Oasis Cancel V Headline - Refund?

madcal87

Hi,
Me and 3 mates have weekend camping tickets and have given Seetickets over £600...
Now there has been a "significant change to the event" as Oasis the main act of the whole weekend has cancelled!
Can we get a refund?
http://www.seetickets.com/see/content_terms.asp
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be transferred, exchanged, refunded or returned unless the event is cancelled, moved to another date, or if details of the event are significantly changed after an order is placed (significant changes being a change of headline act (concerts only), venue or show time).
- Should the headline artist not appear or if the line up or content is substantially changed from the advertised line up or content (concerts only), then See will refund the face value of the tickets.

But no where does it mention their stance on a headliner cancelling from a festival?

What should be the best plan or attack if any?

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

Hotspur

I'd say that there terms could be considered unfair. The OFT state in advice that;

A business cannot provide you with a different kind of product or service to what was agreed without compensating you. If the change is important, you are entitled to compensation which may amount to a full refund.

If the show has been cancelled You should be able to get a refund and in certain
limited circumstances, compensation for any other losses you have suffered which are caused by the business’ actions. This could apply even where the event or activity has not been cancelled, but where it has been postponed.

So, if festivals are excluded from the significant change term then I would argue that it is unfair and against the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations and consequently you should be compensated/refunded.

p00hsticks

I'm not a legal expert but I'd be very surprised if they offered a refund - the ticket's for a whole weekend festival featuring a large number of bands and is still going ahead. I don't think the fact that one act pull out, even if it is a headline act, would entitle you to a full refund. Does it mention Oasis on the ticket ?

madcal87

Im not asking for 100% refund, only like 25%
No it doesn't mention oasis on the ticket, they were wristbands only!
But that was the big banded for the weekend, on all posters, adverts and everywhere on the website!
- I feel like they haven't performed the service they said they would!
Surely as oasis didn't perform, they don't get paid, therefore some of my money to pay for the headliner is sitting in V festivals Pocket! and not in mine!
- Snow Patrol did play as headliners , but they were going to play second anyway, so there is no "gain".

I think i'll write a letter to V and See and just "see" what i get...hehe

madcal87

I have written a posted a letter to see and V festival direct, requesting compensation as the headlining artist never player, which would have saved V festival a 6 to 7 figure some.
Obviously no full refund will be achieved and i do not want a full refund cos it was a great weekend, but oasis not turning up put a dampener on the whole weekend!

reddevilled

Best of luck, but I can't see you being successful. Festivals are always subject to change and I'd be surprised of somewhere in the small print when you bought the tickets it didn't say words to that affect.

Let us know how you get on though.

netuser247

Will the festival organisers be paying Oasis fee? I think not. and as no bands were added to the bill, the organisers end up with a nice additional unexpected profit from not having to pay Oasis.

AT THE VERY LEAST this money should be given to a charity or used to compensate fans in some way.

astod

Hi,

Would it be possible to have the address for V? Or let me know where you managed to find it? Is worth a try seeing if we can get anything back!

Thankyou!

Smiley82

Seems a lot of people feel the same way:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090824/ten-oasis-fans-demand-refund-after-band-ea4616c.html

Unfortunately I think they are covered by item 20/21 in their 'Terms and Conditions' - Depending on what ticket you bought:

http://www.vfestival.com/assets/upload/Ticket_Reverse_-_WEEKEND_CAMPING3.pdf

21) Whilst every effort is made to ensure the full, advertised bill performs, this ticket is for an event and not a specific artiste/band. Maztec Ltd reserves the right to change the bill or running times without prior notice.

madcal87

Seems you may be correct!
However like mentioned before, they now have a nice 6-7 figure profit which should go the fans!

For the person who wants the address: http://www.vfestival.com/community/page/contact-v

Hotspur

Contrary to some posts the legal position in my post (#2) is correct.

Term 20 would be considered unfair as it is one sided with no right for the consumer.

As you attended you would claim compensation. How much that would be I don't know and there isn't a formula to calculate lack of enjoyment. If someone lower down the bill didn't turn up then it could be very little.

I'm aware of people that have received a full refund for significant change prior to other festivals starting, following a band no show. In any event your claim is via the agent/seller of the ticket and not with V though it's not a bad ploy to write to them with your complaint.