that allows users to buy and sell tickets for sporting events, concerts, theater shows and more. The site aims to provide a transparent ticketing experience by showing users a view of all available tickets and prices upfront.
SeatGeek has become a popular option for purchasing concert tickets in particular. But is it actually a good site to buy concert tickets from? Here is an in-depth look at the pros and cons of using SeatGeek for concert tickets.
Pros of Using SeatGeek for Concert Tickets
There are several advantages to using SeatGeek over other ticket sites when shopping for concert tickets:
Wide Selection of Tickets
SeatGeek provides access to tickets from a variety of primary and secondary market sources. This gives users a much wider selection of tickets to choose from compared to going through just the official box office. For popular shows, SeatGeek will display listings from the official on-sale as well as tickets being resold by other fans.
This variety is important for high demand concerts where the official allotment of tickets sells out quickly. By pooling inventory from multiple sellers, there is a better chance of still finding available seats even for sold out events.
Seat Views
SeatGeek provides virtual seat views from different sections in a venue. This allows users to preview the view of the stage from any seat before purchasing. Being able to visualize the perspective of a seat is extremely helpful when buying concert tickets online.
SeatGeek uses color-coded maps to indicate ticket prices for each section. You can easily browse seating options moving from the most expensive seats closest to the stage down to the cheapest seats in the back. This level of transparency takes a lot of uncertainty out of the ticket buying process.
Real-Time Pricing and Listings
Ticket prices on SeatGeek are shown in real-time. This prevents any instances of hidden fees or dramatic markups being added at the end. The advertised price is the final amount users will pay.
Listings are also updated instantly as tickets are being bought and sold. Users don’t have to worry about missing out on tickets or seeing inaccurate availability. The seat maps accurately display which tickets are still available for purchase or have been already claimed.
Buyer Protection Guarantee
All tickets purchased on SeatGeek are guaranteed under the site’s Buyer Guarantee. If a user buys a ticket that ends up being fraudulent or invalid for any reason, SeatGeek will find replacement tickets or provide a full refund. This takes the risk out of buying from third party sellers.
For high demand tickets with limited availability, the peace of mind of a buyer guarantee is very valuable when shopping on a secondary market like SeatGeek.
Cons of Using SeatGeek for Concert Tickets
While SeatGeek offers some great benefits for concert ticket buyers, there are also a few downsides to consider:
Service Fees
SeatGeek charges service fees on all ticket transactions. This covers the costs of providing their online marketplace and services. For buyers, service fees can add a significant amount to the final checkout price.
SeatGeek service fees average 18-20% of the ticket cost. Fees are charged per ticket, so the total amount goes up quickly if you are buying multiple tickets in one order. Other ticketing sites may charge lower or no service fees.
Lack of Mobile Ticketing
SeatGeek currently does not offer mobile ticketing for concerts. All tickets must be printed out or downloaded to a digital wallet. Not having mobile entry can be inconvenient compared to competitors like Ticketmaster who are now providing contactless entry via users’ phones.
Printing tickets defeats some of the convenience and security of buying tickets online. It also prevents last minute transfers or sales of tickets through SeatGeek since the physical ticket must be handed over.
Less Consumer Protections on Resales
Buying ticket resales through a secondary marketplace like SeatGeek does involve some risks. There are less consumer protections compared to buying directly from the source. Identity theft and ticket scams are a concern when purchasing from resellers.
SeatGeek’s buyer guarantee provides protection against invalid or fraudulent tickets. However, it cannot always prevent issues like scam listings from appearing on the site initially.
No Loyalty Benefits
When you purchase concert tickets directly through an artist’s website or official ticketing partner, those sales are associated with your fan account. This lets you accumulate benefits like priority access to future presales or VIP packages.
Buying tickets on SeatGeek provides no loyalty perks since it is an anonymous secondary market. You miss out on special offers, presale passwords, and other benefits of buying direct as a fan.
SeatGeek Concert Ticket Buying Tips
If you do decide to purchase concert tickets on SeatGeek, here are some tips to get the best deal and experience:
Shop Early for Best Selection
Don’t wait until the last minute to check SeatGeek for concert tickets. Inventory sells out quickly as a show date approaches. Your options will be far more limited trying to shop for tickets a few days before the event.
