Ticketmaster is coming under fire in the UK as a result of the disappointment experienced by thousands of Oasis fans who were unable to secure tickets for the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour.
The uproar stems from Ticketmaster’s implementation of ‘dynamic pricing’, a strategy that resulted in ticket prices surging by hundreds of pounds while fans waited in online queues to make their purchases. This controversial pricing tactic has sparked concern, prompting U.K. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy to pledge an inquiry into Ticketmaster’s pricing practices.
Many fans reportedly abandoned their ticket purchases after investing hours in queue lines, only to witness prices soar by up to £200 while waiting. Many fans could not access tickets at all, leaving them with no option but to turn to ticket-resale platforms.
The government plans to conduct a consultation on ticket resale websites in the upcoming autumn. Nandy has confirmed that dynamic pricing will be addressed in the consultation, stating that the government will examine ‘concepts related to the transparency and implementation of dynamic pricing, including the technology behind queuing systems that encourage its use’.
The so-called dynamic or surge pricing policy, which has been heavily criticised in the past, is the system’s response to demand, increasing or decreasing prices in line with what scalpers would resell them for, keeping the money in-house for the seller and artist. It is permitted under consumer protection laws.
Dynamic pricing will now form part of the government’s promised review. Government minister Lucy Powell was among those hit by dynamic pricing on Saturday, and eventually forked out more than double the original quoted cost of a ticket for an Oasis show.
Fans called the “in-demand” pricing both “sickening” and “scandalous”. Ticketmaster said it does not set prices, and its website says this is down to the “event organiser” who “has priced these tickets according to their market value”.
Oasis has told followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and put up for prices at “face value”, otherwise they will be “cancelled by the promoters”.
Oasis have also been contacted for comment.
