With a college football’s national championship game and one of the greatest matchups in the Fiesta Bowl playing in our own backyard this season, Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns local fans to beware of fraudulent sellers when shopping for college bowl tickets online.
“The most common ways secondary-ticket sellers are scamming sports fans is by delivering counterfeit tickets or simply not sending the tickets,” said BBB President/CEO Matthew Fehling. “Even if the tickets do arrive, they are sometimes not for the seats the seller advertised – which can mean the fan is stuck with seats that aren’t next to each other, are in the opponent’s section, are up in the nosebleed area, or have an obstructed view.”
BBB recommends the following tips when purchasing tickets from a secondary source:
- Look for the BBB Trust Seal. The BBB Trust Seal indicates that the company has agreed to uphold BBB Standards For Trust in all marketplace transactions and has a secure Web site for processing payments.
- Require Transparency. Deal only with brokers that provide clear details concerning the terms of the transaction. For instance, you should know the amount upfront and the surcharge for each purchase; whether the tickets are guaranteed; how they will be sent to you and the timeframe for delivery; and the broker’s refund, rescheduling and cancellation policies.
- Review Tickets. Individual sellers often include pictures of the tickets with their posts on auction sites or bulletin boards. Buyers should scrutinize the tickets closely for any inaccuracies or alterations.
- Confirm Seating. Verify the location and seat number on a seating chart provided by the venue to avoid purchasing non-existent seats, seats with obstructed views, or seats nonadjacent to each other.
- Shop Around. Visit several Web sites to compare prices and ticket availability for the event you’re interested in attending. For a list of local BBB Accredited ticket brokers, click here.
- Contact Information. Make sure there is a valid contact number that consumers can contact if they experience any problems with their order.
- Payment Method. Paying with a credit card or through PayPal will provide more protection and the opportunity for potential reimbursement if the company is uncooperative. Consumers should never pay with a cashier’s check or wire money to a seller they do not know, as they will have no recourse to get their money back if the tickets do not arrive.
- Read Fine Print. Before buying from an online ticket reseller, read the fine print and policies stated on the website and pay special attention to the consumer protections provided.
About BBB Serving Central, Northern & Western Arizona
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Incorporated locally in 1938, today your BBB serves communities in Central, Northern and Western Arizona, supported by over 9,500 BBB Accredited Businesses. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust.