
Most read
Pros and cons: Working in the gig economy...
Pros and cons: Working in the gig economy...

Latest Podcast
Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening t...
Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening t...

Resources
There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across ...
There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across ...
Invest
Ticket provider pays $7m for misleading consumers
A leading ticket provider has been ordered to pay $7 million after making misleading or false claims about reselling tickets.

Ticket provider pays $7m for misleading consumers
A leading ticket provider has been ordered to pay $7 million after making misleading or false claims about reselling tickets.

The Federal Court found in 2019 that Viagogo made false or misleading representations to consumers that it was the “official” seller of tickets to particular events, that certain tickets were scarce, and that consumers could purchase tickets for a particular price when this was not the case because significant fees, such as a 27.6 per cent booking fee, were not disclosed until late in the booking process.
The courts heard examples included a ticket for the Book of Mormon advertised at $135, but which was sold for $177.45 including booking and handling fees, as well as Ashes cricket tickets advertised at $330.15, but sold for $426.81 after fees were added.
In imposing the penalty of $7 million, Justice Burley described the misrepresentations as serious or very serious, and considered the conduct demonstrated a level of deliberateness. He described one category of representations as having been made on “an industrial scale”.
ACCC chair Rod Sims said: “Viagogo’s business practices were unacceptable. Viagogo misled thousands of consumers into buying tickets at inflated prices when they created a false sense of urgency by suggesting tickets were scarce and when they advertised tickets at a lower price by not including unavoidable fees.”
The court also observed the need for general and specific deterrence in this matter, particularly to make it clear to corporations which conduct internet-based operations in Australia that they are subject to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
“Today’s $7 million penalty sends a strong signal to businesses like Viagogo conducting business in Australia that they cannot get away with profiting from misleading Australian consumers about the price of the tickets they are selling, or other misleading conduct.”
The Federal Court ordered an injunction against Viagogo to reinforce the need for adherence to the ACL. The court also ordered Viagogo to conduct a compliance program and pay the ACCC’s costs.
About the author

About the author


Spending
Trans-Tasman border open for the first time in nearly 400 days
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has restarted for the first time in over a year, with the Prime Minister pointing to a further expansion of the bubble. ...Read more

Spending
Google found to ‘partially’ mislead consumers
Google has “partially” misled consumers by collecting some data on Android and Pixel phones even after the customer ticked “No” or “Do not collect”, a court has found. ...Read more

Spending
Energy prices fall – how you can cash in on the $900m saving
Households are being urged to check the price they are paying for electricity after it was revealed that prices across the eastern seaboard have fallen significantly in the back half of 2020, official...Read more

Spending
Aussies choose to shop local in pandemic recovery
Australians are increasingly turning their attention to homegrown businesses and brands as they look to help the country recover from its first economic downturn in nearly three decades, new research ...Read more

Spending
Awareness of BNPL surges as consumers look for alternative credit
Consumer awareness of buy now, pay later services, including AfterPay and Zip, continues to grow as Aussies look for alternative ways to make purchases. ...Read more

Spending
Tap for Uber, share bike in world-first trial
The NSW government has announced that thousands of Sydney commuters will be able to pay for various modes of transportation through their Opal cards, receiving discounts in the process. ...Read more

Spending
‘Ultra-desirable’ Holden Torana up for auction
A piece of Holden motoring history is up for grabs this weekend, with nostalgic investors likely to spend upwards of $200,000 to secure the rare car. ...Read more

Spending
CBA takes on BNPL sector
The big four bank has launched a new buy-now-pay-later service in a bid to take on established players in the lucrative industry. ...Read more

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now

Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now

Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now

Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now

Spending
Trans-Tasman border open for the first time in nearly 400 days
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has restarted for the first time in over a year, with the Prime Minister pointing to a further expansion of the bubble. ...Read more

Spending
Google found to ‘partially’ mislead consumers
Google has “partially” misled consumers by collecting some data on Android and Pixel phones even after the customer ticked “No” or “Do not collect”, a court has found. ...Read more

Spending
Energy prices fall – how you can cash in on the $900m saving
Households are being urged to check the price they are paying for electricity after it was revealed that prices across the eastern seaboard have fallen significantly in the back half of 2020, official...Read more

Spending
Aussies choose to shop local in pandemic recovery
Australians are increasingly turning their attention to homegrown businesses and brands as they look to help the country recover from its first economic downturn in nearly three decades, new research ...Read more

Spending
Awareness of BNPL surges as consumers look for alternative credit
Consumer awareness of buy now, pay later services, including AfterPay and Zip, continues to grow as Aussies look for alternative ways to make purchases. ...Read more

Spending
Tap for Uber, share bike in world-first trial
The NSW government has announced that thousands of Sydney commuters will be able to pay for various modes of transportation through their Opal cards, receiving discounts in the process. ...Read more

Spending
‘Ultra-desirable’ Holden Torana up for auction
A piece of Holden motoring history is up for grabs this weekend, with nostalgic investors likely to spend upwards of $200,000 to secure the rare car. ...Read more

Spending
CBA takes on BNPL sector
The big four bank has launched a new buy-now-pay-later service in a bid to take on established players in the lucrative industry. ...Read more