Key Takeaways
- Learn your state and local laws on ticket reselling so you’re following the rules. Find out if you need special permits or licenses and don’t sell tickets over face value if it’s against the law.
- Look at the venue hosting the event and the policies of the original ticket seller. Please be sure to indicate if resale is permitted and any limitations on resale that exist for the ticket.
- Be honest in your Craigslist posts by stating upfront that you are selling resale tickets. Include details like the original purchase price, seat location, and any special features.
- Safety should be your first consideration when selling concert tickets on Craigslist. Always use safe payment options, arrange to meet buyers in public locations, and be aware of any warning signs that could indicate fraudulent activity.
- Craigslist’s anonymous email feature will help you share information while keeping your personal email address private and making it easy to keep the transaction entirely above board.
- Look for other options such as well-known ticket resale sites. In short, you should always sell to friends and family for a safer, more secure ticket-selling experience.
Yes, you can sell concert tickets on Craigslist. It’s no surprise that Craigslist is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms—it’s one of the easiest marketplaces to use and access local buyers.
Craigslist ProsPosting is very easy, and you can list tickets immediately without additional costs. That said, it’s always best to operate by Craigslist’s policies and steer clear from tacky practices like ticket scalping, which could break state laws.
We’ll go over best practices for making safe transactions, posting attractive listings and ultimately having a successful sale.
Legality of Selling Tickets on Craigslist
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist doesn’t need to be complicated. Knowing the law is an important step to getting and using tickets without getting shut out. State law ticket resale laws vary wildly from state to state. For local sales, it’s crucial to abide by these rules to ensure you’re making legal transactions. Here, we break down the most important things you should know about selling tickets on Craigslist.
Understand Local Resale Laws
State laws regulating the resale of tickets vary dramatically, with some states placing stringent regulations on the practice. For example, in New York, you can sell tickets for venues seating more than 6,000 people at no more than face value plus 45% of the ticket price. For smaller venues, the limit is 20%.
In Rhode Island, the limit is 10% of the face value of the ticket or $3, whichever is greater. Missouri allows a resale markup of no more than $3. States including South Carolina and Georgia prohibit resellers from making more than $1 profit over face value.
In Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, resale at a markup is prohibited, and legal resale is limited to face value. In Massachusetts, registered brokers are allowed to insert a $2 markup. Following these regulations closely is extremely important, because the laws are very fluid right now.
Your local consumer protection agencies can be a helpful resource in understanding confusing state-specific rules. For instance, Florida only permits resales above face value if you’re the original purchaser, a charity, or a licensed broker. Create an inventory of states with draconian regulations. Follow the proper channels. Official resources can save you a lot of time and help you avoid costly legal issues.
Check Venue and Issuer Policies
In addition to state laws, event venues and ticket issuers frequently have their own prohibitions. Some venues outright ban any transfer of tickets and only permit resales on select platforms. For one, a venue could mandate that tickets only be sold on their approved resale platform to guarantee authenticity.
Ticket issuers frequently embed terms of use into the tickets that govern resale. It’s important to read these policies thoroughly because failure to comply may lead to invalidation of your ticket.
Disclose Resale in Your Listing
Transparency should be your guiding principle when crafting your Craigslist ad. That’s because those tickets are being illegally resold right now. Here’s what you want to know—the real original purchase price, event date, and seat location.
Being clear and upfront with language goes a long way in keeping buyer confidence. If the tickets are special or one of a kind, such as premium seating, mention these aspects to add value and draw in potential buyers wanting exclusive offerings.
Is Selling Concert Tickets on Craigslist Safe?
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist may be easy and convenient, but it poses threats. It is up to both sellers and buyers to weigh these risks accordingly. Craigslist isn’t like Ticketmaster or StubHub; it’s an open marketplace. This means that it doesn’t have the buyer protections and quality guarantees you’ll receive on legit ticketing sites.
