Post by valerie davenport on Sept 27, 2007 16:02:22 GMT -5
Streisand concert refunds attacked
Thursday September 27, 2007
Ireland's consumer watchdog has branded refunds by concert promoters MCD for this summer's washed-out Barbra Streisand concert as inadequate.
Many fans who paid up to 500 euro (£350) for front row spots at the 'once in a lifetime' show in Co Kildare were forced to stand as it descended into a free-for-all for seats.
That was after they had battled through traffic jams on nearby motorways and mud-soaked car parks to make it into Castletown House. Out of 2,500 fans being compensated only 200 have been offered full refunds.
Dermot Jewell, Consumers' Association chief, said: "The recommendations for what is referred to as 'compensation' are poor and inadequate and that many of these consumers have not been served well."
Around 200 people who did not get seats will be offered full refunds; 561 who ended up with cheaper seats than they booked will be paid the difference; and 383 people who had car parking problems, blocked views and other issues will get a 100 euro (£70) voucher for an MCD event.
"In actual fact no elements of true compensation are offered. Some refunds, some partial refunds but no compensation," Mr Jewell said.
"The recommendation that non-transferable vouchers of 100 euro (£70) be issued to consumers who likely never will have either the need or the inclination to attend an MCD run event in their future is poor in the extreme."
The report, compiled by a committee chaired by former Police Commissioner Pat Byrne, said its findings will not make for easy reading for MCD.
But it said while most of the problems were the fault of the promoter some of the fans were to blame and poor weather played a part. The report said it would be ludicrous to ignore the 50 or so days of continuous rain.
MCD managing director Denis Desmond has apologised to angry Streisand fans.
Thursday September 27, 2007
Ireland's consumer watchdog has branded refunds by concert promoters MCD for this summer's washed-out Barbra Streisand concert as inadequate.
Many fans who paid up to 500 euro (£350) for front row spots at the 'once in a lifetime' show in Co Kildare were forced to stand as it descended into a free-for-all for seats.
That was after they had battled through traffic jams on nearby motorways and mud-soaked car parks to make it into Castletown House. Out of 2,500 fans being compensated only 200 have been offered full refunds.
Dermot Jewell, Consumers' Association chief, said: "The recommendations for what is referred to as 'compensation' are poor and inadequate and that many of these consumers have not been served well."
Around 200 people who did not get seats will be offered full refunds; 561 who ended up with cheaper seats than they booked will be paid the difference; and 383 people who had car parking problems, blocked views and other issues will get a 100 euro (£70) voucher for an MCD event.
"In actual fact no elements of true compensation are offered. Some refunds, some partial refunds but no compensation," Mr Jewell said.
"The recommendation that non-transferable vouchers of 100 euro (£70) be issued to consumers who likely never will have either the need or the inclination to attend an MCD run event in their future is poor in the extreme."
The report, compiled by a committee chaired by former Police Commissioner Pat Byrne, said its findings will not make for easy reading for MCD.
But it said while most of the problems were the fault of the promoter some of the fans were to blame and poor weather played a part. The report said it would be ludicrous to ignore the 50 or so days of continuous rain.
MCD managing director Denis Desmond has apologised to angry Streisand fans.
