Tout of order
Trading Standards join rip-off fight with huge fine for Jack & Victor shyster
TICKET touts think they can operate with impunity.
But Trading Standards Scotland have got their act together and sent a clear signal their days are numbered.
A four-figure fine was imposed on one west of Scotland shyster for flogging Still Game tickets. It was made possible because the seller breached the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
If only all the other breaches routinely happening across the UK were caught up like this.
At least this is a start. Now consumer watchdogs must keep up the momentum and help us stub out the touts.
TRADING Standards in Scotland have finally joined the fray against ticket touts – by taking important action that could help clean up the rotten industry.
UK consumer watchdogs have been panned for letting touts away with ripping off punters and the UK’s Consumer Rights Act has been broken with impunity since being amended to deter scalpers in 2015.
The Record can reveal that Trading Standards Scotland has slapped a four-figure fine on a “prolific” tout who was making a mint from selling Still Game tickets for the hit shows at the SSE Hydro.
They are now urging other consumer watchdog bodies at councils throughout the UK to get in on the act. The probe by TSS and East Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service targeted a “prolific trader” in the west of Scotland. The financial penalty – the first of its kind on Scotland – was issued because information regarding the seating location was not disclosed – contrary to section 90 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Missing out seat numbers means resold tickets can’t be cancelled by artists and promoters who adopt fan-friendly “no resale” terms and conditions.
Still Game stars Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill welcomed the moves by TSS.
They told the Record: “Looking after our fans is our No1 priority so this a great step forward in the fight against touts.”