Frequently Asked Questions


WHAT IS FANSNAP?

FanSnap is the live event ticket search engine for fans. Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive, accurate, fast and easy-to-use resource for fans to find the tickets they desire to sports, concerts, and theatre events.

FanSnap provides free ticket search results for dozens of the leading ticket providers, including TicketsNow, TicketNetwork, StubHub, RazorGator, Las Vegas Tickets, Gold Coast Tickets, eBay, Barry's Tickets, AllShows.com, and Ace Ticket. Our detailed ticket-level search results are made possible by the combination of strategic industry partnerships and systems integration, as well as our FanSnap TicketDatasm systems and patent-pending dynamic FanSnap Mapssm.

Palo Alto, CA-based FanSnap was founded in 2007 and is funded by General Catalyst Partners and Highland Capital Partners.

WHAT IS SMART TICKET SEARCH?

FanSnap provides easy-to-use filters and dynamic FanSnap Maps to allow fans to quickly search from a comprehensive database of the freshest possible ticket data, fed from our dozens of ticket provider partners, using the criteria that are important to them, such as price, number of tickets desired, venue section preference, location, date and time, ticket provider or other variables.

Using FanSnap means that you no longer need to spend hours searching through many, many websites, events, and sometimes performances to find the “perfect” tickets for you. Not only will you be confident you got the best tickets at the right price; you will have saved time!

FanSnap allows you to quickly perform searches such as:

  • Show me all the daytime weekend performances of Wicked on Broadway in December
  • Show me the lowest priced Chicago Bears tickets at Soldier Field this season
  • Show me the best value for tickets in section 117 for the Dodgers at Giants series
  • Show me every concert for less than $50 a ticket in Los Angeles this month

HOW DOES FANSNAP WORK?

Where do the ticket results come from?

FanSnap has business relationships with dozens of the leading ticket providers so that we can receive up-to-date ticket data with their approval. The live event ticket market, particularly the resale market, is very dynamic (not unlike the stock market) with ticket inventory rapidly being listed and sold, and asking prices change constantly. Receiving as close to real-time information as possible means more accurate results for you.

FanSnap combines all the ticket data sent from the ticket providers, standardizes it for easy comparison and stores it in the FanSnap TicketData systems, making it available for fast, easy viewing and selection on the FanSnap site.

Once you have selected the tickets you desire, we double-check to make sure those tickets are still available at the shown price, and then we link you directly to the ticket provider’s site to complete the purchase of your tickets.

Is FanSnap a ticket broker?

No. FanSnap is not a ticket broker. We do not buy, sell, or set prices for tickets. FanSnap is a live event ticket search engine that displays free ticket-level detail results for dozens of the leading ticket providers across the country, including many ticket brokers.

Is FanSnap a ticket marketplace?

No. FanSnap is not a ticket marketplace. We do not provide a platform for buyers and sellers to transact. FanSnap is a live event ticket search engine that displays free ticket-level detail results for dozens of the leading ticket providers across the country. Once you have selected the tickets you desire, we link you directly to the ticket provider’s site to complete the purchase of your tickets.

Which ticket providers does FanSnap search?

FanSnap has established relationships with dozens of high-quality, reputable ticket providers around the country. Ticket providers may be the original ticket issuer, ticket brokers, or ticket marketplaces. To see a list of our ticket provider partners, please click here.

FanSnap's ultimate objective is to work with every ticket provider to supply you the broadest possible choice.

Since our search results come from ticket providers with whom we have developed partnerships and integrated systems, the process of adding providers is not instantaneous. However, check back often as adding new ticket providers is one of our top priorities, and we do add new partners frequently. If there is a particular ticket provider you would like to see on FanSnap, or if you are a ticket provider and are interested in having your tickets displayed in our results, please let us know.

For what events does FanSnap provide search results?

