Senators Slam Ticketmaster for 'Bait and Switch' Tactics After Fee Hikes
US Senators rebuke Ticketmaster for raising other fees after a crackdown on hidden charges, calling it a 'bait and switch' tactic that exploits consumers
Lawmakers in the United States have lambasted Ticketmaster for increasing ticket fees following a regulatory crackdown on hidden charges, as revealed in a recent report by The Guardian.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last May began requiring Ticketmaster to disclose concert ticket fees upfront, a practice known as all-in pricing. The company eliminated the order processing fee it charged at the end of a transaction to comply with the rule.
However, according to the lawmakers, Ticketmaster has now quietly raised other fees to offset the losses from the hidden charge crackdown, describing the move as a "bait and switch" tactic that exploits consumers.
"Ticketmaster acts like it has a get-out-of-jail-free card," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut. "They're just finding new ways to add fees and make it even more difficult for consumers to know the true cost of a ticket."
The lawmakers' criticism comes after The Guardian reported that Ticketmaster had raised service fees and other charges to compensate for the loss of the order processing fee, effectively negating the impact of the FTC's crackdown on hidden fees.
"This is a classic bait and switch," said Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota. "Consumers are sick and tired of hidden fees and deceptive pricing, and Ticketmaster needs to be held accountable."
The senators' rebuke highlights the ongoing battle between regulators, lawmakers, and the ticketing giant, which has long been criticized for its dominant market position and practices that many view as anti-consumer.
"Ticketmaster needs to stop nickel-and-diming consumers and be transparent about the true cost of tickets," Blumenthal said. "If they can't do that, then Congress may need to step in and take further action."
The controversy underscores the challenges faced by consumers navigating the complex and often opaque world of ticket sales, where hidden fees and surcharges have become a common practice across the industry.
Source: The Guardian
