Group suing Ticketmaster bolstered by large fines linked to misleading prices

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) –The people behind a lawsuit to make concert ticket prices more transparent are applauding $4.5-million penalties recently imposed against Ticketmaster.

They believe last week’s ruling by the Competition Bureau of Canada is proof the giant promoter has been deliberately misleading customers.

RELATED: Ticketmaster ordered to pay $4M penalty after online ticket sale prices investigation

Lawyer Steven Roxborough says a class action case filed by the Winnipeg-based Merchant Law group has more than 2,000 possible clients, including around 400 from B.C.

“We’re pleased to see that the government is sanctioning the conduct we, too, submit it is objectionable. We definitely see this as an encouraging step.”

He says the focus of this case is against so-called ‘drip’ pricing which could see advertised rates jump more than 50 per cent.

“This practice was misrepresenting the prices to consumers. That’s the behaviour that we’re pursuing them for,” he says.

Roxborough tells NEWS1130 the goal is to ensure the advertised price stays the same.

“Any damages that may come from a class action may have a better chance of modifying the defendant’s behaviour.”

RELATED: Class action lawsuit vs. Ticketmaster has more than 2,000 possible plaintiffs

Ticketmaster executives deny prices are ‘inflated,’ but Roxborough says the actual cost of a seat is often more than 50 per cent higher than what’s advertised because of unreasonable administrative or service fees.

“We hope to get compensation for those who were actually harmed by the actions that were sanctioned by the government.”

Roxborough adds last week’s ruling by the Competition Bureau of Canada is encouraging because Ticketmaster uses exclusive contracts to oust possible competitors.

“Part of the landscape of the ticket sale and resale industry is that they do have a lot of influence in the markets.”

He says no court dates have been set for certification because they’re still waiting for a ruling on an application filed in December.

New legislation in BC forces all ticket agents to clearly disclose prices, guarantee refunds and let buyers know if they’re not the original provider.

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