Our goal is to show the most comprehensive sports, concert, and theatre event inventory you will find anywhere. We display search results for all events for which our ticket provider partners are offering tickets. Since ticket inventory is highly dynamic, and is also dependent upon the time remaining until the event, it is possible some events may not be displayed. If there is an event you are looking for that you can’t find on FanSnap, please let us know.

Who sets the prices for the tickets shown in the search results?

FanSnap displays ticket-level detail search results (including prices) for the tickets that the providers are offering for sale. The ticket providers set the prices for the tickets they are offering, or in the case of ticket marketplaces, their sellers set the prices.

Since we display search results from a variety of ticket providers, you may see not only a broad range of tickets, but sometimes a broad range of prices for what seem to be comparable tickets. Given these choices, you can decide on the best ticket location, provider service offerings, and price level for you. Also please keep in mind that events, tickets, and prices change constantly, so check back often if you don’t see the right tickets at the right price for you.

Why do some tickets have multiple prices from different providers?

Tickets that have multiple prices from multiple providers are highlighted with FanSnap's industry-first "comparable tickets" feature. When the event, section and row information for various ticket listings match, FanSnap displays the ticket details only once, with prices from and quick links to each provider, rather than repeating the entire entry for each listing. This helps fans easily see "comparable tickets" at-a-glance.

While FanSnap cannot ascertain that these “comparable” tickets are actually the exact same ticket sets being offered by multiple providers on different ticket sites (which does happen frequently), we do know that the tickets listed are in the same section and row.

FanSnap presents tickets using the “comparable tickets” feature to maximize fan choice. Fans can choose the tickets that are right for them depending on the factors they value – known brands, prior experience, local providers or delivery options, just to name a few.

Do displayed prices include commissions or shipping fees?

FanSnap displays the total price for each set of tickets, which is the actual ticket asking price plus any handling fees. This makes it easier for you to compare prices on an apples-to-apples basis across listings from various ticket providers.

The prices we display in our search results do not include shipping charges or applicable taxes. This is because shipping charges may likely vary depending upon the type of ticket chosen (electronic or paper, for example), the shipping origin and destination, and the delivery method (overnight or regular mail, for example). Similarly, applicable taxes may also depend on a number of factors including the type of ticket chosen, and location of the buyer and the ticket provider.

How is FanSnap different from general search engines?

FanSnap search results are tickets. General search engine results are website URLs.

The general search engines are a great way to find information and they have become indispensable to our daily lives. As a result, many fans search for tickets on the search engines and are faced with a resulting list of websites.

Those websites displayed highly in the paid listings bid for that position, or they have mastered the art of how to show up at the top of the natural search rankings. However in either case they may or may not have tickets at the price and in the location you desire. After opening and closing numerous windows to visit ticket provider sites and burning through a pad of sticky notes, you may or may not end up with the tickets that you desire, and may be left wondering if you got the best value (before you ran out of time or patience).

Fans have told us they don’t just want to know which providers might have tickets. What fans really want to know is which providers have the exact tickets they want.

Unlike those general search engines, search results on FanSnap show specific tickets that are available from our ticket provider partners. FanSnap ticket level results are displayed based on the criteria you choose. Partners cannot pay to change to a preferable position in our listings. The smallest provider, if they have quality tickets, can compete side-by-side with the biggest providers for your business.

You can compare various ticket results right on the FanSnap site and choose the tickets you desire based upon the criteria that are important to you. FanSnap makes maps available for fans to use, including the dynamic FanSnap Maps and highlights tickets that offer the best value to fans with blue star icons on FanSnap Maps and ticket lists.

To help you narrow down your search, you can even save tickets to a short list for easy comparison. You can see all of the information that you need to make your decision – before you click through to the ticket provider’s site. No more sticky notes or multiple browser windows!

How is FanSnap different than other ticket search engines?

FanSnap partners with dozens of the leading ticket providers to receive their most up-to-date ticket detail data using unique integration technologies, powered often by direct systems integration. This approach is in contrast to search engines that may generate many or all of their results from "spidering," "crawling," or "scraping" data from other sites.

