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Ticketmaster Canada Settles Class-Action Lawsuit, Payouts Expected for Affected Customers:

Ticketmaster Canada Settles Class-Action Lawsuit, Payouts Expected for Affected Customers;

Ticketmaster Canada customers who were impacted by a recent class-action lawsuit are set to receive electronic gift cards worth approximately $45 each, as part of a $6 million settlement approved by the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench. The lawsuit, brought forward by Crystal Watch, challenged Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster Canada, and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment over their practice of “drip pricing,” where additional, undisclosed fees are added during the checkout process, misleading consumers about the final price.

Watch and her legal team argued that this practice violated the Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act, as it misled customers by failing to disclose the true cost of tickets until later in the purchasing process. Although Ticketmaster denied wrongdoing, they agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. Crystal Watch herself will receive $25,000 from the settlement, while legal fees for the case have been capped at $1.725 million.

Justice Graeme Mitchell emphasized the significance of the case, noting that while the settlement isn’t massive, it served as an important example of consumer protection in action. He pointed out that this class action would not have been feasible without the collective efforts of affected consumers, and up to 1 million people across Canada, including 100,000 from Saskatchewan, could be eligible for compensation.

Eligibility for the payout is limited to individuals who purchased tickets between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2018. These customers will receive electronic gift cards, which can be used for primary ticket purchases, parking, VIP packages, and select merchandise on the Ticketmaster platform, though they won’t work for Major League Baseball tickets or resale items. The gift cards are transferable but capped at $45 in value.

Ticketmaster will reach out to eligible customers via email with instructions on how to claim their credits. If you don’t receive a notification, you can contact the plaintiffs’ legal team for assistance. The claims process has not yet opened, but customers should keep an eye out for further updates.

This settlement brings attention to the larger issue of “drip pricing” in the ticketing industry, where initial prices appear low until hidden fees are added. Ticketmaster has previously faced scrutiny for similar practices, including a $4 million fine from the Competition Bureau of Canada in 2019 for misleading pricing. In response to growing consumer dissatisfaction, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Federal Trade Commission are taking steps to require clearer fee disclosures, starting in May 2025.

The Ticketmaster Canada settlement, while addressing specific claims, serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for greater transparency in ticket pricing. Once the distribution process is completed, any remaining settlement funds will be donated to organizations selected by Ticketmaster and the plaintiff, with court approval.

This case underscores the continued push for consumer rights and fair pricing practices in the ticketing industry, highlighting the importance of holding companies accountable for misleading tactics.

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