Are You An Online Ticket Buyer? : Tips To Make A Safe Transaction
With the new normal, post-COVID, events are gaining back their groove. It’s exhilarating for all of us, but after witnessing the uprising of scams in the digital marketplace, figuring out how to buy tickets safely can be overwhelming. When making an online purchase, you are naturally aiming for the best deal out there but before anything else, you need to steer away from all those suspicious links selling tickets to your event. With your haste, buying counterfeit tickets can be a huge disappointment and an expensive mistake. So, it would be best to have all the information at hand and take some precautions during the buying process..
In this blog, we’ll explore how to recognise fake tickets when you buy them online, best practices and tips for staying safe when making an online ticket purchase. We’ll also look at what you can do if something goes wrong.
Buying Event Tickets Online
If you’re planning to attend an event you’ve been eagerly waiting for, you may prefer to buy tickets in advance. Besides the most obvious benefit, when you buy online – convenience – you can constantly find special offers such as waived entry fees for exclusive fan clubs, discounted membership plans, loyalty programs and presales. These are great opportunities to get access to tickets before they’re available to the general public and fetch better bargains.
Today, we hear numerous stories about ticket scams tied up even with big names. You are saving yourself a lot of anguish if you take time with your research, no matter how tempting it is to own your ticket in a click. Browse through every piece of information you can find about the event, from organisers’ profiles to venue and parking availability.
When selecting the eventing ticketing website, you need to go for a website of a secure and reputable company. Look for the “https” in the URL and make sure that the website uses a secure payment gateway. Keep away from websites that are not protected, such as a web address, start with https: instead of http: and display a padlock mark. It is also critical to be aware of hidden fees when buying tickets. Some websites may advertise low prices but add additional fees and charges at the checkout. Be sure to read the fine print, even if it is lengthy and be mindful of any additional costs that may be added on.
Many leading event ticketing companies in Australia are generally safe and reliable, and they offer a variety of features and services that make the buying process easier. Simultaneously, you can check their reviews, ratings and customer feedback to understand if previous ticket buyers had spoken highly of the website or talked about hitches or unpleasant experiences.
How to Spot Ticket Scams
Suppose you are combing the internet for tickets to concerts, performances, music festivals, sporting events, trade shows or charity fundraisers. Here, scammers are waiting to exploit your appetite to buy tickets online. It becomes even more intense if the event is famous or takes an international stage targeting massive audiences.
- Usually, scammers start by creating fake websites, social media pages or email campaigns to sell tickets. And impersonating event organisers, they ask for higher fees or private information to secure tickets for you. They could also ask you to transfer money to a personal account, you need to know here that something shady is happening.
- Meanwhile, if some website offers tickets for a fraction of the original price organisers have advertised, it’s most likely to be a scam too. Scammers also offer tickets that have already sold out for events or are still not open to go on sale officially.
- You also need to be aware of ticket scalpers. Ticket scalpers buy tickets in bulk and then resell them at a higher price. Avoid buying tickets from scalpers, as these tickets are often overpriced and could be counterfeit.
- Another scam alert is when websites display fake contact information with numbers that don’t connect anywhere. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but it is still in effect today. Check to see if the website uses encryption technology to secure your information.
- Check if the payment page is not asking for too much information. Is it going out of the way asking for more details to sell the ticket? Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of the purchase, including any fees, taxes, or service charges.
- Check for the clarity of barcodes and QR codes and make sure to get a receipt or an email confirmation and a reference for the transaction. Keep it safe.
Simply, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Get The Best Deal
Apart from buying your tickets from reputable event ticketing companies, discussed earlier, you can follow these simple tips to get the best deal out there for your event and thwart scammers.
First, shop around. Look at different sites to make sure that you’re getting the best deal for your money. Sometimes you may need to factor in additional fees, such as shipping and handling, if the tickets are being posted to you. While scanning ticket prices, you also need to pay attention to the resale limitations. Most events impose a resale restriction rule, meaning you can only purchase the tickets from a legitimate source. Be extra cautious of social media as many fake accounts could resell tickets to big-name events.
What are my payment choices and refund conditions? Answering this question is a must. You should be able to use your credit or debit card if the website is a legitimate source to sell tickets. It’s better if you are spending a lot on the tickets and painless to get a refund if something goes wrong. Always buy tickets from a seller who is quite transparent about the deal’s terms and conditions. For example, the website should take you to the seating chart to show what’s vacant and what’s taken, and your seat location before you confirm the purchase.
We at Sticky Tickets highly value transparency and direct interaction with our customers and ticket buyers. We’ve compiled a comprehensive dossier answering the pain points of event ticket buyers – Buying Tickets How to : Customer Support Centre (Knowledgebase). Here we talk about how you can request and secure refunds, buy event tickets with an international currency, and have quick tips for logging in and completing your transaction instantly.
It’s also a good idea to sign up for mailing lists of event ticketing companies, well-known event organisers, and venues or follow your favourite artists on social media – again, watch out for fake profile pages and pretend fan pages. Mailing lists periodically offer exclusive deals, coupons, discounts, and branded merchandise.
Finally, don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets. The closer it gets to the event date, the more difficult it will be to secure tickets. Also, last-minute ticket buyers are more vulnerable to getting scammed.
What to Do if Something Goes Wrong
It is crucial to be prepared in case something goes wrong. Most reputable ticketing websites offer buyer protection, which can help if something goes wrong with your purchase. If you are a victim of ticket fraud, you should report it to the authorities. This can help protect other people from falling victim to the same scam. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission gives you clear instructions on your rights when buying event tickets, and if you get caught in a scam – Buying tickets to events | ACCC
Remember, authorities are there to help you.
To conclude,
Even after the rise of internet scams and frauds, buying event tickets online doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. With the right tips and tricks, you can find the best deals and safely buy your tickets online.
Remember, when buying tickets, it is essential to be informed and take some precautions to ensure you get the best deal and stay safe in the process. We hope this blog post has given you some helpful tips and information to make online ticket buying effortless and enjoyable.
The advancement of technology has its downfall. One thing is for sure. Scammers will always create a new scheme using modern technology to their advantage. We must be informed about what’s out there and stay ahead of scammers. With this thought in mind, we’ll discuss Today’s e-Ticket Scams in an upcoming blog. Stay Tuned!
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