COVID-19 - event rescheduled, am I entitled to a refund?

LilyDays

Good morning everyone,

I am new to using this site so please bear with me!

Last year I was due to take place in an event with Ultra Events.

It was a comedy show, raising money for charity via a justgiving page. Then ticket sales for the events go to Ultra Events (not the charity).

The event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

During the year I contacted them and asked for a refund on the tickets of those who had bought tickets to come and see me. However they said it was non refundable and new dates would be scheduled for when things are allowed to open etc.

They have now added new dates however I am no longer in the position to take part and do really need to get the tickets refunded. I know other ticket providers have allowed refunds under these circumstances and wondered whether Ultra Events should be doing the same.

Of course the funds raised for the charity still stand and the charity already has that money which I know all of my friends and family are of course happy with. I just can no longer take part in the show but I don't want everyone to lose their money from the tickets! 

Any information and advice is greatly appreciated as I am really stressed over this!

Thank you very much.

unholyangel

They would need to chase any refund themselves from the organiser. I would also say unless you were a headline act, it's unlikely you not performing would be grounds. The change of date might though. 

sheramber

I notice they say 'you must sell 10 tickets to friends'. 
Did they pay you and then you pay the money over to Ultra Events?
or did they pay Ultra Events direct?

LilyDays

sheramber said:

I notice they say 'you must sell 10 tickets to friends'. 
Did they pay you and then you pay the money over to Ultra Events?
or did they pay Ultra Events direct?

Some of my friends purchased the tickets themselves and quoted my name at booking so Ultra Events knew it was me they were coming to watch. Some tickets I purchased myself on behalf of my family and friends and again would have had to quote my name on the checkout. Does this help your line of thinking? 

LilyDays

unholyangel said:

They would need to chase any refund themselves from the organiser. I would also say unless you were a headline act, it's unlikely you not performing would be grounds. The change of date might though. 

Even if they chased it themselves I think Ultra would say the same, that they're non refundable. There is no headline act as such with these, we are all just normal people performing for the same amount of time etc, purely just having a go for charity type of thing. I would have thought as the date has changed they should offer refunds, however they may say they are offering more than one date for the performer to book onto so on that basis no. However even if the performer can go ahead it doesn't mean their supporters necessarily can!