Irish State won’t simply ‘Acquiesce’ and calls in CCPC for ‘Masterplan’ on ticket sales so fans ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ after Oasis ticket fiasco.
After the distress caused to consumers over dynamic pricing for Oasis tickets, the Irish Government said the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is reviewing the situation.
News that indie band Oasis were reforming and performing concerts in Dublin next year saw online demand for tickets go ‘Supersonic’ at the weekend.
“Concert ticket sales over the weekend have caused distress amongst some consumers and I have asked the CCPC to report to me on their review of pricing strategies employed”
However, a dynamic pricing model that saw ordinary tickets more than quadruple in price leaving many fans to go empty handed, has prompted Irish Government intervention.
Ireland won’t just ‘Roll With It’
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke, TD, said that the Government introduced legislation on ticket pricing in 2021 (the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021) which prohibits the sale or advertising for sale of tickets or ticket packages for a price exceeding their original sale price for events taking place in designated venues or for designated events.
The CCPC is an independent statutory body that monitors compliance with the law, including ticket sales, and investigates potential breaches.
He said the CCPC has advised the Minister’s officials that it believes there are legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences of buying concert tickets this weekend and that it is actively reviewing the situation and will consider all options to ensure consumer protection law was followed.
“Ireland has robust legislative protections in place for consumers in Ireland,” Minister Burke said.
“I am committed to ensuring consumers are provided with sufficient pricing information before they choose to purchase a product or service, including tickets.
“Concert ticket sales over the weekend have caused distress amongst some consumers and I have asked the CCPC to report to me on their review of pricing strategies employed.”
Part of the queue
Under Irish consumer law, in terms of pricing there are no price controls for most products in Ireland, traders are free to set and change their prices for goods and services. However, Irish consumer protection law obliges traders to clearly display prices to consumers before they make a transaction.
Generally, traders in Ireland, including ticket sellers, are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, based on demand, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection law.
Individual businesses can decide on the prices of the products they sell, and they are permitted to adjust their prices in response to demand or other factors, once an accurate price is displayed to the consumer in advance of the sale so that the consumer can decide if they want to proceed. This must be in line with consumer protection law.
Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers prior to purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes, allowing consumers to make the informed choice whether to purchase or not.
“Consumer law requires traders to provide information to consumers on price, allowing consumer to make informed decisions in advance of purchasing tickets,” said Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation.
“It is vital that consumers are aware of their rights and my Department will continue to work with the CCPC on protecting consumers in this area.”
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