Competition Bureau sues Canada’s Wonderland for misleading online prices

Canada’s Competition Bureau is suing Canada’s Wonderland Company for allegedly advertising misleading prices online for tickets and various items.

A news release from the bureau posted Monday afternoon reads that Canada’s Wonderland allegedly advertises prices that do not include a mandatory fixed processing fee.

The amusement park charges a processing fee for online purchases, including park admission, starting at $6.99, up to $8.99 or $9.99 depending on the number of items purchased.

The bureau says most purchases for non-admission-related products face a single $0.99 processing fee, regardless of the number of items in the cart.

They have described the process as drip pricing, which would hurt consumers by not presenting an attainable price upfront.

“Canadians should always be able to trust the initial advertised price,” said Matthew Boswell, the Commissioner of Competition at the Bureau. “We’re taking action against Wonderland because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm customers.”

The bureau filed an application with the Competition Tribunal seeking the park to: stop the deceptive price advertising; pay a penalty; and to issue a refund to customers who have purchased products through Wonderland’s website.

Canada’s Wonderland says Bureau’s accusations are ‘unfounded’

Canada’s Wonderland Company released a response Monday afternoon in regards to the Competition Bureau’s accusations.

“The allegations made by the Competition Bureau are unfounded and we will defend our commitment to transparency and consumer value,” reads a release from Canada’s Wonderland. “Not only are the Competition Bureau’s allegations unsubstantiated, but its demands to prohibit processing fees – including variable fees – undermine consumer choice and flexibility.”

The release further reads that the park remains dedicated to transparency, customer choice and compliance to the law.

“Under Canadian law, ‘drip pricing’ refers to the practice of promoting something at one price, while concealing the real price from consumers until later in the purchasing process,” reads the release from the company. “Canada’s Wonderland does not engage in this practice.”

“From the outset, our guests receive disclosure of any applicable fees. We ensure customers understand exactly what they are purchasing.”

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