1) Find out in advance where the band or artist is going on tour. Check the bands website for this information.

2) Search the main website to see if tickets are still available. One will be designated the main vendor for concert tickets, so check with these.

3) Join the bands fan club if they have one & they make tickets available to members first.

4) Search concert ticket broker websites. When purchasing tickets on the internet, make sure the connection is secure and verified when entering credit card details.

5) Beware of fraudulent concert ticket sellers. Try to find a marketplace that offers a guarantee on transactions for peace of mind. Stubhub and tickets are alternatives to the more well known ticketmaster .

If buy from individual, like on Ebay: (Check above first to know the market).  

6) Have a look on ebay to see if the tickets you are after are advertised for sale. Check their seller feedback/reputation first. Make sure you know how and when you will receive your tickets following payment.

7) ASK THE SELLER IF THERE ARE ANY OBSTRUCTION WARNINGS PRINTED ON THE TICKET!

It may be printed in RED on the front of the ticket to ensure the ticket holder understands that things may be in their line-of-site during the performance or sporting event. Consider if seller giving misleading information in hope of a higher sale price?

8) ALWAYS READ THE CONDITIONS OF SALE!

Some promoters will sell platinum / VIP seats with conditions which may include the ticket holder to present the [platinum] Credit Card that was used for the transaction or photo identification that match the buyers details recorded for particular tickets. Ask if there are restrictions on use and any special conditions.

9) CHECK ON THE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS.

Familiarize yourself with the seating arrangements of the show you're looking at buying or bidding on. Go to the website and look at the seating chart. Most tickets will state exactly where you are sitting ie: Section: Floor Row: N Seat: 576. Look for  in-correct information.  Most concerts, floor seating is not elevated.

10) CHECK COMPARABLE SALES.

Familiarize yourself with the other sales and prices. If really great seats and low price. Be skeptical. At least email back and forth to know buyer is responsive.  if you can buy legit seller , for a few bucks more, I would do that.

11) CHECK SECURITY MEASURES.

Concert and sporting tickets have become more sophisticated in security measures to stop counterfeit tickets circulating and ripping off innocent buyers. Maybe their website can fill you in.

Ticketek (Austrailia) has 4 main security features that buyers should take note of when purchasing tickets from ebay sellers, the trading post or from sites.

BARCODE - All Ticketek tickets are barcoded to assist at major venues that use scanning technology to allow the ticket holder to enter via a turnstyle. Some venues use portable devices to scan tickets to ensure authenticity.

1. EMBOSSED LOGO - Tickets are printed on specially designed paper that has the Ticketek.com logo embossed under the main print.  This can be seen by facing the ticket in a particular direction to light and the Ticketek.com logo will appear
2. REFLECTIVE LOGO - All standard Ticketek tickets will have a purple reflective logo placed in the right-hand side top corner. This logo appears blue when looking directly at the logo and turns to a reflective purple colour when put on an angle.
3. TRANSACTION NUMBER - On the back of each ticket, an 8 digit transaction number will appear on the back of the ticket as well as on the tear-off-stub. This number relates to the confirmation number sent to the purchaser as well as being a tracer for stolen tickets.

View and compare  the tickets in the lisitng to those you have seen elsewhere. Ask for a picture of the actual tickets with the seat numbers. Ask where they bought them.

Buy early, watch out for fraud and try to get the best price possible. Look at all the different online concert ticket vendors and compare prices. Try to use a marketplace that offers some guarantee on transactions undertaken and avoid desperate last minute buying from ticket scalpers. Most of all, enjoy the concert! (This is mostly true for sporting events tickets too).