THE feasibility of being able to sit at home – or anywhere – and purchase tickets for an event with the click of a mouse or tap on the screen has been welcomed and celebrated in modern times.
But many are now reconsidering the trust placed in this thriving industry, locally, after a recent glitch at a prominent e-ticket company which caused chaos.
Throughout the 2024 Carnival season, patrons experienced issues with online tickets purchased via popular website Island E-Tickets, which prevented them from entering events.
The website allows registered accounts to buy virtual tickets for events including boat rides, fetes, concerts, among others. A ticket with a unique QR code is provided. Both credit and debit cards can be used.
Some customers took to X (formerly Twitter) to complain that upon arriving to events and having their tickets scanned, they were told the same ticket was already scanned minutes or hours before. Other tickets were deemed fraudulent.
Among the events people complained about were Tribe's Las Jam Carnival 2024, Soaka Street Festival, Panorama, Dimanche Gras, and Breakfast Is.
When they complained to event officials, the customers said, they were told to contact Island E-Tickets.
The company has not yet issued a public statement, but told Newsday, "We're currently in the process of reviewing the data provided to us by the company who managed the door services to better understand what happened. As soon as we have a better picture of what happened at Las Jam we will release a public statement."
Refused entry to fete
One man, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Sunday Newsday he bought tickets for his girlfriend and himself via the website for Tribe's Las Jam, which was held on February 17.
He said he bought both tickets since January 16 and provided Sunday Newsday with the digital receipt. Each ticket costed $540.
"Being familiar with the digital era of tickets, we didn’t share them with anyone or send or show it to anyone...This was the only party that we said we would go to to get a true Carnival experience. However, little did we know, we would be robbed of same."
They drove from Maraval to the venue – The Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo – and arrived at 5.45 pm. They then reached the entrance at which tickets are scanned at 5.55 pm.
"I let my girlfriend go through the door first. She scanned her ticket and proceeded into the venue. I went up next and scanned my ticket, only for the lady at the door to tell me that my ticket has been used 17 minutes ago.
"I was in utter shock and disbelief. I looked at her and said that’s impossible – I just got here. She told me, 'Let me try again.' She tried once more and it said again: Used 17 minutes ago."
The man said he felt a mixture of shock, sadness and anger, which led him to ask for either a representative from Tribe or Island E-Tickets to speak to.
"She told me that it’s an Island E-Ticket problem and there’s nothing they can do. Shortly after, an old man in a Bliss T-shirt and a security came up to m
