Cineplex is facing scrutiny from the Competition Bureau for allegedly deceptive marketing practices related to online booking fees. The company has reportedly made nearly $40 million from these fees, sparking controversy over how they are presented to consumers.

Key Points:

– Cineplex collected over $11.6 million within six months of introducing the $1.50 online booking fee in June 2022.
– An additional $27.3 million was collected throughout 2023, according to reports.
– Discounts are available for Scene+ members, while CineClub members are exempt from the fee.
– The Competition Commissioner has criticized Cineplex for not presenting the full ticket price upfront on their website.
– The use of a countdown timer during the purchase process has also come under scrutiny for potentially diverting attention from extra fees.
– Cineplex has dismissed the allegations as baseless, stating that consumers are informed of potential fees at the beginning of the ticket purchasing process.

The Competition Bureau is now focusing on its case against Cineplex, with a class action lawsuit already in progress. Stay tuned as this legal battle unfolds—it’s sure to be an interesting one!