Imagine this: Your beloved band declares a concert in your city. How thrilling it is! You call your friends and get prepared for the time of your life. Only when you are trying to buy tickets through the official vendor, you find out that they’re sold out. Panic takes over you. What do you do?
This is where secondary ticket marketplaces come in. One such marketplace, StubHub, for example, functions as a place where fans can buy and sell tickets for a vast choice of events, ranging from concerts and sports games to theatre shows. But one question arises: is StubHub legit? Like any online platform, particularly one with the involvement of money, the problem of authenticity exists. So, scroll down as we unwind whether StubHub is legit or a scam!
What is StubHub?
StubHub is one of the most reputable and largest online ticket exchange platforms in the world. It matches sellers with buyers. People who are unable to attend an event can put their tickets for sale, and interested fans can buy them, usually at a price that is equivalent to the market value, or it can be higher or lower than the original value.
This platform has a massive range of tickets from every kind of event around the world. They oversee the process of transactions, and their approach is to provide a safe environment for both buyers and sellers.
Is StubHub Legit? Weighing the Evidence

Yes, StubHub is legit and no scam. The company is big and has been around for a long time, with a tremendous number of transactions. Nevertheless, online marketplaces are not fault-free. The article will go deeper into the reasons that make StubHub a trustworthy platform, and users’ questionable spots.
Reasons for Legitimacy:
- Established Platform: StubHub has been operating since 2000. This longevity in the industry builds a certain level of trust and recognition.
- Buyer Guarantee: According to StubHub, they have a “FanProtect Guarantee.” It guarantees that if a customer has any kind of problem, such as the tickets not being genuine or the event’s cancellation, the company can provide a 100% refund of the tickets or their equivalent in case tickets are not available.
- Secure Transactions: The financial transactions on StubHub are secure. This is an arrangement where the buyer pays through the platform and the seller is paid after the event has ended (or a specified period). In comparison with direct peer-to-peer transactions that lack an intermediary, this system offers an added layer of protection against scams.
- Wide Inventory: The almost unlimited number of tickets on StubHub is evidence of a broad customer base and a functioning market.
- Customer Support: The company generally provides good support service channels to help users solve problems or simply answer questions.
Potential Concerns and Negative Feedback:
Despite its authenticity, several users complain about the platform’s efficiency and have even given some negative reviews. These concerns often revolve around:
- Ticket Pricing: With the change in demand, the prices on StubHub fluctuate. One possible consequence of this situation is that fans of an artist are not able to buy a ticket, and therefore, the ticket will be sold at a much higher price than the original one, which is why many consider this practice unethical.
- Invalid Tickets: Despite the FanProtect Guarantee’s primary goal to avoid such cases, a few buyers have suggested that they got hold of tickets that were invalid or fake. Moreover, the buyer might encounter some kind of impasse while trying to solve the issue.
- Delayed Ticket Delivery: Besides the troubles with the sellers or the delivery process that can sometimes lead the buyers to receive the tickets later than usual, there is the added factor of inducing stress and causing doubts.
- Customer Service Issues: A certain number of users seem to be unable to reach out to the support team or solve their issues.
- Fees: There are charges associated with buying and selling that the StubHub platform implements, which can lead to the buyer overpaying in the end.
StubHub User Reviews: Legality, Security, and Mixed Experiences
We’ve collected a lot of user reviews and stories concerning StubHub’s lawfulness and protection. The consumers’ experience with StubHub is a matter of personal opinion. While some people claim that their transactions went well and that they received good customer service, others have during the same process encountered very significant issues.
On Trustpilot, StubHub has a 4-star rating (based on 1,200+ reviews). Still, SiteJabber visitors do not rate it above 1.5 stars from more than 3,000 reviews, and this fact reveals widespread dissatisfaction. The problems that occur most frequently are late ticket delivery, poor customer service, and refund denials, even for canceled events.
