Just the Ticket: Ticket Pricing in the UK

Fancy going to see a band or a show? What about a footie match? Where are you going to get your tickets? You could always go to the box office or ring them up and get them sent to your house. But, hey, everything gets done online these days. And you're buying the tickets so early, you must be getting a good price, right? Why not use one of these agencies' Web sites? They look cool. But hold on, that might not be such a good idea if you end up paying over the odds for your tickets. There'll be added costs for postage, then there's a booking fee and what about VAT on top of the price? You could pay over £30 for a £20 ticket eventually. How are ticket prices worked out for arts entertainment? How clear is the ticket price information? What rules govern ticket agency services? Is everyone happy with using ticket agents? Is anyone investigating them? This At your Leisure looks into the factors responsible for ticket pricing. It analyses the UK market for advance tickets and asks if all's tickety-boo with using ticket agents.