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IF YOU’RE ON the way to a major musical or sporting event on these shores in the near future you’ll need to be vigilant – there’s a lot of dodgy tickets doing the rounds according to wholesaler Ticketmaster.
Tickets are big business at present, with the re-sale market on sites like Gumtree particularly popular when it comes to events of all shapes and sizes.
Now, with the likes of a sold-out All Ireland semi final and Electric Picnic (for which tickets are like gold dust) on the way in the near future, scam artists are using the opportunity to take advantage and make hay.
“We have seen a number of people very disappointed when they were turned away from recent shows because their tickets were fake,” said Keith English, managing director of Ticketmaster Ireland.
For Electric Picnic in particular, fans are reminded that the event is completely sold-out and that no ‘Print at Home’ delivery option was given when tickets were originally on sale.
“We would urge fans to only buy tickets from official sources otherwise they cannot be sure whether the tickets are genuine or not,” says English.
They could end up having their day ruined when they are refused entry to the event and be at the loss of their money as well.
English added that Ticketmaster are working closely with gardaí to combat the problem of fake tickets.
A Garda spokesman would not be drawn on the issue in detail, but told TheJournal.ie “as always we would recommend that people buy their tickets from recommended retail outlets”.
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I bought a ticket in the last General Election for a Better Ireland, turns out it was a fake too.
Brilliant , Me too turns out they didn’t even sign the contract either.
Ticketmaster aren’t exactly innocent in this, with their ticket reselling companies.
Well if somebody buys a ticket to Electric Picnic 2014, more the fool he….
this is just propaganda to make sure you buy tickets from ticketmaster! I have 2 spare ones for electric picnic anyway if anyone’s looking. legit as fcuk
Are they more legit than your user name?
slightly funkier
My rugby world cup tickets were stolen, I moved address & the mail redirect didn’t work, someone signed for them with an illegible squiggle, RWC have cancelled the barcodes on the tickets and the tickets are now void. I just hope some unsuspecting person doesn’t buy them from whoever stole them. Whenever you buy tickets from someone without a licence to sell them you are talking a huge risk.
*taking not talking obviously :)
Ticketmaster used to advise to do your ticket exchange at a Ticketmaster outlet and they would verify the authenticity of the tickets for you. Are they no longer offering that service? Also stop posting pictures of your tickets to social media as the barcodes can then be copied!
I’m looking forward to this year’s eccentric picnic..uh oh :-o
I used to buy the tickets and give the touters the money when I got into the event, not much that can go wrong
From your point of view no, but what if you don’t pay them?
Well you won’t be getting a counterfeit beating.
Beware of fake acts
Gas, sure they’re in control of security features on their tickets, perhaps improve them!
have your say