Rawlinson Centre warns patrons about ticket scams on unauthorized websites - Prince Albert Daily Herald

ArtsNewsTop Stories FacebookXLinkedinCopy URL Herald File Photo The E.A Rawlinson Centre for the Arts in Prince Albert. Officials are warning patrons about unauthorized websites reselling event tickets at higher prices. The E.A Rawlinson Centre for the Arts is warning patrons about ticket scams after a recent case where a customer paid significantly more for tickets purchased through an unauthorized website. Judy MacLeod Campbell, Arts and Culture Division Manager for the City of Prince Albert, said the issue came to the centre’s attention after a patron visited the box office and discovered she had purchased tickets at a higher price through another website. According to Campbell, some third-party ticket sites appear in online searches for events and list tickets at inflated prices. In some cases, the sites purchase tickets from the official ticketing system after a customer places an order, then resell them to the buyer at a markup. “It’s possible for patrons to end up paying significantly more when tickets are bought through unauthorized websites,” Campbell said. In the case that prompted the warning, Campbell said the official ticket price for a performance was about $90, but the patron paid much more through another website. While the tickets themselves were still valid for the event, Campbell said the patron paid considerably more than the official price. “We’re really trying to get the message out to people to make sure when they purchase online that they are going to the official site,” Campbell said. The E.A Rawlinson Centre posted a public warning on its website and social media after the incident. “Fake tickets are being sold on unauthorized websites across Canada,” the centre said in its notice. “To make sure your tickets are valid and correctly priced, buy only from the official EA Rawlinson Centre ticket website or from our box office.” The centre also warned that some sites may look legitimate but are not connected to the theatre. “We do not partner with or endorse any ticket resale sites,” the notice said. Campbell said many of these websites appear prominently in search engine results, which can make them easy for people to mistake for the official ticket page. Because of this, she said it is important for patrons to verify the website before completing a purchase. “Always ensure that you’re looking at the URL where you’re making the purchase and confirm it is our official website,” Campbell said. The official ticket provider for the EA Rawlinson Centre is Showpass, which processes ticket sales through the centre’s website. Campbell said theatre managers across Western Canada have also been discussing similar issues, as ticket resale websites have become more common. A similar issue involving online search results surfaced recently in Prince Albert, where a local business raised concerns after customers were directed to a different website through a sponsored listing. The situation highlighted how online search results can sometimes lead consumers to services that are not the official provider. For now, the Rawlinson Centre is focusing on public awareness and encouraging patrons to double-check where they are purchasing tickets online. “Prevention is always the key,” Campbell said. The centre is asking anyone buying tickets for upcoming events to make sure they are purchasing through the official website or directly through the Rawlinson Centre box office. arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca -Advertisement-