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Last Updated: Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 06:34 GMT
Paying the price for live music
Calhoon Abbott
Calhoon's ticket cost �108 - but he couldn't see a thing
Live music fans are being left disappointed or even ripped off as they try to get hold of tickets to see their favourite bands.

Popular gigs are selling out as soon as tickets go on sale. And that's forcing some fans to go to agents who charge far more than the face value of the tickets.

Now, the Department of Trade and Industry has received so many complaints about one ticket agency - Getmetickets.net - that they're going to the High Court to get it wound up.

This morning on Breakfast:

  • Our reporter Tim Muffett hears from mum Andrea Abbott who was charged more than �300 for tickets to see Busted with her seven year old son.

    She was promised front row seats - but when they got there, it was a free-for-all and Andrea and Calhoon were pushed to the back, where he could see nothing at all.

  • We talked to Peter Tudor from the National Arenas Association.

  • We heard from Rob Ballentine who represents the Concert Promoters Association

  • We also want to hear your experiences of buying tickets online, whether good or bad.

    Andrea paid �318 for three tickets to see boy band Busted from Getmetickets.net. At �106 each, she thought they were for the front row.

    In fact the tickets had a �14 face value, and there was no front row because the concert was in a park.

    Concert ticket rip-offs
    Sir Cliff Richard
    People are prepared to save up and buy tickets for my concerts. I don't think it's fair on them when they're showing such good grace and such loyalty
    Sir Cliff Richard

    Andrea, and her husband and son, who was seven at the time, were forced to stand at the back of the venue and hardly saw any of the concert.

    In a separate case, which doesn't involve the company Andrea used, Sir Cliff Richard complained - to the BBC's Watchdog programme when tickets showed up on the web for nearly �400 when the face value is only �45.

    Sir Cliff was outraged that his fans were in some cases being offered tickets the agents did not even have.

    The problem has been made worse by punters - as well as touts, buying up tickets and selling them through online auction sites.

    The veteran singer said the practice betrayed his fans' loyalty.

    "People are prepared to save up and buy tickets for my concerts. I don't think it's fair on them when they're showing such good grace and such loyalty."



  • BBC NEWS: VIDEO AND AUDIO
    Ticket trouble
    Breakfast's Tim Muffett hears the story of one family whose treat didn't go to plan


    Buying tickets online
    Peter Tudor explains what should set alarm bells ringing


    Why so many get caught out
    We talked to Rob Ballentine



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