How would you change the ticket resale market?

I wouldn’t use the word “severe” to describe the new measures. Seems nothing of the sort.

Agreed. The article is very short of detail as to why it is severe. Seems to me simply saying some legal requirements are being ignored and that it is going to get antsy about it.

As for solving the situation of secondary ticketing as a business detrimental to consumers there is nothing to suggest any action on that.

I see this company is still head of the monthly complaints chart in NSW -they have form:
“27 August 2017

Consumers have been warned about using online ticket reseller Viagogo after a flurry of complaints, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced today. Mr Kean said this year alone NSW Fair Trading had received 187 consumer complaints, and 237 enquiries, about the Swiss-based ticket exchange platform.

“Complaints to date have included delayed delivery, events being cancelled, heavily marked-up prices, hidden fees, and failure to provide refunds,” he said.“With most complaints relating to two or more tickets, Fair Trading has estimated around 600 consumers have been ripped off at a cost of almost $130,000.

“This is simply not good enough, when consumers buy a product they rightly expect to get what they pay for.“I’m putting consumers first and that’s why I’m issuing an urgent public warning about Viagogo’s unfair and unsatisfactory business services and practices.”

Mr Kean said Fair Trading had made more than 194 attempts to contact Viagogo to discuss the complaints, which had gone vastly unanswered until notice of the public warning was given.

Viagogo has also appeared on Fair Trading’s monthly Complaints Register eight times between November 2016 and July 2017, and was in the top five most complained about traders on five occasions.

“Viagogo says it will be more responsive in future; however, consumers should read all conditions carefully, and make credit card payments so they can claim a chargeback if necessary,” Mr Kean said.

“Until Viagogo adopts a more cooperative and professional approach, consumers are urged to be cautious using their website, and always check for available event tickets through an authorised primary ticket seller.”
For more information, go to http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20.

Seems to me that as it is Swiss based one can be more robust than for an EU firm. I am left wondering if a failure to respond to an in-depth investigation could warrant any punitive action.

However in the scheme of things if people wish to pay over the odds …..

Perhaps Which? and the CMA could concentrate on the bigger consumer problem of unfair leases and the major builders acting in concert.

I see this company is still head of the monthly complaints chart in NSW -they have form:
“27 August 2017

Consumers have been warned about using online ticket reseller Viagogo after a flurry of complaints, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced today. Mr Kean said this year alone NSW Fair Trading had received 187 consumer complaints, and 237 enquiries, about the Swiss-based ticket exchange platform.

“Complaints to date have included delayed delivery, events being cancelled, heavily marked-up prices, hidden fees, and failure to provide refunds,” he said.“With most complaints relating to two or more tickets, Fair Trading has estimated around 600 consumers have been ripped off at a cost of almost $130,000.

“This is simply not good enough, when consumers buy a product they rightly expect to get what they pay for.“I’m putting consumers first and that’s why I’m issuing an urgent public warning about Viagogo’s unfair and unsatisfactory business services and practices.”

Mr Kean said Fair Trading had made more than 194 attempts to contact Viagogo to discuss the complaints, which had gone vastly unanswered until notice of the public warning was given.

Viagogo has also appeared on Fair Trading’s monthly Complaints Register eight times between November 2016 and July 2017, and was in the top five most complained about traders on five occasions.

“Viagogo says it will be more responsive in future; however, consumers should read all conditions carefully, and make credit card payments so they can claim a chargeback if necessary,” Mr Kean said.

“Until Viagogo adopts a more cooperative and professional approach, consumers are urged to be cautious using their website, and always check for available event tickets through an authorised primary ticket seller.”
For more information, go to fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20.

Seems to me that as it is Swiss based one can be more robust than for an EU firm. I am left wondering if a failure to respond to an in-depth investigation could warrant any punitive action.

However in the scheme of things if people wish to pay over the odds …..

Perhaps Which? and the CMA could concentrate on the bigger consumer problem of unfair leases and the major builders acting in concert.