Postponed Theatre Show - seat price rises

gettingtheresometime

Bought tickets in 2019 for a show that was due to take place in April '20.
When Covid hit, I had an email to say that the show had been cancelled but then received another one to say it had been re-arranged for April '21 - this then also got pushed back to July '21 and this week I've had an email to say it's been pushed back further to April '22.
In fairness to the venue they have stated that a full refund can be obtained or if the scheduled performance isn't now convenient, an exchange of tickets can be made.
However looking for alternative performances (as our scheduled performance isn't convenient) I've noticed that the price of comparable seats have increased by about 16%. Would it be fair for the venue to enforce this price increase on the exchange of tickets, given they will have effectively had my money for 3 years by the time I (hopefully!) get to see the show? (just preparing myself for a bit of an argument!)

[Deleted User]

Yes, it's fair for them to enforce the increase, as the alternative is the refund. 

There's not really anything to argue about unless you specifically want or need an argument, in which case I would recommend the full half hour argument.

Thrugelmir

Increased costs and reduced capacity. Covid is going to have a broad impact everywhere. 

gettingtheresometime

Deleted_User said:

Yes, it's fair for them to enforce the increase, as the alternative is the refund. 

There's not really anything to argue about unless you specifically want or need an argument, in which case I would recommend the full half hour argument.

If they do impose the increase (& to be fair I don't know if they will) then I'll go for the refund - it's a show I've seen before but wouldn't mind seeing again.Thrugelmir said:

Increased costs and reduced capacity. Covid is going to have a broad impact everywhere. 

in all honesty I don't see how it will have reduced capacity - the tickets are literally being transferred to over to the new dates so as it has practically sold out (a few odd seats here and there at the moment) they'd have difficulty in introducing social distancing.
I will update once I've heard from the venue - frustratingly they can only be contacted by email or SM atm

mattyprice4004

gettingtheresometime said:

I will update once I've heard from the venue - frustratingly they can only be contacted by email or SM atm

I'd much rather they were keeping staff safe by having them at home working via email, than crowded into an office taking calls in close proximity to each other  

gettingtheresometime

mattyprice4004 said:

gettingtheresometime said:

I will update once I've heard from the venue - frustratingly they can only be contacted by email or SM atm

I'd much rather they were keeping staff safe by having them at home working via email, than crowded into an office taking calls in close proximity to each other  

I'd settle for dogs barking and children in the background if only I could speak to someone...the performance I want to move to only place has a few seats left & of those I'd be prepared to chose. 

Spendless

Theatres have been haemorrhaging money for the past year. Lost ticket sales for shows they intended to hold, refunding people back if they chose to take this option. Tier system meaning not all pantos could go ahead, which is a peak time for theatres income and of those that could reduced seating, Some had to close part way through their run due to the area changing into a higher tier eg London and York. No surprise they're looking to try and recoup some costs, in order to survive.

 I understand what you are saying if you'd been changed to a date that you could attend there'd be no additional cost.  I'd think they'd rather keep your money and change your dates rather than have to refund you and lose even more.    I 'd just email and put this to them or do they have a social media account eg Facebook that you could ask someone to contact you on? I had to email my local theatre re tickets I had purchased and they were prompt, polite, helpful and grateful that I was prepared to use the money spent towards something else there at a later date. 

gettingtheresometime

Just thought I'd give an update.
The venue was very good and exchanged 4 of the 6 tickets to a performance that we can attend, without charging the extra, and I've received the refund for the other 2.
I've also bought tickets for another show there so in a way they've kept the money.