The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers
Encyclopedia
The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, known as STAR is a United Kingdom
body formed to provide self-regulation
within the theatre
and event ticket
sales industry. STAR's aim is to ensure fairness and openness in the sale of event tickets and its members are required to comply with a code of practice.
:
announced it would be carrying out a fact-finding study into ticket agents for entertainment and sporting events in the UK. The report was published in January 2005 and whilst it concluded that "most consumers were happy with their last ticket purchase" it did recommend that "the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers produce model terms for its members to use in their consumer contacts". STAR subsequently published model terms in July 2009.
* Albemarle of London Ltd
* Ambassador Tickets
* eLondonTickets Ltd
* Encore Tickets Ltd (see also www.discounttheatre.com)
* Eventim UK Ltd
* Group Line (see also lovetheatre.com)
* Hit The Theatre
* Lashmars
* lastminute.com Network Ltd
* Leicester Square Box Office
* London Theatre Bookings (see also Rakes Theatre Ticket Agency)
* London Theatre Direct
* lovetheatre.com (see also Group Line)
* Piccadilly Box Office (London)
* Rakes Theatre Ticket Agency Ltd (see also London Theatre Bookings)
* Theatre Tickets Direct Ltd (see also www.uktheatretickets.co.uk)
* The Ticket Factory
* Ticketmaster UK Ltd
* ticketSOUP.com
* TicketWeb (UK) Ltd
* uktickets.co.uk
* West End Theatre Bookings Ltd
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
body formed to provide self-regulation
Self-regulation
The term self-regulation can signify:*Autoregulation*Homeostasis, in systems theory*Self-control, in sociology / psychology*Self-regulated learning, in educational psychology*Self-regulation theory , a system of conscious personal health management...
within the theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
and event ticket
Ticket (admission)
A ticket is a voucher that indicates that one has paid for admission to an event or establishment such as a theatre, movie theater, amusement park, zoo, museum, concert, or other attraction, or permission to travel on a vehicle such as an airliner, train, bus, or boat, typically because one has...
sales industry. STAR's aim is to ensure fairness and openness in the sale of event tickets and its members are required to comply with a code of practice.
Code of practice
The code of practice covers all aspects of ticket retailing however it can be summarised in three main tenetsPrinciple
A principle is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed...
:
- Clearly identify the face value of any tickets purchased and any additional booking fees
- Highlight any terms and conditions, including transferability, cancellation and viewing restrictions
- Handle bookings in a polite and courteous manner, giving the highest standards of professional service.
OFT report
In June 2004 the Office of Fair TradingOffice of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading is a not-for-profit and non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, established by the Fair Trading Act 1973, which enforces both consumer protection and competition law, acting as the UK's economic regulator...
announced it would be carrying out a fact-finding study into ticket agents for entertainment and sporting events in the UK. The report was published in January 2005 and whilst it concluded that "most consumers were happy with their last ticket purchase" it did recommend that "the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers produce model terms for its members to use in their consumer contacts". STAR subsequently published model terms in July 2009.
Full Members of S.T.A.R.
* Abbey Box Office Ltd* Albemarle of London Ltd
* Ambassador Tickets
* eLondonTickets Ltd
* Encore Tickets Ltd (see also www.discounttheatre.com)
* Eventim UK Ltd
* Group Line (see also lovetheatre.com)
* Hit The Theatre
* Lashmars
* lastminute.com Network Ltd
* Leicester Square Box Office
* London Theatre Bookings (see also Rakes Theatre Ticket Agency)
* London Theatre Direct
* lovetheatre.com (see also Group Line)
* Piccadilly Box Office (London)
* Rakes Theatre Ticket Agency Ltd (see also London Theatre Bookings)
* Theatre Tickets Direct Ltd (see also www.uktheatretickets.co.uk)
* The Ticket Factory
* Ticketmaster UK Ltd
* ticketSOUP.com
* TicketWeb (UK) Ltd
* uktickets.co.uk
* West End Theatre Bookings Ltd
External links
- The STAR website
- Theatremonkey guide to STAR members
- Questions for consumers to consider when buying tickets by the Office of Fair TradingOffice of Fair TradingThe Office of Fair Trading is a not-for-profit and non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, established by the Fair Trading Act 1973, which enforces both consumer protection and competition law, acting as the UK's economic regulator...
- STAR Model Terms and Conditions