Industry News

French regulator takes action against Viagogo

Viagogo has been ordered to change its “deceptive” sales and marketing practices in France.

The country’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has taken injunctions against Switzerland-based Viagogo and its Delaware-based division that operates viagogo.fr.

The DGCCRF said Viagogo must cease misleading commercial practices within the meaning of Articles L.121-2 and L.121-4 of the Consumer Code.

It said the company must stop displaying prices that do not include add-on fees and must stop misleading consumers on the availability of the tickets offered. The DGCCRF added that the resale platform should also not resell tickets for subsidised events beyond their face value.

The DGCCRF is responsible for monitoring compliance with consumer code rules relating to consumer protection and product safety and compliance in France.

The announcement comes two months after the French Consumer Federation (FRC) lodged a criminal complaint with the Geneva Public Prosecutor against Viagogo. The online ticket resale company is breaking the law against unfair competition according to the FRC.

“We have concerns about a number of things, including the fact that the notes do not exist at the time of purchase and so it’s not just a question of resale. In addition, the terms of sale are aggressive for the customer,” the FRC said in its submission.

The FRC said it has received more than 100 complaints from consumers about the resale site.

IMAGE: TheDigitalArtist