If aggrieved would-be buyers of tickets to major events are to be believed, “scalpers” are worse than Voldemort, Sauron and Darth Vader put together.

But while they’re right to feel angry at paying inflated prices for entry into their favourite shows, these fans should direct their fury somewhere else - at the event organisers for charging prices that are too low.

Scalpers are the cunning entrepreneurs who queue up (either online or waiting in line), buy a bunch of tickets and then on-sell them at an often-hefty profit.

Global events organiser dmg world media has begun the process of exiting the Australasian market, selling out of the partnership business that ran ‘Top Gear Live’ and ‘Taste Festivals’ in New Zealand.

The company has sold its interests in Brand Events DMG, which produced both the shows, back to Brand Events, a UK-based management company.

In July dmg world media announced it would be selling its 11 New Zealand shows as part of a global restructuring plan.