>Cineplex Inc. says it will appeal a record $38.9 million fine for deceptive marketing practices imposed by the Competition Tribunal.
>
>The fine was embedded in a decision the tribunal issued late Monday that saw it side with the Competition Bureau in a case stretching back to May 2023. That was when the watchdog accused Cineplex of misleading theatregoers by not immediately presenting them with the full price of a movie ticket when they purchased seats online.
>
>“The consumer is deceived or led astray by the contradictory and incomplete information on Cineplex’s tickets page, which obfuscates the existence and quantum of the online booking fee,” the tribunal said in a two-page information outlining its decision.
>
>The online booking fee it referred to is a $1.50 charge Cineplex began including in June 2022 to many customers not enrolled in its CineClub subscription and Scene Plus loyalty programs, which saw the fee waived and dropped to $1, respectively.
>
>The bureau alleged the fee constituted “price dripping,” a practice when customers are drawn into a purchase without full disclosure of the final cost.
>
>…
>
>The company said in a statement it was “shocked” by the decision and pointed out that online booking fees are presented on its website and app “in a clear and prominent manner.”
>
>“We believe our guests make informed purchase decisions and remain confident our online booking fee is presented in a way that fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law,” Cineplex said.
>
>The $38.9 million fine Cineplex has now been handed is equivalent to the amount it collected from consumers through the $1.50 online booking fee between June 2022 and December 2023.
If anything, this fine looks to be on the low side. The fine should be notably higher than the amounts wrongfully collected from customers.
jackslack on
When will we see these hidden fees deposited back into our accounts plus interest? I’ll check hourly and report back when I see it.
do_over_2024 on
I moved here in 2021 fall, and I remember I paid $14.68 for a regular ticket, everything included, booked online. Now for the same, I pay $17.50 including the dreaded $1.50 fee.
AlanWhickerNumber3 on
It’s $40m if they pay online.
Tachyoff on
If you live in a city please support your local independent theatres. It’s often cheaper & you get a really cool lineup of new releases and classics.
At my local one $11 tickets and $4.50 popcorn
Character-Note-5288 on
Landmark does the same shit too.
the_crumb_dumpster on
>The company said in a statement it was “shocked”
Shocked that they got caught
dezsiszabi on
Good, very good. Where can I request my refund, I have receipts /s
8 Comments
Excerpts below:
>Cineplex Inc. says it will appeal a record $38.9 million fine for deceptive marketing practices imposed by the Competition Tribunal.
>
>The fine was embedded in a decision the tribunal issued late Monday that saw it side with the Competition Bureau in a case stretching back to May 2023. That was when the watchdog accused Cineplex of misleading theatregoers by not immediately presenting them with the full price of a movie ticket when they purchased seats online.
>
>“The consumer is deceived or led astray by the contradictory and incomplete information on Cineplex’s tickets page, which obfuscates the existence and quantum of the online booking fee,” the tribunal said in a two-page information outlining its decision.
>
>The online booking fee it referred to is a $1.50 charge Cineplex began including in June 2022 to many customers not enrolled in its CineClub subscription and Scene Plus loyalty programs, which saw the fee waived and dropped to $1, respectively.
>
>The bureau alleged the fee constituted “price dripping,” a practice when customers are drawn into a purchase without full disclosure of the final cost.
>
>…
>
>The company said in a statement it was “shocked” by the decision and pointed out that online booking fees are presented on its website and app “in a clear and prominent manner.”
>
>“We believe our guests make informed purchase decisions and remain confident our online booking fee is presented in a way that fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law,” Cineplex said.
>
>The $38.9 million fine Cineplex has now been handed is equivalent to the amount it collected from consumers through the $1.50 online booking fee between June 2022 and December 2023.
If anything, this fine looks to be on the low side. The fine should be notably higher than the amounts wrongfully collected from customers.
When will we see these hidden fees deposited back into our accounts plus interest? I’ll check hourly and report back when I see it.
I moved here in 2021 fall, and I remember I paid $14.68 for a regular ticket, everything included, booked online. Now for the same, I pay $17.50 including the dreaded $1.50 fee.
It’s $40m if they pay online.
If you live in a city please support your local independent theatres. It’s often cheaper & you get a really cool lineup of new releases and classics.
At my local one $11 tickets and $4.50 popcorn
Landmark does the same shit too.
>The company said in a statement it was “shocked”
Shocked that they got caught
Good, very good. Where can I request my refund, I have receipts /s