Why people need that refund

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 8:29am

It is shameful that her we are, April 4- and people need money for food, for shelter, for medicines- and the money they shelled out for theater tickets for April, May and June- for starters- is desperately needed by many to buy essential items. Not from impatience or anxiety, but people need money for survival as so many jobs are lost or furloughed. Why is that money not already back in the hands of the people who support theater? 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 8:44am

As has been explained to you: Until the show is officially cancelled they cannot refund money.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 10:19am

Of course, The real question is when they are going to cancel the nex round of performances. If
I understand correctly, the social distancing is officially in effect until 4/30 at least, yet still no announcements, even though shows are supposed to startup two weeks before that and I assume some time will be needed for rehearsals, at the very least for those shows in previews which have not closed. I understand that theatre owners and producers are in the same boat as everyone else, but I think they need to acknowledge now, so people who need the money can get their refunds.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 10:51am

As has been explained to you: Until the show is officially cancelled they cannot refund money.

NO KIDDING!  My point is that the notification is way past due and people need that refund money to pay bills. I think delaying tactics are unethical.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 12:06pm

The return date initially announced for Broadway reopening was never meant to be an exact date. But, more along the lines of having closed until a given date (don't remember what it  was exactly off hand) And, then regroup and see where things stand then. I think that they are waiting till said initial date to make plans about refunds etc. If I had to guess, they will extend it because things have gone from bad to worse and no one has any clue about when things can open back up again. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 12:13pm

I received my refund for WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? in 48 hours.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 12:53pm

Islander_fan said: "The return date initially announced for Broadway reopening was never meant to be an exact date. But, more along the lines of having closed until a given date (don't remember what it was exactly off hand) And, then regroup and see where things stand then. I think that they are waiting till said initial date to make plans about refunds etc. If I had to guess, they will extend it because things have gone from bad to worse and no one has any clue about when things can open back up again."

Unless I am misunderstanding, there is already a directive that social distancing will last through the end of April.  Were the virus to disappear at that time, I can't imagine any shows would be able to open until at least mid-May, and I consider that projection very aggressive.  So why aren't they at least extending the closures to at least cover that period.  They can always extend if they have to do so; but right now, they are doing a disservice to their faithful audience who have tickets for the next month and a half, at a minimum.

 

[jbird5]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 1:01pm

In some cases they don’t have the money either. They still have bills to pay and no revenue coming in. They may end up ceasing operations or filing bankruptcy. Ironically I was supposed to see a play called Lungs today. BAM hasn’t issued a refund claiming it’s been postponed. The same with CSC Assassins. In the case of a Muhlenberg University production, I donated the cost of the ticket ($15). I may end up doing it with the others as well. Luckily I have no Broadway shows, but do have 54 Below and Joe’s Pub. Joe’s Pub has the Public behind it but 54 doesn’t have a backstop like that. Neither have refunded.

We’re all in this together.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 1:08pm

Yes, the announcement delay is unfortunate, but I'm assuming that everyone has been trying to come up with a plan that mitigates the financial fallout that this shutdown is producing, and just being patient with them is the way that we can support theatre right now. If they announce a closure "until further notice," with no specified end date, I wouldn't be shocked if they won't process a refund until your performance date has passed. Also, if you already have no money for any essentials, just 3 weeks after the shutdown, then you probably had no business buying theatre tickets in the first place.

Updated On: 4/4/20 at 01:08 PM

[PutonyourWarPaint]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 1:25pm

not Broadway related (unless you count the story of how we GOT the tickets), but...

Ticketmaster and American Airlines Arena in Miami are refusing to issue any refunds per a very highly paid PR schmuck's inexcusable statement on the website. They claim they aren't issuing refunds to allow "industry promoters more time to reschedule events" 

So, they have a list of about 15 shows coming up, most which are still listed TBD for a reschedule date. 

One that was seemingly rescheduled RIGHT AWAY was CHER. Original Date March 24th, rescheduled to DECEMBER 5th?!?!?! I paid $450 for two floor seats as a surprise for my partner celebrating our 5th anniversary. Bought them within minutes of them going onsale (Nov 7 '19). So when I see there's a confirmed new date, I'm under the assumption TM will refund the money right? ESPECIALLY since I have them protected with ticket insurance. 