Most primary market tickets are released months in advance of a concert. Secondary market resellers start listing their extra tickets for sale shortly after. Shopping early maximizes your chances of getting good seats at reasonable prices.
Compare All Listings for a Section
Be sure to expand the listings for a section and compare all the options. Two tickets side-by-side may be priced very differently even though they are equally good seats. There can be big bargains buried among the listings.
Sorting by the Best Value filter can help surface discounted tickets mixed in with more expensive seats around the same area. Just because a listing appears first doesn’t mean it’s the best deal available.
Factor in Total Fees
When evaluating ticket prices on SeatGeek, be sure to take the service fees into account. It’s easy to just look at the base price, but the fees can add 20% or more to your final checkout cost.
Calculate the total price including fees before making a buying decision. This gives you a more accurate picture of the actual amount you will pay.
Use Deals and Promo Codes
SeatGeek frequently offers discounts, deals, and promo codes for ticket buyers. First time users can get $10 off their initial purchase. Slickdeals and other coupon sites post SeatGeek promo codes on a regular basis.
Following SeatGeek’s social media accounts is another good way to find out about upcoming ticket deals and sales. Taking advantage of promotions helps reduce service fees and total costs.
SeatGeek vs. Other Concert Ticket Sites
How does SeatGeek compare to some other leading concert ticket marketplaces? Here is a quick rundown of the key differences:
SeatGeek vs. StubHub
Feature | SeatGeek | StubHub |
---|---|---|
Fees | 18-20% | Around 25% |
Seller Guarantees | Buyer Guarantee | FanProtect Guarantee |
Cancellations | Restricted | Flexible |
Mobile Ticketing | No | Yes |
StubHub tends to have higher service fees but also more flexible cancellation policies. SeatGeek has lower fees but mobile ticketing is not yet available.
SeatGeek vs. VividSeats
Feature | SeatGeek | VividSeats |
---|---|---|
Fees | 18-20% | Around 20% |
Buyer Guarantee | Up to $2,500 | 125% refund |
Inventory | 55M+ tickets | 5M+ tickets |
Founding | 2009 | 2007 |
VividSeats operates similarly to SeatGeek but has a smaller inventory of ticket listings. SeatGeek tends to have more ticket availability across the board.
SeatGeek vs. Ticketmaster
Feature | SeatGeek | Ticketmaster |
---|---|---|
Primary Market | No | Yes |
Fees | 18-20% | Around 25% |
Refunds | Cash refunds | Credit refunds |
Fan Loyalty | No | Yes |
Ticketmaster has exclusive primary ticket deals but higher fees. SeatGeek offers cash refunds and no fan club benefits.
Is SeatGeek Worth It for Concert Tickets?
In the end, whether SeatGeek is worth it or not comes down to individual user preferences. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to weigh.
For many concert-goers, the wide availability of tickets on SeatGeek makes it worth using. Having more options and ability to compare different listings is extremely valuable, especially for high demand shows. Things like detailed seating charts, upfront pricing, and buyer guarantees also make the purchasing experience smoother.
On the other hand, higher service fees, lack of mobile entry, and no fan loyalty perks are definite drawbacks. And there are always risks associated with secondary market resellers.
Casual concert fans who just want the easiest way to get tickets may prefer to buy directly from venues or use mobile-based options like Ticketmaster. But frequent concert-goers will likely appreciate the selection and transparency that SeatGeek provides.
The Bottom Line
SeatGeek is best for…
- Finding tickets for sold out or high demand concerts
- Comparing prices and listings across multiple sellers
- Shopping early to get the best deals
- Concert fans who want more choice and don’t care about loyalty programs
SeatGeek may not be the best option for…
- Last minute concert ticket shoppers
- Fans who want mobile ticketing and fan club perks
- Anyone trying to avoid service fees
- Casual concert-goers who want simpler ticket buying
While not perfect, SeatGeek provides a transparent secondary ticket marketplace with unique tools that add value for savvy concert shoppers. The site makes it easier to navigate the ins and outs of buying tickets online and gives you more power to score deals on concert seats.