The Drop Festival: Anger from ticket holders waiting for refunds four months after event cancelled
Thousands of people are still waiting for refunds four months after a major northern beaches event was cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19.
Manly
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Angry festivalgoers are still waiting for news of when they will get a refund four months after the Manly event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The Drop – featuring the Presets, Ball Park Music and Boy & Bear – was to be held at Keirle Park on March 14, but was cancelled at the last minute, due to escalating fears over the spread of coronavirus.
But unlike many other events which saw ticketholders refunded quickly, those who bought the $109 tickets are still waiting.
On the festival’s Facebook page there are hundreds of comments from disgruntled customers complaining about the delaying tactics with one, Georgia Atkinson writing: “We still getting a refund?? Some of us really need it right now”.
In a statement from The Drop – which also had to cancel events at Coolangatta on March 28, Torquay on April 11 and Busselton on April 25 – it said “refunding tickets to our Manly ticket buyers is a priority for the team at The Drop.
“Having to cancel the festival at the last minute was an incredibly disappointing outcome for everyone concerned, especially our ticket buyers.
“Now, like so many festivals around Australia, we are pursuing our insurance options and are confident of an outcome very shortly.
“It’s very difficult to be more precise than that at this stage because we are in the hands of the insurers lawyers but we sincerely want all outstanding ticket buyers to know, we are doing everything we can to resolve the insurance issues to be in a position to refund all as soon as we possibly can.”
However, people on their Facebook page have reacted with anger over the continual delays.
In the last post on June 15, organisers announced they had secured dates and locations for The Drop 2021, and that existing ticket holders will be able to roll on their tickets if they choose.
For those who still wish to get a refund they said they would shortly be “in a position to share with you a timeframe for refunds to be settled”.
In response there were many angry comments.
Ali Deane said: “Its not good enough The Drop Festival !! This is all just semantics.
“I want my refund...Hurry up and give me back my money! ”
While Nick Burridge said: “So basically nothing has changed.... you are holding refunds until you secure dates for next year to give people the option of rebook before they ask for refund. Really poorly organisation compared to all other festival cancellations.”
On the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website it said if an event is cancelled “the ACCC expects that you will receive a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher, in most circumstances”.
However, if the event is cancelled due to government restrictions, this impacts the consumer’s rights under the consumer guarantees, and it depends on the terms and conditions on the ticket.
It suggested customers should contact the business directly to request a refund or other remedy such as a credit note or voucher.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly,” it said.