Getty Images
After several days of complaints about excessive fees for The Cure’s $20 tickets — including complaints from its frontman Robert Smith — Ticketmaster is reportedly refunding some of its fees.
A rolling stone is reporting tonight that Ticketmaster is discounting its fees, which more than doubled the price of a ticket to see The Cure.
“After further discussion, Ticketmaster has agreed with us that many of the fees charged are unreasonably high, and as a goodwill gesture has offered a $10 refund per ticket to all verified fan accounts for the lowest ticket price events.” Smith tweeted.
“And $5 cashback per ticket for all verified fan accounts for all other ticket price events, for all Cure shows at all venues,” he added. “If you have already purchased a ticket, you will receive an automatic refund; all tickets sold tomorrow will be charged lower fees.”
In one fan screenshot widely circulated online, a purchase of four $20 tickets was charged a service fee of $11.65 for each ticket, an added service fee of $10 per ticket, and then a $5.50 order processing fee. This resulted in a total of $172.10 from four $20 tickets sold for $80.
The Cure has been proactive in trying to keep costs down for fans. It has avoided a so-called “dynamic pricing” plan, which raises ticket prices based on demand.
Ticketmaster has been embroiled in controversy for decades over what many fans believe are exorbitant fees.
The Cure could control the prices of its tickets, but not the surcharges. Their “Shows of a Lost World” tour is a three-night stay at the Hollywood Bowl from the 23rd-25th. May.