FanSnap's patent-pending industry-first features include the ability for fans to:

  • choose an event from an often lengthy list of choices using any of a number of criteria including number of tickets and price points desired.
  • view tickets for multiple events in a series (e.g., a baseball homestand, a multi-night concert performance, or a week of Broadway shows) all at once.
  • select from multiple offers of comparable tickets within a single listing.
  • determine at a glance the price distribution of available tickets for any event.
  • determine at a glance the ticket price range by section using the colored "heat map" markers on our dynamic FanSnap Maps.
  • zoom into the FanSnap Maps to see the ticket offers from multiple providers with specific row labeling.
  • easily identify tickets that offer the best value by looking for the blue star icons on FanSnap Maps and ticket listings.
  • place ticket offers in a "short list" for easy comparison of ticket details and total prices (ticket prices plus fees or commissions) across ticket providers.

Does FanSnap provide a ticket purchase guarantee?

No. FanSnap is a live event ticket search engine. We do not sell tickets. Once you have selected a set of tickets to purchase, we will transfer you to the website of the ticket provider who is offering those tickets for sale to complete your purchase. We carefully screen our ticket provider partners to ensure that they are reliable and reputable.

Many of our ticket provider partners provide their own guarantees to safeguard purchases made on their websites. To find out if a particular ticket provider offers a guarantee, and to find out about any other terms and conditions that may apply to a purchase, please visit the website of the ticket provider. Of course, if you use a credit card to purchase on a provider’s site, you also benefit from other consumer protection benefits. You can find a list of our ticket provider partners here.

HOW DO I USE FANSNAP TO SEARCH FOR TICKETS?

How do I start a search on FanSnap?

To start a search, just type the name of the team, artist or show you are interested in (for example, “New York Jets”, “Britney Spears” or “Lion King”) into the search box on our home page or at the top of any other page. You may also include other information that is important to you, such as the city, the venue, the desired month, or your team’s opponent, in any combination (for example, “San Francisco in October” or “Lakers Celtics” or “Cavaliers in TD Banknorth”).

Do I need to register to search for tickets on FanSnap?

No. FanSnap wants to make it easy for you to find tickets so we do not require fans to register in order to perform searches or select tickets for purchase from the ticket providers whose results we display. Fans who search for tickets on our site are not required to provide us with any personal information, including their email address or credit card information.

You may choose to register with us in order to take advantage of certain special features and services we may offer that require personalization. You can also choose to receive information about FanSnap developments or events that might be of interest to you. If you are interested, please click here to register your name and email address with us or click on the “Sign In” link at the top of each page of the FanSnap site.

You also can follow the “Feedback” or “Signup” links at the top of each of our website pages. We will treat any personal information you provide to us in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

How can I narrow down the search results I have received to find the events I desire?

FanSnap provides easy-to-use filters along the left side of our event results page. You can narrow your search results by specifying one or more additional criteria including date range, price per ticket range, number of tickets, category, event name, location, day of week, and time of day.

Take some time to experiment with the filters; you’ll see how easy FanSnap makes it to narrow a long list of events to just the ones you desire. You can click on the triangles to the left of many of the filters to show and hide the options. Filters with many options include a “more” link to show additional options.

You will also notice that you can actually select a series of events (e.g., a baseball homestand, a multi-night concert performance, or a week of Broadway shows) by clicking on ”compare all x events” to view the tickets for these events all at once.

What should I do if I can’t find the event I am looking for?

If you are having trouble finding an event, try searching for it in different ways. In the search box, try entering only the name of the performer or team, without additional search terms. Or try entering the city name or the name of the venue. Check your spelling and try to avoid using abbreviations. As you will see, FanSnap tries to help our fans find just what they are looking for – as you enter search terms, you will see various suggestions appear below the search box to help guide your search. If any of the suggested terms are what you are looking for, simply click on the term and we will complete your search for you. The simpler the search entry, the greater chance we have of finding a matching event. If you find our search functionality not working as you expect and have a suggestion for us, please let us know.

