Fans are none too happy about Ticketmaster’s new refund policy, which the ticketing giant quietly changed in response to how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the once thriving concert and sporting event scenes to a grinding halt.
Most fans are used to being able to get refunds in the case when their ticketed event was postponed, rescheduled or canceled. Given the high volume of events being impacted by the coronavirus, however, fans are now finding it very difficult to get their money back from Ticketmaster for events that were postponed or rescheduled.
Ticketmaster recently attempted to clarify its policy with a post on social media.
“Typically, event organizers have had the flexiblity to offer refunds for virtually all postponed and rescheduled events,” according to a tweet from the company’s Twitter page. “However, the unprecedented volume of over 30,000 events impacted to date, coupled with continued uncertainty over setting newe dates while awaiting clearance from regional governments, has lead to event organizers needing additional time to reschedule their events deciding to offer refunds options.
“As of today, over 11,000 events, including over 4,000 postponed sports, concerts and arts events, have already authorized refunds. While we cannot guarantee all event organizers will offer refunds on their rescheduled events, we anticipate the vast majority will make a refund windo available once new dates have been determined. In addition, Ticketmaster continues to issue refunds for all refunds for all cancelled events.”
An update on questions about event refunds.
We will continue to keep fans up to date on the status of events via email and our Covid-19 event portals.
US: https://t.co/hh1FGeQHRr
Canada: https://t.co/h2RcwY42qp pic.twitter.com/nKfrxgbf11— Ticketmaster (@Ticketmaster) April 15, 2020
Of course, that did not sit well with fans hoping to get their money back for those postponed Rage Against the Machine shows or the zillion of other tours that have been impacted.
“It is really as simple as this: Money was provided for a service. If the service is not provided when it was promised, the money should be returned. Since you figured out the logistics with taking our money, please figure out the logistics with getting it back. The end,” @btsbeangifs tweeted to Ticketmaster.
It is really as simple as this:
Money was provided for a service. If the service is not provided when it was promised, the money should be returned. Since you figured out the logistics with taking our money, please figure out the logistics with getting it back.
The end.
— here to hype BTS⁷ (@btsbeangifs) April 15, 2020
“Ok, so you’re throwing the artists/etc under the bus when what you mean is: ‘We’ll gladly charge you a fee to resell the tickets to a rescheduled event you can no longer attend so that someone else can pay us a fee to buy the tickets that you already paid a fee to buy,’” tweets @kingjeff.
Ok, so you’re throwing the artists/etc under the bus when what you mean is: “We’ll gladly charge you a fee to resell the tickets to a rescheduled event you can no longer attend so that someone else can pay us a fee to buy the tickets that you already paid a fee to buy”.
— Jeph McRae (@kingjeff) April 15, 2020
“If the tickets were purchased prior to March 12th (when the policy coincidentally changed as it was being announced that all tours are halted), then by law you have to honor the terms at the time the tickets were purchased. Postponed event = refund eligible,” tweets @simple2gether.
If the tickets were purchased prior to March 12th (when the policy coincidentally changed as it was being announced that all tours are halted), then by law you have to honor the terms at the time the tickets were purchased. Postponed event = refund eligible.
— Ariel Owens-Barham (@simple2gether) April 15, 2020
“They know this but they’re trying to capitalize on their misinformation campaign. Personally, I look forward to the chargeback I’ll be winning with my credit cards. CHARGEBACK NATION!!!” tweets @BlameSanjay.
They know this but they’re trying to capitalize on their misinformation campaign. Personally, I look forward to the chargeback I’ll be winning with my credit cards.
CHARGEBACK NATION!!!
— Sanjay Vemuri (@BlameSanjay) April 15, 2020
Here’s a sampling of the other responses to Ticketmaster on Twitter.
TL;DR pic.twitter.com/jv1z2Ll8OV
— Brian Glickman (@dmbriguy7) April 15, 2020
give us back our money pic.twitter.com/9g0DxjIbmP
— coronamatica (@icedripping) April 15, 2020
— Hysteria Storm (@smartyshortie) April 15, 2020
