- Scalping alert ahead of WWE events at RAC Arena
- Caution urged for fans without tickets to three nearly sold-out shows
- Buy only through Ticketek or Ticketek Marketplace to avoid disappointment
With WWE wrestling set to take centre-stage at Perth’s RAC Area this month, Consumer Protection is urging fans to be cautious when chasing last-minute tickets.
As the October 10, 11 and 13 events near sell-out, there are concerns scalpers may attempt to exploit demand by selling tickets above the legal resale limit of 10 per cent over face value.
To avoid being overcharged or turned away at the door, fans should only purchase tickets through an authorised seller, Ticketek, or its official resale platform, Ticketek Marketplace.
Consumer Protection can issue $2,000 infringement notices for ticket scalping offences, with courts able to impose penalties of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for those using bots to bulk-buy tickets.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said major events like WWE often attracted opportunistic resellers.
“WWE is huge and so is the risk of ticket scalping,” Ms Blake said.
“Buying tickets outside of authorised sources, whether through social media, online marketplaces, or unauthorised ticket resale sites, can leave fans out of pocket or locked out of the venue if they receive duplicate or cancelled tickets that are rejected at the door.
“Refunds can be difficult to obtain in these cases, so we strongly recommend purchasing directly from the authorised ticket seller, or their resale site if available. This ensures your tickets are valid and that you’ll have access to customer support if something goes wrong.
“Consumers who’ve already bought through an unauthorised resale platform and run into problems should check the platform’s terms and conditions as some may offer buyer protection or guarantees. And if you’ve paid by credit card, ask your bank about a chargeback, to get your money back.
“If you need to sell your tickets to a WWE show, use Ticketek Marketplace or transfer them securely via the Ticketek website or app – and stick to the rules. Breaching WA’s ticket scalping laws can result in fines, and we’ve already had two successful prosecutions in court for earlier offences.”
Suspected breaches of ticket scalping laws should be reported to Consumer Protection by emailing consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au with as much detail as possible, including screenshots of the adverts, any weblinks and ad identification or reference numbers. Enquiries can be made by calling 1300 30 40 54. Further information is on Consumer Protection’s events, tickets and ticket scalping webpage.
Media Contact: cpmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au