Although tons of legitimate transactions happen daily, Craigslist doesn’t have the built-in safety mechanisms that other services do, which means scams are still possible. By knowing these risks and following appropriate safety measures, most problems can be avoided.
Potential Risks for Sellers
For sellers, scams usually focus on payments. One popular scam has buyers sending fake payment confirmations that look real. For instance, scammers will say they’ve paid via digital payment platforms but never send any money at all. If the seller doesn’t verify the transaction, they can end up getting scammed out of their tickets and their cash.
The second hurdle is the risk of counterfeit tickets. Sellers can inadvertently end up selling counterfeit tickets or misrepresent their quality. This can lead to conflicts with potential buyers, leading to reputational harm or even financial losses.
The higher the demand for an event, the more you open yourself up to fraud when selling tickets this way. A recent sold-out performance at the 930 Club in Washington, D.C. Garnered national attention. Thousands of counterfeit tickets were sold, leaving affected concert-goers out in the cold.
Sellers need to be on their toes for buyers offering unusual payment options. Requests to use wire transfers and money orders are common scam red flags. To minimize the risks, always use safe payment methods and arrange to meet the buyer in a public place, preferably in person.
Potential Risks for Buyers
On the consumer side, buying tickets from third-party sellers can be a gamble. Listings that fall well below the average price of similar tickets might look like a great deal, but are big warning signs of a potential scam. Some fraudulent sellers go further, offering entire season tickets for concerts or sporting events, only to disappear after receiving payment.
Buyers who unknowingly purchase invalid or previously sold tickets may be denied entry to events, leading to financial and emotional disappointment. To avoid ticket scams, buyers need to be aware of fraudulent listings by identifying generic ticket descriptions, lack of communication, or urgent requests for payment in odd forms.
To guarantee authenticity and peace of mind, buy direct from the venue whenever you can or choose from authorized resellers.
How to Sell Concert Tickets Safely
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist allows you to cut through the noise and reach potential buyers directly. There are important steps to protect yourself so your transaction is safe and worry-free. By adhering to safety best practices, you instill confidence in the transaction and reduce the potential for risk.
Below, we take you through the essential steps to ensure you have a safe and smooth experience.
1. Verify Ticket Authenticity
You first need to check if your tickets are legitimate. Begin by examining the tickets closely for obvious signs of authenticity, which may include holograms, barcodes or logos from the ticket issuer. If you bought them from someone other than the primary market retailer, ask for proof of purchase to prove their origin.
Watch out for common counterfeit tricks, such as misspelled venue names or inaccurate event information. Online resources, including ticket verification tools offered by many major ticketing platforms, can further aid you in ensuring tickets’ authenticity.
2. Create a Trustworthy Listing
A properly written ticket listing gets the right buyers’ attention. Your description should include the name and date of the event. Additionally, include your seat number and indicate if it’s a general admission or VIP ticket.
Clear, high-resolution images of the tickets can allay buyer fears that they are fake or counterfeit. Disclose if there are any unknowns such as restrictions, conditions, or ID requirements to enter. This should be public knowledge. Use official, clear contact information.
As a safe selling practice, using clear, official contact information helps to project professionalism and credibility.
3. Price Tickets Competitively
Look at other comparable listings to figure out the best price. For instance, check listings for the same section or show date in order not to overcharge. An easy to read pricing table right in your listing will help you build trust and transparency.
Don’t over-inflate your prices profit-wise. Over-inflating your prices profit-wise will keep buyers away and create a red flag. Be prepared to lower prices as the event date nears based on changes in demand.
4. Choose Safe Payment Methods
Cash is usually the safest choice for in-person exchanges. For payments made online, such as through PayPal or Venmo, favor platforms that provide buyer and seller protections. Do not accept odd payment methods such as MoneyGram, prepaid cards, or wire transfers, which generally do not have buyer protection mechanisms.
Include your accepted payment methods in your ticket listing to set buyer expectations and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.
