It can be a bit of a minefield to shop for tickets online, especially if you are trying to hunt down tickets to the hottest tickets in town for a rock concert, sports event, or show.
To keep buyers from falling target to ticket scams, here’s a breakdown of how Viagogo works, what customers have to say about it, and tips for avoiding ticket scams.
What Is Viagogo?
Viagogo is a global online ticket exchange platform where members of the public can buy or sell tickets for gigs, sports, and other events. Unlike primary ticket sellers, such as Ticketmaster or Eventbrite, Viagogo is a secondary marketplace, meaning that tickets sold on the site have typically been resold by individuals or businesses.
Don’t forget that Viagogo is not itself a ticket seller, and, as such, prices on the platform are set by sellers, so may be higher or lower than the original ticket price. So, some people use Viagogo to get tickets to sold-out events, and others use it to sell tickets they no longer want.
Founded in 2006, the company operates across multiple countries and is amongst the largest ticket resale platforms in the world. However, it’s a marketplace where third-party sellers can list tickets, so buyers need to be careful to ensure they have valid tickets.
How Does Viagogo Work?
Viagogo’s website is essentially a marketplace, allowing users to browse events and buy tickets from sellers who have made them available. Viagogo collects payment at the time of ticket purchase and only releases the funds once the ticket is delivered. This makes sense for the buyer and the seller.
Once customers have bought a ticket, they typically receive a digital file, a mobile QR code, or a physical ticket, in whichever form is most appropriate for the event and the delivery options they choose.
Yes, sellers send the tickets in good time, and Viagogo withholds the funds until they’re sure the transaction is complete. However, an important detail to watch out for is that Viagogo may not provide detailed seat information before you buy.
Buyers May Not Know a Ticket’s Exact Location In some situations buyers only see a general section or category instead of a precise seat number, which may leave them with no idea where their ticket is located.
Is Viagogo Safe and Legit?
Buying tickets online can raise a lot of safety issues, particularly when it comes to resale websites. Viagogo says it offers a safe and trusted experience for those buying tickets, but numerous customers have complained of problems.
The company claims to provide a “guarantee” so people buying tickets will get legitimate tickets in time for their event. If a ticket is not delivered or is found to be invalid, Viagogo states it will offer a replacement or refund.
But when things go wrong, some customers have found it hard to get their money back. There have also been complaints about hidden fees that spring at the final checkout stage, often making tickets far more expensive than expected. However, the extra costs and less-than-reliable customer service have left Viagogo with a patchy reputation.
Customer Reviews and Complaints
Customer experiences of Viagogo differ immensely. So far, what we’ve noticed is people have downloaded successful tickets to events while others have had invalid tickets, late deliveries, no customer support, and all that stuff.
Positive reviews highlight that Viagogo is a great resource for finding tickets to sold-out events and that the site offers international tickets that may not be available in your area. Others who did receive their tickets on time say they had no issues at events.
Negative reviews raise a few issues:
- On some websites, tickets have turned out to be invalid or duplicated, with buyers turned away at events.
- The final bill, once all the service and processing fees are added, can be a lot more than the amount that pops up on the screen.
- It can be difficult to get a refund, and some customers have said they haven’t got their money before having backwaters with their tickets
- customer support is often out of reach, and addressing issues is not easy.
- These unreliable experiences demonstrate that although Viagogo is not a scam, it does not necessarily lead to a successful transaction.
How to Avoid Scams When Buying Tickets on Viagogo
But to minimize the risks of buying fake or overpriced tickets, buyers can take some precautions when they buy through Viagogo or perhaps any ticket resale website.
- Double-checking event information beforehand can help avoid errors. Some events have strict no-resale policies, meaning buyers might get denied entry if the ticket is not in their name.
- It is essential to compare prices on other websites [to see] what they charge. “On Viagogo, ticket prices are sometimes significantly more expensive than on primary ticketing platforms, in cases where resale prices are pushed up by high demand.”
- Using a secure payment method (like PayPal or a credit card) also offers additional protection in the event of disputes. Buyers using these payment options can request refunds if they don’t receive valid tickets.
- Buyers can also read seller reviews and ratings to select more trustworthy sellers. If a seller has a reputation for delivering tickets late or providing invalid tickets, you should try to find an alternative.
How Viagogo Compares to Other Ticket Websites
Viagogo also competes with other resale sites, including StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster Resale. Each platform has its own unique policies and reliability levels, making it helpful to compare them before purchase.
- For instance, StubHub may provide better buyer protection due to its more straightforward refund policy regarding ticket issues. When it comes to customer service, they generally get better reviews than Viagogo.
- SeatGeek shows you the total cost of tickets upfront with no hidden fees. This allows buyers to see exactly what they are paying up until checkout.
- Ticketmaster Resale Because it’s directly connected with Ticketmaster (the primary ticketing source for many events), Ticketmaster Resale is one of the safest bets. Tickets bought via this service are generally more trustworthy.
- Viagogo, another of the biggest resale platforms, has been complained about more when it comes to ticket validity, hidden fees, and difficult refunds. For those seeking a safer ticket-buying process, alternative platforms might be a better alternative.
What to Do If You Have Problems with Viagogo
If buying a ticket through Viagogo causes trouble, however, buyers have ways to address the issue.
The first option is to contact Viagogo’s customer support. If a ticket isn’t delivered or is invalid, the company says it provides rebookings or refunds, but customer reviews indicate that this process is not always easy.
If customer support doesn’t help, buyers can reach out to their payment provider to dispute the charge. Credit card companies and PayPal frequently offer protections for undelivered purchases.
You can also leave a review on customer protection websites like Trustpilot and file a complaint with customer rights organizations to draw attention to any remaining issues that may remain unresolved.
Conclusion
Viagogo is a legitimate ticket resale site, but it has a somewhat mixed reputation, with customers complaining about hidden charges, invalid tickets, and poor customer service.
And while some people navigated the platform and bought tickets successfully, others have faced issues that turned their ticket-buying experience into a nuisance.
That said, the site may not always be the most trustworthy or economically sound choice for buying tickets. Buyers can mitigate the risk of issues by comparing prices carefully, reading seller reviews, and using secure payment methods.
If you’re seeking a more secure ticket-buying experience, reselling options like StubHub, SeatGeek, or Ticketmaster Resale may be better bets. But if you are going to use Viagogo, taking some precautions and being aware of the risks can help you have a smoother transaction.
