Metallica’s long-awaited return to Perth is drawing near, but fans still hunting for tickets to the November 1 concert at Optus Stadium are being urged to tread carefully, especially when turning to resale websites.
A recent sweep by Consumer Protection has uncovered suspected breaches of WA’s strict ticket scalping laws, with Metallica M72 tickets listed for more than the legal resale limit and missing key information like seating details.
Under the state legislation, tickets to WA events cannot be resold for more than 110 percent of their original price. Sellers are also required to clearly show the ticket’s face value and its exact location, including section, row and seat number.
But not all online ads are playing by the rules.
Consumer Protection Commissioner, Tim Banfield, said both the individuals posting overpriced ads and the websites that host them could face prosecution under the Ticket Scalping Act.
“Once a ticket reselling website becomes aware of prohibited advertisements, they are obliged to remove them quickly,” he said. “Fans risk losing their hard-earned money if they buy resale Metallica M72 tickets that violate these laws. Since Ticketmaster is the main authorised seller, tickets sold elsewhere could be cancelled.”
The official seller for the Metallica M72 SHOW IS Ticketmaster, with standard tickets ranging from $110 to $750, and enhanced tickets going as high as $3,998. Tickets purchased from unauthorised sellers could be cancelled without refund.
Banfield said buyers taking a gamble on secondary resellers are not only likely to pay inflated prices, but may also face issues like tickets not being transferred in their name.
People who see tickets being advertised online for more than 110 percent of their original value, or without the required information, are encouraged to lodge a report with Consumer Protection.
Consumer Protection is urging the public to report suspicious ticket ads by providing screenshots, links and reference numbers to help clamp down on scalping. Complaints can be submitted online or by calling 1300 30 40 54.