5. Meet in a Public Place
When you do set up an in-person meeting, try to select places that are well lit and public, such as coffee shops, libraries, or shopping malls. Stay away from private or dark places, including alleys, abandoned streets, or 24-hour ATMs at night.
Inform a trusted family member or friend as to what your plans are, if possible. To further ensure safety, be sure to add the date, time, and place of the meeting.
6. Stay Alert for Scams
Fraud and scams around concert tickets are rampant, so keep your guard up. Be cautious of sellers who request partial payments upfront or offer to meet at the venue without handing over tickets. Trust your gut—if a sale seems off, it’s better to go in another direction.
Similarly, reporting any fraudulent activity you experience to Craigslist can help keep others from falling victim to the same scam.
7. Document Everything
Keep thorough notes on all your written and spoken interactions, including transactions. Screenshot any buyer conversations, listing information, and payment receipts.
Keep a running list of must-haves. A list of buyer names and meeting information helps to establish a solid point of reference should a dispute occur.
Spotting and Avoiding Craigslist Ticket Scams
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist can provide an easy and effective way to reach potential buyers. Through a little vigilance, you can spot the scams before they nab you. Scams like this are all too common. By understanding how to recognize these scams and avoid them, you can keep your tickets—and your dollars—safe.
Recognize Sob Stories
Scammers love to play on the heartstrings to bring down the cost of tickets. Sometimes, buyers come to us with dramatic tales of despair or emergency. Such as claiming that they require tickets for an ill family member or that they were swindled before.
While it’s natural to sympathize, it’s best to keep things business-like. Be firm with your pricing approach and don’t cave under duress. If a prospective buyer’s tale seems too whackadoo or far-fetched, it’s a good idea to flag this as a possible sign of a scam.
If they come up with an outlandish request or unreasonable assertion, keep a record of that interaction to protect yourself later if there’s a dispute.
Beware of Price Flexibility
Buyers who come off as desperate or demand major concessions on price are other red-flags. Scammers will attempt to lure you in with a promise of fast payment if you agree to a significantly lower price. This ruse usually leads to fraudulent payments or chargebacks later.
Know the market value of your tickets and have an acceptable price range in mind prior to listing. If the true market value of your ticket is $500, you better run. Buyers will often attempt to lowball you with offers under $100.
Set clear rules and stick to them—even when you feel the heat.
Avoid Unconventional Payment
Secure payment methods are crucial when selling online. Save yourself time and energy; these things are not negotiable when dealing with people you don’t know. Use cash or services with buyer and seller protections like PayPal or Venmo.
Avoid cash, wire transfers, or prepaid cards; these are the fraudster’s favorite methods of receiving payment. Be honest about payment methods. Mention all accepted payments upfront in your listing to avoid any misunderstandings.
Read up on safe payment methods to reduce the potential for fraud.
Watch Out for Venue Holding Scams
Some scammers offer to have tickets waiting for you at the venue. Later, ticket buyers learn those tickets aren’t even real. Always confirm any such claim directly with the actual venue or ticketing company.
Take notes on everything and listen to your gut if it seems too good to be true. Meeting buyers in person, ideally at a public location like a coffee shop or bank, can help mitigate that risk even more.
Best Practices for Secure Transactions
Whether buying or selling concert tickets on Craigslist, safe and smooth transactions are the best way to ensure a positive experience for both buyer and seller. As we combine the right communication, privacy provisions, and safety efforts, we’ll make selling a safer, smoother, more confident transaction.
Here, we share some key best practices to set you up for secure transactions.
Communicate Clearly and Promptly
Educating your customers with clear and timely communication is key in building that trust with those all-important buyers. Answer questions promptly to prove that you mean business and are serious about completing the sale.
Provide clear and accurate information using simple language, including the name of the event listed on the ticket, the date and place of the event, and seat location. Instead of just stating “good seats,” for example, provide details like “Section B, Row 12, Seats 5-6.