Our goal is to show the most comprehensive sports, concert, and theatre event inventory you will find anywhere. We display search results for all events for which our ticket provider partners are offering tickets. Since ticket inventory is highly dynamic, and is also dependent upon the time remaining until the event, it is possible that some events may not be displayed. If there is an event you are looking for that you can’t find on FanSnap, please let us know.

Why aren’t there any tickets available for my event?

Our goal is to show the most comprehensive sports, concert, and theatre event inventory you will find anywhere. We display search results for all events for which our ticket provider partners are offering tickets. Since ticket inventory is highly dynamic, and is also dependent upon the time remaining until the event, it is possible that the providers whose inventory results we display may be temporarily sold out. Keep checking back as it is not unusual for new tickets to be listed, even for the hottest events, right up until the event. Also, if you are looking for particular tickets and don’t see what you want, click on the “Alert Me” link next to your ticket results to sign up to receive alerts when tickets that match your criteria become available.

How can I narrow down the search results I have received to find the tickets I desire?

FanSnap provides easy-to-use filters along the top of our ticket results page. You can narrow your search results by specifying one or more additional criteria including date, number of tickets, and price per ticket. For additional filters, click on the "pick your preferred section, vendor, ..." link to the right of the filters.

You will also notice that by using the date filter at the top left, you can easily move between the individual events or see the events simultaneously in a series (e.g., a baseball homestand, a multi-night concert performance, or a week of Broadway shows).

Take some time to experiment with the filters; you’ll see how easy FanSnap makes it to narrow a potentially long list of available tickets to just the ones you desire.

Speaking of the price per ticket filter, please note three features:

  • the chart displays the distribution of ticket prices so you can see at a glance what “the market” is for your event.
  • you can use the two sliders on the price chart to set high and low ranges for your desired price per ticket.
  • you can also do this by entering the dollar amount per ticket directly into the two boxes below the price chart.

Why are there no seat numbers for some of the tickets listed?

Our search results can only display the ticket-level detail that our ticket provider partners give to us. For privacy and other reasons, ticket sellers often do not include the exact seat numbers in their ticket offers. In those cases, we are not able to display seat numbers for particular ticket search results. If sellers provide seat numbers, we do display them.

HOW DO I USE THE FANSNAP MAP?

What are FanSnap Maps?

To help you quickly and easily find the exact tickets you desire, FanSnap has created our patent-pending FanSnap Maps - dynamic maps that display a summary of all available ticket listings that match a fan’s specified search criteria and change as filters are selected or moved.

FanSnap Maps allow you to determine at a glance the ticket price range by section using colored "heat map" summary markers that correspond to the colors in the price chart. Small markers denote a single ticket offer, the larger markers denote multiple available ticket offers. If the price range of the tickets is varied enough to cross multiple price ranges, then the marker will reflect the colors associated with both the low and high price bands.

When you zoom in, the color summary markers will separate into multiple markers and you will be able to see the section and row labels.

In addition to the summary markers, the blue stars on the FanSnap Maps highlight the tickets that offer the best value compared to other tickets available in the same section.

How do I interact with a FanSnap Map?

You can interact with FanSnap Maps in very much the same way as you would with the roadmaps or satellite maps on other websites. For example, you can:

  • click, hold, and drag the map in any direction.
  • double-click on an area of the map to zoom and center.
  • zoom in to see row level detail, change directions, or reset the map using the zoom control.

In addition, as you narrow your search using the ticket result filters on the top of the page, you will notice the colored markers for the newly excluded tickets on the FanSnap Map fade to only an outline.

If you hover over a small colored marker you will see a pop-up box with a summary of the underlying ticket offers. If you hover over a large colored marker or blue star, you will see a summary of multiple ticket offers. If you click either, a pop-up box will display the actual ticket-level detail, including section and row, date/time, total price and components, ticket provider name, and any notes. You can then:

  • close the window to look at other tickets by clicking the x in the top right of the box, or
  • save the tickets to your “short list” (to easily compare different sets of tickets from all around the venue) by clicking on the gray heart outline, or
  • select those tickets for purchase directly from the map.

