A New Home for Tickets: StubHub.co.uk Announces Plans for Ticket Category Integration With eBay UK

LONDON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

StubHub, the world's largest ticket marketplace and part of the eBay Inc. family of companies, today revealed further details of its plan to integrate with the eBay ticket category in the UK.

From May 2013, some of the eBay ticket categories in the UK will be officially retired and sellers will instead be able to list tickets in StubHub's core categories of concerts, comedy, theatre and sport. Both buyers and sellers will be redirected to StubHub and invited to create a new account.

The move means that both ticket buyers and sellers will benefit from a specialised ticket platform that has developed an unparalleled reputation for customer service and quality over the last 12 years and offers a suite of additional tools and services designed to enhance the sale and purchase experience.

Both buyers and sellers have access to dedicated customer service teams from 9:00 - 21:00 every day, plus Last Minute Service teams at pop-up outlets close to major venues. Unlike other competitors in the ticketing space, StubHub does not own, price or sell any tickets on the site but offers a safe and secure platform for transactions. It also offers superior levels of customer service and a raft of guarantees for consumers.

The move is designed to help grow the ticket category by offering an enhanced service for both buyers and sellers which includes view from section venue maps, Last Minute Services for ticket purchase and collection and a suite of mobile applications. Although the move is currently limited to the UK, if successful, it forms a template for potential rollout across territories as StubHub continues its ambitious expansion programme.

The process of migrating buyers and sellers to the new platform began in January 2013 with listings on StubHub appearing in search results on the eBay tickets category as well as extensive onsite merchandising and a sustained customer outreach campaign. Ahead of full category retirement, StubHub is committed to bringing its pricing structure closer in line to eBay's to ensure a more seamless transition.

The new pricing structure will commence from April 2013. The commission will be 12%, including VAT and with PayPal fees waived. StubHub will also be introducing a new booking fee of 15% which includes VAT, delivery and PayPal fees waived. This fee will be clearly displayed upfront so the price the buyer first sees on the site will be what they pay - with no surprises at checkout. StubHub is committed to open and transparent pricing and, with its new all-inclusive pricing structure, will be the most competitive place to buy or sell tickets in the secondary market.

There are a number of benefits to the changes for customers. For buyers, StubHub ensures that fans get the tickets they paid for, in time for the event, replacements of comparable value or, in the last instance, a full refund.  Additionally, buyers will be able to easily browse StubHub listings and choose their seats with interactive seat maps that allow fans to see the view from their section. For venues or partnerships where StubHub has a fully integrated model, the original ticket will be cancelled and a new ticket in the buyer's name will be reissued. For sellers, StubHub manages all interactions with the buyer from initial sale, to delivery and aftercare with dedicated customer service support, no listing fees and PayPal, VAT and shipping costs. And for all users, every order is backed by StubHub's FanProtect™ Guarantee.

Speaking of the changes, StubHub's General Manager, International, Brigitte Ricou-Bellan said:

"StubHub launched in the UK in March 2012 and in our first year of business here we have proven our model and offered thousands of fans a premier service to access the very best in sport, music and live entertainment. We are now opening up our specialised platform to eBay buyers and sellers with a suite of additional tools and services to make the process safer and more efficient."

Paul Newman, VP Marketplaces for eBay, added: "There's no doubt that StubHub offers the best way to buy and sell tickets online. We're committed to offering customers the very best experience and that's why we are confident this is the right move at the right time for ticket buyers and sellers in the UK."

About StubHub

StubHub is a ticket marketplace that connects buyers to sellers, however, unlike current UK competitors, the company does not buy or sell tickets itself or charge fans additional booking fees at the point of purchase - a first for the industry.

StubHub, which launched in the US in 2000, consistently holds the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the entire ticketing industry, and boasts one of the highest scores in all of e-commerce. Every purchase made through the site is backed by StubHub's FanProtect™ Guarantee, which guards against fraud and ensures that buyers get what they pay for.

StubHub offers a full suite of mobile applications, and opened the first-ever central London retail outlet for fans to buy, pick up or drop off their tickets on Great Portland Street last year. Additional pop-up locations are also planned across the country. These will be conveniently located close to major venues, meaning fans will never have to worry about getting in at the last minute.

The company also has a Dublin-based call centre, open from 09:00 - 21:00, seven days a week, to handle any and all customer queries (0800.358.8585).

The StubHub UK site: http://www.StubHub.co.uk    

Notes to editors:
For more information please contact:

Julia Morgan, Ketchum, +44(0)20-7611-3513, julia.morgan@ketchum.com
Jordan Campbell, Ketchum, +44(0)20-7611-3779, Jordan.campbell@ketchum.com