Australians demand refunds from company behind Tony Robbins’ ‘postponed’ speaking events

Australians desperate to be refunded for Tony Robbins events they purchased tickets for three years ago have now had enough.

The company behind global motivational speaker Tony Robbins’ speaking tours in Australia owes thousands of dollars in refunds to Australians, according to several ticket holders.

Success Resources remains the booking operator for Robbins.

Maureen Baxter told news.com.au that, despite years of battling through every channel possible, she was still out of pocket the almost $5000 she paid for two “diamond” tickets for Robbins’ cancelled 2020 “Unleash the Power Within” experience at Sydney Olympic Park.

The event, which ultimately was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic, was heavily advertised with a “100 per cent money back guarantee”, but she has still yet to be refunded one cent despite the event never going ahead.

Ms Baxter, based in Adelaide, had booked and paid for flights and accommodation to attend the event, which were costs she was happy to absorb given she was pursuing her own business at the time and was excited to learn from Robbins.

Australians want their money back on Tony Robbins tickets they purchased three years ago. Picture: Supplied

Three years on, however, her circumstances have changed and while the event no longer appeals to her, she has remained thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. She said her emails and calls to Success Resources had repeatedly gone unanswered.

As part of her mission to get her money back, she was told she had to attend a virtual event in 2020 to get access to a live event in 2021, and would only be refunded if that 2021 event didn’t go ahead.

The live event was cancelled and changed to another virtual event, with Ms Baxter told she needed to wait until 4pm the day of the event before she could again appeal for a refund.

After 4pm, she was directed to a website where she was told she could request her refund, but when she did, she was informed: “you are not entitled to a refund for the virtual

event because you didn’t pay for the virtual event”.

“It didn’t matter how hard I tried to explain that I was after the money for the live event, they said the same line – no refunds,” Ms Baxter told news.com.au.

Consumers have exhausted every avenue to get refunds. Picture: Supplied

Ms Baxter contacted her bank, Commonwealth Bank Australia, but was refused a chargeback.

“They mentioned that the Success Resources Australia Pty Ltd has claimed that all services have been delivered for September 2020,” she said.

“It was interesting because I have not received anything – certainly not services that I paid for.”

Success Resources, which last year was for a second time ordered by Tony Robbins himself to issue refunds, has denied any wrongdoing and claimed all customers eligible for refunds were given them.

“As you can appreciate, it has been a very difficult and trying time for many industries affected by the enforced Covid shutdowns. We are extremely grateful for the patience & support of our clients,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Success Resources offers multiple events, ticket classes and packages. Terms and conditions are correct as of the time and date of purchase.

“If clients have any questions regarding their purchase then they can contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions that they have.

“After three long years we are excited to be bringing back international speakers and welcoming clients to our events.”

Gold Coast childcare business owner Victoria Edmond told news.com.au she was owed $6000 by Success Resources, which refused to refund her for three tickets to the cancelled Unleash the Power Within event and one for Date With Destiny, both planned for 2020.

The last she heard from the company was in 2021 when an employee told her if Robbins’ live events didn’t go ahead in 2022, the refund process would begin.

Victoria Edmond wants her $6000 back. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve not had a single communication from them with regards to my ticket. They have marketed it so hard that I think they’re expecting everybody that has a ticket to a previous one to rock up and expect to have their money back on the first day,” Ms Edmond said.

Robbins’ has become well-known for telling his audiences that if they were not enjoying what he was saying, they were welcome to see someone at the back of the room for their money back.

Many members of a Facebook group dedicated to getting refunds for Robbins’ events have, according to Ms Edmond, revealed they planned to go to his event in September and demand refunds.

Interstate ticket holders like Ms Edmond however remain in the lurch, given they would need to pay for flights and accommodation just to be refunded an amount they should already be eligible for.

“He is not standing behind what he gets up on stage and tells people that he stands behind,” she said.

Robbins palnned to tour Australia. Picture: Supplied

Ms Edmond claimed someone from Success Resources told her at one point that refunds couldn’t be given from the cancelled events because the company had already paid for the venues.

Consumer advocate from Consumer Champion, Adam Glezer, has criticised Success Resources’ dealings with ticket holders that were not refunded for events that did not go ahead.

“People’s circumstances and priorities change. This is a great example of why the law has to be changed and if a customer pays for a service that is not delivered, they should have an automatic right to a refund”, Mr Glezer told news.com.au

“In this situation, customers were effectively held over a barrel because Tony Robbins’ promoters refused to give them back their hard-earned money.”

Mr Glezer said Robbins needed to “man up” and take accountability for the situation Success Resources had put many of his Australian supporters in.

“It’s time for Tony Robbins to man up and truly show that he is there for the people.”

Consumer Champion’s Adam Glezer criticised Success Resources’ dealings with ticket holders. Picture: Wayne Taylor

An ACCC spokesperson told news.com.au the body was aware of issues experienced by Tony Robbins ticket holders.

“The ACCC is aware of the issues raised by consumers,” they said in a statement.

“The terms and conditions that apply are those that are represented to consumers at the time of purchase of their ticket.

“Event organisers should be clear in their communications with consumers about the remedies they are entitled to.”

Success Resources said consumers wishing to be refunded for Tony Robbins events should email [e-mail].

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