Field Notes: 35 Year Online Ticket Brokering Company

Evaluating Risks and Rewards of Acquiring a Business with Decades of Market Dominance and Untapped Potential

The listing is for an online ticket brokering company in the secondary market for concert, sports and theater tickets. It’s also SBA pre-qualified and boasts 80,000+ affiliates. So, let’s dive right into the heart of the listing and see what makes this 35-year-old Online Ticket Brokering Company not just a business opportunity, but a potential goldmine in the right hands — or a pitfall if not thoroughly vetted. Here’s the breakdown:

Overview:

You’ve got a player in the online ticket brokering scene that’s been around since ‘89 — yeah, long before the internet was a household thing. So it isn’t just some startup that’s burning through cash with nothing to show for it. It appears to be a business that’s stood the test of time, thriving in the high-demand, high-pressure world of concerts, sports, and theater tickets. The question isn’t just if it’s profitable — it is, with numbers to prove it — but what’s the real juice behind those numbers?

Market Dynamics:

Unprecedented demand outstrips supply. This company is in the sweet spot, providing access to the hottest tickets in town. But what’s the scalability here? How do they stand against competitors , and what’s their defense against the inevitable tech disruptors?

Financials and Valuation:

They’re asking $7 million. But how did they land on that number? The listing is a little confusing based on reported cash flow and ‘gross income’. Show me the money — literally. What is the EBITDA or SDE, the whole nine yards. What’s the growth trajectory, and how are the owners justifying this valuation? Is this a cash cow or a money pit?

Operations:

One owner, a couple of full-timers, and a part-timer. It sounds lean, but is it mean? How dependent is the business on this skeleton crew, and what happens post-acquisition? Can this operation scale, or will it crumble under its own weight?

Strategic Differentiators:

They boast about customer service and transparency. Nice, but in today’s world, that should be table stakes. What really sets them apart? Is it the affiliate program? Because bringing in $2 million from travel agents sounds like they’ve got something cooking. But can it last?

Growth Potential:

Minimal marketing efforts with substantial returns is everyone’s dream, but it’s also a red flag. Why haven’t they pushed harder, and what’s the untapped potential here? We’re living in a digital age — are they not all over social media?

Dig Deep:

Before you even think about writing a check, here’s what you’re going to need: Detailed financials — no surprises. The logic behind the price tag. An in-depth look at their market position and competition. The tech stack — how future-proof are we talking? Insights into the affiliate program and any untapped marketing channels. And don’t forget the regulatory minefield that is ticket brokering.

This is more than buying a business; it’s about acquiring a platform with the potential to dominate the secondary ticket market. But with high reward comes high risk. Are you ready to play ball, or will you strike out? The devil’s in the details. And those details will either be a legacy that gets you on all the podcasts, or a lesson in what not to do.

About: Silverwave Field Notes combs through and analyzes thousands of businesses available for sale that may be of interest to entrepreneurs looking to acquire an existing business. We are not affiliated with the business listed for sale unless otherwise disclosed. The business highlighted above is represented by WebsiteClosers.com