With concerts selling out in record times, more and more consumers have become frustrated with the amount of effort it takes to see their favorite bands live. Even arenas with thousands of seats face shortages for the most popular shows. But for those who are willing to put forth the extra effort, there are several ways to buy concert tickets online. Not only is the internet a great place to find tickets to sold out shows, but there are many bargains to be found as well.

The key to finding success in the online ticket marketplace is to know the best places to start your search. Ticketmaster should be your first stop since it is the primary ticket distribution service for all shows and arenas. By visiting this site first you will have access to seats at their original face value, assuming that the show has not sold out. The best way to find success with Ticketmaster is to plan ahead. You can use their search feature to determine exactly when a show goes on sale, which will allow you to purchase tickets the exact moment they are available.

Another method to gaining the inside track on upcoming shows is to become a member of the fan club for your favorite artist. This can usually be done by simply registering at the artist's website. Some fan clubs offer the opportunity for members to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public, while others send out emails reminding fans when the public sales begin. Either way, by taking the time to register at these sites you will always know when your favorite band is coming to your region.

If your concert has already sold out, then it is best to look into the secondary ticket marketplaces. The two most popular are eBay and StubHub. The advantage to these websites is that you can bid on the tickets that you want. This means you will only pay a price that you can afford. Of course it is important to monitor the auctions to make sure you don't get outbid on an item you really want. In addition to live auctions, many of the tickets feature a "buy it now" option that allows you to secure the tickets immediately. There is no cost to the buyer for using these services, but you will need to register for a free account and have a credit card to pay for transaction.

Browsing online classified ad websites like Craigslist is another way to find tickets. Doing business through these websites is not always as secure since there are no regulations for posting an ad, but you can protect yourself by following some simple guidelines. First, always make sure to exchange the money and tickets in person so that you can verify their authenticity. Second, never participate in a transaction where the seller wants you to pay through a third party. Doing these things will go a long way to insuring you get exactly what you are paying for.

There are many different options for fans to by concert tickets online. The more avenues you become familiar with, the better your chances will be to secure seats to your favorite shows. The good news is that it doesn't cost anything to browse these different marketplaces. Take the time to familiarize yourself with them before buying anything. Once you know how the system works, you can make the best purchasing decision for your budget.