Viagogo has responded to the Australian music industry’s push to get the controversial ticket resale website banned.
The drive to lobby against the Swiss-based firm has received backing from the likes of rock band Gang of Youths (pictured), Laneway Festival and artists Tash Sultana and Amy Shark.
The music industry’s campaign is a part of the Labor Party’s goal to get Viagogo out of Australia.
Gang Of Youths called Viagogo a “disgraceful and disruptive scam” for allowing scalpers to use its platform.
In a statement to Music Feeds, Viagogo said: “Viagogo provides a platform for third party sellers to sell tickets to event goers.
“Viagogo does not set ticket prices, sellers set their own prices, which may be above or below the original face value.
“The tickets sold on Viagogo’s platform are genuine tickets that have been sold on by the original ticket purchaser in good faith.”
The firm continued to say that its tickets sold on its platform are “genuine tickets,” though it added that customers who have “problems with their tickets” are advised to contact the company through its event day hotline.
“We are often able to find replacement tickets right away, and in the rare instances we are not able to, customers receive a full refund,” Viagogo said.
The company said prices to certain events may increase “where demand is high and tickets are limited”, and admitted that “customers will often find multiple sets of tickets for the same section at different prices” on its site.
Viagogo also hit back at event organisers who deter fans from buying from Viagogo or even warn ticket-buyers that they would be turned away at the door if they purchased through Viagogo.
“These types of entry restrictions are highly unfair and in our view, unenforceable and illegal,” the company said.
“Therefore, as with all tickets on our platform, Viagogo customers should feel confident that they will gain entry to the event, and that is why we back every ticket with the Viagogo guarantee.”
Image: Bruce
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