Viagogo is a website that resells tickets for concerts, events, shows etc.

Viagogo has a bad reputation for hiding the true cost of the tickets and for not warning people that their tickets may not be valid (in many cases only the original purchaser can use the ticket) etc.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued court proceedings against Viagogo over concerns it is breaking consumer protection law.

Following an investigation into the secondary ticketing sector, the CMA began enforcement action against four major secondary ticketing websites in November 2018. As a result, three of those sites – StubHub, GETMEIN! and Seatwave – offered formal commitments in April 2019 to overhaul the way they do business.

However, Viagogo has not offered to make the changes the CMA considers necessary to bring it in line with the law. Legal proceedings have therefore been brought in the High Court.

Andrea Coscelli, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said that people who buy tickets on websites like Viagogo must be given all the information they are entitled to. It’s imperative they know key facts, including what seat they will get and whether there is a risk they might not actually get into the event.

This applies to Viagogo as much as it does to any other secondary ticketing website. Unfortunately, while other businesses have agreed to overhaul their sites to ensure they respect the law, Viagogo has not.

The CMA’s concerns include:-

• Customer not being told if there is a risk that they will be turned away at the door
• Customers are not being informed which seat in the venue they will get
• Customers are not being told who is selling the ticket, which means that they can benefit from enhanced legal rights when buying from a business
• Customers are given misleading information about the availability and popularity of tickets – which can lead to them being rushed into making a buying decision or making the wrong choice
• Customers experience difficulties in getting their money back under Viagogo’s guarantee when things go wrong
• Customers are being offered tickets that a seller does not own and may not be able to supply

Under the circumstances, it would seem foolhardy to trust Viagogo with your money.

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