Radiohead Fans Unhappy At Paperless Ticket Policy After Many Left Out Of Pocket
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Friday, 28 September 2012 |
Written by Elliott Batte
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English alt-rockers Radiohead have come under fire from their own fan this week, after the band employed a new and seemingly ‘unfair’ ticket policy.
The band hit the road next month for a short tour of the UK, and while fans are desperate to see their favourites, they haven’t kept quiet about the paperless ticket policy which is being used - with countless fans left unhappy and out of pocket.
In what seems to be an attempt to stop scammers and ticket touts, the band’s new paperless system means fans must purchase their tickets in advance, then turn up on the night with ID and the same card they initially used.
This means anyone who purchased tickets for a friend, can no longer make it, or wants a refund are left in an awkward and financially damaging situation. One fan, Paul Chambers, lost £288 buying tickets because he can no longer go. His wife can’t go without him, and he can’t sell them on either - something which has upset him and many other Radiohead lovers.
“I can’t go due to being away at work,” Chambers said. “The tickets are in my name and I can’t pick them up. My wife isn’t keen on going to the concert without me but couldn’t anyway due to my name and bank card being on the bill. I would gladly sell them to fans for face value but I can’t due to the restrictions.”
Ticketmaster have also come under scrutiny for their no refund policy, and have insisted that anyone who calls their customer service station will be given help.
Spokesperson Jon Wiffen told The Guardian: “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. Information relating to their purchase of paperless tickets is also conveyed on the confirmation email they receive.”
He continued: “Paperless tickets aren't transferable because this prevents those tickets being offered in the resale market. 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.”
The fiasco highlights the importance of a secure and safe secondary market, a point highlighted by Seatwave boss Joe Cohen, who 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.”
What do you think of the whole affair - are paperless tickets the way forward or do you agree that a secure secondary market is, indeed, ‘vital’? Let us know in the comments section below.
Radiohead UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat October 6th 2012 - Arena, Manchester
Mon October 8th 2012 - O2 Arena, London
Tue October 9th 2012 - O2 Arena, London
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