BBB Tip: How to resell event tickets you can’t use
Milwaukee, Wis. – You can resell just about anything online – including event tickets. You can even profit from the sale in many U.S. states without being considered a “scalper.” That said, there are a few things to remember if you want to legally resell event tickets.
Tips for reselling event tickets
If you bought tickets for an event you can longer attend, here’s what to remember when reselling them online.
- Know your local laws. Some states regulate ticket resale, so research before you post a few tickets to eBay for a 200% profit. For example, reselling event tickets for a profit in Ontario is still considered scalping and illegal. The same is true in several U.S. states. In addition, circumventing ticket issuers’ security measures using automated software or other means is illegal under the Federal Trade Commission’s BOTS Act.
- Make sure your tickets come from a reputable source. Before selling any tickets, ensure they are from a trusted vendor. Trusted vendors include the event venue or a professional ticket broker (preferably a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers). If you purchased from an unregulated, unlicensed ticket seller outside a reliable ticket broker site, verify your tickets before posting them to a resale site.
- Sell your tickets on trustworthy resale sites. Many online event ticket brokers allow individuals to resell their tickets for a fee. Online platforms like StubHub guarantee buyers’ tickets and ensure sales follow local laws. You can sell tickets on websites that aren’t dedicated specifically to event tickets, such as eBay, but remember that you’ll be responsible for understanding and complying with local laws and regulations.
- Get to know ticket broker rules and fees. Before signing up to resell tickets online, learn how it works. Find out if you can sell tickets digitally and/or physically, how much the commission fee is, and how you will receive payment.
- Read reviews from buyers and sellers. Read reviews on third-party websites to ensure the platform you are considering has a good reputation with ticket sellers and buyers.
- Compare fees across resellers. Different ticket reselling platforms charge different commission amounts. Some have a flat fee, while others do a percentage of the sales amount. Do the math and figure out what is best for you.
- Watch out for scams. Con artists are always looking for new opportunities. Stay alert to lookalike websites, and watch out for platforms promising unrealistic profits. Also, avoid sharing your personal information with businesses or individuals you don’t know and trust.
For more information
Read about avoiding scams when buying tickets and getting a good deal from a ticket reseller. Learn more about selling things online by reading the BBB Tip: Selling used items online. Also, read more on BBB’s entertainment and sports hub.
If you encounter a scam, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Even if you don’t fall victim to the scam, the information can help us protect the public from scammers and their tactics.
View the online version
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2021, people turned to BBB more than 200 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on 25,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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