Movie and Event Ticketing: Most people have now started booking tickets online to avoid hassles. Because of this, watching movies has become quite easy now. But, do you know that ticket booking platforms like Bookmyshow and PVR are quietly fleecing you? They use marketing methods like drip pricing and hidden charges to show you one price and charge you something else. A recent survey has revealed that companies are fleecing people in different ways, sometimes in the name of social donation or something else.
Dark patterns are widely used to sell movie and event tickets
A survey by LocalCircles has revealed that dark patterns are being used heavily in the movie and event ticketing business. In the survey, 73 percent of the people said that they have been victims of basket sneaking. In basket sneaking, companies add additional charges to the customer’s cart without informing them. About 80 percent said that they had to pay hidden charges while booking. Apart from this, 62 percent of the people have fallen prey to unnecessary messages while booking tickets. Such messages show that if you do not book tickets soon, you will have to regret it.
PVR, Book My Show and Paytm Insiders are doing this trick
In this survey, about 22 thousand people from 296 districts of the country were interviewed. Of these, 61 percent were men and 39 percent were women. 44 percent people from Tier 1 cities, 31 percent from Tier 2 and 25 percent from Tier 3 and 4 cities were included in the survey. They were asked for their opinion about different movie and event ticket apps. People complained about 3 types of dark patterns regarding PVR, Book My Show and PayTM Insider. They told that Book My Show does tricks like basket sneaking, drip pricing and false urgency. Apart from this, PVR and PayTM Insider are also involved in basket sneaking and drip pricing.
Central Consumer Protection Authority had given information about 13 dark patterns
People told that these companies keep the ticket prices low. But, they charge a huge online booking fee on it. Apart from this, many additional charges are already attached by the companies. If you do not remove them carefully, then that money is also deducted during booking without your knowledge. Apart from this, people told that unnecessary information is also sought from them. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) gave information about 13 such dark patterns in 2023. Along with this, these were considered misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.
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