Ticket Sales is an online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell tickets for events. The company has grown in popularity due to its large inventory of tickets and competitive prices. However, some have questioned whether Ticket Sales is a legitimate business. Here is an in-depth look at Ticket Sales to help you decide if it is safe and reliable.
What is Ticket Sales?
Ticket Sales is an online ticket marketplace that was founded in 2000. The company allows individuals and professional ticket brokers to sell tickets to events like concerts, sports games, theater shows, and more. Buyers can search for and purchase tickets directly through the Ticket Sales website or mobile app.
Some key facts about Ticket Sales:
- Headquartered in Los Angeles, California
- Claims to offer tickets for over 100,000 events worldwide
- Has served over 20 million customers
- Processes around 17 million tickets annually
- Enabled over 190 million ticket transactions since founding
- Earned over $10 billion in gross merchandise volume
Ticket Sales provides a platform for buyers and sellers to complete transactions, but acts as a neutral third-party. The company does not own any event tickets directly. The sellers on Ticket Sales are independent parties and Ticket Sales collects fees from both the buyers and sellers for facilitating the transactions.
Is Ticket Sales legit?
When assessing the legitimacy and reliability of an online marketplace like Ticket Sales, here are some key factors to consider:
1. Company reputation
Ticket Sales has been in business for over 20 years and has served tens of millions of customers in that time. It’s one of the largest and most well-known online ticket marketplaces. The company has generally positive customer reviews and ratings on sites like TrustPilot (4/5 stars). This long history with many satisfied customers is a good sign for Ticket Sales’ reputation.
2. Site security
Ticket Sales uses standard security measures to protect transactions and user data on its website and mobile apps. It uses HTTPS encryption, securely stores user passwords, and protects against common cybersecurity threats like SQL injection attacks and cross-site scripting. The site has not had any known major security breaches.
3. Seller verification
Ticket Sales has a seller verification process to ensure the tickets being sold are valid. Sellers must provide identification, tax documents, and a valid credit card. Ticket Sales checks these credentials and also screens for suspicious transaction patterns. Verified sellers get a “Verified Seller” badge on their listings.
4. Buyer protections
Ticket Sales offers buyer protection against issues like tickets that don’t arrive or arrive late. Purchases are covered by their FanProtect Guarantee, which provides full refunds plus an additional cash refund for comparable replacement tickets if a problem arises. The site also displays seller ratings, so buyers can check past performance.
5. Industry partnerships
Ticket Sales has official partnerships with major event organizers and venues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Broadway theaters. These partnerships demonstrate the industry trusts and works with Ticket Sales as a legitimate business.
6. Legal compliance
Ticket Sales complies with state ticket reseller laws and licensing requirements. Sellers must also follow anti-speculative price gouging laws. This compliance indicates Ticket Sales operates as a lawful business.
7. Customer service
Ticket Sales provides customer service by phone, email, social media, and online ticketing. According to reviews, representatives are generally knowledgeable and responsive in resolving issues. Solid customer service improves trust in the company’s operations.
Examples of tickets sold on Ticket Sales
Some examples of popular tickets you can purchase through Ticket Sales include:
| Event | Sample Listings |
|---|---|
| Concerts | Beyonce, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Eagles |
| Sports | NFL games, MLB games, NBA games, NHL games, NCAA football/basketball |
| Theater | Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, Book of Mormon |
| Festivals | Coachella, Stagecoach, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits |
You can find tickets for major events both in the United States and internationally. Prices are set by sellers but typically reflect current market value.
Are there any risks using Ticket Sales?
While Ticket Sales takes measures to validate sellers, no secondary ticket marketplace can fully prevent fraud. There are some risks to be aware of:
- Counterfeit tickets – In rare cases, buyers may receive fake or invalid tickets.
- Ticket scams – Scam artists occasionally attempt to sell tickets they don’t actually possess.
- Incorrect listings – Sellers may accidentally mis-list details like seat locations.
- Price gouging – Sellers could inflate prices far above face value.
These issues don’t happen frequently, but it’s good to be cautious. Protect yourself by thoroughly vetting sellers, only buying from Verified Sellers, understanding Ticket Sales’ policies, and using credit cards for added fraud protection.
Is Ticket Sales worth using?
For most customers, Ticket Sales provides a safe, convenient way to access tickets for sold-out events or events they couldn’t otherwise attend. The benefits often outweigh the risks:
- Large ticket inventory with competitive market pricing
- Reputable company with security protections in place
- Partnerships with major event organizations
- Helpful customer service
- Refund policies if problems arise
There are some precautions to take, but overall Ticket Sales can be a worthwhile option for buying tickets. Hundreds of thousands of fans use the service without issue. Being an informed buyer goes a long way towards a positive experience.
Tips for using Ticket Sales safely
Here are some tips for getting tickets through Ticket Sales while minimizing risk:
- Stick to Verified Sellers with high ratings
- Check ticket listings carefully for accuracy
- Avoid sellers with prices that seem suspiciously high
- Read Ticket Sales’ policies so you understand your protections
- Pay with a credit card for added fraud coverage
- Enter the event right when doors open to avoid ticket invalidity issues
- If anything seems suspicious, trust your instincts and avoid purchasing
Conclusion
Ticket Sales is generally a legitimate and helpful marketplace for event tickets, especially for sold-out, in-demand events. The company has measures in place to verify sellers, secure transactions, and protect buyers. However, there are some risks of counterfeit tickets and scams that buyers should be aware of.
Exercising caution by vetting sellers, understanding policies, paying securely, and avoiding suspicious listings can go a long way towards a positive experience. Hundreds of thousands of customers have successfully and safely purchased tickets on Ticket Sales over the past 20+ years. Overall, Ticket Sales can be a beneficial option – just be an informed, smart buyer.