The Viagogo online reseller that has previously tried to offer Wagga event tickets at marked-up prices is now under investigation by NSW Fair Trading.
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The consumer and trading watchdog said it had received 36 complaints about Viagogo so far this year, including 16 relating to ticket scalping, 11 relating to the cancellation of events that were not refunded, and five relating to misleading customers that they are the authorised seller.
Wagga Civic Theatre has previously warned patrons not to be "fooled" by online ticket sites such as Viagogo as scalpers demand prices up to $100 higher than the official box office.
Viagogo has also listed tickets for live music at Wagga nightclubs and for the city's major touring events such as the Crusty Demons motorbike stunt show.
Wagga Civic Theatre manager Carissa Campbell said her venue had not seen any issues so far this year with invalid online ticket sales and third-party ticket offers.
"One of the great things that has come out of Service NSW Dine + Discover Vouchers is that we are seeing a lot of people come to the theatre for the first time," she said.
"We do our best to educate the public to beware of invalid online ticket sales and to only purchase their tickets for Civic Theatre events through our Box Office.
"It is the only authorised ticket seller for events being held at the theatre. We will never sell through a third party and events at the theatre will never be sold through a third party.
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Ms Campbell said tickets to Wagga Civic Theatre events could be purchased through the Box Office in person, over the phone or online through theatre's website and they also kept waitlists for shows if they are sold out.
Viagogo has reportedly already started removing tickets for some NSW events from its website after the investigation was announced.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rose Webb said with the arts and entertainment already struggling, ticket scalpers and especially Viagogo should not get away with ripping off consumers.
"We did briefly see a drop off in complaints but then we saw a spike at the end of 2019. When the pandemic hit complaints obviously dropped off again as events were not able to go ahead," she said.
"However now that events are back on the agenda, we have seen a spike again and despite Viagogo being explicitly warned and receiving a $7 million fine from the ACCC in 2020, they continue to flout the rules.
"Those within the entertainment and arts industry have been vocal about the obliteration of their industry due to COVID and they do not need the additional stress of ticket resellers scalping well-meaning fans."
The Viagogo spokesperson said the company would take prompt action and "productively engage with regulators" to make sure the website was compliant.
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