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Viagogo to face legal action over violation of customer rights
(WebFG News) - Ticket reseller Viagogo looks to be in line for a day in court after UK competition regulator The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Wednesday that the site had breached consumer protection laws, while three other secondary ticketing sites agreed to make major changes to their sites.
The regulator said that Viagogo has ignored demands to improve the clarity of information on its website to comply with the law and that it is willing to use the full extent of its powers to protect the rights of consumers, "including action through the courts".
Geneva-based Viagogo claims to be the largest secondary market for ticket sales in the world.
Michael Grenfell, the CMA's executive director for enforcement, said: "So far Viagogo has failed to address our concerns, and we are determined to ensure they comply with the law."
The news comes as a result of an investigation into the secondary ticketing market launched by CMA in December 2016.
Campaign group FunFair Alliance said: "It is disappointing, though hardly unexpected, that Viagogo continue to flout the law and mislead the British public. If they fail to follow their competitors and make similar commitments, then we expect to see prosecution for non-compliance at the earliest opportunity."
Three secondary ticket selling sites, StubHub, GetMeIn! and Seatwave, all formally committed to ensuring customers have access to clear information on their websites, allowing them to discern whether purchasing tickets is worthwhile.
This information includes the likelihood that customers will be allowed into the venue, the seat which the customer will get at the venue and the identity of the seller, so buyers can tell if they are purchasing from a business.
"Thousands of people use secondary ticketing websites to buy tickets for concerts, theatre and other events. So it's crucial they are told what they are buying, from whom they are buying it, and whether their ticket might not actually get them into the event," said Grenfell.
For the future, Grenfell warned that all secondary ticketing websites need to "play by the rules".