Are we paying through the nose for tickets?

IF TICKETS for shows and concerts were available only to individuals, from the theatre or venue box office, touts and secondary ticket agencies (Money Mail) would disappear overnight.

JOHN BUNNELL, Chester, Cheshire. I ORdEREd two tickets via Viagogo to see dancing On Ice at the nottingham Arena. I had chosen two seats for £68 each in the lower arena to avoid the stairs. But for the price I paid I was sent tickets for the upper arena with the face value of £20 each. Viagogo said the tickets I bought had gone and they had sent ‘the best alternative’. I contacted the arena and they found replacement seats on the lower level and only charged £2 to change each ticket.

MARGARET RADFORD, Sleaford, Lincs.

THERE are no hidden costs with secondary ticket agencies — they are plain to see. If you are not happy with the price, don’t buy the tickets. I use websites such as Viagogo and like to watch as the prices rise and fall — just like the stock exchange — due to supply and demand, and timing. You can get a bargain if you put in the legwork. I also buy tickets from primary sites, but resent having to pay a booking fee. A recent ticket to see Morrissey in Birmingham cost me £74, of which £9 was a booking fee and £1 was for ‘building preservation’.

MARK EVANS, Atherstone, Warks. I WAS all set to pay £100 each for two £30 face-value tickets on Viagogo, but when £120 in extra charges were added, I cancelled. despite this my credit card was charged and the tickets were emailed to me. I have contacted Viagogo, but it has said I should have taken a screen shot of the cancellation. My credit card provider says it could only refund me if the tickets had not arrived. PAM DOBSON, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.