Nevertheless, there are still a lot of customers who have positively enjoyed their experience with StubHub. Reddit user, u/Hockeynerden, praised the platform’s wide selection of tickets and its smooth process. Another user, u/Brilliant_Mood_1746, mentioned that he loves the inventory and prices offered by StubHub.
Negative experiences are also frequent. Reddit user, u/Classic_Citron1585, reported being sold invalid tickets and struggling for weeks to secure a refund. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received thousands of complaints, including instances where buyers were assigned incorrect seats or denied refunds despite cancellations.
A notable case is Lisa M., who filed a BBB complaint after StubHub did not deliver her concert tickets and refused a refund, blaming a “seller error.’ Similarly, user John D. reported encountering hidden fees that nearly increased his ticket price by 40% at checkout.
Although StubHub is a legitimate and widely utilized ticket marketplace, its reliability can be inconsistent. While many users enjoy smooth transactions, others have experienced significant difficulties, particularly with last-minute ticket delivery, hidden fees, and unresponsive customer service. To reduce risks, buyers should thoroughly check seller ratings, choose instant-delivery tickets, and carefully review refund policies.
Navigating StubHub Safely: Tips for Buyers

For safeguarding against the risks while using StubHub, remember to:
- Check Seller Ratings (if available): The feedback from other customers concerning the sellers becomes a conceivable part of the information on some trading sites. Check these out before you buy, if it’s possible.
- Be Wary of Significantly Below-Market Prices: If you discover the deal of your life lower than possible, you should get alarmed first. There is a probability of fraud if the prices are too low.
- Review the Ticket Details Carefully: This is your responsibility to ensure the event, date, time, and seat location are correct.
- Understand the Refund Policy: Check how the process operates under the FanProtect Guarantee and familiarize yourself with the steps for reporting any issues.
- Keep Records of Your Purchase: Record the exchange by storing the number of the ticket, some screenshots of the list in the email, and any interaction between you and StubHub.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Stick to the payment options available from the platform you are using, such as StubHub, and eschew direct payment to sellers by other means.
- Be Patient with Delivery: Be aware that e-tickets might not be transferred straight away. Before you see the tickets in your account, give the transfer enough time.
Also, read Is Vivid Seats Legit or a Scam
Conclusion
So, let’s go back to our main question: Is StubHub legit? Definitely, most people consider StubHub a refreshing, trustworthy way of ticket exchange. The platform is a valuable instrument both for fans who are looking for the possibility of already sold-out events and people who want to get rid of the tickets they cannot use.
While the FanProtect Guarantee serves as a piece of safety, it is crucial to understand the possible pitfalls, like the volatility of prices, the danger of receiving tickets that are not valid (at the same time covered by the guarantee), and random client service issues. If you are a cunning consumer, well-versed in the portal’s regulations, and careful, then you can enhance your chances of enjoying a nice time at StubHub.
FAQs
1. What is the FanProtect Guarantee?
One of the major benefits of buying tickets from StubHub is FanProtect Guarantee – the guarantee that you will get your live event tickets on time and that they are 100% valid. In case this commitment is not fulfilled, not only will ticket buyers get a full refund, but also, they will get the loss compensated with similar tickets.
2. Do StubHub check tickets for fraud?
StubHub leaves ticket authenticity verification to the sellers. However, the existence of the FanProtect Guarantee is there for the purpose of buyer protection in the time of issues.
3. Why are ticket prices on StubHub sometimes higher than face value?
On secondary marketplaces like StubHub, the prices depend on the demand-supply equation. People usually are willing to pay a lot more for tickets if the events are very popular and of limited availability.
4. What fees does StubHub charge?
At the time of the transaction, buyers are charged service fees and sellers are charged commission fees. The specific amounts can be influenced by the event’s ticket price and the event itself.
5. What should I do if I have a problem with my StubHub tickets?
You have to get in touch with customer care at StubHub as quickly as possible. Describe your purchase and the incident to the support person. They will then move you to the problem-solving phase with their FanProtect Guarantee as a background.