Written by abdul mmc• December 9, 2024• 12:57 pm• Blog, tickets • Views: 0

Viagogo: Navigating the World of Ticket Resale and Its Impact on Consumers

In the modern world of event ticketing, one company that has garnered significant attention is Viagogo. Known for its ticket resale platform, Viagogo has made a name for itself by providing a marketplace where individuals can buy and sell tickets for a variety of events, including concerts, sports games, theater performances, and festivals. However, the platform has been at the center of controversy and debate over its practices, customer satisfaction, and the ethics of ticket reselling. In this blog, we will explore what Viagogo is, how it works, the challenges it faces, and its impact on consumers and the wider ticketing industry.

What is Viagogo?

Viagogo is an online ticket marketplace that enables individuals to buy and sell tickets to live events. Founded in 2006 and based in Switzerland, the platform operates globally, providing access to tickets for events in major cities around the world. Whether you’re looking for tickets to see your favorite band perform, attending a high-demand sporting event, or getting last-minute tickets for a theater show, Viagogo offers an avenue for securing tickets through secondary resale.

The platform allows individuals who have purchased tickets to resell them if they can no longer attend the event. The idea is that it provides a solution for people who want to offload their tickets while simultaneously offering fans an opportunity to purchase tickets that might no longer be available through primary ticket vendors. In this sense, Viagogo positions itself as a facilitator of ticket availability, ensuring that events are filled and fans can attend.

How Does Viagogo Work?

Using Viagogo is relatively simple. Here’s a basic breakdown of how the platform works:

Buying Tickets: To purchase tickets, users can browse the Viagogo website for a specific event. Once an event is selected, customers can view available tickets, which are listed at varying prices. These prices are determined by the sellers, and often, they can be much higher than the original face value of the tickets.
Selling Tickets: If you have tickets to an event but can no longer attend, you can sell them on Viagogo. Sellers create listings for their tickets, set a price, and the platform handles the transaction. The price can fluctuate depending on demand, and sellers are charged a commission once the tickets are sold.
Payment & Delivery: After purchasing tickets, buyers are typically required to pay for the tickets upfront. Viagogo guarantees the tickets (subject to terms and conditions), meaning buyers can receive refunds or replacements if they don’t receive their tickets, though disputes and delays can occur.
Service Fees: Viagogo charges both buyers and sellers service fees, which can make the final cost of tickets significantly higher than face value. These fees are often one of the main points of contention with users, as they can be difficult to understand upfront.

Viagogo’s Impact on Consumers

While Viagogo has provided an outlet for fans to access tickets to in-demand events, its business model has sparked significant controversy. Many customers have expressed frustration with the platform for several reasons:

Price Markups: One of the most common complaints about Viagogo is the price markups on tickets. Since Viagogo is a secondary marketplace, sellers often take advantage of high demand by setting prices far above the original cost. This can lead to significant price inflation for popular events. For example, tickets to a concert or sports game with a limited number of seats may be resold at prices several times higher than their original value, which some consider unfair exploitation of demand.
Misleading Listings: There have been reports of tickets being listed at misleading prices or as available when, in fact, they have already been sold. In some cases, buyers have purchased tickets through Viagogo, only to find that the tickets are not valid or that the seller does not deliver them on time. This can leave consumers in a frustrating situation, especially if they have traveled a long distance to attend an event.
Hidden Fees: Viagogo has been criticized for its opaque fee structure. The platform’s fees, which are often only disclosed at the checkout stage, can drastically increase the cost of tickets. This lack of transparency has led to accusations of deceptive pricing practices.
Scalping Concerns: Viagogo has also faced criticism for facilitating ticket scalping, where individuals purchase tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices. While the platform claims to have measures in place to prevent scalping, critics argue that its business model inherently encourages this practice.
Customer Service Issues: There have been numerous complaints about Viagogo’s customer service, with buyers and sellers reporting difficulties in getting refunds, resolving disputes, or receiving assistance in a timely manner. In some cases, users have claimed that it is difficult to get clear answers when issues arise, which compounds the frustration of dealing with a problem.

Legal and Regulatory Challenges

Viagogo has faced several legal challenges and regulatory actions due to its business practices. In multiple countries, including the UK, the United States, and Australia, Viagogo has been investigated and fined for violating consumer protection laws. These issues are largely centered around the platform’s pricing transparency, misleading listings, and failure to disclose certain fees upfront.

In the UK, for example, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has taken action against Viagogo for breaching consumer rights laws. The company has been required to change its practices in some regions to comply with consumer protection regulations.

Conclusion

Viagogo’s ticket resale platform has undoubtedly changed the way people access tickets to live events, providing a marketplace where fans can purchase tickets that might no longer be available through official channels. However, its controversial business practices, including high service fees, price markups, and complaints about customer service, have led to widespread criticism. As a result, Viagogo remains a divisive figure in the world of ticketing.

For consumers, it is important to exercise caution when purchasing tickets through Viagogo. While the platform offers access to tickets for sold-out events, the risks associated with inflated prices and hidden fees should be carefully considered. As the debate over ticket resale platforms continues, Viagogo’s role in the broader ticketing ecosystem is likely to evolve as regulators continue to crack down on unethical practices.