There was outrage yesterday after the inaugural 80s Rewind Festival was relocated by the promoters from Wollongong to Sydney due to ‘climatic conditions’. But nothing compared to the fury when the organisers announced they would not be offering refunds. This was despite 4 acts pulling out of the festival including The Human League who were set to headline.
Understandably fuming ticket holders mobilised on the Rewind Festival Facebook page expressing their disapproval over not being offered refunds, with the page admins systematically trying to delete all negative comments. However the barrage proved too much until they decided to shut off comments on their page all together.
But this did not deter the angry mob who by this point were looking for blood. Many posted links to the NSW Office Of Fair Trading urging other to register complaints for what they saw as actions on behalf of the promoters that contravened consumer protection laws.
Today the NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts weighed in on the issue saying “Consumers purchased tickets to a two-day outdoor festival at the Blue Scope Fields in Kembla Grange featuring around 25 acts now find themselves attending a downsized indoor event at the Sydney Hordern Pavilion”
“It’s nearly 100 kilometres away from where they thought it would be when they purchased the tickets,” he continued. “Many consumers will now have to arrange accommodation and organise transport. Simply put, it is no longer the same event and consumers should be given the option of a full refund.”
Roberts told media that Fair Trading had received 36 complaints so far from disgruntled punters and he encouraged others to lodge their complaints. “It is estimated that thousands of tickets have been sold to this event and I urge all dissatisfied consumers to assist Fair Trading with its investigation by lodging a complaint as soon as possible,” he said.
In an interview with consumer advocacy group Choice the minister said that Fair Trading had commenced an investigation into the festival organisers under the powers granted to it under Australian Consumer Law and was laready working with Moshtix to resolve the stand off.
“I find the organiser’s position to be very disappointing and I have instructed Fair Trading to pull out all stops to assist ticket holders who want a refund,” he said. “Fair Trading officers are working hard to resolve this issue for consumers as soon as possible.”
The festival organisers have remained silent today although given the ministers statements we expect an official announcement will be made imminently. According to Your Daily SPA organisers will announce full refunds some time tonight and ticket holders will have 72 hours to lodge a submission to request a refund.
