Secret Cinema tickets - Purchased based on misleading information

tomwestwood85

Hi all, thanks for the feedback.

davidmcn wrote: »

No, I wouldn't have interpreted that as being an undertaking that they have never previously shown Dirty Dancing in a different format, or even that they meant "the same as any of our previous events" - maybe just "the same as other visits to the cinema". It's just advertising puff, not part of your contract.

I guess perhaps I was being naive in that I assumed the tagline implied as such; I certainly interpreted it that way, but I guess the whole point is I'm trying to establish whether other people do too.

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Where I think you have a weakness in your argument is that you didn't specifically ask them about prior showings and explain it as a pre-requisite to purchase. Had you done so and they had (erroneously) confirmed that there was no prior showing, you would be entitled to a refund. I'm not sure that their own promotional list of prior shows can be taken as a definitive source of fact.

What's the value of the tickets?

I assume you've tried suggesting they exchange them for a different film? That way, they keep the custom and you get an experience.

Fair comment, but again, perhaps naively, I've interpreted that tagline incorrectly and read too much into the fact there's no disclaimer (implicitly stating this isn't a comprehensive list of previous worlds). In hindsight clearly I should have asked this question, but I do think a bit of goodwill and understanding on their side would've been nice. Also perhaps their promotional material cannot be taken as fact, but I do stand by the fact it is at best misleading, hence why I have probably received the given advice from Citizen's advice. Whether it's strong enough to enforce is another matter!

The value of the tickets is £140. I've not suggested exchanging for another film, but I may now attempt a bit of reconciliation with them based on what I'm hearing on here!

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

It's not wise to initiate a Chargeback in such circumstances. The retailer has already refused you a refund and I think you will exhaust any goodwill that might be offered in future if your Bank forces a refund. Remember, the Chargeback will simply be reversed if the retailer contests it.

What you describe is simply a change-of-mind on your part and you can hardly blame the website for providing "mis-leading" information just because you could not see that your wife had been to see the same film four years ago.

So. while I agree it's annoying that you purchased a duplicate gift for your wife, I'm, not sure you should have gone in all guns blazing demanding a refund. Can you not, for example, request a ticket for another film be provided?

I've already initiated it based on the advice I got, but I think I'll have another chat with Citizens advice because I don't want to burn all bridges (although I'm not entirely sure that's not already the case!). However to clarify, it's not a change of mind, I based my decision to buy based on the information on their website which is, I would say, somewhere between not comprehensive, and misleading, depending on your interpretation. Again, I'm not trying to say I 100% think I'm due a refund (that's why I'm here!), I was just assessing whether I was taking the right path as things stand.

tomwestwood85

BoGoF wrote: »

You ask what people think of the situation.

You failed to do your research and made incorrect assumptions. You made a mistake, get over it.

I meant from a legal/moral standpoint, but thanks for this insight.

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Just means they don't use the same set/theatricals for different performances. It also says this below "No secret world is the same" confirming what they mean.



There is also a reference to Dirty Dancing in the blub was well.

Where does it say (or even paraphrase) that below "No secret world is the same", I can't see any words to that effect? And sure, I know now that the Kellermans reference is to Dirty Dancing, but as an 'Average Consumer' (e.g. who the regulation quoted to me is aimed at) who was buying this as a present you can see why I might have not got that link.

powerful_Rogue

tomwestwood85 wrote: »

Where does it say (or even paraphrase) that below "No secret world is the same", I can't see any words to that effect? And sure, I know now that the Kellermans reference is to Dirty Dancing, but as an 'Average Consumer' (e.g. who the regulation quoted to me is aimed at) who was buying this as a present you can see why I might have not got that link.

Right there on the page you said you had looked at.





I've never seen Dirty Dancing before, but after reading the blub about the show and then seeing that, I knew exactly what they were talking about. Along with the reference to the song.

