Why Are Resale Tickets More Expensive on Ticketmaster?
Buying resale tickets for concerts, sports games, and other live events has become a common practice in recent years. Resale tickets are tickets that have already been purchased by someone else and are being resold to another person. While resale tickets offer a chance to attend a sold-out event or to get a better seat, they are often more expensive than face-value tickets. In this blog post, we’ll explore why resale tickets are more expensive on Ticketmaster.
The Role of Scalpers in Resale Ticket Pricing
One reason resale tickets are more expensive on Ticketmaster is that scalpers purchase tickets in bulk and then sell them at a markup. Scalpers use automated bots to quickly buy up large numbers of tickets as soon as they go on sale, before regular buyers have a chance to purchase them. This allows them to monopolize the ticket market and charge high prices for tickets that are in high demand.
Scalping is illegal in many states, but it’s difficult to enforce. To combat scalpers, Ticketmaster launched its own resale marketplace, where fans can buy and sell tickets at market-based prices. The goal is to provide a safe and secure platform for fans to buy and sell tickets, rather than forcing them to purchase tickets from scalpers operating on the black market.
Maintaining Market Value
Another reason resale tickets are more expensive on Ticketmaster is that Ticketmaster wants to maintain the market value of its tickets. For example, if a concert is selling out quickly and resale prices are skyrocketing, Ticketmaster may adjust its face-value prices to reflect the demand for the event. This makes it more difficult for scalpers to charge astronomical prices for tickets, as the price on Ticketmaster’s resale market will be similar to the face-value price.
Furthermore, Ticketmaster may also have agreements with event promoters and venues that set maximum resale prices for tickets sold on their platform. This ensures that scalpers cannot charge exorbitant prices for tickets, which could harm the reputation of the event or venue.
Additional Fees and Commissions
Ticketmaster generates revenue from fees and commissions on both the face-value and resale tickets it sells. For example, Ticketmaster may charge a processing fee, delivery fee, or convenience fee on face-value tickets. On resale tickets, Ticketmaster charges a commission fee that ranges from 10-15% of the total resale price. This additional fee can add up quickly, making resale tickets more expensive to purchase on Ticketmaster.
The Bottom Line
Resale tickets are often more expensive on Ticketmaster due to the role of scalpers in the ticket resale market, maintaining market value, and additional fees and commissions. While buying resale tickets can offer a chance to attend a sold-out event or get a better seat, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the additional cost before purchasing.
Ultimately, Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace provides a safe and secure platform for fans to buy and sell tickets at market-based prices, which can help prevent scalping and ensure that ticket prices accurately reflect their market value. So, next time you’re considering buying a resale ticket on Ticketmaster, be aware of the additional fees and commissions and determine whether the benefits of purchasing a resale ticket outweigh the additional cost.