'Colossal ripoff' - readers react to U2 surcharge

Bono, right, and Adam Clayton of Irish band U2 perform in Turin, Italy. Photo / AP

Fans excited by the chance to nab a U2 concert ticket for under $40 today found themselves lumped with a hefty online surcharge.

We asked readers if they thought a $19 service charge was excessive, and most were unequivocal.

KJS thought it was "extortionate", Tony W reckoned it was "blatant profiteering" and McCav said "Obviously it is ridiculous. It's also false advertising of lower ticket prices."

RC requested a breakdown of the cost from Ticketek, but hasn't heard back. "Ticketmaster charges $4 for a courier, where does Ticketek get away with charging $23? I am planning on taking this further to get some answers."

Lidra said "This is the worse experience I have had with a concert... For the amount of money they are going to earn on this (and I am not talking about U2) , they did a really really bad job. And $19 for 'service charge' when you pick up the tickets yourself - it's insane."

Malcolm said "Of course it is excessive. $19 for standard post is ridiculous. They should increase the ticket price to include these fees and not add them on at the end of the transaction."

Shannon said "Ticketek - what can I say - colossal ripoff - $23 to courier 8 tickets! They certainly aren't looking to increase any feelings of goodwill towards a company that is already known for money-grabbing and inflexibility!"

Karyn wondered "why not just up the ticket prices by $15? I'm sure no one would mind paying that little bit extra! $55 to see U2 is still amazingly cheap! $40 + $19 service fee? Rip off!"

Of the minority of commenters who were okay with the fee, Loopy said the tickets were so cheap, the surcharge didn't really matter. "Yeah I guess it is a bit excessive, however with $39.99 price for a ticket, what's an extra $20?"

Robert Moody pointed out that the tickets still sold despite the fee. "You bought the tickets right, if no one bought them then they would look at it again, however it obviously was not a rip off as they sold out in an hour. If it really is a rip off, stand by your views and boycott the band."

On our Facebook page, Tamsin Oliver said "for gods sake... the tickets were ridiculously cheap for such a huge big name act... and even with the fee it's still under $60 which is STILL cheap if you ask me! Get over yourselves everyone!"

Tabatha Slack agreed: "I would happily pay $19 for a fee to still get a ticket for less than $60."