Concert ticket refund

gjs6385

Hi,

I have booked 2 tickets to go and watch Bon Jovi on their UK tour next month. However, it is confirmed on the band's website that Richie Sambora (lead guitarist) isn't performing on this leg of the tour.

The statement exactly is the following:

"Any customer that wishes to refund their ticket to any Bon Jovi show in South Africa or Europe due to the absence of Richie Sambora may do so by returning their ticket to the original point of sale no later than the day before the show."

I have therefore contacted Seetickets to request a refund and they have responded with the following:

"As per our terms and conditions, which you are asked to read at the time of booking, we are unable to provide a refund unless a show is cancelled, postponed or the headline act is completely changed. Unfortunately the change of guitarist in the band does not constitute enough of a change to the headline act, as ‘Bon Jovi’ the band are still performing as scheduled.

The promoter of the event has informed us that they will not authorise any refunds for this event, and as we are contracted to sell tickets on their behalf and under their instruction, unfortunately we are not able to alter this decision.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but I can confirm that we are not able to offer a refund in this case."

I disagree with their comments, especially the fact that a change in the lead guitarist isn't "enough of a change" to consitute a refund.

Where do I stand on this?

Thanks for your help in advance.

dalesrider

I would suggest that you contact the seetickets/promoter. Giving them a link to the article on the site and get them to take it up with the band.
Might also be worthwhile contacting the site to see where the refund details came from...

EB1989

Hi There

Legally, you are not entitled to a refund if an understudy or replacement used, or if, for example, a headline act changes from the one advertised.

Unfortunately, your only entitled to a refund if the event is cancelled, rescheduled or changes location.

I got found this info on the Which? Consumer Rights website

battleborn

If the bands website said you are entitled to a refund, then you should get a refund otherwise the website has misled you and told you a false truth, which could have a legal accountability.

I would inform the website that the ticket agent is refusing the refund and that you want them to resolve it.

paddyrg

Concert ticketing is complicated, very complicated. The promoter pays the Artist (via the agent) who pay the rest of the band via their management, along with producing the tour. The promoter then contracts the venue box office and a ticketing company (and secondary ticketing companies, etc) to sell those tickets. In the middle of all this is the concertgoer, unsure who to deal with.

Only the promoter can give you back your money - IF they are in breach of their agreement with you. Did the adverts specifically name the guitarist who would be performing? In turn, it is up to their contract with the artist as to whether the guitarist is named on the contract. You will never know what that contract says, but it's unlikely.

Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy the gig with a different guitarist? There are a lot of *excellent* session players, and whoever they choose will be extremely capable and well rehearsed.

bluenoseam

paddyrg wrote: »

Concert ticketing is complicated, very complicated. The promoter pays the Artist (via the agent) who pay the rest of the band via their management, along with producing the tour. The promoter then contracts the venue box office and a ticketing company (and secondary ticketing companies, etc) to sell those tickets. In the middle of all this is the concertgoer, unsure who to deal with.

Only the promoter can give you back your money - IF they are in breach of their agreement with you. Did the adverts specifically name the guitarist who would be performing? In turn, it is up to their contract with the artist as to whether the guitarist is named on the contract. You will never know what that contract says, but it's unlikely.

Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy the gig with a different guitarist? There are a lot of *excellent* session players, and whoever they choose will be extremely capable and well rehearsed.

Doesn't specifically name Sambora but it would be a more than reasonable assumption that he would be the guitarist - it would be like going to see Queen only for some random to play instead of Brian May.

arcon5

EB1989 wrote: »

Legally, you are not entitled to a refund if an understudy or replacement used, or if, for example, a headline act changes from the one advertised.

Unfortunately, your only entitled to a refund if the event is cancelled, rescheduled or changes location.

Actually that would depend on how material the change was. A material change in the description would certainly be groudns to cancel.

battleborn wrote: »

If the bands website said you are entitled to a refund, then you should get a refund otherwise the website has misled you and told you a false truth, which could have a legal accountability.

I would inform the website that the ticket agent is refusing the refund and that you want them to resolve it.

The bands are not party to the contract so have no rights to demand anything. If the band/organiser and the ticket sellers have a contract covering this, it would be at worst breach of that agreement, but not the agreement between op and the ticket seller.

gunsandbanjos

I think Phil X is filling in for Sambora and apparently is doing a mighty fine job.

I am a massive Bon Jovi fan (my avatar is a giveaway!) and am disappointed that Sambora won't be on the tour but I reckon the gig will be amazing all the same.

I've seen them live 8 times and they are definitely worth going to see still.

ellay864

By all accounts it's still a great show without Richie, but if you already have the tickets in your possession can you sell them? I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding somebody to take them off your hands. But I notice there are comments on the website from others also having the same problems - seems whoever has put that on the site has dropped one by making that statement

pulliptears

I can understand wanting not to go if Jon pulled out as a voice is a big difference, but, no offence to Richie Sambora as has been said his replacement can and will be just as good.

gunsandbanjos

pulliptears wrote: »

I can understand wanting not to go if Jon pulled out as a voice is a big difference, but, no offence to Richie Sambora as has been said his replacement can and will be just as good.

I agree they are still worth going to see but I must respectfully disagree that Phil X is just as good as Richie Sambora.

As I said I'm a massive Bon Jovi fan but honestly? I'm a bigger Sambora fan, given the choice of going to see Jon Bon Jovi or Richie Sambora in concert I'd choose Richie every time.