Are Facebook ticket sellers legit?

Facebook has become a popular marketplace for buying and selling event tickets. With over 2 billion monthly active users, it’s easy to find tickets being resold for concerts, games, festivals and more in Facebook Groups and on Marketplace. But is it safe to buy tickets from sellers you don’t know on Facebook? Here’s what you need to know about the legitimacy of Facebook ticket sellers.

The Risks of Buying Tickets on Facebook

There are a few risks to be aware of when purchasing tickets from Facebook sellers:

• Counterfeit or fake tickets – Some sellers may knowingly or unknowingly sell fake or counterfeit tickets that will not get you through the door.
• Scams – Scammers often target Facebook to steal money. They may take your payment without ever sending tickets.
• Incorrect details – Sellers may misrepresent details like seat locations or fail to disclose restrictions.
• Prohibited sales – Many event venues prohibit the resale of tickets on places like Facebook.

These risks mean you could lose money and not get into the event you paid to attend. So it’s important to take precautions when buying from Facebook sellers.

Tips for Safely Buying Tickets on Facebook

Here are some tips to help vet sellers and purchase event tickets safely on Facebook:

1. Check seller ratings and reviews. Look on their profile for feedback and comments about past ticket sales.
2. Ask about their source. A trustworthy seller should be transparent where they got the tickets.
3. Request photos of the tickets. Verify details like seat numbers, event name, and date/time.
4. Use PayPal Goods and Services. This option gives buyer protection for disputes.
5. Meet in person when possible. Check tickets together before exchanging payment.
6. Verify tickets immediately. Contact the box office or look up the ticket numbers to confirm authenticity.
7. Get contact info. In case there are issues, you need to be able to reach the seller.
8. Check the event policy. Make sure reselling tickets on Facebook doesn’t violate venue rules.

Taking these precautions helps minimize the risk of problems. But ultimately there is no guarantee when buying from an individual seller instead of an official source.

Facebook Ticket Seller Red Flags

Watch out for these common red flags that indicate a Facebook ticket seller may not be legitimate:

• No profile photo, history, or reviews
• Prices that are much lower than face value
• Only accepting wire transfers or gift cards
• Blurry or photocopied images of tickets
• Refusal to video chat or talk on the phone
• Claims the tickets are guaranteed or “100% valid”
• Mention of a third party broker or escrow service
• Unable to provide ticket order number, seat number, or barcode

The presence of one or more of these factors means you should proceed with extreme caution or avoid the purchase altogether.

Steps to Take if You Receive Fake or Invalid Tickets

If you go through a purchase only to find out later the tickets are fake, invalid, or misrepresented, here are some steps to take:

1. Contact the seller immediately explaining the situation and requesting a refund.
2. Open a dispute through PayPal Goods and Services if that was the payment method.
3. Report the seller’s Facebook profile for scamming activity.
4. Leave comments about the invalid tickets on their profile to warn others.
5. Contact event management with details in case they can help or prohibit the seller.
6. Consult with your bank about possible chargeback options for recovering payments.
7. File reports through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission if you lost money.
8. Adjust privacy settings on Facebook to avoid being targeted again.

Also make sure to leave reviews to warn other buyers about any scam ticket sellers on Facebook. This can help prevent the same thing from happening to someone else.

Are Facebook Ticket Sellers Ever Legitimate?

Yes, there are plenty of legitimate sellers offering valid event tickets through Facebook. Here are some examples of situations where buying tickets on Facebook can be secure:

• Friends or family members selling extra tickets from their purchase
• Long-time, active Facebook users with ample positive feedback
• Official ticket brokers using Facebook as a resale marketplace
• People selling at or below face value to cut losses
• Sellers willing to prove ticket validity and use buyer protections
• Sales that don’t violate event ticket policies

As long as proper precautions are taken, tickets bought through Facebook directly from another fan or season ticket holder can be 100% legitimate. But there is more risk than buying from an authorized source.

Is it Legal to Resell Tickets on Facebook?

The legality of reselling event tickets on Facebook or other secondary markets depends on a few key factors:

• Event or venue policies – Many restrict or prohibit ticket resale without authorization.
• State laws – Some states regulate ticket resales but allow if not restricted by event.
• Price gouging – Significant markups above face value may violate state laws against price gouging.
• Ticket source – Tickets obtained via unauthorized methods often cannot legally be resold.

So while peer-to-peer ticket sales are very common on Facebook, they occupy somewhat of a legal gray area in many cases. Sellers have a duty to understand and comply with applicable event, venue, and state ticket resale laws.

Common Ticket Resale Laws and Restrictions

Some examples of event, venue, or state ticket regulations include:

• NCAA – Prohibits unauthorized championship ticket resales.
• NFL – Prohibits reselling tickets at more than face value.
• New York – Bans ticket resales over set price limits.
• Live Nation Venues – Imposes limits on ticket markups.
• StubHub Agreement – Allows authorized marketplace resellers only.

It’s important for buyers and sellers alike to research the applicable rules before any Facebook ticket transactions to avoid legal issues.

Best Practices for Facebook Ticket Buyers

To find legitimate ticket sellers and make informed purchases on Facebook, keep these best practices in mind:

• Join dedicated fan Groups and Marketplaces specific to the event.
• Sort by recent listings to find last minute sellers.
• Use buyer protections like PayPal Goods and Services.
• Ask detailed questions and request multiple photos.
• Search seller profiles for positive feedback and reviews.
• Confirm ticket details directly with the venue.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Report suspicious sellers or sales to Facebook.

With proper precautions, persistence can pay off in finding reliable resellers. But be very wary of scams when rushing to get last minute tickets.

Alternatives to Buying Tickets on Facebook

To avoid the risks and uncertainty of Facebook ticket purchases, safer options include:

• Official ticket seller platforms – Ticketmaster, AXS, etc.
• Established resale marketplaces – StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, etc.
• Ticket exchanges – Lyte, Twickets, Ticketmaster Exchange, etc.
• Box office and fan clubs – For primary market access.
• Trusted sellers – Friends, family, co-workers, etc.

These sources offer more protections against counterfeits and scams. But availability and prices may be more limited than Facebook.

Conclusion

Buying event tickets through Facebook certainly carries risks of scams, counterfeits and misrepresentations. But taking proper precautions, being patient, and using protections like PayPal G&S allows determined fans access to a wider selection of tickets.

The key is thoroughly vetting any seller, confirming ticket details, complying with applicable laws, and using safe purchase methods. With the right approach, scores of fans have successfully found legitimate sellers and bought real tickets on Facebook.