NSW residents are being warned off using the Switzerland-based ticket reseller Viagogo following ongoing complaints to NSW Fair Trading.
Sounding the alarm, Minister for Fair Trading, Eleni Petinos said the public warning came as NSW Fair Trading alleged Viagogo breached the Fair Trading Act 1987 and Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
“When it comes to transactions between Australian-based consumers and offshore businesses, I urge consumers to heed our warnings and refrain from doing business with companies such as Viagogo that refuse to comply with Australian law,” Ms Petinos said.
“Since June 2018, consumers have lodged 510 complaints against Viagogo with NSW Fair Trading, with many involving tickets being sold at hugely inflated prices,” she said.
“There have also been complaints that Viagogo issued consumers with fraudulent or fake tickets, failed to supply consumers with tickets purchased and issued tickets that differed to those advertised or purchased.”
Ms Petinos said that in NSW, ticket sellers were prohibited from reselling a ticket for more than 10 per cent above the original price for an event held in the State.
She said that if a ticket was sold for more than the allowed cap, the event organiser could cancel the ticket and refuse entry to the person who held it.
“The current investigation shows that despite commitments made by Viagogo, it is apparent this practice of offering tickets for sale at prices way above their original cost continues to be facilitated through its website,” the Minister said.
“Other complaints have alleged Viagogo made false or misleading representations about being an authorised ticket seller for certain events.
“Viagogo has also failed to specify, in a prominent way, a single price for tickets advertised for sale.”
Ms Petinos encouraged anyone who had dealt with the company, and was not satisfied with their interaction, to lodge a complaint with Fair Trading.
Further information on lodging a complaint with Fair Trading can be accessed at this PS News link.
