StubHub UK Fined £900,000 and Ordered to Refund Over 50,000 Customers for Hidden Fees
L'essentiel
StubHub UK must refund over 50,000 customers an average of £10 each and pay a £900,000 fine for hiding fees until checkout, violating UK consumer laws.
Résumé généré par IA
StubHub UK has been ordered to refund over 50,000 customers and pay a £900,000 fine for hiding fees until checkout, violating UK consumer laws.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that between April 6 and December 7 last year, StubHub UK failed to display total prices upfront, instead adding mandatory delivery and service fees at the final checkout stage.
Each affected customer is expected to receive an average refund of £10 per transaction. StubHub International attributed the issue to an "isolated platform error" and claimed to have corrected it, ensuring all affected customers will receive automatic refunds.
Emma Cochrane, CMA’s Executive Director of Consumer Protection, emphasized that hidden fees are illegal and unfair, drawing customers in with seemingly good deals only to increase prices at checkout.
StubHub UK admitted to breaking the law and received a 40% reduction in its fine. The CMA is also investigating Viagogo over similar fee presentation issues, with an update expected later this summer.
Consumer group Which? welcomed the action, stating it serves as a stark warning against hidden fees, praising the CMA for securing refunds and issuing a significant fine.
This action follows the CMA’s investigation into the AA and BSM driving schools, which resulted in refunds for over 80,000 learners due to undisclosed total prices for lessons.