Maintaining consistent communication during the entire process further assists in answering questions and avoids any miscommunication that could arise. Keep a record of all communications. Keeping emails or messages can help you prove your case should any issues come up down the line.
This move can prove especially useful when working with multiple buyers or intricate transactions.
Use Craigslist’s Anonymous Email
Craigslist’s anonymous email feature is one of the best tools you can use to protect your personal information. By utilizing this type of system, we prevent sharing private email accounts, limiting exposure to risks such as spam or phishing attacks.
In addition, make sure that you encourage buyers to use this feature when initially contacting you. It’s equally important to take the time to understand how the system works, providing effective communication while protecting privacy concerns.
To be more secure, you can use a Google Voice number instead of your personal cell phone number if they call you back with any questions.
Trust Your Instincts
Our gut feelings can be one of the best indicators of when something just isn’t right. When a buyer pushes too hard or offers what seems to be an unreasonable low-ball offer, watch out.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and insist on walking away from the transaction. Keep in mind that 70% of Craigslist scams start with too-good-to-be-true pricing and/or an urgent demand.
Meeting in well-lit, public places—such as a coffee shop or shopping mall parking lot—can help minimize risk during transactions. Having a second person with you provides an extra layer of security and cash is still the safest way to get paid.
Don’t limit yourself to digital payments only such as PayPal or Venmo, which are susceptible to chargeback scams. Log every sketchy interaction and report what you encounter to other sellers and through platforms to create a culture of shared awareness and vigilance.
Alternatives to Selling on Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the easiest and most popular ways to sell. Numerous alternatives offer increased safety, ease, and functionality when selling concert tickets. Understanding these alternatives can mean the difference between a problematic transaction and a seamless exchange.
Explore Reputable Ticket Marketplaces
Reputable ticket resale platforms like TickPick offer safe marketplaces specifically designed for purchasing and trading event tickets. Websites such as StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster Resale are perfect examples of dedicated transaction sites, built with a ticket buyer in mind.
These platforms usually have some form of verification, including verifying the tickets themselves to eliminate scams and ensuring both buyers and sellers are protected. For example, when you sell with StubHub, you’re backed by their FanProtect guarantee, which means ticket buyers will always get valid tickets or their money back.
Fees and features differ from one platform to the next, so it’s crucial to compare alternatives. StubHub takes a 10% commission from sellers. Comparatively, SeatGeek charges a higher 15% transaction fee but offers a more comprehensive, cutting-edge, mobile-friendly app which is attractive for mobile purchases.
Ticketmaster Resale, by contrast, connects directly to the original purchase of a ticket, making the resale process a lot more seamless. Weighing these factors against each other can help you pick an auctioning platform that best meets your needs and values.
User reviews are an underrated resource. For instance, some sellers love StubHub’s access to the largest audience, while other sellers might be happier with SeatGeek’s up-front pricing. Creating a comparison table with factors like fees, audience size, and ease of use can aid in making an informed decision.
Consider Selling to Friends/Family
For a simpler, more personal and trustworthy process, selling to friends or family can eliminate a lot of hassle. You can play on the unique strengths of your networks, which help you sidestep the risks and unknowns that come with traditional online markets.
Open communication is key. Discussing pricing upfront ensures transparency and prevents misunderstandings. Having something written down—even a simple agreement—documents the sale which provides some necessary clarity.
Even a few lines in a text or email outlining the details of your agreement can go a long way toward protecting both parties. This strategy goes a long way toward establishing trust while still letting you keep the transaction simple.
With unused concert tickets, building a stronger relational network with your friends and family can be just as valuable if not more so.
Handling Disputes and Refunds
When selling concert tickets on Craigslist, disputes and refund requests can arise, often requiring a structured approach to manage effectively. Establishing enforceable processes and having a thorough knowledge of Craigslist’s policies are key to defending sellers and buyers. These three steps provide transparency with every transaction.
