Ticketmaster instant sell is a new feature that Ticketmaster has rolled out to allow fans to resell tickets instantly and securely through their app. This eliminates the need for fans to manually list tickets on resale sites, as it can all be handled directly within the Ticketmaster app.
Some key things to know about Ticketmaster instant sell:
It’s only available in the Ticketmaster app
The instant sell feature is currently only available in the latest version of the Ticketmaster app on iOS and Android devices. It is not accessible on the Ticketmaster website or other apps. Fans must have the Ticketmaster app downloaded to their smartphone to be able to access the instant sell option.
Transfers are secure and instant
With instant sell, the transfer of tickets from the original buyer to the new buyer happens immediately. As soon as the original buyer confirms the price and completes the sale, the tickets are electronically transferred to the buyer in real-time. This provides security as there is no need to exchange paper tickets or shipment of tickets.
Prices are set dynamically based on demand
Ticketmaster instant sell uses dynamic pricing, meaning the resale price fluctuates based on current demand for that event. If demand is high, the resale price may be set higher. If demand is low, resale price may decrease accordingly. Sellers don’t have to manually research prices – the app handles it automatically.
Sellers can cash out earnings instantly
Another big perk of using instant sell is that as soon as the tickets are sold, earnings are deposited instantly into the seller’s payment account with Ticketmaster. There is no waiting period to receive payouts. Funds are transferred immediately.
Buyers can get last minute tickets
For buyers, the instant sell feature opens up last minute opportunities to purchase tickets even after initial sales have ended. Tickets are often resold below market rates as well. For high demand events, it provides more chances to still obtain tickets.
How does Ticketmaster instant sell work?
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at exactly how Ticketmaster instant sell works step-by-step:
1. Seller lists tickets
First, the ticket holder needs to access the Ticketmaster app and find the “Sell Tickets” option. They can select which event they want to sell tickets for and will be asked to verify identity and ticket ownership. Once verified, they can select how many tickets they want to list for resale.
2. Ticketmaster sets optimal resale price
Based on real-time demand data, Ticketmaster’s algorithm will automatically suggest an optimal resale price for the tickets. Sellers can choose to go with the suggested price or set their own price. Dynamics pricing aims to maximize profitability.
3. Buyer purchases ticket
On the buyer side, Ticketmaster will showcase resale tickets available for purchase within the main ticket purchasing flows. Buyers can view resale listings, prices, and purchase just like any other ticket.
4. Ticketmaster transfers ticket
As soon as the buyer completes the ticket purchase, Ticketmaster instantly transfers the ticket electronically to the buyer. This automatically updates the ticket owner in Ticketmaster’s systems, leaving no room for fraud or confusion.
5. Seller gets paid
With the tickets now transferred and sold, Ticketmaster immediately pays out the earning to the seller’s chosen payment method. This allows sellers to cash out instantly versus having to wait for payment.
What are the fees for sellers and buyers?
Ticketmaster does charge fees to both the buyers and sellers to facilitate transactions on instant sell. Here are the typical fees:
Seller fees
| Fee Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Sell fee | 15% of resale price |
| Payment processing | $1.50 per ticket sold |
Sellers pay a 15% commission on the resale price of each ticket sold. There is also a flat $1.50 payment processing fee per ticket.
Buyer fees
| Fee Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Service fee | 10% of ticket price |
| Processing fee | $5.00 per ticket |
| Delivery fee | $2.50 per order |
Buyers pay a 10% service fee on the ticket price. There is also a $5 processing fee per ticket and $2.50 delivery fee per order.
What are the benefits of Ticketmaster instant sell?
There are some key advantages that instant sell provides over traditional ticket resale:
Convenience
It provides a seamless resale process within Ticketmaster’s apps. No need to go to third-party sites to resell or purchase resale tickets. Everything can be handled directly in the Ticketmaster ecosystem.
Instant payouts
There is no waiting period for sellers to get their profits. The earnings are transferred instantly as soon as the ticket transaction is complete. This improved cash flow for sellers.
Dynamic pricing
With prices adjusting based on real-time demand, sellers have the advantage of optimal pricing determined by data. Manual price research is not required.
Last minute access
Fans who missed out on the initial onsale can still get tickets at the last minute through instant sell. This opens up inventory even after sellouts.
Verified tickets
Since transfers are all handled electronically within Ticketmaster’s system, it eliminates the risk of fake or fraudulent tickets. Buyers can trust the tickets are 100% legitimate.
What are some potential downsides?
While instant sell provides some advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
High fees
The various fees charged to both buyers and sellers can be quite substantial. Sellers give up 15% of profits while buyers pay 10% service fees.
No transfer of premium tickets
Many premium tickets, like VIP packages or platinum seats, cannot be transferred. The options are more limited for high-end tickets.
uko availability
Instant sell is not yet available across all events or markets. The technology is still rolling out slowly and may not be enabled for every event.
Promotes speculative selling
Since sellers can instantly cash out profits, it encourages speculative ticket purchases with the intent to resell. This can displace actual fans in some cases.
Lacks personal customer service
With everything handled within the app, there is no personal assistance. For complex ticket sales, the self-serve experience may be frustrating.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster instant sell offers a streamlined way for ticket buyers and sellers to exchange tickets securely with instant payouts. While the high fees and limited availability are downsides, it provides a legitimately verified resale process directly integrated into Ticketmaster’s platform and apps. As the technology expands to more events, instant sell could eventually become the default resale method for many Ticketmaster tickets. It offers convenience but loses the personal touch of customer service. Fans will need to determine if the pros outweigh the cons based on their specific ticket needs.
