Top Mistakes New Ticket Brokers Make
(And How To Avoid Them)
Breaking into the ticket resale game can be exciting, but it’s also easy to get burned if you don’t know what you’re doing. Many new brokers make the same costly mistakes — but the good news is, they’re all avoidable.
Whether you're just getting started or still figuring things out, here are the most common slip-ups (and how to dodge them like a pro):
❌ 1. Buying Tickets Without a Strategy
Mistake: Jumping on every event just because it's “hot.”
Why it hurts: Not all high-profile events resell well. Buying blind ties up cash and leads to unsold inventory.
What to do: Use sales data, past resale trends, and hype signals (like presale demand) to validate an event before investing. StageFront’s analytics and broker tools can help you do this smarter.
❌ 2. Pricing Too High or Too Low
Mistake: Guessing your price without understanding market behavior.
Why it hurts: You could leave money on the table or scare off buyers entirely.
What to do: Use StageFront’s Auto Pricer tool to help you price confidently, especially if you're unsure. Monitor marketplace shifts and adjust accordingly.
❌ 3. Listing on Just One Platform
Mistake: Only posting tickets on one resale site (like StubHub or VividSeats).
Why it hurts: You miss out on buyers from other platforms and limit visibility.
What to do: Use StageFront’s software to list and sync inventory across multiple marketplaces automatically. More eyes = more sales.
❌ 4. Poor Inventory Management
Mistake: Losing track of what you’ve listed, where it’s listed, or what’s already sold.
Why it hurts: Overselling = unhappy customers, chargebacks, and platform penalties.
What to do: Use an inventory management system like StageFront’s to track your listings in real time and keep everything organized.
❌ 5. Skipping the Fine Print
Mistake: Not reading marketplace terms, event refund policies, or venue rules.
Why it hurts: You could get hit with canceled tickets, voided sales, or unrecoverable fees.
What to do: Always double-check the event policies and terms before you list — and avoid events with high cancellation risk.
❌ 6. Not Tracking Profits
Mistake: Only focusing on top-line sales.
Why it hurts: You may be reselling a lot — but not actually making money.
What to do: Track your costs, fees, payouts, and true profits per ticket. Make sure you're factoring in platform cuts, taxes, and shipping.
Every ticket broker starts somewhere — but the fastest way to level up is by learning from those who’ve already made the mistakes. By avoiding these early missteps and using the right tools (like those at StageFront.com), you’ll put yourself in the best position to flip smarter, scale faster, and actually make money doing it.
Disclaimers:
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. Readers should conduct their own research and due diligence before making any business decisions.
Legal Disclaimer: The legality of ticket brokering varies by location. Readers should verify and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
