Join the fan club: Many are free to join, including Taylor Swift's and Adele's, and offer an early shot at good seats.
Look for pre-sales: Check Ticketmaster, axs.com or the promoter's website for access codes from credit-card companies, radio stations or other sponsors.
Buy in person: Fans in line at Xcel Energy Center the morning Adele went on sale were still able to buy tickets a half-hour after the concerts were sold out online. This also saves on fees.
Don't panic: If a show sells out right away, just wait. In all 10 concerts we tracked, prices dropped as the concert date approached.
Be wary of Craigslist: Too many fakes are going around on the classifieds website. Resale sites such as StubHub can verify/guarantee tickets.
Try your luck outside the show: Occasionally you can score seats at the box office an hour or two before show time. More often you'll find average fans looking to unload an extra seat or two. Ask to enter the concert with the seller to guarantee the tickets are legit.
Shop smart with the guys on the corner: Seek out the long-term brokers there at every show. Ask to see their ID and business card (and peddler's license, if in St. Paul). Inspect tickets for signs of counterfeiting, such as poor print quality. Find brokers who use Square mobile credit-card swipers. Don't buy from anyone who appears to be in a hurry to get out of there.
