MCCAA investigates traders selling sports and music tickets

The problems identified during this Sweep were mainly incomplete and misleading information about the identity of the trader, misleading information about the final price to be paid for the ticket, as well as unfair terms and conditions.

After the Sweep exercise, it resulted that one cross-border trader was in compliance with consumer legislation, while the rest needed to rectify their irregularities.

Out of the five non-compliant traders, two were local and the other three were cross-border cases.

One local trader has already rectified all the irregularities on his website and is now fully abiding with consumer law. Action is being taken against another local trader who is still not fully compliant.

With regards to the cross-border cases, MCCAA requested the competent authorities abroad, through the Consumer Protection Co-operation System (CPCS), to take the necessary action.  

“In fact, two cases have been closed after the necessary changes were carried out on the respective websites,” government said in a statement.

“One case remains open as Malta is still awaiting feedback from the competent authority abroad.”

European Commissioner John Dalli also gave details of the 2010 Sweep exercise across Europe during a press briefing in Brussels.

Dalli said enforcement ‘sweeps’ are delivering results and are a major achievement for EU consumers. 

During the Sweep exercise, competent authorities in all EU member states use a common checklist for irregularities and are encouraged to take follow-up action so as to ascertain that non-compliant behaviour is regularized and that justified sanctions are imposed. 

According to the European Commission, 88% of the websites selling tickets for cultural and sporting events now comply with EU law compared to the 40% in 2010.

“This is a clear indication that the EU Sweep exercise is succeeding in delivering the desired results,” government said.

The system of EU-wide sweep investigations will continue. A new sweep is currently being prepared and more joint actions are planned for 2012.

 More information can be obtained on http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/enforcement/sweeps_en.htm