What about the ticket list, and the short list?

The ticket list to the left of the FanSnap Map is sorted lowest to highest price, so if you are looking for the least expensive available tickets, there they are! The list can also be sorted in other ways using the pull-down column head.

You can use the ticket list to:

  • hover over a list entry to highlight those tickets on the FanSnap Map, or
  • click on the ticket provider name for a short description of their company, or
  • save the tickets to your “short list” (to easily compare different sets of tickets from all around the venue) by clicking on the gray heart outline, or
  • easily identify tickets that offer the best value in their section by looking for the star icon, or
  • select a set of tickets for purchase.

The ticket list is shown on every ticket results page, whether there is a dynamic FanSnap Map, a static map, or no map at all. The short list is at top right of the ticket list; to see the short list, simply click on the “Your List” tab.

Ticket offers placed in the short list will display as a green star on FanSnap Maps.

For which venues does FanSnap offer FanSnap Maps?

FanSnap has produced our patent-pending dynamic FanSnap Maps for top sports, concert and theatre venues throughout the country. We are constantly adding FanSnap Maps for additional venues – if there is a particular map you would like to see, please let us know. Also, check back often as we are constantly adding more FanSnap Maps.

In addition to FanSnap Maps, we offer detailed static maps for hundreds of venues across the United States. If you don’t see a map for a particular event or venue that you are interested in, please let us know.

Why do all the seats look like they are in the middle of a section or the middle of a row?

Many ticket search results do not contain seat numbers, therefore we cannot always determine exactly where in a row a ticket will be. To keep things simple, rather than give the impression that tickets are on the end of the row, which may or may not be the case, we show all ticket markers in the middle of the row for a consistent presentation.

How do I select a ticket for purchase?

To select a ticket for purchase, click on the price or the “select” button that is displayed underneath the price. To view the price and other ticket information, click on the colored circular marker or blue star on the map.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SELECT TICKETS?

What will happen when I click on “select” (or the price) to choose a set of tickets?

After you click on the price or “select” link, you will be given the opportunity to confirm the number of tickets you wish to purchase and then will be transferred directly to the online shopping cart of the ticket provider that is offering the tickets you have chosen. Once there, you will be able to complete your purchase using the ticket provider’s purchase process. If you do not already have an account with the provider, you will be asked to enter your personal information including your name, billing address and credit card number to complete your purchase.

Is it safe to enter my credit card information on the ticket provider’s website?

We carefully screen our ticket provider partners to ensure that they are reliable and reputable. However, we do not control or influence the purchase process on their websites and cannot make any representations or guarantees regarding the manner in which any of our ticket providers will handle personal information or process purchases. For more information about the privacy and security policies of a particular ticket provider, please review that provider’s website. A list of our ticket provider partners can be found here.

After I was transferred to a ticket provider’s website, I was unable to complete my purchase as I expected. What happened?

Ticket pricing and inventory are dynamic and ticket providers make their tickets available through a wide variety of outlets. It is possible that the tickets you selected were sold to another customer during the time that elapsed between when the search results were generated and when you selected the tickets to be transferred to the ticket provider site. Similarly, ticket providers update their prices frequently, so it is sometimes possible that the price of the tickets you selected could have changed before you complete your purchase.

The ticket price on the provider’s website was not the same as the price on your site. Why?

Ticket providers update their prices frequently, so it is sometimes possible that the price of the tickets you selected could change during the time that elapsed between when the search results were generated and when you selected the tickets to be transferred to the ticket provider site.

FanSnap includes handling fees in the total prices that we display in our results. However, during the checkout process, a ticket provider may add additional fees such as shipping and/or taxes, depending on your location.

What should I do if there's a problem with my tickets or my ticket purchase transaction?

