Watchdog opens investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland's handling of Oasis ticket sales
Ellen O'Donoghue
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets last weekend.
The investigation comes following a review of over 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline.
Chair of the CCPC, Brian McHugh, said that the watchdog reviewed the complaints by disappointed and frustrated consumers.
"While companies in Ireland are allowed to respond to market demand, there are legitimate concerns over how consumers were treated and we have decided that an in-depth investigation is necessary. If we find that consumer protection laws were broken we will take action," Mr McHugh said.
"The CCPC is grateful to consumers who have taken the time to call or email our helpline to share their experiences with us as their stories have helped us develop a picture of last weekend’s events."
As of Friday, September 6th, the competition watchdog said that 108 consumers had contacted them in relation to buying tickets for Oasis.
This comes after hundreds of thousands of fans who waited in queues for more than three hours for tickets to the band's two gigs at Dublin's Croke Park thinking they would pay the initially advertised rate of €176, ended up paying more than double at €400 when the tickets for Oasis's highly anticipated reunion went on sale.
They were left shocked when they found prices for standing tickets had rocketed by the time they finally got the opportunity to make a purchase.
Some were quoted at €415.50 each due to dynamic pricing.
When asked about this issue by the PA news agency, Ticketmaster made clear it does not set the prices.
It is understood that the prices are set by the promoters, not the artists.
A statement from the CCPC said that they would welcome written comments and any supporting materials from consumers about their experience of buying, or attempting to buy, Oasis tickets on the weekend of August 31st, 2024.
As an investigation has now been opened, the statement continued, the CCPC cannot provide further comment.
