Ticketmaster not offering refunds for concerts indefinitely delayed by coronavirus

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Before the coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down, Mark Milner and his wife, Adele, were looking forward to celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary at a Rolling Stones concert.

But now the concert has been delayed indefinitely and the couple wants the $600 dollars they spent on tickets back from Ticketmaster.

B.C.’s provincial health officer has banned all gatherings of 50 or more people until at least the end of April. While some restrictions are expected to loosen next month, it seems unlikely major events attended by thousands will return anytime soon.

As the province looks to start easing physical distancing restrictions next month, UBC professor of medical geography Tom Koch said allowing events with 15,000 people or more will likely be the last stage in that process.

That won’t happen until “at least September, if all goes well. That is, of course, an ‘if.'”

No refunds, no new date for Stones show

The Stones were originally scheduled to bring their No Filter tour to Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium on May 12, but the virus forced the band to postpone the concert. According to the band and Ticketmaster, existing tickets will be honoured once the concert happens, but a new date hasn’t been given.

“I have no idea when that’s going to be and it might be at a time when I can’t go,” Milner said.

https://twitter.com/MilnerMarkus/status/1243173490137518081?s=20

“In the meantime, I don’t see why Ticketmaster needs to hold on to my $600, which I can certainly use more than either they or the Rolling Stones can right now. [Ticketmaster is] a multi-billion dollar corporation, the Rolling Stones are all multimillionaires several times over. I, however, am not.”

It was going to be the couple’s first time seeing the rock legends in concert. Milner said his wife is a lifelong Stones fan and he was excited to see “one of the founding rock groups out there, and one the only one that [are] still touring” – but he understands why physical distancing and event cancellation is necessary.

Meanwhile, Ticketmaster continues to sell tickets for the Stones’ Vancouver concert with the date and time listed as “TBA” (to be announced). VIP packages are going for more than $1,100 each.

Organizers need more time to reschedule: Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster declined an interview request from NEWS 1130, but did provide a statement.

“Typically, event organizers have had the flexibility to offer refunds for virtually all postponed and rescheduled events. However, the unprecedented volume of over 30,000 events impacted to date, coupled with continued uncertainty over setting new dates while awaiting clearance from regional governments, has led to event organizers needing additional time to reschedule their events before deciding to offer refund options,” the statement reads in part.

Ticket reseller StubHub had several Stones tickets listed for sale – for as much as $4,000 – as of Friday afternoon, but when NEWS 1130 simulated purchasing tickets, it was directed to a page reading, “Oh no! This event no longer exists.”

StubHub seems ready to sell me two pricey tickets for tonight's cancelled @danmanganmusic concert in Vancouver. @StubHubCA

What would happen to that money if I actually bought these tickets? pic.twitter.com/MsVR0gG2KS

— kelvin gawley (@byGawley) April 17, 2020

StubHub did, however, seem prepared to sell tickets for other Vancouver events this month.

NEWS 1130 got to the “review and buy” page for a Dan Mangan concert originally planned for the Vogue Theatre this evening, as well as for a Joel Plaskett show next week.

StubHub did not respond to a request for comment.

On its website, the company says ticket holders can resell their tickets on their platform if they can’t attend a rescheduled event. For cancelled events, the reseller is offering a 120 per cent credit towards future StubHub purchases.

For concerts that have been delayed indefinitely, StubHub says it is “waiting for the event organizer to decide whether to cancel or reschedule.”