The age of the internet has changed the way people do a lot of things including buying tickets for their favorite baseball team. The internet has opened up the flood gates of ticket competition and that means many online brokers are competing for your business and thus lowering prices. However, what many people do not realize is that many online ticket brokers hide fees masking their true price until your purchase has been made. Most often these brokers tease you with low prices only to slap on service charges and shipping and handling fees. Here at MyMLBTickets.com we breakdown the major ticket brokers hidden service charges. Below you will find the Top 6 Online Ticket Brokers.
#1 The Ticket Lodge – %5 Service Charge ; Free Shipping and Handling
The Ticket Lodge is the new kid on the ticket resale block and are one of the fastest growing websites in the United States. The claim to search the inventory of hundreds of ticket brokers with the goal of bring you the best prices on sports, theater, and concert tickets. The prices are pretty good but the real value is that there are NO hidden service charges and they offer FREE 2 day shipping. Through their partner they are also able to offer a 200% money back guarantee- the only of its kind in the industry.
#2 StubHub – 10 % Service Charge ; $16.95 Shipping and Handling
Stubhub is probably the most well known and largest online ticket resale provider. They tout great prices as this is supposed to be fans selling tickets to fans. While that may be the case, Stubhub does not provide this service for free as evidenced by their service charges.
#3 Razor Gator – 10% Service Charge ; $17.50 Shipping and Handling
Razor Gator is one of the larger online ticket brokers and get a fair amount of business. Their prices are competitive but once again they conceal service and shipping charges until check out. Before you buy from Razor Gator be sure and factor in these charges.
#4 TicketsNow - 15% Service Charge ; $14.95 Shipping and Handling
Much like the rest of the online ticket brokers, TicketsNow may have good prices on the surface but once you factor in their other fees, they are nothing but average. They do have one of the lower shipping charges but they make up for it with an outrageous 15% service charge. Ouch!
#5 Ticket Liquidator – 15% Service Charge ; $15.00 Shipping and Handling
Ticket Liquidator pretty much follows the same model as TicketsNow. They have a slightly lower shipping and handling charge but more than make up for it with a %15 service fee. The ticket prices are generally good but when you factor in the excess fees they are indistinguishable from the rest.
#6 Ticket Master – 15% Service Charge ; 19.95 Shipping and Handling
Ticktet Master is the place where you are supposedly able to get tickets at face value. That is if you are willing and able to wait in virtual waiting rooms and spend hours online. What many people do not realize is that Ticket Master relies upon large service and shipping charges. Face value is not face value and the secondary ticket market can often offer tickets less than what Ticket Master charges.
Despite what all the ticket brokers claim, they are all very similar in terms of prices. Some tempt you with low prices then slam you with hidden fees while others have slightly higher prices with little or no extra fees. When buying tickets from online brokers be sure to factor in these service charges prior to making you decision and also reviewing their guarantees.
Filed under: Ticket Buying Resources | Tagged: cheap tickets, discount tickets, razorgator, secondary ticket market, stubhub, ticket brokers, ticket lodge, ticket master, ticketliquidator, ticketsnow
While there are many online ticket brokers in the secondary market, there still is a need for the savvy ticket buyer to choose from multiple ticket providers for best results. It’s a misconception that price is the main reason a seat searcher will go with a particular ticket broker.
Convenience, service and consistency play a larger role in ensuring a good buyer experience, and, reason for ticket seekers to return to any ticket broker.
Backstage Broker aims to be the first premier meta-site for the secondary ticket broker market. Soon to launch, Backstage Broker will serve as a way to “broker” buyer and provider for a better purchase experience. The goal is to help independent brokers build their brand while they build better relationships with their customers.
There is a transparency that most ticket buyers are unaware of because of all the ways ticket brokers outsource their “inventory”. What most, if not all independent brokers agree upon is trying to find a way to send more qualified ticket buyers through their front door – their brand!
I would recommend Backstage Broker as a site for both seat searchers and ticket brokers. The site is expected to launch this month… be sure to check it out!
http://www.backstagebroker.com
Where does Ace Tickets fit on this list? I’ve never even heard of # 3 & 4.
I just had the worst possible experience dealing with StubHub.com!
I purchased tickets on March 7th that were for a charity auction on April 19th. StubHub informed me that the tickets would be shipped on March 30th. I thought this would be plenty of time to receive the tickets. When I had not received them by April 7th, I contacted StubHub to find out the status. I was told they would be shipped out on the 11th (not sure why the delay.) On April 14th, I still hadn’t recieved the tickets. I called again and they said the sell would ship them that day and I would receive them at noon on the 15th. I didn’t recieve the tickets and was again told that they would ship next day. This time I didn’t believe them and went to purchase tickets at the Mariners store. Stub Hub will not give me my money back! During this entire time, when I asked to speak with a manager, they were never available. I even called their corporate office and left a message for their head of customer service, John Whelan, and he hasn’t returned my call.
I will never do business with them again!
Why to buy tickets from a ticket service or ticket broker?
Because it’s easy and reliable!
1. Find your event.
2. Choose your tickets.
3. Place your order.
4. Get your tickets in time for the event.
And that’s all!
I agree, its so easy, its just 1 click away
and the ticket is yours.
You dont need to go to buy it and wait hours like in the old times.