Introduction

In a significant development for ticket buyers across Canada, a class-action lawsuit aimed at Ticketmaster is set to culminate in a settlement exceeding $6 million, with a judge anticipated to give his final approval by year-end.

Background of the Lawsuit

This case was spearheaded by Regina-based attorney Tony Merchant, who first filed the lawsuit in 2018 to address concerns regarding ticket pricing practices, particularly a strategy known as "drip pricing."

Understanding Drip Pricing

Drip pricing is a tactic where customers are lured in by an advertised ticket price—in this case, $229—but once they proceed to purchase, they are slapped with additional fees for things like stage access and parking.

"It creates a frustrating experience where consumers feel trapped. They think they're purchasing a ticket for a specific price, but end up paying significantly more without the option to back out," Merchant explained. This process can unfairly lead consumers to pay additional hidden costs that inflate the ticket's true price.

Settlement Details

The proposed settlement will provide eligible individuals—those who purchased tickets in Canada between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2018—with Ticketmaster credits.

During a recent court hearing in Regina, the judge shared optimism about formalizing the settlement by Christmas, with affected consumers likely to receive notifications regarding their credits in 2025.

Claim Process

Eligible individuals will receive an email prompting them to claim their credit, which Merchant stated should be a straightforward process.

However, those who do not receive the notification or whose emails have changed are encouraged to reach out to Merchant's law firm for assistance.

Company's Stance

Although Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, has denied any wrongdoing, they have agreed to a settlement characterized by their lawyers as "fair and reasonable."

Settlement Amount

The total settlement amount is $6,027,000 in credits, which could translate to as much as $45 in Ticketmaster credits for each eligible claimant.

This credit is transferable, does not expire, but must be used in a single transaction.

Impact of the Settlement

While $45 might not be sufficient to secure a ticket for a highly sought-after event such as a Taylor Swift concert, Merchant emphasized the importance of recouping millions for the affected class of consumers.

He also highlighted that the lawsuit played a critical role in challenging and potentially curtailing deceptive pricing practices that might otherwise continue under the radar.

Eligible Consumers

It is estimated that around 100,000 residents of Saskatchewan and approximately one million individuals across Canada may qualify for the settlement.

Conclusion

This significant development underscores the ongoing conversation surrounding fairness in ticket pricing and the importance of accountability for large corporations like Ticketmaster.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds, and to see how many individuals take advantage of this settlement as it is rolled out in the coming years.