Robert: Cineplex taken to court over online booking fees

The Competition Bureau of Canada is suing Cineplex for advertising misleading ticket prices on their website.

The Bureau alleges the movie theatre chain is breaking the law by adding an additional fees for tickets purchased online. The “online booking fee” is said to be an example of misleading drip pricing, or a junk fee. Furthermore, the bureau insists any additional fixed charges or fees are false or misleading under the law unless they are imposed by the government, such as sales tax.

Cineplex introduced an online booking fee last June. Scene Plus rewards members pay a slightly reduced fee, while members of the CineClub subscription program do not pay any fee.

The company justified the additional fee as a way to “further invest and evolve their digital infrastructure.”

“Consumers expect to pay the advertised price. We’re taking action against Cineplex because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm consumers,” said Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell.

Cineplex responded by saying, “Our online booking fee is not misleading and fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law.”

They add their online booking fee is “optional” and “provides the convenience of advance seat selection.”