The Chicago White Sox are currently enduring a franchise-record 17-game losing streak, following another defeat on Wednesday afternoon. Tickets for Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals were initially listed at a modest $6 on ticket reseller StubHub. However, at checkout, the total surged to $14 – more than double the original price once fees were included.
The way these fees are imposed is the focal point of a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by Washington D.C. attorney general Brian Schwalb. In a statement, he alleges that StubHub’s practice of concealing mandatory fees until the end of the purchasing process is “deceptive and unfair.”
Schwalb stated, “StubHub entices consumers with a misleadingly low price, subjects them to a cumbersome purchasing process, and then finally reveals a significantly higher total at the checkout page compared to the originally advertised ticket price.”
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“This is not by chance – StubHub knowingly obscures the actual price to increase profits at the expense of its customers.”
Schwalb alleges that StubHub employs a tactic known as “drip pricing,” where a company promotes low prices to attract customers, “then guides them through unnecessary steps while a countdown clock creates a false sense of urgency.”
Melanie McGovern, from the Better Business Bureau, expressed that she couldn’t comment on the new lawsuit but recommended understanding what each fee covers before purchasing from a reseller.
The BBB suggests safeguarding against hidden fees by:
- Questioning the advertised price
- Budgeting for fees
- Comparing prices with fees in mind
“We all anticipate the additional fees,” McGovern mentioned. “When budgeting for tickets, ensure you factor in that extra amount. In some instances, it’s unavoidable.”
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In a response to Scripps News, StubHub stated, “StubHub is dedicated to establishing a transparent, secure, and competitive marketplace for the benefit of consumers. We are disheartened by the D.C. Attorney General’s focus on StubHub despite our user experience aligning with laws, our competitors’ practices, and the broader e-commerce sector.”
The statement additionally mentions that StubHub supports federal and state measures “that improve existing laws to empower consumers, such as mandating all-in pricing consistently across platforms.”
