Of the 414 sites selling tickets for cultural and sporting events surveyed, only 167 (40%) complied with EU consumer protection rules, whereas 247 (60%) were flagged for further investigation on different grounds.
The online ticket sales sweep, the latest in a series of EU-wide investigations to enforce consumer rights and deliver a better online environment, was launched in May 2010. Its initial results were published yesterday (16 September).
The sector was chosen due to the large number of complaints received from European consumers. Indeed, 30% of the complaints handled in relation to online shopping concern recreational events, of which cultural and sport events constitute a large proportion, the Commission said.
As in previous sweeps, the main problems identified included missing, incomplete or misleading price information, such as hidden taxes or handling charges.
Unfair terms and conditions related to ticket delivery or refunds and missing, incomplete or misleading information about the trader were identified as two other major problems.
National authorities are now in "the enforcement phase," contacting the sites concerned and asking them to correct the problems identified. The Commission will report back on the results of their efforts in autumn 2011.
"All of this work is about tackling hidden charges, unfair practices and the nasty surprises in the small print of websites," said John Dalli, the EU commissioner in charge of consumer protection.
"But it is also about raising awareness of online traders in that they have obligations towards consumers and that consumer authorities are enforcing these obligations in a systematic way to ensure that the rights of consumers are respected," he added.
Electronic Goods Sweep
The Commission also published the final results of its 2009 sweep on electronic goods, which targeted websites selling mobile phones, digital cameras and personal music players, for example.
When the market was first checked, in May 2009, "illegal practices were widespread, with only 44% of websites complying with consumer rules," said Dalli.
But "following a 15-month crackdown on practices which were found to be in breach of EU consumer rules," 310 sites have now been corrected and some have ceased operations, he added.
As a result, 84% of websites selling electronic goods now comply with EU-wide consumer rules.
Commissioner Dalli said that this represents "a steep change in the level of compliance," as the change in compliance rates is higher than in previous EU-wide crackdowns, for example on online air tickets.
It is also an indicator to the enforcement authorities that "this approach is working," he added.
