Selling extra tickets for concerts, sports games, and theater shows through ticket resale marketplaces can be a great way to recoup some of your initial ticket costs.
However, the process of reselling tickets online also comes with its challenges and factors to consider. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to sell your live event tickets online successfully.
Choosing the Best Ticket Resale Marketplace
The first key decision when selling tickets online is choosing which ticket resale marketplace to use. The major factors to consider are:
Site traffic – The amount of visitors a site gets. More traffic means more potential buyers viewing your listing.
Seller fees – The commission charged to sellers when their tickets are sold. Lower fees mean you earn more per sale.
Buyer fees – Extra fees are charged to buyers at checkout. Lower fees can make your listing more attractive.
Here is a comparison of the major secondary ticket marketplaces:
As shown, StubHub and Vivid Seats get the most traffic but charge higher fees. Barry’s Tickets has lower fees but less traffic.
Step-by-Step Guide for Selling Tickets
Once you’ve chosen a resale marketplace, here is a step-by-step process for listing and selling your tickets:
- Search for the event
Go to the ticket marketplace site and search for the event, date, and location. - Select the “Sell Tickets” option
This will take you to the ticket listing page. - Log in or sign up
You’ll need to register on the site if you don’t already have an account. - Enter ticket details
Fill in key info like quantity, section, row, and seat numbers.
Note any important details like obstructed views. - Set a ticket price
Use tools like price suggestions based on similar tickets.
Factor in fees to set a price to net you your desired payout. - Upload tickets (if transferrable online)
For electronic tickets, upload ticket barcodes/PDFs to attach to the listing.
Printed tickets must be physically shipped later. - Monitor and manage the listing
Check back frequently to see if tickets have sold.
If sold on one marketplace, remove other listings immediately.
Ensuring a Smooth Sale Process
To avoid issues during the sales process:
Only list one marketplace at a time to avoid double-selling.
Closely track ticket inventory if listed on multiple marketplaces.
Upload e-tickets ASAP so they are immediately available upon purchase.
Ship printed tickets quickly with tracking to avoid delays.
Double-check ticket details to make sure they match the event.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Different Marketplaces
Consider the key advantages and disadvantages of the top ticket resellers:
StubHub
Pros
- High site traffic provides more selling exposure.
- Trusted brand draws in buyers.
Cons
- High seller and buyer fees eat into profits.
- Opaque pricing algorithms.
Vivid Seats
Pros
- Most site traffic means the fastest sales
- No listing fees
Cons
- High final service fees for buyers
- Must sell a minimum of 2 tickets
Barry’s Tickets
Pros
- No buyer fees help maximize seller payout
- All-in seller fee avoids hidden costs
Cons
- Lower site traffic than competitors
- Less brand recognition than StubHub
Conclusion
With this guide, you should now feel confident listing and selling your extra event tickets through top online ticket marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Barry’s Ticket Service.
Focus on choosing a site that will maximize your profits based on fees and traffic volume.
Manage your listings closely across different marketplaces.
And make sure to provide a smooth sales experience for buyers by adding ticket details upfront and shipping tickets promptly. Follow these best practices to earn the most cash back on those unused tickets.