Tickets for gigs and events bought via unofficial websites can cost double the face value, and sometimes they don't actually exist. Those are two of the findings of event security firm Group 4 Securicor, who have been investigating the sale on tickets via unofficial sources online.
They reckon more than 2.23 million tickets are sold on the black market each year in the UK alone. Their research also suggests consumers who buy tickets from unofficial sources often pay more, even when the ticket websites advertise deals as 'bargains'. On average tickets to gigs were 63% more expensive via unofficial sources, while tickets for sporting events cost 73% more and tickets for major entertainment events were 112% more expensive. Proof, the security firm say, why customers should only buy tickets from legitimate sellers.
Commenting on his company's research, Group 4 Securicor Marketing Director Douglas Greenwell told reporters: "Ultimately it is in the consumers' interest to purchase their tickets from authorised outlets; this ensures they are paying the correct price and that the tickets actually exist. Buying tickets from unauthorised websites can lead to an increase in fraud, criminal activity and increases the safety and security risks at events to themselves and other members of the public."
He continued: "Event organisers cannot afford to ignore the problems associated with the unauthorised resale of tickets for public events from online sources. The best event organisers are increasingly introducing effective security screens to help prevent the resale of tickets from unauthorised outlets. Measures include ensuring attendees at an event bring photo id and their payment details to the venue, which ensures they purchased the tickets legitimately."
Of course, Securicor presumably sell all those services, so they are not completely unbiased here, but their research should make interesting reading for anyone working in the live sector, and likewise for anyone still hoping they'll be able to blag their way into Glastonbury this year.