Elton John fans want refund for rained out A Day On The Green Rochford Winery concert
A man with cancer sold his original Star Wars toys to buy tickets to see Elton John in the Yarra Valley as an end-of-chemo celebration with his mum. Now he’s joined the fight for a refund after storms cut it short.
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A cancer survivor who sold part of his original Star Wars collection so he could take his mother to see Elton John in the Yarra Valley has joined hundreds of unhappy fans demanding a refund after the concert was rained off.
Disappointed punters who attended the rained-out Rochford Winery gig on Friday, January 31, have joined together to demand their money back from Roundhouse Entertainment, which manages the A Day On The Green shows.
The concert was stopped after 95 minutes when torrential rain flooded the stage soaking electrical equipment.
Shortly after a crowd of more than 12,000 soaked punters were told by promoter Michael Chugg to keep their tickets as the show would be reorganised.
However, due to Elton’s tight schedule a new date was unavailable.
As a “gesture of good will” A Day On The Green offered concertgoers a choice of three other shows including Rick Astley, James Blunt, or Simple Minds.
But Elton’s fans weren’t happy with the offering and started Facebook group Ripped off at A Day On The Green – Rochford with Elton John 31.01.20, to demand a refund.
So far more than 750 people, who spent a combined $146,888 on concert tickets, will put their names in a letter of demand to Roundhouse Entertainment.
Group organiser Jacquie McKenzie said people travelled from far and wide and spent thousands of dollars to see Elton play his last shows.
“They spent thousands of dollars and they’ve saved because it was a night of a lifetime for them,” Ms McKenzie said.
“To have this happen and Michael Chugg say empty words is pretty disappointing.”
Elton fan Mitchell Snow was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer last year and couldn’t work during his illness.
Mr Snow sold his original Landspeeder toy from 1983 and Boba Fett helmet to pay for four$130 general admission tickets so he could go with his mother.
“He’s pretty iconic and it was a once in a lifetime thing,” Mr Snow said.
“My mum hadn’t seen him before and I finished chemo that same day as the show, so it was an end of chemo celebration.”
Mr Snow said his mother was devastated when the show was cancelled and if the gig was not going to be rescheduled he wanted his money back.
A Consumer Affairs spokeswoman, who did not want to be named, said consumers should get independent legal advice regarding a “frustrated contract” and recovery of a portion of costs for services that were not provided.
MORE: SHOWS WILL GO ON AFTER ELTON JOHN’S DIAGNOSIS
RAINED OUT ELTON JOHN YARRA VALLEY SHOW CAN’T BE RESCHEDULED
ELTON JOHN’S A DAY ON THE GREEN CONCERT CUT SHORT
“Concert goers cannot seek remedies for breaches of consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law when it is caused solely by events outside the promoter’s control, such as bad weather,” she said.
Roundhouse Entertainment national publicity officer Linda Freeman said refunds would not be offered.
“We have contacted all ticket buyers advising them of a make-good offer,” Ms Freedman said.