How to avoid ticket scams: Buy directly from xBk!
By Fred Love
Predatory ticketing scams are growing in both number and sophistication, and xBk is urging guests to avoid the hassle by purchasing tickets directly from us.
First, the bad news.
Multi-billion-dollar ticket resale websites can charge far more than face value for concert tickets with little oversight or regulation. In many cases, face-value tickets are still readily available directly from the venue or artist while resale websites inflate prices and mislead consumers into paying far more than necessary.
Deceptive ticketing websites have also proliferated online, often making unauthorized use of artist and venue trademarks or creating URLs that include an artist’s name in an attempt to appear official. Artist websites are great for finding valid tickets, but you have to watch closely to make sure you’re logging onto an official artist website and not a lookalike run by resale company.
The National Independent Venue Association has identified more than 6,000 such websites. For example, the website billystringstour.org had no official connection to Billy Strings, and paulmccartneytour.us had nothing to do with Paul McCartney.
Some predatory websites may even sell “tickets” that aren’t valid at all, leaving fans with nothing more than an expensive disappointment. xBk cannot guarantee the validity of tickets purchased through third-party websites. If you buy from an unauthorized seller, you risk being denied entry because your ticket isn’t valid.
A class-action lawsuit recently filed in the Southern District of New York alleges scalping website StubHub engages in fraudulent practices by claiming to be neutral, fan-to-fan marketplace while its CEO has a stake in large-scale ticket reseller Andro, a link the plaintiff calls a conflict of interest.
Now for the good news.
xBk makes it easy to purchase legitimate tickets at a fair price. Simply buy your tickets directly from the official xBk website at xbklive.com. We partner with Eventim, a leading ticketing company, to make the purchasing process as seamless and transparent as possible. If a show isn’t sold out, you can also purchase tickets at the door.
The bottom line: Buying directly from xBk, rather than from a ticket resale website, guarantees you’ll receive a valid ticket while ensuring your money supports the artists and the independent venue working hard to bring live music to our community.
Don’t get scammed. Buy your tickets directly from xBk.