Pursuing Safe, Secure, and Accountable Secondary Markets

Nearly 300 million U.S. consumers rely on online markets to purchase goods and services. These digital marketplaces run the gamut, from virtual storefronts where well-known brands sell directly to growing secondary markets that consumers increasingly turn to buy retail goods, secure concert tickets, book hotel rooms, and much more.

Issues of Focus

Secondary Markets Represent a Growing Share of Online Commerce.

While the reasons consumers are interacting with secondary markets are varied, the result is clear: secondary markets represent a growing share of online commerce. Global secondary ticket sales are projected to more than double to $6.56 billion by 2032, and secondary online sales of electronics, clothing, toys, and furniture are expected to eclipse $448 billion.

The rapid rise of online secondary markets provides businesses and consumers with new choices. But as these grow, so do the risks. Millions of Americans are victimized by cheaters, swindlers, and scammers who use secondary markets and hide behind the anonymity of the Internet to make hefty profits at the expense of actual consumers.

11 million

Americans are victims of ticket scams each year.

0%

of Americans say online secondary markets have led to an increase in scams, fraud, and identity theft

0%

of Americans want more regulation of secondary markets

0%

Regulation would make 67% of Americans more likely to use secondary markets

Therein lies the conundrum:

as secondary markets grow in scope and influence, they represent a larger share of commerce. And if these markets aren’t trustworthy, their growth could undermine the overall trust consumers and businesses have in e-commerce.

The Responsible Markets Initiative’s (RMI) mission is to be the voice of businesses, industries, and consumer groups that understand that safe, fair, and accountable secondary markets are critical to the global economy. Together, we are:

Exposing illegal, fraudulent and deceptive practices

Exposing illegal, fraudulent and deceptive practices on secondary markets.

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online ticket

Spurring scrutiny and pressure on secondary market operators to conduct themselves in a manner that leads to healthy markets.

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incentivize responsible secondary markets.

Serving as a resource for those seeking policies that will incentivize more responsible secondary markets.

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Stay Informed.

The Responsible Markets Initiative is a group of companies, organizations, and individuals seeking to ensure the integrity, security and safety of secondary markets. Stay informed about our work.

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