The Cure: After Robert Smith’s temper tantrum, Ticketmaster announces refunds

taketonews

The Cure: After Robert Smith’s temper tantrum, Ticketmaster announces refunds

BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Robert Smith of The Cure performs during Splendor in the Grass 2016 on July 23, 2016 in Byr

<!–

–>

Robert Smith at The Cure concert in Australia, 2016.

Photo: Getty Images, Mark Metcalfe. All rights reserved.

<!–

–>

Between Wednesday (March 15) and today (March 17) fans were able to purchase tickets for the US leg of The Cure’s “A Lost World” tour through Ticketmaster’s “Verified Fan” service. Shortly after the launch, there was an uproar on social media because the processing and service fees charged by the provider exceeded the prices of the cards in some cases.

Robert Smith then got in touch with Ticketmaster and shared it on his Twitter account. The public pressure this created meant he was able to announce on Thursday (March 16) that all buyers in the lowest price bracket ($20) would receive a $10 fee refund per ticket. In higher price ranges there is a return of 5 dollars each.

It’s the latest in a campaign by the band to keep their concerts affordable for all fans. In addition to the prioritized sale through the secure verification system, this also includes the decision not to offer premium packages or to let the prices be determined by market dynamics. In one of his tweets documenting the developments, Smith called both “cheating in and of themselves”.

Ticketmaster’s accommodation sets a notable precedent. On the one hand, there are repeated allegations that the company is illegally exploiting its market power and organizing ticket sales to the detriment of the buyers. On the other hand, the service fees in the Cure case are probably not significantly higher than those for other superstars shows. That’s why one phrase from their frontman particularly stands out: “Ticketmaster agrees with us that many of the allowances charged are excessively high.”

Today, Friday (March 17), tickets that are still available are to go to the “General Sale”. The “A Lost World” tour will take place in North America between late May and early July.

<!–

⋮

–>

<!–

–>

ttn-29