When Robyn Pegg arrived at Forsyth Barr Stadium with her partner on Saturday night they were ready for a night of entertainment, but it quickly turned into a nightmare after the $430 tickets they bought through the website Viagogo turned out to be invalid.
Before arriving at the concert, Ms Pegg had already noticed an issue with the tickets. She thought she had bought premium tickets when they were actually for the standing area, which cost considerably less.
After having their tickets scanned, the couple were taken into an office where others duped by the website were dealing with stadium staff.
``We all got talking to each other and found out we had the same bit of paper with the name James Maxwell on it.''
They were able to buy more tickets and opted for the premium tickets, which together cost $400.
``Eventually we got our tickets and we loved it [the show] but we essentially paid double what other people paid for the same tickets, so lesson learned.''
She had since contacted her bank and Viagogo, but she was not holding out hope for a refund.
``Other people I've spoken to who have also been duped and have had mixed results getting a refund.''
Ms Pegg encouraged anyone going to any event to only use official ticket providers and avoid Viagogo.
``Before last week I had never heard of them but now I'll definitely be staying away.''
The Commerce Commission opened an investigation into the Swiss company last year.
A spokesman said the investigation was ongoing and it could not comment further.
If people had an issue they could contact the commission and make a report, he said.
There was also information on the Commerce Commission website about ticket reselling.
Dunedin Venues Management marketing and communication manager Kim Barnes said it was not the first time ticket-holders to events at the stadium had had issues with Viagogo.
Tickets to the three Ed Sheeran concerts at Forsyth Barr Stadium, as well as the international cricket match between New Zealand and England at the University of Otago Oval, were being sold on the website yesterday.
There was nothing promoters and artists could do to stop their tickets being resold through the website, Ms Barnes said.
The best advice DVM could give people was to buy tickets only through official ticketing agencies.
``When they turn up to the gate and we have to say sorry but it's not a valid ticket it's just heartbreaking.''
Issues with tickets included them being bought several times by different people or not existing at all.
One of the main issues with the website was it was often the top ranking result when people searched for tickets online, she said.
Viagogo did not respond to a request for comment.
