You can resell just about anything online – including event tickets. In many U.S. states, you can even make a profit off the sale without being considered a “scalper.” That said, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to resell event tickets legally.

Tips for reselling event tickets

If you bought tickets for an event that you can longer attend, here’s what to keep in mind when reselling them online.  

• Know your local laws. Some states do regulate ticket resale, so before you post a few tickets to eBay for a 200% profit, do your research. For example, in Ontario, reselling event tickets for a profit is still considered scalping and is illegal. The same is true in several U.S. states. In addition, circumventing ticket issuers’ security measures using automated software or other means is illegal under the Federal Trade Commission’s BOTS Act.

• Make sure your tickets came from a reputable source. Before putting any tickets up for sale, make sure they are from a trusted vendor. Trusted vendors include the event venue or a professional ticket broker (preferably a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers). If you made a purchase from an unregulated, unlicensed ticket seller, outside of a reliable ticket broker site, then verify your tickets before posting them to a resale site.

• Sell your tickets on trustworthy resale sites. There are many online event ticket brokers that allow individuals to resell their tickets for a fee. Online platforms like StubHub guarantee tickets for buyers and make sure sales follow local laws. You can sell tickets on websites that aren’t dedicated specifically to event tickets, such as eBay, but keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for understanding and complying with local laws and regulations.

• Get to know ticket broker rules and fees. Before signing up to resell tickets on an online website, get to know how it works. Find out if you can sell tickets digitally and/or physically, how much the commission fee is, and how you will receive payment.

• Read reviews from buyers and sellers. Read reviews on third-party websites to make sure the platform you are considering has a good reputation with ticket sellers in addition to buyers. 

• Compare fees across resellers. Different ticket reselling platforms charge different commission amounts. Some have a flat fee, while others do a percentage of the sales amount. Do the math and figure out what is best for you. 

• Watch out for scams. Con artists are always looking for new opportunities. Stay alert to lookalike websites and watch out for platforms that promise you unrealistic profits. Also, avoid sharing your personal information with businesses or individuals you don’t know and trust.

 For more information

Read about avoiding scams when buying tickets and getting a good deal from a ticket reseller. Learn more about selling things online by reading the BBB Tip: Selling used items online. Also, read more on BBB's entertainment and sports hub.