How to Buy Tickets From a Ticket Broker

When it comes to attending concerts, sporting events and theater performances, purchasing tickets has become tougher. It seems the minute they go on sale, ticket brokers snap them up and then raise the prices. Ticket scalping is in theory illegal, but there seems to be no one stopping the broker companies. Here are some tips on how to get the most for your money from a ticket broker.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine how badly you want the tickets. The ticket brokers have all of the power in the equation since they have the hard-to-get tickets. However, you can lessen their power by being flexible. If the show or concert is happening on multiple dates, make yourself available for a few of them. If your group is large, think about sitting separately. Have these answers in your head before you make contact.

2. Contact a ticket broker. National ticket brokers have popped up all over the country. They work in conjunction with one another. When you look for an airline seat on a discount carrier, they all seem to have similar prices and the same will be true with the ticket brokers. Check their prices (usually on their websites) and pick up the phone.

3. Ask about the set of tickets you are looking for. Remember not to be too eager (unless the event is something like the Super Bowl where there will be no extra tickets) and just feel out the conversation. Also be sure to check what the handling fees and taxes are for the tickets. Some prices climb as much as 25 percent above the quoted price.

4. Decide whether to purchase the tickets. If this is a gift, or something that is of grand importance to you, haggling over a few dollars is a waste of your time. In that case, purchase the tickets. Don't be bashful about asking for perks such as a parking pass or "club entrances," especially if you are spending a pretty penny. If the event is of minimal importance, meaning it would be nice to go, but your whole weekend does not hinge on it, then hold off for a better deal.

5. Go to auction sites the day of the event. The ticket brokers have one competitor that they will never be able to slay. That is "Joe Public," who needs to get rid of his tickets, bought too many tickets or is trying to make a buck on his tickets. Whatever the case may be, as the event gets closer, "Joe Public" will get more nervous that he will have to eat the entire cost of his tickets. Contact Joe Public and offer him something low. Not insulting, but half of face value. If you get in a conversation, you will probably get a better price here. If you can't get anyone to budge, then it's time to return to your friend the ticket broker and buy the tickets.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the tickets through email. This is common practice now and saves you the hassle of having to meet the broker.

• Make sure the ticket broker is reputable. Brokers you've heard or seen advertise are a safe bet.