TicketsOnSale.com Class Action Lawsuit Investigation: Hidden Fees?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against TicketsOnSale.com on behalf of consumers who used the website to buy tickets to events in New York State.

They have reason to believe the ticket reseller may be violating New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law by failing to disclose the total ticket price—including all required fees and surcharges—before tickets are chosen for purchase. For instance, the website may list a ticket for $575 only to add on nearly $200 in fees once it has been selected.

What Does New York Law Say About Ticket Fee Disclosures?

New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law addresses promotion of the arts, transactions involving artists and their works, protection of child performers, and, for the purposes of this investigation, the regulation of ticket sales to “places of entertainment.”

Regarding ticket prices, the New York law states that any platform that “facilitates the sale or resale of tickets shall disclose the total cost of the ticket,” including any “ancillary fees that must be paid in order to purchase the ticket,” and clearly disclose the portion of the price (in dollars) that represents a service charge or any other fee. Notably, the law requires that this disclosure of the total cost and fees be “displayed in the ticket listing prior to the ticket being selected for purchase.”

Attorneys believe TicketsOnSale.com may be violating New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law by failing to include fees and surcharges in the price of event tickets when they are first listed for purchase.  

This is not the first time TicketsOnSale.com has come under legal scrutiny. Namely, in 2022, a settlement was reached to resolve a proposed TicketsOnSale.com class action lawsuit that alleged the reseller was obligated—but failed to—provide refunds for canceled, postponed or rescheduled events.

TicketsOnSale Complaints: Hidden Fees?

A handful of reviews have been posted online from consumers who voiced complaints about TicketsOnSale.com’s price transparency for events taking place across the country. A sample of these complaints can be seen below [sic throughout, emphasis ours]: 

I was surprised and confused when I noticed that [I] was charged an additional $30 per ticket for an upcoming comedy show in Hampton Beach as a ‘service fee’ without any breakdown of what exactly this ‘fee’ was for…It was not a transparent purchasing process and I suspect you would not sell as many tickets if you were HONEST about the actual cost per ticket prior to charging. (2) $85 tickets ended up costing $230 once your card was swiped. I’ve spent less to go see my favorite band jam for 3 hours at Madison Square Garden…Be up front with the actual cost of these ‘fees’ before charging someone’s credit card.”
— Ashley T., TrustPilot.com, October 9, 2024

TicketsOnSale is a predatory company. They never showed the total cost for me to approve. The actual price was considerabl[y] more than the price that they advertised. The tickets were to cost $115 each. Two tickets come to $230. How could I be billed $340? I never would have purchased these tickets if I had been show[n] the actual cost of two tickets. These are deceptive practices.”
— Anonymous, BBB.org, March 28, 2025

This company has zero price transparency. I clicked on a ticket price, I went to check out and it still showed only the ticket price, and then after I checked out with Apple Pay the price rose by $50+. There was no breakdown of taxes and fees. Had the actual total been showed to me, I would have purchased a cheaper ticket. I thought I may have missed it so went in to pretend to buy another ticket and it still didnt show a breakdown. I have screenshots. I went to my email receipt to see the breakdown and nothing on that either.”
— Julie K., BBB.org, November 23, 2024

We were aware that this is a ticket reseller, but NEVER expected the service charge to be $85 on top of the already inflated price of the original ticket. The overall cost for two tickets was like paying for three tickets, ie $98 x 2 tickets + $85 fee! This company hides their fees in small print hoping you won’t see them. Very dishonest!! Don’t do business with this company!”
— Jeff D., TrustPilot.com, February 13, 2025

Price of ticket on TOS was over $200 each…Then the website tacked on a service fee of $132 or 33% of the inflated ticket price. The service fee was not prominently disclosed and only appeared after [I] had already entered my credit card number and method of delivery. I didn't even notice it since it didnt pop-up until after the credit card number was entered. After I saw my credit card was charged a higher number, [I] called TOS and asked for a reduction of the service fee but was told it was not possible. Total rip-off . I will never use them again!!!”
— James A, TrustPilot.com, December 23, 2024

How Could a TicketsOnSale Lawsuit Help?

If filed and successful, a TicketsOnSale.com class action lawsuit could provide customers with some money back for their purchases and force the ticket reseller to change its fee disclosure practices. Under New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, consumers can take action to stop any unlawful actions and recover their actual damages or $50, whichever is greater.

Before commenting, please review our comment policy.