Refunds

[Petrushka]

Has anyone yet had a refund for tickets bought for events in the Barbican, South Bank Centre, theatres, etc that have been cancelled due to Coronavirus?

I'm still awaiting a refund for two cancelled Barbican concerts and had an e-mail from the Barbican box office on March 17 informing of closure and another on April 1 advising of refunds. I was somewhat taken aback by the request for my bank details in the latter email as I paid by debit card and would have expected a straight refund by the same method and this led me to question the validity of the email but it all checked out satisfactorily. Predictably, the Barbican box office have requested customers not to chase them so assume we simply have to wait.

I can appreciate that there are a large number of refunds for the various box offices to do but thought that those in a similar position to mine could use this thread to monitor the situation.

[oddoneout]

Has anyone yet had a refund for tickets bought for events in the Barbican, South Bank Centre, theatres, etc that have been cancelled due to Coronavirus?

I'm still awaiting a refund for two cancelled Barbican concerts and had an e-mail from the Barbican box office on March 17 informing of closure and another on April 1 advising of refunds. I was somewhat taken aback by the request for my bank details in the latter email as I paid by debit card and would have expected a straight refund by the same method and this led me to question the validity of the email but it all checked out satisfactorily. Predictably, the Barbican box office have requested customers not to chase them so assume we simply have to wait.

I can appreciate that there are a large number of refunds for the various box offices to do but thought that those in a similar position to mine could use this thread to monitor the situation.

I don't think they are allowed to keep your bank details, hence asking for them to make a refund?

[ardcarp]

It's a huge problem, namely refunds...or to put a finer point on it...people/companies/institutions hanging on to money for things paid for in advance and which aren't going to happen. Many have absolutely no intention of refunding anything, and some will cite binding contractual clauses saying that they don't have to. There are such a multitude of examples of this sort of thing affecting millions of people that I guess only those who can afford expensive lawyers will have any redress.

There are three stages of commerce:

1. Those who want money from you will insist that it's paid immediately or in advance
2. Having got the money they will often take their time over...well, anything, especially keeping the punters informed.
3. I they owe you money, they will make it as difficult as possible to claim it and take as long as possible to get it to you.

Think HMRC, insurance companies, banks, travel firms....am I being cynical?

[Petrushka]

It's a huge problem, namely refunds...or to put a finer point on it...people/companies/institutions hanging on to money for things paid for in advance and which aren't going to happen. Many have absolutely no intention of refunding anything, and some will cite binding contractual clauses saying that they don't have to. There are such a multitude of examples of this sort of thing affecting millions of people that I guess only those who can afford expensive lawyers will have any redress.

There are three stages of commerce:

1. Those who want money from you will insist that it's paid immediately or in advance
2. Having got the money they will often take their time over...well, anything, especially keeping the punters informed.
3. I they owe you money, they will make it as difficult as possible to claim it and take as long as possible to get it to you.

Think HMRC, insurance companies, banks, travel firms....am I being cynical?

I used to deal with insurance companies as part of my job when in employment and some of them were a nightmare to deal with while others were very good indeed. Wish I could name and shame...

However, I'm prepared to cut the Barbican some slack here. All events have been cancelled to the end of July so there must be a very large number of punters who have paid in advance for performances that will not happen. The box office is closed with staff working from home and possibly suffering with the virus. They also gave the option of leaving the money in your Barbican account (meaning they hold on to your money until you find a concert you want to go to in the future).

As far as I am concerned, I paid over a year in advance for two concerts that will not now happen. I'm now looking for them to refund me with all possible speed.

There must be others on this Forum in the same boat so would be interested in hearing of experiences.

[LMcD]

It's a huge problem, namely refunds...or to put a finer point on it...people/companies/institutions hanging on to money for things paid for in advance and which aren't going to happen. Many have absolutely no intention of refunding anything, and some will cite binding contractual clauses saying that they don't have to. There are such a multitude of examples of this sort of thing affecting millions of people that I guess only those who can afford expensive lawyers will have any redress.

There are three stages of commerce:

1. Those who want money from you will insist that it's paid immediately or in advance
2. Having got the money they will often take their time over...well, anything, especially keeping the punters informed.
3. If they owe you money, they will make it as difficult as possible to claim it and take as long as possible to get it to you.

Think HMRC, insurance companies, banks, travel firms....am I being cynical?

No -just realistic. The holiday company (Shearings) from which I've been trying to obtain refunds is now seeking a buyer in order to avoid administration. Guess who'll be at the back of the queue - yes, the customers.

[kernelbogey]

My 'local' concert hall Turner Sims in Southampton - which I now patronise as much as possible because of the huge total cost of attending a London concert: day return train ticket to London, even with old gimmers card, is about £25 - have been very active about cancelled concerts. Many have been postponed to dates in the autumn, for which the original ticket/seat remains valid. For the few that I had seats for and which have been cancelled, the options have been for a credit to 'my account' (i.e. I shall be able to use the money for another booking); or donating the ticket price (or part thereeof) to the Hall, which I have so far done in the case of one concert. They are a relatively small venue, of course, compared with the Barbican et al; but we continue to enjoy top-flight performers at much lower seat prices than London. I think they have handled this admirably. I am happy to support them by not expecting a cash refund.

