Consumer NZ investigates ticket resellers

Consumer NZ is joining forces with consumer groups in Australia and the UK to investigate complaints about ticket reselling sites such as Viagogo and Ticketmaster Resale.

Consumer NZ Chief Executive Sue Chetwin says complaints about ticket resellers have been on the rise, stating “we’ve heard reports of tickets being sold on resale sites in New Zealand for up to 20 times their face value.

"Customers also routinely report being stung by steep fees on these sites."

In one recent case, an Auckland woman paid $1000 for VIP tickets to see Adele but later found she’d been sold stall seats worth $100.

Consumer NZ is inviting anyone who has bought a ticket through a resale site to complete its online survey.

Chetwin says it’s particularly interested to hear examples of:

• Exorbitant or inflated ticket prices
• Fake tickets
• Seats not being as described 
• Fans being denied access to venues
• Tickets not being delivered 
• High fees 
• Incorrect credit card charges
• Poor customer service

Survey results will be used to identify problems in the ticket resale market and what needs to be done to protect consumers. 

Australian consumer group Choice and UK consumer watchdog Which? are also participating in the research. 

Chetwin says reselling sites have already come under scrutiny from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. In December, the authority opened an investigation into suspected breaches of UK consumer protection law by resellers. Issues identified include the adequacy of information disclosed by the sites. 

Chetwin is encouraging consumers who have bought from a ticket resale site to complete its online survey. 

Click here to view the survey on Consumer NZ's website. 

Consumer NZ offers the following tips for buying tickets online: 

• Sign up for presale ticket alerts to avoid disappointment 
• Buy tickets directly from the venue or the official ticket seller 
• Check with the venue about resale restrictions before buying a resold ticket 

22nd March 2017 - SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR REFORM OF LAWS AGAINST TICKET SCALPING

9th March 2017 - TICKETMASTER DEFENDS RESALE WEBSITE

8th March 2017 - CHOICE MAGAZINE ACCUSES TICKET RESALE SITES OF MISLEADING FANS

23rd February 2017 - TICKET RESELLER VIAGOGO HIT BY MULTIPLE SPANISH LEGAL ACTIONS

13th January 2017 - SOUTHLANDERS WARNED ABOUT OVERSEAS TICKETING WEBSITES 

24th September 2016 - GROWING USE OF BOTS FOR HOT SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT TICKETS REIGNITE SCALPING DEBATE 

30th August 2016 - BAYCOURT WARNS AGAINST ONLINE TICKET SCALPERS 

18th March 2015 - CONSUMER NZ TARGETS GYMS AS PART OF UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS CAMPAIGN