Access All AreasConsumer association Which? has released findings that claim well-known ticket resale websites are in breach of the new Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The Which? investigation looked at five top resale ticketing websites, GetMeIn, Seatwave, StubHub, Viagogo and WorldTicketShop, and found booking information missing in a number of instances.
Which? claims these ticketing resale websites are in violation of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in these key ways:
- Seatwave, Viagogo and WorldTicketShop failed to display the original face value of some tickets.
- The face value for seats to a Six Nations Scotland vs England game – sold through Seatwave – was given as £0.00.
- Viagogo was selling tickets to a One Direction concert last month where the original cost was merely stated as being between £44.55 and £72.60.
- All of the companies were found to be reselling some tickets with no clear information as to where fans would be sitting.
- A single seat for the Rugby World Cup Final 2015 ticket being sold on Viagogo for £12,000, but – according to the event’s ticketing policy – the buyer could risk not getting past the turnstiles.
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The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that consumers are provided with the face value of tickets being resold. Without this information, it is difficult – if not impossible – for consumers to tell whether they’re getting a fair and good deal.
Under the Act, companies also need to make it clear where a ticket is located, including block, row and seat numbers, and any restrictions that apply to the ticket.
Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said in a statement: “It’s unacceptable that these ticket resale sites are getting away with not providing fans with key ticket information, leaving them unsure whether their ticket is a good deal, where they’ll be seated or if they’ll even get in.”
Access has approached Seatwave, Viagogo, StubHub, WorldTicketShop and GetMeIn for comment and will update accordingly.