Live4MusiC

DESPITE ticketing agent Sistic recently getting a rap on the knuckles for dampening competition in the market, consumers hoping for cheaper tickets may have a long wait.

Checks with show organisers, promoters and arts groups reveal that many are hesitant about switching to smaller ticketing agents, or engaging multiple agents to handle the ticketing for their shows.

The reason: Sistic is still the best choice on the market - even if its services are not the cheapest - and juggling several agents creates a logistical nightmare.

- The Straits Times 

SINGAPORE : SISTIC has been fined $989,000 for abuse of dominant position by Singapore's competitive watchdog. 

The infringement concerns the ticketing services market in Singapore. 

The Esplanade and Singapore Indoor Stadium and 17 other event promoters who are required to use SISTIC exclusively, capture 85-95 per cent of the market, leaving ticket buyers with no choice but to buy through SISTIC. - CNA/jy

Fans of Jay Chou queued for tickets to his upcoming concert, only to be told that they were sold out immediately. 

Upset by SISTIC's handling of the concert, a number of STOMPers wrote in to voice their disappointment.

In an email today (Apr 22), Jeff wrote:

"This is their fourth time as organisers for a Jay Chou concert, so SISTIC should know better what kind of crowd to expect. 

"Initially, when the second concert was announced, it was mentioned that only the hotline, internet and box office at the Indoor Stadium would be opened at 9.00 am for ticket sales. 

"It was later stated on the SISTIC website that selected agents will be doing ticket sales as well. 

"Now at Kallang, there is a very long queue, yet only two counters are open. As at 9.25am, they still have not managed to sell a single ticket!"

STOMPer Jason was likewise upset at SISTIC's services:

"Hi there, note that every time there is a major concert here, the booking system will break down in the first hour or so, whether for Internet bookings or over the phone, and even the system at SISTIC counters!

"Just like today for Jay Chou's concert tickets, the system has been down since about 9:00 am to around 10:00 am, according to Tampines 1 personnel.

"I tried to book online and through the SISTIC hotline, before rushing down to Tampines 1 Sistic counter to queue up.

"When I reached here the queue was long and everyone were frustrated due to the system being down. 

"This is not the first time such things have happened and nothing has been changed or improved.

"Worst of all there is always a $3 administrative charge for each ticket we purchase! What admin charges are we talking about? SISTIC, please do away with the charges until you get your system to work efficiently first. 

"Also, we have to pay extra for mailing or self collection, from $0.20 - $1 respectively. The ticket stub always has the same plain look. No special designs at all. Where is the effort on that too? 

"As a regular customer in various concerts, play and so on, I have no choice as SISTIC is the one and only ticketing company here for major gigs. 

"Sigh."

STOMPer Adrian also noted the frustration of the crowds at the Indoor Stadium.

He writes:

"There is an angry crowd at the Kallang Stadium for the Jay Chou concert.

"The moment the counter opened, their staff told us tickets had been sold out."

A press release has been issued from Live Nation

“It is with great regret that The Killers have been forced to cancel their upcoming appearances in Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Tokyo and Seoul due to unforeseen circumstances.

The band deeply apologizes to their fans and hopes to reschedule their shows in these cities soon.”

In the meantime full refunds will be available from SISTIC via point of purchase.

Refunds will be administered at the SISTIC Box Office from 27 January – 7 February 2010. The refund hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 8pm and Sunday, 1pm to 7pm.

Refunds will be made in full, inclusive of the $3 SISTIC booking fees, through the original mode of payment.

For purchases made through Credit Card, refunds will be automatically credited to the same card.

For purchases made through CASH or NETS, please present the physical tickets and your NRIC/passport/FIN card at the SISTIC Box Office at Singapore Indoor Stadium. SISTIC reserves the right not to process your refund if these two items are not in order.

If you had purchased tickets from SISTIC’s overseas Authorised Agents, please contact them directly for further details.

For more information, call the SISTIC Hotline at (65) 6348 5555.