http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/h...657179.stm



Music fans need clearer information about booking fees added to the price of concert tickets, an MP has said.
Labour's Ben Chapman said costs added to the ticket's face value should be spelt out, as should alternatives to buying through an agency.

In the House of Commons, Mr Chapman said huge demand had put venues and agencies in a "powerful position".

Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Hodge said the industry was examined by the Office of Fair Trading in 2005.

She added that current regulations would be strengthened by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive in 2008 which would require consumers to be able to make an "informed purchasing decision".

Mr Chapman, the MP for Wirral South, said that more than one third of the £1.5bn spent on advance ticket sales was collected by agencies.


Have your say on booking fees for concerts

"We now have a situation, for example, where Kylie Minogue's comeback concert sold out in six minutes. If there were as many tickets as there were punters willing to pay upwards of £50, several Wembley stadium could be filled.

"Given the massive discrepancy between supply and demand it's paramount that we keep a careful check on those who, quite properly, seek to make commercial gain in this market."

He said he wanted to see clearer advertising of booking and administrative fees as well as an industry standard wording for fees.

"My constituency is in Merseyside, and Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 2008, presents a mixed picture with some charging low or zero fees and others providing little option other than to pay fees through buying from an agent," he said.


It's paramount that we keep a careful check on those who, quite properly, seek to make commercial gain in this market

Ben Chapman
Labour MP for Wirral South

"In most other markets this demand would be met by greater supply. In respect of pop concerts, and to a lesser extent other top end productions, this has put not only the acts themselves but ticket agents, through exclusive deals, in a powerful position.

Nick Blackburn, managing director of the See Tickets agency, said all companies belonging to The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers were "obliged by their code of practice to show the face value of the ticket, plus any additional fees".

He said his company always made additional fees known to the customer, whether they booked online or over the phone.

Paul Burns is chief executive of the Seatem Group, which owns ticket agencies Applause and Keith Prowse.

"The regulations are already in place and all reputable ticket agents adhere to them," he said.

"Anything that can be done to enforce those regulations is actively supported by all ticket agents who are members of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers."

Mr Burns said the real problem lay with unofficial ticket agencies and touts, adding that Mr Chapman would "direct his energies better" by suggesting new laws to ban them.

In a statement, Ticketmaster UK managing director Chris Edmonds said: "We provide our customers a convenient, reliable, safe and authorised service for those consumers who choose to use us to purchase tickets."

Paul Betesh from Ticketline said his staff always "confirm details" with the customer, giving them the opportunity to back out of the booking.

"We don't generally get feedback from customers or people complaining that they don't know what the margins are, because it is clear," he said


TICKET PRICES AND BOOKING FEES
Barbra Streisand - £600 ticket price + £25 booking fee (Big Mouth)
The Police - £70 + £7 (Ticketmaster)
Elton John - £65.50 + £5 (Ticketline)
Prince - £31.21 + £3.50 (See Tickets)


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[Edited 5/15/07 17:49pm]

ticketmaster BLOWS

that is all