Hundreds of music fans have been left angry and out of pocket after their tickets for last weekend's V Festival failed to turn up.
Hundreds of music fans have been left angry and out of pocket after their tickets for last weekend's V Festival failed to turn up.
The SOS Master Tickets agency has attracted furious complaints from fans who ordered festival passes on its website, which has now gone offline.
The SOS Master Tickets agency has attracted furious complaints from fans who ordered festival passes on its website, which has now gone offline.
Graham Burns, of the Association of Secondary Ticket Agencies (Asta), said it was a "rip-off".
Graham Burns, chairman of the Association of Secondary Ticket Agencies, said it was a "rip-off".
Islington Council's Trading Standards team is investigating the company.
Islington Council's Trading Standards team is investigating the company.
More customers are now resigned to not receiving tickets from SOS for future events, such as the Reading and Leeds festivals and concerts by Madonna and George Michael.
More customers are now resigned to not receiving tickets from SOS for future events, such as the Reading and Leeds festivals and concerts by Madonna and George Michael.
The agency offered weekend passes to V for up to £180 each.
The agency offered weekend passes to V for up to £180 each.
The festival took place at twin sites in Essex and Staffordshire on Saturday and Sunday and was headlined by Muse and The Verve.
The festival took place at twin sites in Essex and Staffordshire on Saturday and Sunday and was headlined by Muse and The Verve.
When customers did not receive the tickets with a week to go, they were told to go to their venue, where they would receive tickets in person.
When customers did not receive the tickets with a week to go, they were told to go to their venue, where they would receive tickets in person.
The event took place at two sites, in Essex and Staffordshire
The event took place at two sites, in Essex and Staffordshire
But the company's representatives did not turn up and their mobile phones went unanswered.
But the company's representatives did not turn up and their mobile phones went unanswered.
Between 400-800 people were estimated to have been locked out of the events, according to Asta chairman Mr Burns.
Between 400-800 people were estimated to have been locked out of the events, according to Mr Burns.
"They've taken this opportunity to fleece the general public and the fallout has been quite spectacular," he said.
He said the public had been "fleeced", adding: "The fallout has been quite spectacular."
Fans at Hylands House, near Chelmsford, were told to collect their tickets from a man called Richard, while those at Weston Park, Staffordshire, were told to meet Jay.
Fans at Hylands House, near Chelmsford, were told to collect their tickets from a man called Richard, while those at Weston Park, Staffordshire, were told to meet Jay.
"I got down to Hylands House to an entrance to find about 30 people also waiting for Richard, and waited, still trying to get through," said one fan, Jo Kay.
"I got down to Hylands House to an entrance to find about 30 people also waiting for Richard, and waited, still trying to get through," said one fan, Jo Kay.
"Eventually, at 1930 approx, the phone was the switched off."
"Eventually, at 1930 approx, the phone was the switched off."
The SOS Master Ticket chap had not turned up and disappointed hundreds of people Laura StockSOS customer
The SOS Master Ticket chap had not turned up and disappointed hundreds of people Laura StockSOS customer
Another fan, Laura Stock, from Leicester, said: "On arrival at the venue, Jay's phone was switched off and could not be contacted, so I paid [an] extra £10 to park so I could look for him.
Another fan, Laura Stock, from Leicester, said: "On arrival at the venue, Jay's phone was switched off and could not be contacted, so I paid [an] extra £10 to park so I could look for him.
"Once parked, I could still not find Jay, so I made my way to the ticket collection point at the main entrance and a man from Ticketmaster told me that the SOS Master Ticket chap had not turned up and [had] disappointed hundreds of people."
"Once parked, I could still not find Jay, so I made my way to the ticket collection point at the main entrance and a man from Ticketmaster told me that the SOS Master Ticket chap had not turned up and [had] disappointed hundreds of people."
Secondary ticket agencies such as SOS are not official ticket outlets, but snap up and sell on tickets to sold out events at inflated prices.
Secondary ticket agencies such as SOS are not official ticket outlets, but snap up and sell on tickets to sold out events at inflated prices.
Fans who paid for tickets with credit cards or Visa debit cards should contact their card issuers for refunds, Mr Burns said.
Fans who paid for tickets with credit cards or Visa debit cards should contact their card issuers for refunds, Mr Burns said.
Agencies that belong to Asta are reliable, he said - but SOS had not signed up to the organisation.
Agencies that belong to the Association of Secondary Ticket Agencies (Asta) are reliable, he said - but SOS had not signed up to the organisation.
The secondary sector is becoming more reputable, with Asta putting in place a code of practice and code of ethics for its members, he added.
The secondary sector is becoming more reputable, with Asta putting in place a code of practice and code of ethics for its members, he added.
We're sorry for those who may have been let down from certain sites and recommend checking if it's an official site Bob AngusV Festival director
We're sorry for those who may have been let down from certain sites and recommend checking if it's an official site Bob AngusV Festival director
Bob Angus, director of the V Festival, said: "We're aware that unofficial outlets claim to have had V Festival tickets for sale.
Bob Angus, director of the V Festival, said: "We're aware that unofficial outlets claim to have had V Festival tickets for sale.
"As concert promoters, we urge the public not to get tickets from these secondary ticket outlets, whether that be unofficial ticket outlets or through auction sites, as it could well lead to disappointment.
"As concert promoters, we urge the public not to get tickets from these secondary ticket outlets, whether that be unofficial ticket outlets or through auction sites, as it could well lead to disappointment.
"We're sorry for those who may have been let down from certain sites and recommend checking if it's an official site on www.vfestival.com in future."
"We're sorry for those who may have been let down from certain sites and recommend checking if it's an official site on www.vfestival.com in future."
Customers who bought V tickets from SOS were sent an e-mail from the company's managing director, listing a Spanish address, promising refunds and compensation.
Customers who bought V tickets from SOS were sent an e-mail from the company's managing director, listing a Spanish address, promising refunds and compensation.
But their website has been taken down and all phone and fax numbers are unavailable. The BBC was unable to contact them to comment on the complaints.
But their website has been taken down and all phone and fax numbers are unavailable. The BBC was unable to contact them to comment on the complaints.
The company is registered to a residential address in Islington, north London.
The company is registered to a residential address in Islington, north London.
A spokesperson for Islington Council said: "Trading standards are aware of SOS Master Tickets and are in the process of carrying out an investigation into their activity."
A spokesperson for Islington Council said: "Trading standards are aware of SOS Master Tickets and are in the process of carrying out an investigation into their activity."
Other fans have also paid hundreds of pounds to SOS for tickets to other upcoming events. Many are expecting to be disappointed, with some already claiming refunds from their credit card issuers.
Other fans have also paid hundreds of pounds to SOS for tickets to other upcoming events. Many are expecting to be disappointed, with some already claiming refunds from their credit card issuers.
Did you order tickets for V Festival from SOS Master Tickets? Or are you waiting for tickets to another event? Tell us below.
Did you order tickets for V Festival from SOS Master Tickets? Or are you waiting for tickets to another event? Tell us below.
