New to StubHub? Here's what you need to know.
Some people prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than things. If you fall into that camp, then you may be the type who budgets for concerts and sporting events. And if so, you may be curious about StubHub if you've never used it before.
Unlike Ticketmaster, which sells tickets directly to consumers, StubHub is more of a ticket marketplace where individuals can list tickets they have available for sale. You might, for example, use StubHub if you bought tickets to an event and then a conflict arises that renders you unable to attend. Or, you might use StubHub to try to score tickets to an otherwise sold-out event.
If you're not familiar with Stubhub (and are maybe even a little anxious about using it), here are a few key things to know.
1. It's the real deal
Buying tickets on StubHub guarantees you a seat to whatever event you're looking to attend. Not only will your tickets be legitimate, but you're guaranteed to get them in time for your event. In fact, StubHub says that if an issue arises with your tickets, it will find you comparable or better tickets to your event or otherwise refund your credit card in full.
2. You will pay fees
As you might expect, StubHub charges a fee for its services. What's tricky, however, is that there aren't pre-set fees. Rather, those fees can fluctuate based on factors such as ticket price and demand. Reading between the lines, this means you should expect to pay higher fees for tickets to a big-name event, and lower fees for a more run-of-the-mill event.
3. You're protected if events are canceled
Sometimes, events don't go off as planned. Musicians can get sick and sporting events can get canceled. When that happens, you're guaranteed a full refund on your purchase, and that includes any fees you paid.
4. Buying last-minute tickets could land you a great deal
Sellers often list tickets on StubHub weeks or months ahead of a given event. But as those events near, they may come down in price in the absence of having a buyer. And so if you wait until you're within a few days of a given event, you might snag a great deal.
5. If you list tickets that aren't purchased, you don't pay
StubHub will deduct a fee from tickets you manage to sell through its site. But it won't charge you a fee just to list your tickets, so there's no risk there.
Should you use StubHub?
All told, StubHub could be a great resource whether you need to sell event tickets or purchase them. But in either scenario, it pays to explore other options, too.
If you're selling tickets, for example, before listing on StubHub, consider blasting out on your social media page that you're looking for a buyer so you can potentially avoid paying a fee. And if you're buying tickets, look at various sites to see which one has the best price. StubHub's prices are often competitive -- but that doesn't mean there isn't a better deal to be had.
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FAQs
The best strategy to get the lowest price is to buy your tickets the day of the event if you can. The closer to the event the cheaper the tickets will be. When stubhub tickets don't sell last minute and time runs out, what happens to the tickets?
How do I make sure my tickets are real on StubHub? ›
You might worry about the tickets you bought on StubHub if:
- They say $0.00. These are often free tickets the seller can relist.
- They are printed with duplicate. This happens when tickets are reprinted, but they are usually still valid.
- They have a VOID watermark. This watermark prevents others from copying them.
The best strategy to get the lowest price is to buy your tickets the day of the event if you can. The closer to the event the cheaper the tickets will be. When stubhub tickets don't sell last minute and time runs out, what happens to the tickets?
Is StubHub a good way to buy tickets? ›
Yes! StubHub is a legitimate merchant in the ticket resale marketplace. StubHub's website guarantees that you will get tickets in time for the event you are attending and a valid ticket for entry.
Does StubHub guarantee tickets? ›
StubHub's "FanProtect Guarantee" ensures customers get in their concert's doors. If not, StubHub finds equal or better tickets or offers a full refund, according to the company.
How can I verify my tickets are real? ›
For physical tickets, check the spelling, date, website link, and quality of the ticket. On closer inspection, real tickets will never include spelling errors. Genuine tickets are also printed on the front and back of high-quality paper stock.
Are tickets on StubHub always verified? ›
Every order is 100% guaranteed on StubHub. StubHub's exclusive FanProtect Guarantee ensures valid tickets or your money back. It's this guarantee that makes us the most trusted ticket marketplace by fans where you can buy and sell with 100% confidence.
Do StubHub prices go down closer to the event? ›
Sellers often list tickets on StubHub weeks or months ahead of a given event. But as those events near, they may come down in price in the absence of having a buyer. And so if you wait until you're within a few days of a given event, you might snag a great deal.
Is it better to list tickets on TicketMaster or StubHub? ›
TicketMaster Vs StubHub- Fees and costs
StubHub charges 10% for buyers and 15% for sellers. Listing and searching for tickets are free of charge though. For instance, if you want to buy a ticket worth $100, you will pay $110, while the seller will get $85. TicketMaster has more sophisticated fees.
What percentage does StubHub take from ticket sales? ›
How much money does stubhub.com take from a ticket seller? StubHub charges a 15% commission to the seller and a 10% service fee to the buyer. If you're a seller who lists your ticket for $100, you'll get $85 ($100 - 15% commission) for the sale and the person buying the ticket will pay $110 ($100 + 10% service fee).
StubHub's acquisition by eBay was announced in January 2007 for a reported $310 million; the company went public under eBay.
What is the difference between SeatGeek and StubHub? ›
Seatgeek Vs.
For example, SeatGeek can send tickets over email or over the application. You can print them yourself if you want to, yet many venues accept digital tickets – make sure you check upfront. On the other hand, StubHub allows you to choose – digital tickets vs paper tickets.
Why doesn't StubHub show seat numbers? ›
Don't see seat numbers on a StubHub listing? Sometimes the seller didn't have them when they listed the tickets. You're covered by the FanProtect Guarantee when you buy tickets on StubHub. We guarantee your tickets will be next to each other and get you into the event or your money back.
Does StubHub refund if you get scammed? ›
StubHub later clarified in a statement: “Our FanProtect Guarantee ensures ticket buyers will either access the event or receive a full refund.
Does StubHub refund if you don't get tickets? ›
We go out of our way to find replacement tickets if there is an issue with your order. If your event is canceled and not rescheduled, you will receive a credit worth 120% of the amount you paid for the impacted event or the option of a cash refund.
Can tickets from StubHub be Cancelled? ›
Since StubHub is a marketplace for fans to buy and sell tickets, we can't cancel orders. By clicking "Buy now," you complete the order. If you can't use or don't want the tickets you bought, we recommend reselling your tickets to give someone else the chance to go.
Are all tickets from StubHub real? ›
Is StubHub legitimate or a scam? It is legitimate for purchasing sports, concert tickets, etc. There are other services which provide the same thing. However, all of these services buy blocks of tickets for events and sell them at a higher price.
Why are tickets available on StubHub but not Ticketmaster? ›
For popular events, Ticketmaster sells out very quickly or has only limited seating choices. That is where Stub Hub and it's ilk come in. Stub Hub is a ticket re-seller. Anyone who has a ticket can re-sell through Stub Hub at whatever price they wish, and Stub Hub charges a fee for the service.
Which is better, StubHub or Ticketmaster? ›
In theory, both portals are similar. StubHub has a sketchy customer service, but its fees are crystal clear and it is easy to use. TicketMaster has merged with Live Nation, so in theory, it should have a much higher selection of tickets. Its fees, however, tend to be slightly bigger.
