Buying tickets on Ticketmaster is a bit of a challenge. Sure, the price says the ticket is $30, but the you get to the end of the checkout and you're staring down a number closer to $65. Canadian customers are fed up with the misleading prices and, after a an investigation performed by the Canadian Competition Bureau, have fined Ticketmaster for $4.5 million.
According to a report by Consequence Of Sound, the Canadian Competition Bureau found that Ticketmaster inflated their prices by between 20% and 65% with added on fees. These fees were a part of Ticketmaster's "drip pricing" that effectively only advertised a portion of their service before hitting you with the rest of the costs.
“Canadians should be able to trust that the prices advertised are the ones they will pay when purchasing tickets online,” Commission of Competition Matthew Boswell stated. “The Bureau will remain vigilant and will not tolerate misleading representations. The Bureau expects all ticket vendors to take note and review their marketing practices, knowing that the Bureau continues to examine similar issues in the marketplace and will take action as necessary.”
In conclusion, Ticketmaster sucks and what you thought all along was true.
(1/3) Ticketmaster L.L.C., TNow Entertainment Group Inc., and Ticketmaster Canada LP to pay $4.5 million to settle misleading pricing case: https://t.co/fchzTA5EW7
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— Competition Bureau Canada (@CompBureau) June 27, 2019
(3/3) Within 30 days, the companies shall comply with the Deceptive Marketing Practices Provisions of the Competition Act.
— Competition Bureau Canada (@CompBureau) June 27, 2019
