Primary sale or resale? How to tell before you buy tickets

Buying tickets to major sports and entertainment events can be tricky. Anytime you buy from anyone other than the primary, authorized agency, you risk losing your money or getting a seat that's not what you expected, as a recent Federal Trade Commission case shows.

FTC says ticket broker used fake accounts and virtual cards to scoop up 86,000 tickets

Elite Events and its owners agreed to pay $300,000 after allegedly bypassing ticket limits for more than 2,400 concerts, sporting events and other live shows

ConsumerNews.aiJames R. Hood

Before entering your payment information, look for these clues:

Signs it is a primary ticket sale

• The link came from the official website of the artist, team, theater or venue.
• The seller is identified as the event’s authorized ticketing provider.
• Tickets are being released on an announced public-sale or presale date.
• Prices are listed in standard tiers rather than varying dramatically from seat to seat.
• The site clearly states the ticket’s face value and mandatory fees.

Signs it may be a resale listing

• The site uses phrases such as “verified resale,” “marketplace,” “secondary market” or “prices may exceed face value.”
• Tickets are available before the official public sale begins.
• Prices change rapidly or are far higher than those advertised by the performer or venue.
• The listing says the seller does not yet possess the ticket or will transfer it closer to the event.
• The website appears above the official seller in search results because it is a paid advertisement.

Check the total price

A ticket advertised at $100 may cost considerably more after service, delivery, facility and processing charges are added. Compare the final checkout price—not the first price displayed.

Also check:

• Whether the seats are together;
• Whether the view is obstructed;
• When and how the tickets will be delivered;
• Whether the seller guarantees entry;
• What happens if the event is canceled or postponed; and
• Whether the ticket can be transferred or resold again.

Protect yourself

Pay by credit card whenever possible. Credit cards generally provide stronger dispute rights if tickets are counterfeit, never delivered or significantly different from what was promised.

Avoid sellers who demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or person-to-person payment app.

Save copies of the listing, seating information, receipt, seller guarantees and all messages. Those records may be essential if you need to dispute the charge.