Ticketmaster UK: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Introduction

Ticketmaster is one of the world's leading ticket sales and distribution companies. It has been in operation for over 40 years and has a presence in over 30 countries. In the UK, Ticketmaster is the dominant player in the market, with a market share of over 80%.

The Good

Ticketmaster offers a number of advantages to both consumers and event organisers. For consumers, Ticketmaster provides a convenient and easy way to buy tickets for events. The company has a wide network of sales outlets, including online, over the phone, and in person. Ticketmaster also offers a number of features that make it easy to find and buy tickets, such as a search engine and a seating chart. For event organisers, Ticketmaster provides a number of services that can help them to sell tickets and manage their events. These services include ticketing, marketing, and customer service. Ticketmaster also offers a number of tools that can help event organisers to track their sales and manage their finances.

The Bad

Despite its many advantages, Ticketmaster has also been criticised for a number of reasons. One of the most common criticisms is that Ticketmaster's fees are too high. The company charges a number of fees for its services, including a booking fee, a service fee, and a delivery fee. These fees can add up to a significant amount, especially for large events. Another criticism of Ticketmaster is that it is difficult to get a refund or exchange for tickets. The company's refund policy is very strict, and it often takes a long time to get a refund or exchange. This can be frustrating for consumers who have to cancel or change their plans. Finally, Ticketmaster has been criticised for its monopoly over the ticket market. The company's large market share gives it a lot of power over the industry. This power has been used to raise prices and to limit competition.

The Ugly

In recent years, Ticketmaster has been involved in a number of scandals. In 2017, the company was accused of scalping tickets for the Taylor Swift tour. The company was also accused of using bots to buy up tickets for popular events and then selling them at a higher price. These scandals have damaged Ticketmaster's reputation and have led to calls for the company to be broken up.

Conclusion

Ticketmaster is a complex company with both good and bad points. The company offers a number of advantages to both consumers and event organisers, but it has also been criticised for its high fees, its strict refund policy, and its monopoly over the ticket market. In recent years, Ticketmaster has been involved in a number of scandals that have damaged its reputation.