Vivid Seats Accused of “Drip Pricing” in Explosive Class Action - USA Herald
Vivid Seats is sued for allegedly using “drip pricing,” adding hidden fees at checkout after advertising lower initial ticket prices.Summary
Ticket reseller Vivid Seats is facing a class action lawsuit alleging deceptive pricing practices, specifically “drip pricing,” where advertised prices are significantly lower than the final cost due to added fees revealed only at checkout. The lawsuit, filed by Maryland resident Laura Cheezum, claims Vivid Seats misled consumers by advertising ticket prices 25% to 50% lower than the actual cost, and employed countdown timers to create “artificial urgency” and manipulate purchasing decisions.
The complaint asserts that Vivid Seats’ actions violate Maryland’s 2024 Anti-Drip Pricing Law, arguing that concealing the true price gives the company an unfair advantage over competitors who display “all-in” pricing. Cheezum contends that this practice unfairly attracts customers by presenting lower initial prices.
The lawsuit references a 2022 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report, which indicated that hidden fees can increase prices by as much as 20%, and argues that companies employing deceptive pricing harm honest competitors.
(Source：USA Herald)