Ticketmaster agrees to all-in pricing, however sky-high charges are going nowhere

Ticketmaster has agreed to cease withholding details about ticket sale charges till the top of the transaction, in a transfer that’ll guarantee the costs concert-goers see are those they find yourself paying.

The corporate (which is owned by Reside Nation), at this time joined SeatGeek and Airbnb to decide to extra clear pricing, with the intention to scale back the shock shoppers usually really feel on the finish of the method after they see the charges related to the ticket.

The transfer gained’t truly save shoppers any cash, as a result of there’s no indication these sky-high charges will probably be lowered in any manner. They’ll simply be declared earlier than you choose your seat, or the place to remain. It’s not clear whether or not the businesses will undertake the technique exterior of the US both.

Ticketmaster, the primary goal of the patron revolt following a debacle over Taylor Swift tour promoting preparations final yr, has pledged to permit customers to see the overall worth of the ticket, together with all charges, inside the search outcomes. That’ll roll out by September. Airbnb launched the flexibility to see all charges earlier than taxes on the finish of final yr, whereas SeekGeek plans to roll out the performance this summer season.

“This can be a win-win for shoppers,” President Joe Biden mentioned in a information convention on Wednesday and claimed the Ticketmaster change alone will profit 30 million folks. Biden desires opponents to comply with go well with in adopting the all-in pricing.

“One of many main classes of junk charges are ones that firms cost proper on the finish of the buying course of after you’ve already spent the time evaluating your choices,” the president mentioned.

“The answer is what known as “all-in pricing” and that’s the place firms totally disclose their charges upfront if you begin buying so that you’re not shocked on the finish if you take a look at. The businesses represented right here at this time are voluntarily committing to all-in upfront pricing.”

If Biden was actually eager to assist he may wish to look into whether or not Reside Nation’s possession of Ticketmaster and the near-monopoly on the ticketing of excessive profile occasions in the US is truthful? And whether or not there’s a world wherein the size of the charges charged by Ticketmaster – which anecdotally is the price of an additional ticket per two you purchase – is remotely justifiable?

The solutions to each of these questions, Joe, aren’t any.