WRONG

After 3 hours on hold with Ticketmaster, I was able to get through to be told the event arena isn't allowing any refunds. The agent gave me almost verbatim the statement released by AAArena.com 

Not that it matters why,  but we are unable to attend the December 5th show. I would have known that prior to this outbreak if asked. None the less, I was encouraged by Ticketmaster, both the website and the phone agent that it's really MY ISSUE now...I can easily click click and just put the tickets in the marketplace to be resold through their verified system. THEIR resell fees still apply, so even IF and I do mean IF they were purchased at the original price I paid, minus the ticket fees: I'M LOSING MY OWN MONEY BACK BY WORKING FOR TICKETMASTER AS A FREELANCE AGENT?!?!
 

As people are flipping out about toilet paper, medical supplies. future monthly costs, daily costs,etc...I'm SURE what's on people's minds, is to buy resold tickets to an event arena holding 20,000 people. MMhmm. Sure of it. 

I could understand if they HADN'T rescheduled a date yet. I would see it like a bank transaction. I could call my bank and dispute a pending transaction, but until it POSTS, they can't do anything. Well I like to think of the new date like a POSTED transaction. It's done. Now we can remedy issues. I don't understand this blanket NO REFUND policy...
 
I don't have healthcare. I don't have a job. I live in Florida and the unemployment website has been a verified DISASTER. That refund is potentially what saves my life. 

I wish the powers that be at Ticketmaster making public statements (and who I would bet my last dollar have company provided healthcare) would consider people like me.

Updated On: 4/4/20 at 01:25 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 1:25pm

I'm likely not going to say this well but.....

I thought that monies collected by ticketmaster/telecharge are only forwarded to the actual production within a certain time frame of the scheduled performance.  So, that being said, the actual production wouldn't be able to use those monies.

 

Can anyone verify?

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 1:31pm

jbird5 said: " Ironically I was supposed to see a play called Lungs today. BAM hasn’t issued a refund claiming it’s been postponed. The same with CSC Assassins."
 

I had tickets to Assassins at CSC, Lungs at BAM, and the Boston Symphony at Carnegie Hall April 14-16. BAM and Carnegie Hall refunded my tickets about two weeks ago. Although CSC has confirmed they will refund my order, the credit still hasn't appeared on my CC statement.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 2:12pm

Baffled by all the complaints.

You simply contact your credit card company and state the issue (which is obvious with the world’s situation), and they will go ahead and create a dispute for you and issue you the refund. You’re out of luck IF the event took place but it has not. A friend did this for the Cher concert as well and his tickets were refunded in full.

Common sense, folks. If one attempt doesn’t work, you try another one. Geez. Your credit card rep will ask if you’ve contacted TicketMaster, etc. When you say you have and to no avail, then they take over.

Good luck.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 2:21pm

That sounds so easy- but it is not- because the refund is taken back if the dispute is not settled in your favor. You should know that. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 2:36pm

CT2NYC said: "Yes, the announcement delay is unfortunate, but I'm assuming that everyone has been trying to come up with a plan that mitigates the financial fallout that this shutdown is producing, and just being patient with them is the way that we can support theatre right now.If they announce a closure "until further notice," with no specified end date, I wouldn't be shocked if they won't process a refund until your performance date has passed. Also, if you already have no money for any essentials, just 3 weeks after the shutdown, then you probably had no business buying theatre tickets in the first place."

Have to admit that I was thinking that also, but I guess this a a case of ‘different strokes...’

[Alessio2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:07pm

Exactly what BrodyFosse said, call the CC company and dispute the charge and you will be refunded immediately.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:19pm

And they will take your refund away if the dispute is not settled in your favor. C'mon you guys- you know that the credit card company is not gonna eat your debt if the ticket company is unwilling to refund the money- credit card companies act as a go-between- I worked for AMEX years ago- and the rules have not changed. You get an immediate refund- and they restore the amount you must pay if the dispute is not settled in your favor. PERIOD.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:37pm

dramamama611 said: "I'm likely not going to say this well but.....

