Concerts and Sporting Events Ticket Scams

DENVER - Feb. 26, 2016 - PRLog -- An event is coming to town and you missed out buying tickets or you couldn't buy the perfect seats when they went on sale. It's amazing how most Ticket Buyers think the only way to get authentic tickets to an event is through the Venue Box Office, TicketMaster or LiveNation.

However, some empty-handed Ticket Buyers will search for tickets on eBay or several Online Classified Websites, while many are afraid to purchase tickets from those websites because they believe there is no accountability or bylaws in place protecting them from scammers.

TicketMediator wants to help take some of the mystery out of buying tickets and help Ticket Buyers understand safe ticket buying practices and ticket terminologies.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUYING TICKETS FROM:

This is the number one rule no matter what tickets you're buying. When it comes to buying tickets online or in person, don't just look for the cheapest ticket prices. Research the Ticket Seller's full name on Google, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to get a better idea of what kind of business or person you're dealing with.

Google the contact phone number for a matching contact name and view all search results for any additional information pertaining to the Ticket Seller you're dealing with.

Don't do business with anyone you're not comfortable with or someone you can not call if an issue arises before, during or after you purchase their tickets. Do business with someone who will not only provide all the information about the tickets, but about themselves too.

EBAY TICKET SELLERS:

Ticket Sellers on eBay provide very little information about themselves, except for their Seller Rating and Location. All ticket transactions on eBay are handled by PayPal. There is no guarantee that the tickets you ordered will be authentic and or will be the exact tickets you selected.

The only guarantee is PayPal will provide a refund after an investigation is completed and the ruling is in your favor. PayPal will not reimburse you for any aggravation, disappointment and suffering.

PRIVATE TICKET SELLERS:

Private Ticket Sellers from Online Classified Websites will provide everything about the tickets, but very little information about themselves unless you ask.

All verbal information provided by a Private Ticket Seller could be false and untraceable. Therefore you must be smart enough to research and gather as much legal information before making a purchase.

The first step would be for you to personally view the Ticket Seller's "Photo Drivers License". In order to know you are viewing a valid Photo Drivers License, ask for a Major Credit Card so you can match the first and last name of the Private Ticket Seller on both cards.

The next step would be to take a picture of the Photo Drivers License and Major Credit Card with your cell phone. If the Private Ticket Seller refuses to provide two cards with matching names and or refuses to allow a picture of both cards, then you must walk away.

All ticket transactions with a Private Ticket Seller are cash only or with PayPal. There is very little guarantee about the tickets being authentic, so protect your money by using PayPal all the time.

CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TICKET WEBSITES:

Certified and Licensed Ticket Websites are required to provide a business address, a toll free phone number and at least one email address on all pages of their ticket website.

Any ticket website not providing all this required information is not a Certified and Licensed Ticket Website. Therefore, they're not Certified and Licensed, not monitored, not reviewed and are not held accountable if they're not complying with the high standard of customer satisfaction.

All ticket transactions on a Certified and Licensed Ticket Website are by credit card only. All credit card transactions are process by a Major Financial Banking Institution. This provides a safe and secure transaction for all Credit Card Holders.

TICKET BARCODES:

Certified and Licensed Ticket Websites do not display photos of tickets. But on eBay and many Online Classified Websites, you'll find countless photos of tickets available from Private Ticket Sellers. If all the ticket information and barcodes is visible for the world to see, there is a great chance that the information is being used by a scammer to sell duplicates and or fake tickets everywhere possible.

You'll never know your tickets are duplicates or fake until you attempt to enter the venue. It's amazing how many people continue to get fooled because they didn't research the Ticket Seller or even know what the genuine tickets should look like.

SAFE PURCHASING PRACTICE:

If you're meeting a Private Ticket Sellers face-to-face, make sure it's in a public place. Criminals know you'll be bringing cash for those tickets, so it's probably not a good idea to meet someone alone or in an isolated place.

Many suburban and city police departments are allowing Ticket Buyers to use their precinct for ticket transactions. Just call ahead of time to use this free and safe option. If a Private Ticket Seller refuses to meet you at any precinct, then you should walk away..

RETURN POLICY:

What happens if the event is cancelled? This has happened and sometimes events are cancelled minutes before they start. Getting a refund from a Private Ticket Seller could take time if you didn't research and gather some legal information before making the ticket transaction..

Certified and Licensed Ticket Websites will credit your account within 24 hours if the event is canceled and not rescheduled. They will not issue a refund if the event is rescheduled and you're unable to attend the new date of the event.

FINAL WORD

Hopefully, you feel more confident about buying tickets online now. Don't forget, buying tickets from a Licensed and Certified Ticket Website like TicketMediator is safe and secure.

But if you don't care about the risk and only care about the bottom line, then go for it with a Private Ticket Seller.