# Cancelling an event without refunding ticket purchases

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 11, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175 "2024-04-11T23:28:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/21 "2024-04-12T01:25:35Z")

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> [@hajario](#):
>
> Eventbrite is making good on this using their insurance. S&R isn’t the entity that is paying. This all came about on Wednesday

I’m very glad to hear that.

Given that that part of the story doesn’t seem to be out there in the press, telling us to “check your facts” was understandable, but maybe a little harsh.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/22 "2024-04-12T01:25:54Z")

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You don’t have to believe me but it’s all over social media with people saying that they’ve been reimbursed. That’s not an interesting thing for the press to report

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/23 "2024-04-12T01:28:27Z")

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> [@DavidNRockies](#):
>
> I made reference to the Eventbrite refunds [**above**](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/6).

True, though that cite only said that “some” had gotten refunds.

Anyway, it’s a sore spot for a fellow Doper, and it sounds like it’s being addressed, so I’ll let it drop.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/24 "2024-04-12T01:30:48Z")

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Technically you have to request the refund from EB but that takes less than a minute. They couldn’t issue the refunds until it was officially canceled which took several hours. Lots of legal bullshit still to come both civil and criminal. It’s devastating for those of us involved

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/25 "2024-04-12T01:32:01Z")

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Although it’s been called Frye on the Mountain which is hilarious

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**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/26 "2024-04-12T01:33:50Z")

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I’m very glad to hear that refunds are being issued!

I agree that “check your facts” is rather harsh. Where exactly would we check the facts, since the S&R official website says that funds are not available to issue refunds?

It’s an unfortunate situation. I had a great time at S&R in 2022 and am sad that this year’s event imploded like this.

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/27 "2024-04-12T01:35:13Z")

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By googling “Skull & Roses refund,” I found this Reddit thread, which discusses the refunds coming through Eventbrite.

My apologies, @hajario , and I’m sorry you’re going through this.

[https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/1c0p4ow/eventbrite\_refunding\_all\_skull\_roses\_tickets/](https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/1c0p4ow/eventbrite_refunding_all_skull_roses_tickets/)

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/28 "2024-04-12T01:40:25Z")

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Heh…that is funny. Sorry it went down like this.

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**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/29 "2024-04-12T01:41:02Z")

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Without giving too much away, I can say that I’ve played at the last two Skull and Roses festivals and we were booked for this one as well. People are getting refunds, which is good, but it still sucks for those of us who turned down other lucrative shows to play this festival. Plus we were asked not to play any other shows for a week prior and a week after the festival. I won’t beat up on Chris, because I’ve no idea how this happened or who is responsible. But, we really would have appreciated more warning than cancelling 9 days before. Also, it’s seems wrong that up until a day or two before they cancelled, they were still selling tickets. They had to have known they weren’t going to put this on earlier than that.

All and all, a very sad turn of events for many bands and many loyal fans. Unfortunately, I don’t think this festival will survive, which is a shame. We had so much fun playing it in the past.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/30 "2024-04-12T01:45:45Z")

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Thanks and my apologies too. I am part of a very small group of volunteers helping people to get made whole. It’s consumed my last few days. There has been so much misinformation and slander floating around that we’ve been trying to combat and then to see it here was just too much.

Believe me, all ticket purchasers will get their money back if they haven’t already. It’s not much comfort for people who made merchandise to sell or who were flying in. Not to mention the investors.

A lot of the musicians are already in town and there will be music in the area over the weekend.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/31 "2024-04-12T01:48:25Z")

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We probably know each other. Chris was certainly over optimistic but he expected something to come through that didn’t.

This fest will certainly never happen again

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/32 "2024-04-12T01:51:25Z")

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On the surface it looks like Chris wasn’t going to issue refunds, but California law is pretty strict and Eventbrite figured it wasn’t worth the legal hassle. As someone commented, they would rather be a plaintiff than the accused.

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/33 "2024-04-12T01:52:08Z")

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> [@Disinfectus](#):
>
> People are getting refunds, which is good, but it still sucks for those of us who turned down other lucrative shows to play this festival. Plus we were asked not to play any other shows for a week prior and a week after the festival.

(Honest question)

When I have booked bands in the past a deposit was needed (for private events…nothing like a concert). I get the deposit is not the whole amount but it is at least something. Do concerts like this not pay a deposit to book you for the show?

(Whatever the case I get it still sucks for you and your band and everyone else).

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/34 "2024-04-12T01:58:45Z")

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> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> On the surface it looks like Chris wasn’t going to issue refunds, but California law is pretty strict and Eventbrite figured it wasn’t worth the legal hassle. As someone commented, they would rather be a plaintiff than the accused.

That’s my educated guess as well. More accurately, Chris doesn’t have the ability to issue refunds

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/35 "2024-04-12T02:01:35Z")

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Are you saying the Eventbrite hasn’t been passing along profit from the ticket sales?

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/36 "2024-04-12T02:04:03Z")

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No. The answer to that question is out of my depth. EB facilitates the ticket sales but I don’t know how the funds are passed through and what their cut is or if part is escrowed

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/37 "2024-04-12T02:13:00Z")

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If the venue and the equipment was paid off upfront, then that is where the money went. If all he put down was a deposit on either/both and he is out of money, then (because of Eventbrite) the only ones that will get anything back is the ticket purchasers. I can’t think of any venue that would agree to a ten day cancellation clause.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/38 "2024-04-12T02:17:12Z")

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From what I have been able to piece together, there were deposits made to the venue and equipment rentals and merchandise to be sold later. More deposits were due and there weren’t funds to cover. There was a hope of additional funding that didn’t pan out.

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/39 "2024-04-12T02:24:00Z")

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So he owes the venue, the equipment, the vendors, the bands, plus whatever Eventbrite tries to take out of his hide…and I’m betting Eventbrite will be first in line if so much as a Canadian quarter is found.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175/40 "2024-04-12T02:29:46Z")

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He paid for some of it but yeah more is due. I don’t know how it works for the bands since they didn’t perform. Depends on the contracts.

The LLC will go bankrupt without assets. Chris personally has no assets. There’s nothing to take.

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