Skip to content

works for you

Member access:

Buying tickets: your rights Ticket buying FAQs

Checking out ticket sellers

How can I tell if a ticket seller is reputable and that I'm not getting ripped off?

There are no guarantees, but there are some precautions you can take:

  • Look at the event's official website to check the list of official ticket sellers. Then, check prices (including all the fees) from a few ticket sellers before you book.
  • Make sure that you have the ticket seller's name and contact details before buying so you can get in touch if there's a problem.
  • Read the ticket seller's terms and conditions of sale carefully.
  • Pay by credit card if you can, as this makes your credit card company jointly liable if the ticket seller breaches their contract with you. If you can't get a refund directly from the ticket seller, you should be able to claim from your credit card company.

If you have any doubts about a ticket seller, don't buy.

Reselling tickets

I bought concert tickets but I can't make it anymore. Can I legally resell them?

It's not a criminal offence to resell concert, theatre or show tickets, and it is common practice for people with a few tickets to sell them on.  However, it is illegal to resell tickets for football matches or to sell any items on the street without a street trading licence.

Many tickets have a clause in the small print on the back that prohibits you from reselling them, but a company is highly unlikely to pursue an individual for doing this. Even if they did, they would have to prove that they had lost money by you doing so.

Some ticket sellers offer an exchange or resale service, but they sometimes charge for this. Websites such as Seatwave, Viagogo and Getmein are known as fan-to-fan exchanges, and offer a place for individuals to sell on tickets.

Counterfeit tickets

I paid £200 for four concert tickets online, but I've found out that they're counterfeit. What can I do?

If you can't trace the company or person who sold you the tickets, there's not much that you can do to get your money back. If the company is still trading, and is based in the UK, you could take them to the small claims court to try and get your money back. However, this may not be worth the time and effort, depending on the value of the tickets.

You can also report the matter to your local trading standards department. It may be able to investigate the trader, but it won't help you get your cash.

As you paid over £100, if you paid by credit card you should be able to get a refund from your credit card company. But you can't claim if you paid with a debit card, such as Maestro.

Tickets for poor seats

I bought tickets for the theatre but on the night I discovered the seats were behind a huge pillar and we could see only part of the stage. Shouldn't I have been told this when I booked?

Yes, ticket sellers are required to tell you if there is anything about the seat location that might impair your enjoyment of the event, such as an obstructed or restricted view. 

Failure to do this is a breach of contract and you can ask the seller to refund you part of the money to compensate for your loss of enjoyment.

Tickets haven't turned up

I'm due to go to a concert this weekend but the tickets I bought over the phone haven't been delivered. What should I do?

Many tickets are sent out close to the date of the event. However, if you have not received tickets 48 hours before the event, call your ticket seller. 

If the tickets don't arrive before the event you would be within your rights to buy tickets elsewhere (without spending more than you need to) and then claim the cost back from your original ticket seller.