is viagogo legit singapore: reviews and complaints

Introduction

Viagogo is one of the largest online ticket marketplace operating globally, including in Singapore. It allows fans to buy and sell tickets to various events like sports, concerts and theatre shows. However, Viagogo has also attracted some controversies over the years regarding their business practices. In this comprehensive review, we will look at Viagogo from multiple angles to assess if it can be considered a legitimate platform in Singapore.

Background and Operations

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Switzerland, Viagogo operates websites targeting over 60 countries worldwide. In Singapore, it lists ticket resales for events at venues like Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore Turf Club and Esplanade Theatre. As a marketplace model, tickets are sold by both authorized resellers and unofficial secondary sources at varying markups from original prices.

Pricing and Fees

One of the critiques against Viagogo is the lack of ticket price transparency upfront. Only after selecting an event, users see total costs which include base prices increased substantially by intermediary, currency conversion and other processing fees. Such fees can double or triple ticket costs, opening Viagogo to claims of profiteering through lack of clear disclosure.

Tickets “Delivery” Issues

Viagogo uses an “e-tickets” model with purchase order confirmed online but physical tickets delivered later, sometimes on the event day itself. This caused problems at venues denying entry for those receiving tickets too late or e-tickets lacking security features enabling denial by venues or organizers. Viagogo refunded buyers in such cases but the process remained inconsistent.

Cancellations and Refunds

Viagogo’s self-regulated model meant it was under no legal obligation to issue refunds like licensed box offices. This resulted in complaints over rejections for valid cancellations before events, or keeping entire costs for ineligible cases. Piecemeal policy updates were criticized for lack of clarity and consumer protection.

Advertising and Legal Issues

Promotional statements like “official partner/reseller” misled customers on their status as an unendorsed secondary marketplace. Violations of Singapore and other country laws resulted in fines, cease-and-desist warnings from regulators and Trade & Industry bodies worldwide instructing audiences to purchase directly from authorized sellers only.

Authentic Tickets and Scams

Infractions included unregulated sellers using Viagogo hawking invalid, stolen or duplicate tickets in bad faith. This caused distress to customers denied entry or finding tickets unusable at venues and box offices. Resolution was inconsistent despite risk warnings on Viagogo’s platform potentially trivializing the issue.

Customer Service and Reviews

Unmoderated user reviews criticized Viagogo’s customer service for being difficult to reach, providing evasive answers or making concessions only after lengthy back-and-forth. Recent updates installing live chat, call-backs and regional language support have partially addressed complaints. However, trust issues persist until consistent service benchmarks are proven long-term.

Legal Compliance in Singapore

Despite violations elsewhere, Viagogo has taken steps to regularize operations in Singapore, getting licensed under relevant legal frameworks for ticketing businesses. Compliance indicates response to regulator warnings against breaches and a desire to legitimize by aligning with standards protecting consumers locally. However, platform risks remain due to inherent resale model weaknesses.

Credibility With Organizers

Cultural events have blocked Viagogo listings or warned audiences, viewing the platform as detrimental due undermining authorized distribution by profiteering from resales in an unregulated manner. While a private business model, Viagogo’s reputation with key industry stakeholders still colors public trustworthiness perceptions, challenging full normalization.

Legitimacy Verification Steps

Addressing doubts, Viagogo implemented additional verification layers to improve face validity – secure online payment processors, live customer support access, direct channels to resolve issues and post-transaction check-ins for satisfactory fulfillment. Still, full consistency will only emerge from sustained transparent best practices matching user expectations over time on the ground in Singapore.

Is Viagogo Legitimate Now?

With its licensure under Singapore laws, active cooperation with regulators and visible steps to strengthen practices, Viagogo cannot overtly be called “illegitimate” anymore locally. However, some risks remain due to reliance on an unregulated secondary resale system vulnerable to bad actors, compared to the directly controlled primary ticketing systems of licensed organizers. Buyers still require ample diligence and due recourse avenues if facing issues. While making headway, Viagogo must continually validate improving trust within Singapore through consistency as a marketplace platform.

Security Tips For Viagogo Users

As with any classifieds platform, vigilance is prudent when using Viagogo:
– Only transact with high feedback sellers/verified profiles
– Verify ticket validity with organizers if any doubts
– Use secure online payment rather than bank transfers
– Check all details match advertised descriptions
– Get proofs of tickets dispatched before event day
– Understand platform and organizer policies for any issues
– Consider travel insurance for risk coverage if needed

With embedded safeguards, users can leverage Viagogo responsibly while the platform works towards best-serving fans and organizers alike through transparent, customer-centric evolution in Singapore over the long run and avoiding past missteps. An adaptive framework respects different stakeholder needs equitably.

Conclusion

While previously facing concerns internationally, Viagogo seems to gaining legitimacy in Singapore by embracing reforms to address regulatory compliances and mitigate risks inherent to its marketplace business model. Prudent self-protection combined with the seller platform’s continued strengthen of policies and consistency in their implementation can help restore buyer confidence moving forward as a viable ancillary distribution and fan exchange outlet locally. Nevertheless, vigilance remains advisable until a sustained track record under local laws is demonstrated handling issues fairly to maximally satisfy all parties.