What websites are reliable for concert tickets?

Getting concert tickets can be a frustrating experience. With high demand and limited ticket availability, buying from unreliable sellers could mean wasting money on invalid or fraudulent tickets. Knowing which websites are trustworthy ticket providers is key to ensuring you can securely get seats to see your favorite musicians.

What risks are there in buying concert tickets from unreliable sellers?

There are a few key risks to watch out for when purchasing tickets from unverified sources:

• Fake or invalid tickets – Some websites or resellers may sell tickets that appear valid but actually cannot be scanned or accepted at the venue entrance. This means you would be denied entry after spending your money.
• Marked up prices – Secondary market resellers often heavily mark up ticket prices far beyond face value due to demand. This can make tickets unnecessarily expensive.
• Scams – There is the risk of outright ticket scams where a seller takes your money but never provides any valid tickets in return.
• Reselling restrictions – Some tickets cannot be resold or restrict how they are transferred. Unethical secondary sellers may sell these which could prevent you from getting in.

These risks mean it is always safest to purchase from authorized primary ticket sellers or verified resale marketplaces. This helps avoid wasting your money and ensures you can actually use your tickets.

What qualities make a website a reliable source of concert tickets?

There are a few key indicators that a website is reliable for buying genuine concert tickets:

• Authorized primary ticket seller – These are venues, artists, promoters, or ticketing companies directly contracted for original ticket sales. Examples are Ticketmaster or venue-specific websites.
• Guarantees on purchases – Reliable resale sites offer guarantees that protect you against fraud or invalid tickets. This ensures your purchase is secure.
• Positive reviews – Check third party review sites like TrustPilot to see what experiences others have had purchasing tickets from a website.
• Secure checkout process – Reputable sellers use encryption and other security measures during checkout to protect your personal and payment information.
• Company verification badges – Websites may highlight credentials like BBB accreditation or Trust-E certification to highlight they are verified by independent bodies.

Websites that possess multiple indicators like these show they operate transparently and are concerned with customer satisfaction and security.

Which major concert ticket websites are generally the most reliable?

Here are some of the most trusted websites for buying genuine concert tickets online:

Primary Ticket Sellers

• Ticketmaster – As one of the largest primary ticket outlets for countless major concerts and events worldwide, Ticketmaster is generally a very safe option for guaranteed valid tickets. They also own secondary resale sites like TicketsNow.
• AXS – This primary ticket seller is an authorized dealer for many prominent venues and productions. They are trusted for first-release concert tickets.
• Eventbrite – In addition to managing ticketing for smaller scale concerts and shows, Eventbrite also handles ticketing distribution for some large music festivals and concert venues.

Resale Marketplaces

• StubHub – One of the largest and most well-established secondary ticket marketplaces, StubHub offers buyer guarantees and fraud protection making it a reliable option.
• Vivid Seats – This major resale site provides a 100% buyer guarantee on all ticket purchases for peace of mind.
• SeatGeek – Backed by guarantees to authenticate all tickets, SeatGeek is used by millions to buy resale concert seats.

These are generally considered some of the most trusted sources of verified original and resale concert tickets online.

What are examples of unreliable or risky sources for concert tickets?

On the other hand, here are some examples of potentially risky concert ticket sources that are better avoided:

• Unknown resellers on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or other casual marketplaces
• Ticket scalpers outside the venue on the day of the event
• Unverified sellers on peer-to-peer sites like eBay
• Unnamed ticket exchanges or boards
• Classified listings websites like Craigslist and Kijiji

Purchasing from sellers like these has a much higher risk of ending up with fake or fraudulent tickets. They generally offer little to no buyer protections as well.

How can you identify and avoid fake concert tickets?

To help spot fake concert tickets being sold, check for the following red flags:

• Price is far below face value – This could signal counterfeits.
• Seller requests unusual payment methods – Scammers may ask for prepaid gift cards or bank transfers.
• Tickets are non-transferrable or restricted – Reselling these invalidates them.
• No refunds or guarantees provided – Lack of protections indicates risk.
• Photocopies or printouts – Fake tickets are often duplicates.
• Misspellings, wrong venues, or other errors – Indicates scalpers making fakes.

Only buy from reputable sellers and check tickets closely before purchasing to limit risk. If a deal seems too good to be true, it very likely is.

Can you still get good deals on concert tickets and avoid high markups?

While major resale sites protect against scams, their tickets can come with higher markups. Here are some tips for finding deals even on reliable, verified tickets:

• Buy early – Get tickets as soon as sales open to access the best prices before marked up resale inventory.
• Join fan clubs – Artists will often offer pre-sales access at lower prices for fan club members.
• Check for ticket lotteries or rush tickets – Many shows release discounted tickets day-of.
• Go for obstructed view or upper level seats – You pay much less for seats with imperfect views.
• See smaller shows – Club performances and new acts are far more affordable.

As long as inventory is coming from a trusted source, there are still ways to avoid high premiums on concert tickets.

What are the best practices for buying concert tickets safely online?

Here are some top tips for purchasing concert tickets online safely:

1. Always buy from authorized primary ticket sellers or verified resale marketplaces.
2. Check for buyer guarantees, fraud protection, or other purchase policies.
3. Search reviews and complaints on third party sites to identify trusted sellers.
4. Beware of prices well below face value which could indicate scams.
5. Never pay with unusual methods like prepaid cards, wire transfers, etc.
6. Only share personal and payment details on secured, encrypted checkout pages.
7. Confirm any ticket transfer restrictions before purchasing resale.
8. Thoroughly verify the details on any received tickets for accuracy.
9. Save all purchase information and documentation in case issues arise.

Exercising caution, only using trusted websites, and inspecting tickets carefully will help avoid the many potential issues in buying concert tickets online.

Conclusion

While the online ticket marketplace allows scammers and inflated prices, there are still many reliable ways to buy genuine concert tickets. By purchasing directly from primary sellers, using protected resale marketplaces, and following best practices, you can securely get great seats to see live music. Just be sure to carefully research sellers, double-check ticket details, and avoid deals that seem suspiciously good to be confident you’ll safely get into the show.