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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/dec/27/original-concert-ticket-sellers-also-rip-off-buyers

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Original concert ticket sellers also rip off buyers Original concert ticket sellers also rip off buyers Original concert ticket sellers also rip off buyers
(about 17 hours later)
Once again the problem with secondary ticket prices is being “investigated” (Ticket resale sites face inquiry, 20 December). Though laudable, why not take this a step further and investigate the ripping off of ticket buyers by the original ticket sellers. The upfront advertised price of tickets is nowhere near what you actually pay. Booking fees, handling charges, postage, etc can add quite a lot to the cost of each ticket.Once again the problem with secondary ticket prices is being “investigated” (Ticket resale sites face inquiry, 20 December). Though laudable, why not take this a step further and investigate the ripping off of ticket buyers by the original ticket sellers. The upfront advertised price of tickets is nowhere near what you actually pay. Booking fees, handling charges, postage, etc can add quite a lot to the cost of each ticket.
How can companies justify booking fees of say £8 on a £50 ticket? Then they charge you £2.50 postage for something that arrives by second-class mail. The worst example of this I have come across was a ticket to see Graham Nash last summer. The ticket had a face value of £35. On top of this, you were charged a booking fee, a handling charge and a “facility fee”. Total cost was £48. A 40% mark up.How can companies justify booking fees of say £8 on a £50 ticket? Then they charge you £2.50 postage for something that arrives by second-class mail. The worst example of this I have come across was a ticket to see Graham Nash last summer. The ticket had a face value of £35. On top of this, you were charged a booking fee, a handling charge and a “facility fee”. Total cost was £48. A 40% mark up.
Large stadium concerts are just a licence to print money for these companies. Buying eight tickets for a stadium gig can easily cost you an extra £100 in fees. A few years ago, a reunion tour allegedly sold 200,000 tickets for three concerts in 60 minutes. With booking fees etc that was £1.5m into the coffers of the ticket sellers in an hour.Large stadium concerts are just a licence to print money for these companies. Buying eight tickets for a stadium gig can easily cost you an extra £100 in fees. A few years ago, a reunion tour allegedly sold 200,000 tickets for three concerts in 60 minutes. With booking fees etc that was £1.5m into the coffers of the ticket sellers in an hour.
There should be a reasonable flat fee for each ticket sold, and the price advertised should be the price you pay including the fee. The Competition and Markets Authority should be looking into how the original purchaser of tickets is being exploited by these companies alongside any investigation into resale websites.Ken WardCrewe, CheshireThere should be a reasonable flat fee for each ticket sold, and the price advertised should be the price you pay including the fee. The Competition and Markets Authority should be looking into how the original purchaser of tickets is being exploited by these companies alongside any investigation into resale websites.Ken WardCrewe, Cheshire
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