Sci-Fi Weekender April 2020 (Chic Festivals) 100% Non Refundable ticket & Accommodation

Elgaric

Hello
I wonder if someone could help
Chic Festivals have cancelled a weekend event due to the corona virus under force majeure (venue shut and guests cant travel)
They have said that all tickets are still 100% non refundable and that all tickets and accommodation will be rolled forward to a new date or you can attend another event
I have contacted them as due to Work I will not be able to attended a future date and wouldn't like to attend and event and would still like a refund, again they said force majeure and  that the tickets are 100% non refundable and our tickets would be rolled forward, it seems not even listening to what is being said.
Whilst I accept that there is no way this situation could have been for-seen is there anyway to get a refund?
Many Thanks for any help that can be given.

Farmboy1980

You’re not on your own, I too am in exactly the same boat with £448 currently sat in someone else’s bank account. I’m not one to back down from a challenge & have emailed Chic Festivals many times, the replies I get are at best patronising & at worst downright rude. Sadly I paid with a debit card, although a friend suggested I should ring the bank & attempt a “chargeback”.. which at this exact moment has gone nowhere. I can only hope that word of mouth & the internet stops people booking with this “company”, as they couldn’t run a bath, nevermind a music festival, & hopefully they will go bust with any luck. 

Caz3121

Farmboy1980 said:

although a friend suggested I should ring the bank & attempt a “chargeback”.. which at this exact moment has gone nowhere. 

did you start the chargeback within the 120 day time limit?

Farmboy1980

Yes, I’ve got a reference number etc but whenever I ring they just say they are very busy ( which admittedly they probably are) & will be in touch, but it never happens..

Elgaric

Hello I have an update the event has ceased to be held by Chic Festivals they have rebranded to a UK address, according to companies house they are now trading as Space Trips (Essex) since the first of Janaury 2020, however, the copyright etc and alot of the website still states Chic Festivals. 

Does this change my rights for a claim seeing as Space Trips Essex is in the UK now and are the official representation of event?

Thrugelmir

If it's a new legal entity then it's not just a rebranding. Did you mean to say 2021?

Elgaric

They have taken over the running of the event in 2021

Farmboy1980

All very dodgy, I’m no legal eagle but I would expect it’s probably to make them fireproof against being sued or similar. This whole episode has left me thoroughly fed up 

macman

Did you do a chargeback or S75 claim as originally suggested? 

Elgaric

Hello the tickets and accomodation were purchased over 120 days prior to the event being cancelled so unable to do a charge back and what's an S75? 

Elgaric

Just wanted to say thank you I carried out the S75 as told to and got a full refund thank you so much for everyone's help