Paul_DNAP

The wordings "No secret world is the same" and "our evening are ever evolving" to me implies that they strive to make them all a different experience. It does not imply that they are making a contractual promise that the event will be absolutely utterly unique in every aspect. So in my opinion they are perfectly allowed to create a new event around a film they've used before and still get to use their deadline tag line, and I am also an average customer.


(But having said that and you do actually go and it turns out to be exactly the same as the previous one, or not particularly different, you might have grounds for asking for a refund then.)

tomwestwood85

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Right there on the page you said you had looked at.

I've never seen Dirty Dancing before, but after reading the blub about the show and then seeing that, I knew exactly what they were talking about. Along with the reference to the song.

We will have to agree to disagree on that one I guess; I clearly didn't make the link. Perhaps a 'true' Dirty Dancing fan might've got that, but not every average customer, e.g. myself buying as a gift.

I certainly don't see any reference to using different sets or theatricals and recycling films.

powerful_Rogue

tomwestwood85 wrote: »

We will have to agree to disagree on that one I guess; I clearly didn't make the link. Perhaps a 'true' Dirty Dancing fan might've got that, but not every average customer, e.g. myself buying as a gift.

I certainly don't see any reference to using different sets or theatricals and recycling films.

Not a Dirty Dancing fan, never seen it, couldn't name a single character from it. However even I got the "time of our lives" reference.


As the majority have said on here, "No secret world is the same", refers to the set, theatrics - They don't recycle the same show for every movie. I would say the majority on here would class as the average consumer.

Enter the Secret World

Turn imagination into vivid memories as you leave your distractions at the door. All phones are sealed to ensure you experience the world through your own eyes, and not your screen. Whether you choose to be swept up in missions or simply explore the intricate, iconic locations as the action unfolds around you, no two shows are the same. Expect an evening filled with action, dance and plenty of surprises, as a film classic is brought to life in front of your eyes.

Manxman_in_exile

Having never heard of Secret Cinema (and never having seen Dirty Dancing either) it seems pretty obvious to me from their website that every "experience" is bound to be different from any previous one. (That's assuming I've understood "immersive" correctly).


Sounds like an excellent way to ruin a film you like...

[Deleted User]

tomwestwood85 wrote: »

However to clarify, it's not a change of mind,

While I probably should have added the word "effectively" as a prefix, it definitely is a change of mind based on you only later discovering that your wife has already seen the film.

tomwestwood85 wrote: »

I based my decision to buy based on the information on their website which is, I would say, somewhere between not comprehensive, and misleading, depending on your interpretation

The information on the website is certainly meant to entice you to purchase, but it was up to you to find out whether your wife had already seen the film not the website to provide what you seemingly expect to be "comprehensive" information to provide for every conceivable eventuality.
You even say in your OP that you " did vaguely remember her going to another Dirty Dancing"
If you want anything at all back from this, I strongly urge you to withdraw your Chargeback instruction to the Bank. I also question the wisdom of the advice you are receiving from the C.A.B. which seems to be confrontational rather than conciliatory.

Of course, you could also just attend (and presumably) enjoy the film again

[Deleted User]

Paul_DNAP wrote: »

But having said that and you do actually go and it turns out to be exactly the same as the previous one, or not particularly different, you might have grounds for asking for a refund then.

I'd say the chance of getting a refund after actually seeing the show is precisely nil!

born_again

tomwestwood85 wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for the feedback.

I've already initiated it based on the advice I got, but I think I'll have another chat with Citizens advice because I don't want to burn all bridges (although I'm not entirely sure that's not already the case!). However to clarify, it's not a change of mind, I based my decision to buy based on the information on their website which is, I would say, somewhere between not comprehensive, and misleading, depending on your interpretation. Again, I'm not trying to say I 100% think I'm due a refund (that's why I'm here!), I was just assessing whether I was taking the right path as things stand.

Once a chargeback is started it can not be stopped.

Is this a Debit or Credit card payment?