UPDATE 18/4: Viagogo have releaseed a statement responding to the ACCC’s ruling. Read the full statement below
The Australian Federal Court has found controversial ticket reseller Viagogo guilty of misleading consumers.
It’s no secret that Viagogo are a deeply unpopular ticket service, with big names in the Aussie music scene doing their best to ensure fans don’t get ripped off.
However, while names like Gang Of Youths and The Rubens have warned fans against their high prices, hidden fees, and false claims of scarce tickets, these constant complaints have finally seen the company’s tactics before the Australian Federal Court.
Now, in a ruling delivered today, Viagogo has been found to be in breach of Australian Consumer Law.
As The Industry Observer notes, the Australian Federal Court has ruled that Viagogo have made “misleading representations” and “engaged in conduct liable to mislead the public”.
“Viagogo’s claims misled consumers into buying tickets by including claims like ‘less than 1 per cent tickets remaining’ to create a false sense of urgency,” explained, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chair Rod Sims.
“We urge consumers to only buy tickets from authorised sellers, or they risk their tickets being dishonored at the gates or doors.”
“Viagogo was charging extraordinarily high booking fees and many consumers were caught out,” Rod Sims continued, noting the company’s failure to disclose additional fees, including a 27.6% booking fee in most cases.
“Today’s Federal Court decision is a reminder to businesses that consumers must be clearly told that there are additional fees associated with a displayed price.”
Viagogo are yet to issue a statements in regards to this ruling.
UPDATE 18/4: Cris Miller, Viagogo’s Head of Business Development, has now issued a statement responding to the ACCC’s ruling. Read the full statement below:
“We are disappointed by the ruling. It does not reflect our current ticketing platform and the many changes we have made. We strongly believe our website is compliant and we will continue to work closely and constructively with the ACCC.”
“Our first priority continues to be to provide people with a safe and secure platform to buy or sell sport, music and entertainment tickets, many of which would otherwise not have been available to them due to the limited number that event organisers release to the box office.”
“Without services like viagogo, people would be forced to return to buying and selling tickets outside venues, or to use informal social media platforms where no customer protection exists. We don’t believe anyone should have to take that risk.”
“We are disappointed that the Chair of the Commission does not support the greater competition that viagogo and other ticket resellers bring to the market which provides greater choice for Australian consumers.”
Watch Choice’s short piece on Viagogo:
