Buying tickets the moment they go on sale is no longer the only option for fans in search of the perfect seats. The secondary ticket market is a growing industry, constantly offering customers more options to meet their ticketing needs.

These days, using a ticket broker gives a buyer a larger selection of seat locations, a wider variety of events to choose from and the convenience of purchasing at the last minute.

Not only that— the secondary ticket industry is one of the most carefully self-regulated retail markets in America. With the advent of the internet, ticket resale has flourished, and with every new development in e-commerce technology, brokers have created more safeguards to protect consumers.

By using these consumer protections to your advantage, you can be sure that your ticket purchase is completely safe, quick and easy:

• Credit Card Security. Buying online with a credit card is faster and easier than buying with cash, check or other forms of payment. Using a credit card also gives the option for consumers to dispute a mistaken charge, and it leaves a paper trail of the transaction.




• Ticket Broker Licensing. Some states have a licensing process to monitor and certify legitimate ticket brokers. Check with your local government to find out if there’s an official list of certified brokers in your state.




• Ticket Broker Associations. A membership in the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), Better Business Brokers (BBB) or a state ticketing association is a great indication of reliability.




• Major Carrier Shipping. Brokers who ship with major carriers such as FedEx, UPS or DHL are generally the most reliable. These carrier services give a tracking number so tickets are accounted for from the time they leave the office to the time they arrive at the customer’s door.




• Secure Online Purchasing. Secure SSL certificates are an absolute requirement for an online purchase. A ticket broker’s web site should display the logo for ControlScan, ScanAlert or another SSL (security) certification provider. These services guarantee complete protection of credit card and personal information from fraud and phishing.




• Customer Service Support Centers. A broker that has a friendly and helpful customer service center available during normal business hours is often more legitimate than a broker who is hard to get in touch with. The availability of a trained customer service professional means you’ll have someone to talk to if a problem arises.

Right now, buying tickets from a broker is even safer and easier than buying them from a primary seller or box office, and as the secondary ticket market continues to grow brokers will find newer and even better ways to protect customers and provide quality service. Add to that the convenience of huge selection and last-minute front-row seat availability, and you'll wonder why you ever bought tickets from the box office before!