A class action lawsuit settlement involving Ticketmaster has provided opportunities for consumers who purchased tickets between October 1999 and February 2013 to receive discount codes and potentially free tickets. The settlement, stemming from the Schlesinger v. Ticketmaster lawsuit, addressed allegations regarding undisclosed fees associated with ticket purchases and UPS delivery options. As a result, Ticketmaster agreed to distribute a significant number of vouchers and discount codes to eligible class members.
The lawsuit alleged that Ticketmaster failed to fully disclose all aspects of its UPS and order processing fees to consumers. The case was settled in 2013, with the court granting final approval of the settlement in February 2015. Consumers who purchased tickets on Ticketmaster.com during the defined class period are included in the settlement. The settlement agreement includes provisions for discount codes and ticket vouchers, with the total value of vouchers redeemable in a given year limited by the settlement terms.
Eligibility and Claiming Process
Eligibility for the settlement benefits is determined by the purchase history of the consumer. Individuals who purchased tickets on Ticketmaster.com between October 21, 1999, and February 27, 2013, are considered class members. To determine eligibility and claim available benefits, consumers should check their Ticketmaster accounts.
Consumers are advised to look for an email with the subject line "Schlesinger v. Ticketmaster Class Action Settlement — Notice Regarding Discount and Ticket Codes." If the email cannot be located, consumers should log in to their Ticketmaster accounts using any previous email addresses they may have used for purchases. Once logged in, users should navigate to the "Active Vouchers" link in the sidebar to view any available codes or vouchers.
The process of checking for eligibility involves verifying the email address used for past purchases. Some users have reported technical difficulties or confusion regarding the redemption process. It is recommended to check the Ticketmaster account directly for the most accurate status of available vouchers.
Types of Benefits Available
The settlement provides two primary types of benefits: discount codes and ticket vouchers.
Discount Codes
Discount codes are available for purchases made during the class period. The settlement provides: - A discount code worth $2.25 off a future purchase of tickets for each purchase made during the class period. - A $5 UPS discount code for each purchase made on the site that included UPS delivery.
These discount codes are good for online purchases of tickets for any Ticketmaster event in the United States. The $2.25 credit applies to a future online ticket purchase, while the $5.00 discount applies to future UPS charges for ticket purchases. Discount codes can be combined; specifically, two discount codes can be used on a single purchase. Each code can be used only once. Up to 17 discount codes and vouchers can be redeemed per class member.
Ticket Vouchers
In addition to discount codes, class members receive one ticket voucher for each purchase made during the class period. These vouchers are potentially redeemable for two general admission tickets for eligible events at Live Nation venues.
The availability of free tickets via vouchers is contingent upon the redemption rate of the discount codes. According to the settlement terms, if less than $10.5 million worth of discount codes are redeemed in a given year, Ticketmaster will make free tickets available. This provision begins one year after the initial settlement discount codes were issued.
It is important to note that the ticket vouchers are not free tickets to a concert of the recipient's choice. Instead, they are valid only for specific events and venues. Ticketmaster will provide free tickets to at least 60 percent of the events held at venues owned and operated by Live Nation. However, the specific events are at the discretion of the company.
Redemption Limitations and Challenges
While the settlement offers valuable benefits, there are significant limitations and challenges associated with redeeming the vouchers and codes.
Availability and Demand
The settlement agreement limits the value of vouchers redeemable in a given year. Due to high demand and limited availability, tickets are expected to be redeemed quickly. Consumers are encouraged to check their accounts regularly for active vouchers as new events are added. However, the specific list of eligible events has not been fully disclosed online, which has caused frustration among users. Some sources indicate that Ticketmaster has posted a redemption website where users can check for currently available tickets, but the list is dynamic and subject to change.
Geographic and Event Restrictions
One of the primary challenges for class members is location. The free tickets are restricted to general admission at certain venues and specific events. While Ticketmaster aims to offer tickets for a majority of events at Live Nation venues, users may find that their vouchers are unusable in their immediate area or for their preferred concerts. The events for which vouchers "potentially may be used" are listed on a website created to keep class members informed, but there is no guarantee that these events will appeal to specific class members.
Technical Difficulties
Many customers have encountered technical difficulties while attempting to redeem their codes online. Reports indicate that codes are sometimes not accepted at checkout. These technical issues, combined with the confusion over eligible events, have complicated the redemption process for many users.
Confusion Regarding Terms
There has been significant confusion regarding the terms of the settlement. It has been clarified that the codes and vouchers are not free tickets to any concert of the recipient's choice. The distinction between discount codes (which are valid for any event) and ticket vouchers (which are valid only for specific eligible events) is a key point of clarification. The settlement requires that the value of vouchers redeemed in a given year is limited, and the availability of free tickets depends on the redemption of discount codes.
Timeline and Expiration
The class period for purchases extended from October 1999 to February 2013. The settlement was finalized in 2015. Regarding the redemption of codes, the initial sources indicated that codes could be redeemed through June 18, 2020. However, the ongoing availability of events and the annual limits on voucher redemption mean that the process is ongoing for eligible class members who have not yet redeemed their benefits.
Summary of Benefits for Class Members
To summarize, eligible class members can expect the following based on the number of purchases made during the class period:
- $2.25 Discount Codes: One code per purchase, valid for future online ticket purchases.
- $5 UPS Discount Codes: One code per purchase that included UPS delivery, valid for future UPS charges.
- Ticket Vouchers: One voucher per purchase, redeemable for two general admission tickets to eligible Live Nation events, subject to annual limits and availability.
The total number of codes and vouchers available to an individual is capped at 17. The redemption of ticket vouchers is subject to the condition that less than $10.5 million in discount codes are redeemed annually.
Conclusion
The Ticketmaster class action settlement provides a mechanism for consumers to recover some value from past ticket purchases through discount codes and potentially free tickets. While the benefits are substantial in aggregate, the redemption process is characterized by limitations regarding event availability, geographic restrictions, and technical challenges. Eligible consumers must check their Ticketmaster accounts for "Active Vouchers" to determine their specific entitlements. The settlement highlights the complexities involved in distributing benefits from large-scale class action lawsuits, where the practical usability of the rewards can be impacted by demand and logistical constraints.