Ticketmaster Faces Scrutiny Over Oasis Ticket Fiasco

Introduction

Ticketmaster is set to face some tough questions in the U.K. after thousands of Oasis fans were left disappointed having failed to secure tickets through the site for the band’s long-awaited reunion tour.

Government Investigation

U.K. culture minister Lisa Nandy has pledged to look into Ticketmaster’s use of “dynamic pricing,” which saw ticket prices shoot up by hundreds of pounds while fans were in queues online waiting to buy them.

Frustrated Fans

Some fans reportedly abandoned their purchases having spent hours trying to get through after the prices went up by up to £200 while they were in line. Thousands more couldn’t get through to buy tickets at all, forcing them to resort to ticket-resale sites.

Government Action

Nandy told the BBC she plans to end “rip-off resales” and make sure tickets are sold “at fair prices,” adding that it was “depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans.”

Consultation on Ticket Resale

The government are set to hold a consultation on ticket resale websites this autumn. Dynamic pricing will now be included in the scope of the consultation, Nandy confirmed, saying ministers would look at “issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it.”

Colleague’s Experience

The BBC reported that one of Nandy’s colleague, Labour minister Lucy Powell, was among those left out of pocket after she ended up spending more than double the originally quoted cost of an Oasis ticket due to dynamic pricing.

Previous Troubles

It’s not the first time Ticketmaster has found itself in trouble with government officials following a ticket fiasco.

Senate Hearing

Last year the U.S. Senate convened a hearing on lack of competition in the concert ticket industry after demand for Taylor Swift tickets resulted in a major service failure.

Senator’s Statement

“The high fees, site disruptions and cancellations that customers experienced shows how Ticketmaster’s dominant market position means the company does not face any pressure to continually innovate and improve,” Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said at the time. “That’s why we will hold a hearing on how consolidation in the live entertainment and ticketing industry harms customers and artists alike. When there is no competition to incentivize better services and fair prices, we all suffer the consequences.”

FAQs

Q: Will Ticketmaster face consequences for the Oasis ticket fiasco?

A: The government is conducting an investigation into Ticketmaster’s practices, and there may be repercussions for their handling of the situation.

Q: How can fans protect themselves from dynamic pricing on ticket websites?

A: Fans can stay informed about ticket sale processes, set price alerts, and be cautious when purchasing tickets from resale sites.

Q: What are the potential implications of dynamic pricing in the ticketing industry?

A: Dynamic pricing can lead to inflated ticket prices, exclusion of ordinary fans, and a lack of transparency in the ticketing process.

Q: How can the government regulate ticket resale websites effectively?

A: The government can introduce legislation to ensure fair pricing, increase transparency, and protect consumers from unfair practices in the ticket resale market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Oasis ticket fiasco has brought attention to the issues of dynamic pricing and ticket resale practices. Government officials are taking action to address these concerns and protect consumers from unfair treatment in the ticketing industry.

Credit: variety.com