Press releases
8 June 2006
Buying Concert Tickets Online Can Be Risky, Warns Consumer Direct
With this year’s summer festival season kicking off Consumer Direct is warning music fans of the risk of buying in-demand concert tickets through unofficial channels.
Many music events for this summer have already sold out, leaving many fans with the choice of staying at home or trying to track down the highly sought-after tickets from other sources.
Consumer Direct, the government’s consumer advice service, is advising anyone who misses out on tickets through official channels to be aware of the risks of purchasing through other means, such as online auctions or ticket agency websites.
Consumer Direct spokesperson Michele Shambrook said: ‘We receive a lot of calls from people complaining about tickets not being delivered, seats in the wrong location and counterfeits. If you want to be sure you will get the tickets you pay for, book tickets through official channels.’
‘Online auctions are a popular alternative but you may not really know who you are dealing with or where they are based, and you may be faced with highly inflated prices. If you have a problem, your options are also limited so it's important to know what to look out for and what your rights are.’
Many people who advertise tickets for sale on internet auction sites are private sellers, similar to classified ads in newspapers.
Consumers have fewer rights when they buy privately and the biggest problem can be trying to get money back if things go wrong.
Some auction websites offer complaints resolution processes or anti-fraud guarantees. Not all do though, so it is important that customers read the terms and conditions. The obligations which the website has to you are likely to be limited.
To help prevent disappointment Consumer Direct is providing clear advice to help people buy tickets wisely on the web:
- Get information from the official event website.
- Use reputable ticket agencies that are well known. Don’t rely on website appearance.
- Shop around as you may find tickets available elsewhere - and cheaper.
- Make sure you know the company or individual seller’s full postal address. Never rely on just an email address.
- Don't assume an internet company is based in the UK just because its web ddress has 'uk' in it - check out the physical address and phone number.
- Look for websites that have an encryption facility. Check the web address starts https:// before you enter any personal information or payment details (the 's' stands for 'secure'). There should also be a padlock at the bottom of the screen when you are filling in the payment details.
- Be sure you know exactly what is being sold including seat location, total price, (check additional costs such as booking fees and transaction charges), the delivery date, and any return or cancellation policy.
- You may have to pay delivery or postage costs. These hidden costs can push up the price. Check with the seller before agreeing to buy.
- Save all information relating to the transaction. Always print out a copy of your order and a copy of any acknowledgement you receive.
- You can reduce some of the risk of buying online by paying with a credit card if the total price is more than £100. This won’t guarantee that you will receive your tickets but could offer you some protection for getting your money back if things do go wrong.
- Find out what will happen if the event is cancelled and if you are entitled to a refund, including any additional fees you might have paid.
For further clear, practical advice on any consumer issue Consumer Direct can be reached on 08454 04 05 06, or online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
