Surprise: Tickets to some of London’s biggest shows are being sold illegally on online second-hand ticket sites
Tickets to some of the biggest theatre and music events in London are being sold illegally through online second-hand ticket ticket sellers, according to research released today.
Research from consumer watchdog Which? shows websites such as StubHub, Viagogo and Seatwave are selling tickets without fully informing consumers about what they're buying.
Customers are not receiving details about the face value of the tickets, any restrictions on the tickets and standing or seating information. Buyers are untitled to the information under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Tickets being sold illegally were for shows including Beyonce's Formation tour, Wicked the Musical, Catherine Tate and more, according to the Which? research, which looked at more than 200 listings on the leading secondary ticket websites.
Read more: Bid to restrict online ticket touts fails.
Alex Neill, director of policy and campaigns for Which?, said: "We've found evidence of tickets being sold unlawfully which means people will struggle to find basic information on tickets such as face value and seat location.
"It is clear that the protections put in place by the Consumer Rights Act aren't being followed by some of the biggest players in the market and no action is being taken against them. The government must crack down on bad practice so that people know what they're buying and don't get ripped off."
A StubHub spokesperson told Which?: "We actively prompt sellers to provide information on face value and row and seat number. There are instances where sellers may not have access to this information at the time of listing, as some primary vendors do not provide this at the time of purchase."