Ticketmaster was sued for redirecting their patrons to their subsidiary site, TicketsNow.com, a site used for customers who want to resell the tickets they have already bought. Ticket prices are jacked up hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars from their original face value. As owners, Ticketmaster receives 15% commission from TicketsNow.com sales.
Fans who were trying to buy Springsteen's tickets were redirected to TicketsNow instead of being able to purchase through Ticketmaster for certain shows. Customers complaints prompted a New Jersey congressman to call for a federal antitrust investigation into Ticketmasters sales practices.
"We perceive this as a pure conflict of interest," said Bruce Springsteen, 59. "The abuse of our fans and our trust by Ticketmaster has made us as furious as it has made many of you."
Ticketmaster apologized Feb. 4 for steering Springsteen fans to TicketsNow and promised to refund the price difference from the face value to the price paid through the reseller. The company also said fans will no longer be shown a link to the resale market unless the artist gives consent to do so.
Springsteen is about to embark on a world tour to promote his latest album, "Working on a Dream." The tour kicks off Apr. 1 in San Jose, California.
http://www.financialpost.com/news/story.html?id=1270355
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