FanSnap is a search engine. We do not sell tickets. If there is a problem with your purchase from one of the ticket providers we search, please immediately contact the ticket provider directly for assistance. Contact information for the ticket provider is available on the website on which you completed your purchase. A list of our ticket provider partners can be found here.

Can I cancel or change my ticket purchase once it is complete?

Our ticket providers set the terms and conditions for their ticket sales themselves. For information about the cancellation or change policies of any particular ticket provider, please review their website. A list of our ticket provider partners can be found here.

DOES FANSNAP OFFER A DEVELOPER API?

Yes, FanSnap offers a Developer API that allows publishers to integrate FanSnap ticket search content into their blogs and web sites. For more information about the Developer API, please e-mail developers@fansnap.com

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION OR PROVIDE FEEDBACK?

What should I do if I have issues using the FanSnap website, or questions about the FanSnap service?

If you experience issues using the FanSnap website or have questions about our service, please fill out our help form here. Our goal is to respond to you within 48 hours.

What should I do if there is a problem with my tickets or my ticket purchase transaction?

As we explained above, if there is a problem with your purchase from one of the ticket providers we search, please immediately contact the ticket provider directly for assistance. Contact information for the ticket provider is available on the website on which you completed your purchase. A list of our ticket provider partners can be found here.

What should I do if I have suggestions about improving the FanSnap service or feedback about my FanSnap experience?

We would be most grateful for your feedback and suggestions about improving the FanSnap service. We consider all comments, whether a compliment or tale of a poor experience, a tremendous gift. There is no faster way for us to improve than to hear from you, the fans! Please send your comments to us by using our feedback form.

What should I do if I am a ticket provider and want to include my tickets in FanSnap search results?

If you are a ticket provider interested in working with FanSnap, please contact us here.

ARE THE SEATS TOGETHER?

All seats are together unless otherwise noted by the ticket provider. The provider will indicate in the ticket notes for the listing whether the seats are piggyback (one behind the other) or separated.

THE EVENT IS TODAY, WILL I GET MY TICKETS IN TIME?

Some ticket listings offer email delivery or pick-up at the venue or ticket provider's office. The ticket notes should explicitly list these options if they are available for a given ticket set. If you donʼt see information in the ticket notes, check the ticket providerʼs web site for more information about pick-up or delivery options.

DO THE PRICES INCLUDE COMMISSIONS OR SHIPPING FEES?

FanSnap displays the total price for each set of tickets, which is the actual ticket asking price plus the provider's handling fee. FanSnap does not mark up ticket prices or charge you any fees.

The prices FanSnap displays in our search results do not include shipping charges or applicable taxes. This is because shipping charges may vary depending upon the type of ticket chosen (electronic or paper, for example), the shipping origin and destination, and the delivery method (overnight or regular mail, for example). Similarly, applicable taxes may also depend on a number of factors including the type of ticket chosen, and location of the buyer and the ticket provider.

WHAT ARE THE SHIPPING OPTIONS?

Providers may deliver your tickets via email, expedited or regular mail or courier as well as allowing you to pick-up the tickets at a local location or the venue. Shipping charges may vary depending upon the type of ticket chosen (electronic or paper, for example), the shipping origin and destination, and the delivery method (overnight or regular mail, for example). Review the ticket providerʼs web site and the ticket notes on the listing for delivery options and costs.

WILL I GET A REFUND IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED?

For contingent events such as playoffs, the ticket provider will provide a refund when it becomes clear that the game will not be played. For other events that are canceled or rescheduled, the provider may give you replacement tickets for the rescheduled event or refund your money. In any event, you should review the ticket providerʼs web site for their refund policy.

CAN I CANCEL OR CHANGE MY TICKET PURCHASE ONCE IT IS COMPLETE?

Our ticket providers set the terms and conditions for their ticket sales themselves. For information about the cancellation or change policies of any particular ticket provider, please review their web site. A list of our ticket provider partners can be found here.

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