With the rise of the secondary ticket market, more and more people are looking to ticket resellers to get access to sold out concerts, sports events, theater shows and other in-demand events. But with so many ticket resellers out there, how do you know which one to use? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the most popular ticket resellers – StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster – across a number of factors to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Quick comparison
Here is a quick overview of how the major ticket resellers compare:
| Reseller | Fees | Ticket availability | Ease of use | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StubHub | 10-15% fees | Large inventory | Easy site navigation | 24/7 phone & chat support |
| Vivid Seats | 10-20% fees | Large inventory | Simple seating maps | Phone support with some chat |
| SeatGeek | 10-20% fees | Moderate inventory | Intuitive mobile app | Email & social media support |
| Ticketmaster | 10-25% fees | Official inventory | Wide event selection | 24/7 phone support |
As you can see, there are tradeoffs between the different resellers when it comes to fees, availability, ease of use and customer service. Keep reading as we explore each of these factors in more depth.
Ticket availability
One of the most important factors when choosing a ticket reseller is the availability of tickets for the event you want to attend. Some resellers have large inventories spanning hundreds of thousands of events, while others have more limited selections.
StubHub
StubHub has one of the largest inventories of any ticket reseller, currently listing tickets for over 10 million live events. Their supply comes from a mix of season ticket holders, brokers and fans reselling tickets. You’ll find tickets for major league sports, concerts, theater, and more on StubHub. Availability is generally good, even for high demand events.
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats also has a large supply of tickets, pulling from a network of brokers as well as individual sellers. They have a constantly updated inventory for major concerts, sports leagues and other popular events. Much like StubHub, you’ll generally find good availability for in-demand shows and games.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek has a more moderate inventory compared to other major resellers. They pull listings from ticket brokers, marketplaces like eBay, and some primary ticket sellers. While you’ll find tickets to most major events, supply can be more limited for top games and concerts. Unique local events are a strong suit.
Ticketmaster
As an official ticket source, Ticketmaster has exclusive inventory to many of the top tours and teams. This includes presales and specialty packages you won’t find on other resale sites. Of course, supply is dependent on the event – some shows will still sell out. But for high profile events, Ticketmaster is a good option.
Fees and pricing
The fees charged by ticket resellers can really impact the price you end up paying. Some sites advertise no fees but recoup costs in other ways. Here’s how pricing shakes out for the major resellers:
StubHub
StubHub charges 10-15% in fees on top of the ticket cost set by sellers. These fees include order processing, service, and delivery charges. Exact fees vary based on the event, section, and seller price. Sellers also have the option to inflate ticket prices to bake in fees upfront.
Vivid Seats
Similar to StubHub, Vivid Seats charges service and order processing fees that amount to 10-20% of the ticket price. Fees vary based on factors like ticket value and delivery method. Season ticket sellers sometimes increase the base price to account for fees paid by the buyer.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek takes a different approach by building all fees into the listed ticket price – there are no added fees at checkout. Their total fees tend to run 10-20% on average. This all-in pricing makes it easier to accurately compare ticket costs.
Ticketmaster
As an official ticket outlet, Ticketmaster’s fees are on the higher end, averaging 10-25% of ticket cost. Fees include delivery, service, and order processing charges. Some events also have premium or dynamic pricing that raises base prices for high demand.
To get the best deal, pay close attention to all costs including fees. Some sites like SeatGeek provide more pricing transparency by avoiding separate fees.
Ease of use
A ticket reseller should provide a smooth, intuitive experience for finding and purchasing event tickets. Key factors like website design, mobile experience, and seat maps play a role.
StubHub
StubHub offers a clean, uncluttered website design that makes browsing for tickets simple. Useful filters and interactive seat maps help narrow down your options. The mobile app provides a similarly easy experience. Checkout is quick and painless. StubHub makes it effortless to find what you need.
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats also offers a straightforward website interface and mobile app. Interactive seat maps with detailed views make it easy to select seats. The buying process is smooth, although sometimes sellers will list non-existent tickets. Just double check listings before purchasing.
SeatGeek
Known for its intuitive mobile experience, SeatGeek provides an appealing interface across desktop and mobile. Their interactive maps give you a great visual overview of available seats, and filtering is easy. The buying flow is generally hassle-free.
Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster remains a go-to for many buyers simply because of its wide reach across live events. The website can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the event selection is vast. Detailed seat maps and filtering help narrow choices. Streamlined checkout makes final ticket purchase fast and simple.
Overall, StubHub and SeatGeek stand out for their intuitive interfaces, while Ticketmaster wins in terms of breadth of ticket inventory.
Customer service
Problems can come up when purchasing tickets online – orders don’t process, tickets don’t arrive, etc. Good customer service helps resolve these issues promptly. Here is how the main resellers compare:
StubHub
StubHub provides 24/7 phone and chat support in addition to email and social channels. Their customer service team is generally fast to respond and provide refunds or support when orders go awry. They’ll even step in to find replacement tickets when needed. You can feel confident you’ll have help if issues arise.
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats offers phone support during business hours with some evening and weekend availability. Chat and social support is scaled back compared to other resellers. Email response times can be slow. But their customer service team is willing to address problems when contacted. Refunds are provided based on policies.
SeatGeek
As a smaller company, SeatGeek offers more limited service options – mainly email and social media support. Their responses are friendly but can take 1-2 days. The small operation means less infrastructure for resolving issues. But they aim to make things right for customers.
Ticketmaster
With its wide reach in live events, Ticketmaster provides 24/7 phone support in addition to email and social channels. Customers report mixed experiences – some quick resolutions while others require persistence. But you can ultimately reach a person to address order problems.
For the best guarantee of help, StubHub is hard to beat with 24/7 phone and chat plus a responsive support team. Ticketmaster also provides solid options through phone and email.
Other factors
A few other points can factor into choosing the best ticket reseller:
Ticket delivery
Most resellers offer standard shipping, expedited shipping, mobile tickets for last minute purchases, and pickup at the venue. StubHub, VividSeats and Ticketmaster have well-developed delivery networks. SeatGeek is slightly more limited.
Buyer guarantees
StubHub and Vivid Seats offer guarantees that validate tickets are genuine and deliverable. If issues come up, they find replacement tickets, give a refund, or provide a voucher. This provides peace of mind.
Loyalty programs
StubHub and Ticketmaster provide loyalty clubs that offer perks like expedited entry, pre-sales access and rewards points. These are nice benefits for frequent buyers.
Partner perks
Some resellers like StubHub offer special discounts, gifts, or bonuses through partnerships with companies like Chase and Groupon. Partner deals provide additional ways to save.
Conclusion
When comparing top ticket resellers, here are some key takeaways on which option may be best for different needs:
– StubHub is ideal for its vast ticket availability, smooth buying experience, and superior customer service. The loyalty program and buyer guarantee provide added benefits for frequent users.
– Vivid Seats also offers a large ticket inventory and straightforward purchase flow. Their buyer guarantee helps overcome issues with fraudulent listings. But customer service lags behind some competitors.
– SeatGeek shines through its intuitive interface and transparent, fee-free pricing. Inventory is not as robust for high demand events, and customer service options are limited.
– Ticketmaster remains a go-to for official team and tour ticket inventory. But their fees are higher and the buying experience can be hit or miss. Extensive service options help offset drawbacks.
For the widest selection of tickets to popular events, excellent service, and ease of use, StubHub stands out as the best overall ticket reseller. But savvy shoppers may get better deals through Vivid Seats or SeatGeek depending on the event. As long as you understand each reseller’s strengths and weaknesses, you can find the ideal tickets for any show.
