Ticketmaster and Eir received the most complaints to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) consumer helpline in 2023, newly released figures reveal.
The CCPC’s 2024 Helpline Report, published ahead of World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, shows that consumer complaints rose by 13% last year, with nearly 45,000 people reaching out for assistance.
Among the most frequently named businesses, Ticketmaster led the list with 614 contacts, followed closely by Eir (604) and Ryanair (554).
Car Issues Dominate Consumer Concerns
The most common reason for contacting the CCPC was car-related issues, accounting for 5,451 complaints. Telecommunications followed with 2,920 reports, while home building and improvement concerns ranked third with 2,525 complaints.
Given the high volume of concerns related to second-hand car sales, the CCPC has urged the Minister for Transport to establish a free, public online car-history portal. This database—collating information from insurers and the National Car Test (NCT)—would help protect consumers from purchasing unsafe, crashed, or clocked vehicles.
Recreation and Leisure Complaints Soar
The report also highlights a significant 76% year-on-year rise in complaints related to recreation, sport, and leisure businesses. The number of complaints in this sector jumped from 869 in 2023 to 1,527 last year.
Additionally, one in five consumers who contacted the CCPC had issues with faulty goods or services, with the average spend on disputed products reaching €6,013.
Call for Urgent Reform of Small Claims Process
CCPC spokeswoman Grainne Griffin noted that many of these disputes involve second-hand cars and home improvements, two sectors where costs are high. However, the current small claims court process only covers disputes up to €2,000, making it inaccessible for many affected consumers.
“This limit urgently needs to be addressed,” Griffin stressed, emphasizing the need for legislative updates to support consumers in higher-value disputes.
Consumers Becoming More Proactive
Despite the increase in complaints, Griffin welcomed the growing number of people seeking advice on their consumer rights.
“Almost 45,000 consumers contacted us last year, and we were able to explain their rights or direct them to the right agency for help,” she said.
With complaints on the rise and high-profile companies under scrutiny, consumer advocacy remains a pressing issue as the CCPC pushes for stronger protections and greater transparency in key sectors.