Understand Craigslist Guidelines
Craigslist’s policies are a huge first step. Getting to know their ticketing policies helps us stay in line and avoid any costly disputes. For instance, Craigslist does not allow fake or deceptive ads, and doing so can lead to account termination.
Putting these policies in writing is just as critical, especially when it comes to the grandparents in your pay lane dispute. Being informed on policy changes prepares us to meet new transactional requirements and allows us to pivot when changes occur that could impact transactions.
By sharing tips like these with other sellers, Craigslist users help build a community of knowledgeable users who help enforce Craigslist’s noncommercial terms of use.
Document All Communication
Having an accurate, up-to-date record of all buyer activity is important. By retaining each email, text or chat we’ve had back and forth, we’re recording a chronological paper trail of the entire transaction.
Clear, respectful, and to-the-point communication lowers the risk of miscommunication. For instance, when a buyer claims they never got their tickets, we’re able to fight that claim. A clear photograph of those tickets left at the hotel front desk is quite compelling evidence of delivery.
Creating a log with details such as buyer information, payment method, and delivery confirmation ensures we’re prepared if disputes arise. This documentation is especially critical when facing situations like a fraudulent “item not received” claim supported by platforms like PayPal.
Consider Third-Party Mediation
When disputes become contentious, third-party mediation serves as an effective remedy. Organizations that focus on ticket sales disputes offer amicable grounds for resolution.
Before escalating to a mediator, we need to put in writing all the transactions and communications that have brought us to this place. Consider this scenario—if a buyer were to falsely claim there was fraud but still has the tickets, mediation can provide a platform for determining accountability for both parties.
Open communication with buyers about the possibility of mediation demonstrates our commitment to resolving issues fairly. If fraud is clear, then the seller must do the right thing by reporting the scammer to Craigslist and local law enforcement to prevent them from defrauding others.
Conclusion
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist, like selling anything on Craigslist, is a great plan as long as you keep your wits about you. It’s simply a matter of exercising caution, practicing safe online habits, and being aware of what tells you should be looking out for. We have strategies such as conducting transactions in public places, confirming buyer identity, and using cash or secure payment solutions. Alternatives abound to avoid these tricky transaction and communication issues.
If Craigslist is too sketchy for you, try selling through other sites such as Ticketmaster or StubHub that are more secure. Remember that the aim is to sell your tickets quickly and painlessly, and selling your tickets on these sites can help you achieve that.
Be patient, be aware, and listen to your gut. Taking a few simple precautions will protect you from a lot of frustration down the road. The more you can keep things simple, safe and straightforward, the easier the process will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally sell concert tickets on Craigslist?
The short answer is yes, you can sell concert tickets on Craigslist. Take a look at local laws and event policies first, as some states or locations ban resale or impose mark-up caps.
Is it safe to sell tickets on Craigslist?
Selling concert tickets on Craigslist is typically secure if you’re careful to follow common sense. Check identification, meet in safe public areas, and don’t provide sensitive PII such as bank account information.
How can I avoid ticket scams on Craigslist?
Avoid getting burned by ticket scammers. Avoid wire transfers or money orders, meet buyers in a public place, and always check tickets before sale to ensure they are legitimate. When in doubt, trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right.
What’s the best payment method for selling tickets on Craigslist?
Cash is still the best choice for in-person sales. When making transactions digitally, use a digital payment platform such as PayPal or Venmo to help minimize risk.
Are there alternatives to Craigslist for selling concert tickets?
Yes, through third-party platforms such as Ticketmaster Resale, StubHub or VVid Seats. These sites provide scam-free exchanges and a broader, more reputable network of potential ticket buyers.
What should I do if a buyer demands a refund?
If a dispute arises, look to the terms of your sale. Refunds are not otherwise legally required unless promised. Keep a record of your correspondence to insulate yourself should things go wrong.
How can I make a secure transaction on Craigslist?
When meeting buyers in person, do so in a public, well-lit space. Always accept cash or a secure digital payment. Don’t ship tickets or accept checks to avoid getting scammed.