I thought that monies collected by ticketmaster/telecharge are only forwarded to the actual production within a certain time frame of the scheduled performance. So, that being said, the actual production wouldn't be able to use those monies.



Can anyone verify?"

yes and you said it just fine.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:39pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "And they will take your refund away if the dispute is not settled in your favor. C'mon you guys- you know that the credit card company is not gonna eat your debt if the ticket company is unwilling to refund the money- credit card companies act as a go-between- I worked for AMEX years ago- and the rules have not changed. You get an immediate refund- and they restore the amount you must pay if the dispute is not settled in your favor. PERIOD."

THEN YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT. You keep asking questions, you keep getting answers, yet, for some reason, you keep creating threads about this topic because you're impatient about your Lehman Trilogy refund. Get over it, and deal with it like the rest of us.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:46pm

Alessio2 said: "Exactly what BrodyFosse said, call the CC company and dispute the charge and you will be refunded immediately."

Minimum 30 days up to 120 days.  If it was a tiny amount and you were in good standing with your credit card, they would refund it immediately.  $450 is not a small amount.  I'm working on a dispute right now for $320.  It's been over 30 days and my credit card company (Well Fargo), hasn't even bothered to inform the merchant of the dispute.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 5:17pm

THEN YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT. You keep asking questions, you keep getting answers, yet, for some reason, you keep creating threads about this topic because you're impatient about your Lehman Trilogy refund. Get over it, and deal with it like the rest of us.

You are right- I am impatient- and it does irk me- but I will just have to wait like everyone else- and try to cool my jets- Lehman tickets were the most expensive I have ever gotten- premium - but that is on me- I will try to be more patient and try to stay in peace.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 6:02pm

jbird5 said: "In some cases they don’t have the money either. They still have bills to pay and no revenue coming in. They may end up ceasing operations or filing bankruptcy. Ironically I was supposed to see a play called Lungs today. BAM hasn’t issued a refund claiming it’s been postponed. The same with CSC Assassins. In the case of a Muhlenberg University production, I donated the cost of the ticket ($15). I may end up doing it with the others as well. Luckily I have no Broadway shows, but do have 54 Below and Joe’s Pub. Joe’s Pub has the Public behind it but 54 doesn’t have a backstop like that. Neither have refunded.

We’re all in this together."

I was also supposed to see Lungs today and I got my refund 2 weeks ago. I emailed them the day they updated the website with the postponement and they emailed back within 24 hours and processed my refund. I also currently have a ticket for Assassins for next month. I've reached out to CSC and they've responded with several options available. 

 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 7:42pm

CT2NYC said: "BWAY Baby2 said: "And they will take your refund away if the dispute is not settled in your favor. C'mon you guys- you know that the credit card company is not gonna eat your debt if the ticket company is unwilling to refund the money- credit card companies act as a go-between- I worked for AMEX years ago- and the rules have not changed. You get an immediate refund- and they restore the amount you must pay if the dispute is not settled in your favor. PERIOD."

THEN YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT.You keep asking questions, you keep getting answers, yet, for some reason, you keep creating threads about this topic because you're impatient about yourLehman Trilogyrefund. Get over it, and deal with it like the rest of us."

Wow. You seem nice..........or something.

[Alex M]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 9:12pm

THEN YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT.You keep asking questions, you keep getting answers, yet, for some reason, you keep creating threads about this topic because you're impatient about yourLehman Trilogyrefund. Get over it, and deal with it like the rest of us.“

Updated On: 4/4/20 at 09:12 PM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 9:55pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "That sounds so easy- but it is not- because the refund is taken back if the dispute is not settled in your favor. You should know that."

My experience, from the merchant side of things, is that the dispute almost always goes in favor of the credit card holder. I worked in the office of one of the merchandise companies for a while and we would get a dispute fairly regularly, especially from people who bought stuff on tour, since our name would appear on their credit card statements and not the name of the show itself, which is what they would be expecting to see. Even supplying the signed credit card receipt to Merchant Services they would still almost always side with the card holder (I would say about 90% of the time).