Seatwave CEO Joe Cohen has reiterated the case for a secondary ticketing market following criticism aimed at Ticketmaster over its rigid 'paperless system' in place for Radiohead’s UK gigs next month.
Tickets for the gigs (at Manchester Arena on October 6 and the O2 on October 8-9) went on sale via Ticketmaster in March but can only be collected at the venue by the person who bought them with a credit card or debit card and photo ID.
Radiohead fans have expressed frustration, however, after finding they are unable to sell the tickets back to Ticketmaster or give them to family or friends should they no longer be able to attend the gig.
Others, who have been bought the tickets as a gift, are unable to collect them because they are not in their name.
The Guardian has published a number of comments from disgruntled fans expressing their annoyance at the system.
Ticketmaster spokesman Jon Wiffen told The Guardian that the company was looking at customers situations on a case-by-case basis.
"Terms and conditions relating to the purchase of paperless tickets are clearly outlined to customers at multiple stages during the purchase process, including the initial purchase page, the shipping page and the billing page,” said Wiffen. “Information relating to their purchase of paperless tickets is also conveyed on the confirmation email they receive.
"Paperless tickets aren't transferable because this prevents those tickets being offered in the resale market,” he added. “However, our dedicated customer services team are happy to work with both customers and our clients, be that the venues or promoters, if a customer's circumstances change."
Seatwave CEO Joe Cohen said, “The fiasco around paperless tickets for the Radiohead gigs next week shows exactly why a safe and transparent secondary ticket market is vital.
"Fans who can no longer go to a show have the right to sell their ticket on to someone else in the simplest and safest way possible.
"Trying to control any market and restrict competition ultimately works against fans, costing them more and allowing fewer people access to the events they want to go to – as was illustrated by all the empty seats at the London Olympics this Summer,” he added.
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