Audience members outside a concert venue discussing ticket resale issues.
The Michigan Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into a ticket resale scheme allegedly operated by Pure Tonic Marketing, which posed as an official ticket vendor for Hill Auditorium. Consumers reported being misled and charged exorbitant prices for tickets meant for events at the University of Michigan. The investigation follows numerous complaints and a troubled relationship between the University Musical Society and various resale platforms. Authorities are urging consumers to be cautious and to report deceptive sales practices.
Ann Arbor, Michigan — The Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has initiated an investigation into a concert ticket resale scheme that may have exploited consumers buying tickets for events at the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium. The announcement of the investigation was made on July 18, following the filing of documents in Washtenaw County court that detail these allegations.
The focus of the inquiry is Pure Tonic Marketing, a company believed to be based in the Seychelles. This company is accused of operating a website, “thehillauditorium.com,” which masqueraded as an official ticket vendor for Hill Auditorium. However, consumers attempting to purchase tickets from the site were redirected to another platform called Ticket Squeeze, where they were subjected to inflated ticket prices.
The situation has reportedly cost concertgoers hundreds of dollars above the original ticket prices. For instance, tickets for a performance by the Berliner Philharmoniker were sold for $1,263.95 on Ticket Squeeze, compared to the official price of $175 set by the University Musical Society (UMS), the nonprofit organization that presents shows at Hill Auditorium. Many individuals have brought their complaints to the UMS box office, particularly regarding high prices linked to poor seating.
In response to these practices, the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court has previously filed related documents in June outlining the evidence against the resale operation. While the UMS has disavowed any connection with reseller websites, the investigation has revealed a troubling trend of misleading ticket sales that impacts consumers directly.
The UMS has experienced ongoing issues with Ticket Squeeze and other resale companies. For example, some tickets sold through this platform were purportedly for seats that were not yet released by UMS. In one case, Ticket Squeeze listed balcony seats for $252 for a particular show, despite the UMS offering lower gallery tickets for just $60 at the time.
Even more concerning, some ticket buyers encountered customer service numbers on these resale websites that belonged to UMS, heightening consumer confusion about the legitimacy of the ticket vendors. This situation has led to increasing dissatisfaction among concertgoers who have unwittingly purchased overpriced tickets under the assumption they were buying directly from a legitimate seller.
While ticket resale is not illegal in Michigan, Nessel’s office has pointed out that vendors must comply with the state’s Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits deceptive practices in marketing and sales. As of now, however, no criminal charges have been filed against Pure Tonic Marketing or Ticket Squeeze.
To safeguard their financial interests, consumers are encouraged to purchase tickets using credit cards, as this method increases the chances of disputing erroneous charges that may occur when dealing with these fraudulent schemes. Both the UMS and Nessel’s office have expressed gratitude for the vigilance of consumers in reporting such practices and reiterated the importance of addressing misleading sales in the ticket resale industry.
The UMS had previously won a domain dispute against Pure Tonic, which forced the company to abandon its original URL related to Hill Auditorium. In response, Pure Tonic went on to create another site called “annarborconcerts.com.” Despite the changes, evidence suggests that the company continues to employ tactics that mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an official source.
As the investigation continues, the repercussions of this scheme remain uncertain, but the focus will be on ensuring consumer protection and maintaining the integrity of entertainment ticket sales in Michigan.
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