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How to get your hard earned cash back from canceled concerts

Posted at 5:23 AM, May 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-28 08:11:23-04

MILWAUKEE — Many of us are itching to get back to real life.

Not just work, but being able to go out to the movies or a concert.

As part of our continuing reports on The Rebound Milwaukee, we are sharing how to make sure vendors are Doing What’s Right to make sure you get your hard earned cash back from canceled events.

When Elton John’s farewell tour was announced, Julie McMahon and her husband splurged on seats.

“They were about $700 for the two of them,” said McMahon.

When COVID-19 hit, Elton John postponed his tour until 2021. Julie needed the $700 back. The first thing she did was reach out to Ticketmaster.

“I've emailed, there's been absolutely no response. They're just holding the money right now anticipating its going to be sometime in 2021 but he's in his 70s so who knows if that's even going to happen," said Julie.

The concert was supposed to be held at Fiserv Forum. Julie can’t dispute the charges through their box office, because she purchased the tickets through a vendor.

For its part, Ticketmaster acknowledges the tens of thousands of people who are in the same boat as Julie.

In an open letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, the president of Ticketmaster wrote in part, “…neither our clients, nor Ticketmaster, intend to withhold refunds on postponed shows."

He went on to say Ticketmaster sent more than $2 billion to event organizers before COVID-19 hit and needs to recoup some of that cost before refunding all fans.

For now, Julie is left waiting for her refund.

Here’s your Rebound Rundown if your concert is canceled or postponed:

  • Check with your vendor first.
  • If you’re denied a refund, contact your credit card company.
  • File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against the vendor.

To learn more, click here.

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