Experts recommend using a credit card, doing research before purchasing Super Bowl tickets
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Now that the Kansas City Chiefs have punched a ticket to a third-consecutive Super Bowl, fans are racing against the clock to buy tickets to witness potential history.
The Chiefs have the chance to become the first team in win three Super Bowls in a row.
Super Bowl 59 will be the first time Teresa Mears and her husband attend the Super Bowl.
"We're really excited that we finally get a chance to go and I'm really excited that... and I'm going to say when they win instead of if when they win, we will witness history and we'll get to see that three-peat," Mears said.
Experts say it's times like these when scammers come out, hoping to bank on your emotions.
"They're going to try and take advantage of that," Columbia Regional Director for the Better Business Bureau Khesha Duncan said. "So, you want to be careful to slow down and make a logical research informed decision and don't make an emotional decision because of the excitement attached with how bad you want to go."
Duncan said scammers will post advertisements with tickets that are a fraction of the price to try and draw people in. This is typically a tell tale sign to know you are likely being scammed and shouldn't purchase from that source.
Duncan said she recommends the following steps to ensure the site you're purchasing from is reputable:
- Research the seller before purchasing;
- Go directly to the website of the venue;
- Buy with a credit card for documentation;
- Download the ticket digitally; and
- Read customer reviews and talk with trusted family or friends.
For anyone considering buying from a seller that they're unsure of, Duncan said they should go to the Better Business Bureau's website or the National Association of Ticket Brokers.
According to Duncan, the BBB received around 140 reports of ticket scams or negative interactions with sellers in 2023. Duncan encourages anyone who suspects they have been scammed to file a complaint through the BBB.
"You know, I know it's embarrassing...who wants to get scammed, Right? You certainly don't necessarily want to talk about it but it also gives you an opportunity to let other people know that there are scammers out there so people are on alert," Duncan said.
According to the NFL's website, Ticketmaster is the official ticketing partner of the NFL.
Leah Ann Hilgert has been to every Chiefs Super Bowl appearance quarterback Patrick Mahomes has led the team, making this year's her fifth one. Hilgert is from Jefferson City and has been a Chiefs fan her entire life. She's had season tickets for 24 years.
She said plans for this year's Super Bowl have been in the works since the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers last year. She said she's always mindful of where she purchases from.
"We actually get them through Ticketmaster because I trust Ticketmaster is legitimate tickets and I know you got to really watch for that," Hilgert said.