Oasis Tickets ‘Dynamic Pricing’: U.K. Competition and Markets Authority Launches Investigation Into Ticketmaster

variety.com:

UPDATED: The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally opened an investigation into Ticketmaster’s compliance with consumer protection law in relation to the sale of Oasis concert tickets.

The CMA said on Thursday that it is investigating whether “Ticketmaster has engaged in unfair commercial practices which are prohibited under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008”; “People were given clear and timely information to explain that the tickets could be subject to so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ with prices changing depending on demand, and how this would operate, including the price they would pay for any tickets purchased”; and if “People were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay, potentially impacting their purchasing decisions.” The CMA said that it will now engage with Ticketmaster and gather evidence to consider whether it thinks the company has broken consumer protection law.

The CMA also adds that as it is at the initial stage of its investigation, “it should not be assumed that Ticketmaster has broken consumer protection law.” The org has also called for evidence from Oasis aficionados who went through the ticketing experience. PREVIOUSLY: Ticketmaster is set to face some tough questions in the U.K.

after thousands of Oasis fans were left disappointed having failed to secure tickets through the site for the band’s long-awaited reunion tour.