'Close loophole that allowed dynamic pricing for Oasis tickets', urges Cork councillor

Legislation needs to be enacted before the general election to close off the loophole which allowed tickets for the Oasis concerts in Croke Park next year to be sold at higher rates than initially advertised, a Labour Party elected member on Cork City Council has said.

Peter Horgan was speaking to The Echo following an announcement that Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) had commenced an investigation into the sale of the Oasis tickets on the Ticketmaster website last Saturday, August 31.

These complaints related to the prices for the tickets, which were initially advertised on the Ticketmaster website as €86.50 for a standing ticket but these were quickly sold out to be replaced by ‘standing in demand’ tickets, some at more than €400 on the same website.

Complaints

According to a statement from the CCPC, the body had reached its decision after reviewing more than 100 complaints received by its helpline from consumers who were ‘very disappointed and frustrated about their experience’.

Brian McHugh, CCPC chairperson, said: “While companies in Ireland are allowed to respond to market demand, there are legitimate concerns over how consumers were treated and we have decided that an in-depth investigation is necessary.

“If we find that consumer protection laws were broken we will take action. The CCPC is grateful to consumers who have taken the time to call or email our helpline to share their experiences with us as their stories have helped us develop a picture of last weekend’s events.”

According to Mr Horgan, there was a need for legislation which would close the loophole that allowed ‘dynamic pricing’ by ticket sellers.

“I, along with other Labour Party councillors, including Laura Harmon, have written to the Minister for Justice, seeking for immediate action to close the loopholes that allow dynamic pricing,” Mr Horgan said.