[ardcarp]

No -just realistic. The holiday company (Shearings) from which I've been trying to obtain refunds is now seeking a buyer in order to avoid administration. Guess who'll be at the back of the queue - yes, the customers.

Have a listen to Money Box (this morning on Radio 4).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmy3

Some of these problems were aired, including one commercial insurance company refusing to pay out because Covid 19 was 'an unforeseen circumstance'. Er, what is insurance for???

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I booked for a cruise to Norway, only for it to be cancelled by Fred Olsen. Fair enough. A refund was promised, but when nothing happened, I sent several emails, eventually receiving a reply that indicated it would be 8 weeks before I received anything.

It’s interesting that it only took a few seconds for them to take money off me.

[Frances_iom]

I paid PC World/Currys for a new washing machine a few days pre lockdown, was given a delivery date of 30th March which was confirmed that morning by their automated system - no appearance + no attempt to contact me either by phone or letter - their computer points you to the phone line which after 3 attempts, I realise is unmanned for those who have paid cash - no doubt they are willing to take new money off other punters - tho their shops are large enough to have allowed controlled entry (eg as the local M+S do who opened up their non food areas a week ago - the closure restrictions could be more equal handed) and I might have been able to make some contact.
On Tickets - I have a fair amount now owed by Royal Opera House - still undecided what to do.

[MrGongGong]

It would seem that while i'm earning precisely £0 some of the tax I willingly paid is being given to the likes of Tesco to support their workers who are furloughed while they are planning to pay a share dividend in July.
Can I have my money back please as i'm not earning anything at all and have no shares to sell

It is rather amusing how many people seem surprised that companies behave as they do, that's the gig with capitalism (not that magic grandpa would have made any difference at all)

[MrGongGong]

Have a listen to Money Box (this morning on Radio 4).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmy3

Some of these problems were aired, including one commercial insurance company refusing to pay out because Covid 19 was 'an unforeseen circumstance'. Er, what is insurance for???

Insurance is for making money for companies and shareholders.
I think i've already done the "terminal illness" insurance question before

[Old Grumpy]

I had a booking for several concerts at the 2020 Swaledale Festival. The organisers were very efficient. I donated half the ticket costs to the festival and the remainder to musicians charity. I am not so certain I will no offered a refund by the agency through which we booked the cottage in which we were going to stay. We took the insurance option, but I note there is a clause to the effect that they will not payout if we are unable to use the cottage due to a government directive
We may, of course still be allowed to go.
OG
G

[oddoneout]

Quite apart from the usual anti-customer antics there are quite a few problems with refunds. The businesses them selves from whom we are trying to recoup money are themselves trying to do the same from their clients, customers, contractors etc and are having similar problems as Joe Public. No-one wants to part with money when replacement income is uncertain or non-existent, for many it could mean the loss of the business due to cashflow problems and lack of reserves. The agency booking holiday cottages will have passed on that money, less their management fee, to the cottage owner, who may or may not be inclined to 'do the right thing' and return it for eventual payment to the person who booked the cottage but can no longer use it.
Government bail-outs being used(in effect) to pay dividends is another somewhat knotty issue in that pension funds use dividend payments from their investments to pay out those pensions, and there are many private investors who rely on that income as well. Trying to differentiate between the deserving and undeserving is impractical for dividends. What shouldn't happen is the case of paying CEOs and other such unnecessary entitled folk obscene and indefensible bonuses.

[MrGongGong]

Government bail-outs being used(in effect) to pay dividends is another somewhat knotty issue in that pension funds use dividend payments from their investments to pay out those pensions, and there are many private investors who rely on that income as well. Trying to differentiate between the deserving and undeserving is impractical for dividends. What shouldn't happen is the case of paying CEOs and other such unnecessary entitled folk obscene and indefensible bonuses.

aaah I understand now

Maybe the shareholders would like to come and have the shirt off my back as well then ?

It's not really a "knotty" issue is it?
Privatise the profits and nationalise the risk

It's not a question of "deserving" or "undeserving" though, it's a question of taking the known risks as an adult.
Surely people who use investments know that their value isn't fixed ?

Paying CEO's huge amounts of dosh is part of the gig if you want to be part of those kinds of enterprises and organisations (IMV)

[oddoneout]

aaah I understand now

Maybe the shareholders would like to come and have the shirt off my back as well then ?

It's not really a "knotty" issue is it?
Privatise the profits and nationalise the risk

It's not a question of "deserving" or "undeserving" though, it's a question of taking the known risks as an adult.
Surely people who use investments know that their value isn't fixed ?

Paying CEO's huge amounts of dosh is part of the gig if you want to be part of those kinds of enterprises and organisations (IMV)

I wasn't saying that I approve of the dividend set-up, not least because it has become completely adrift from the original concept of paying out once all other responsibilities have been dealt with, nor that I think the existing business model is desirable or should continue. The current situation is a good time to take a long hard look at it, but I'm not sure that pulling the rug completely would be the best way forward at the moment?