Consumer groups’ statement on elimination of speculative ticketing disclosure requirements from S. 1303, the “TICKET Act”
July 27, 2023
Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442
Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation today approved an amended version of the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (“TICKET Act”). Unfortunately, an amendment to the bill that was approved during the markup eliminated a key provision that consumer groups supported which would have required ticket sellers to disclose clearly and conspicuously, prior to a consumer selecting a ticket for purchase, when a seller does not have possession of a ticket being listed for sale. The eliminated provision would have addressed a controversial practice known as “speculative ticketing,” that has harmed too many consumers who thought they had purchased a ticket only to later find out that the seller was unable to fulfill their order. [1] In a July 25 letter to the Commerce Committee, eleven consumer advocacy organizations had urged support for the original version of the TICKET Act, which was introduced with bipartisan support in April.
In response to today’s vote, the undersigned consumer groups released the following statement:
“The live event ticketing market is a rigged game, riddled with deception and a lack of transparency at every turn. We are extremely disappointed that the Commerce Committee today bowed to pressure from industry opponents and missed an opportunity to reduce the risk that fans end up high and dry without tickets to events they had otherwise planned to attend. The TICKET Act, as amended, is a step in the right direction but a reminder of why vested interests continue to resist comprehensive reform. The live event ticketing system needs to be cured of deep flaws that result in consumers being abused before tickets go on sale, while they are for sale, and through the moment they are scanned for entry. The TICKET Act as introduced would have assured transparency to two of the most opaque parts of ticket buying: the pricing of tickets, and the sale of tickets that sellers do not possess, but are offered to unknowing customers. We continue to support all-in pricing of live event tickets because today’s deceptive drip pricing is unfortunately the norm whether the tickets come from a venue, a team, Ticketmaster, or a resale marketplace. Our groups will continue to work for a fairer ticket marketplace to ensure that fans are able to access affordable tickets to their favorite events in an open, transparent, and competitive marketplace.”
Organizations supporting this statement include National Consumers League, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Federation of California, Fan Freedom Project, National Association of Consumer Advocates, Protect Ticket Rights, Public Knowledge, Sports Fans Coalition, and U.S. Public Interest Research Project, and Virginia Citizens Consumer Council.
[1] Burchill, Caitlin. “Burlington man learns his expensive Taylor Swift tickets don’t exist days before concert,” NBC Connecticut. (June 13, 2023) Online: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/investigations/nbc-ct-responds/burlington-man-learns-his-expensive-taylor-swift-tickets-dont-exist-days-before-concert/3048419/; Oberle, Marisa. “PROBLEM SOLVERS: Potential ‘controversial’ practice leaves Kent Co. family without Taylor Swift tickets,” FOX 17-West Michigan. (June 21, 2023) Online: https://www.fox17online.com/news/problem-solvers/problem-solvers-controversial-practice-leaves-kent-co-family-without-taylor-swift-tickets-day-before-concert
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The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit nclnet.org.
