Commerce Commission warns public to avoid tickets sold on Viagogo

The Commerce Commission is again warning punters of the perils of buying from ticket reselling website Viagogo following more than 200 consumer complaints.

The Commission launched an investigation into the website in the middle of last year after hundreds of complaints from people who had bought fake tickets through the site.

The 228 complaints included 21 received over the past weekend alone, relating to upcoming sporting events and concerts including Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars.

Among the victims to miss out of the Bruno Mars show were Bay of Plenty man Tommy Wilson and Letia Hauraki from Whangarei.

Complaints were related to the site misrepresenting itself as an official ticket seller, additional or "sneaky" fees - and consumers being sold fake tickets.

Consumers also took issue with the site giving buyers the impression that tickets were being sold very quickly, therefore creating a sense of urgency to make a purchase.

Several consumers never received the tickets they purchased and were not able to get hold of company representatives to secure a refund.

Commerce Commission consumer manager Stuart Wallace is urging consumers to seriously consider whether using the site is worth the risk.

"Over the weekend we received a wave of new complaints and there is a wealth of media coverage of consumers feeling ripped off after buying tickets from Viagogo," he said.

"We are concerned our previous consumer advice via social media and on our website about the risks of ticket resale are not getting through."

Wallace said the investigation was focusing on alleged false and misleading representations made by the site that could breach the Fair Trading Act.

Expert legal advice was being sought as to whether the commission had the power to enforce Kiwi consumer laws against Viagogo, which is based in Switzerland.

The company was the target of complaints being investigated by a number of other international regulators - including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

While ticket reselling was generally lawful in New Zealand, alleged false and misleading representations made by Viagogo could breach the Fair Trading Act.