MPs warn consumers against using ticket reseller Viagogo
Viagogo has suffered a fresh public setback this morning, with a group of politicians hitting out at the controversial ticket reseller less than a month after it was dealt a blow by Britain’s competition watchdog.
In a stinging report released today by an influential parliamentary committee, MPs have warned customers against using Viagogo’s website, saying that the firm has “caused distress for too many music fans for too long”.
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee also expressed its frustration at “the company’s unwillingness to appear before the committee and provide oral evidence, demonstrating disdain for not only the legislative process but its customers.”
Such comments come weeks after Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it is preparing to take Viagogo to court after saying that it is “still not compliant” over a court order concerning consumer protection rules.
Read more: Competition regulator preparing fresh court action against Viagogo
The CMA said that it “expects them to make any necessary changes without delay”, with Viagogo ordered to make immediate website changes or go back to court.
However, in a statement Viagogo said that "we strongly believe we are not in breach of the court order."
The news followed on a landmark legal victory for the CMA in November, when it won a court order that forced Viagogo to tell buyers which seat they will get and if there is a risk that they will be turned away at the door.
Read more: Viagogo forced to overhaul ticket-selling process
Such a victory for the CMA came several months after it launched legal action against the company over worries that Viagogo was breaking consumer protection law.
The global ticketing provider has faced pressure over its secondary ticket market, such as reports in January 2017 that tickets for London’s popular musical Hamilton were listed on the firm’s site for almost £3000 just two hours after going on sale, despite measures to prevent touting.
In a statement Viagogo replied: "We are disappointed that the DCMS have singled us out particularly, when hundreds of thousands of British citizens use our service to buy and sell tickets to their favorite live events every day and never experience any problems. We provide an invaluable service to UK consumers by giving them access to events in the UK and all over the world."