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A group of California Eventbrite ticket holders says they and other consumers were denied refunds to live events canceled, rescheduled or postponed due to restrictions enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Lead plaintiffs Sherri Snow, Anthony Piceno and Linda Conner claim ticket distributor Eventbrite Inc. told those who purchased tickets that refunds would be issued pursuant to California law, which requires refunds be issued if the event is “canceled, postponed, or rescheduled.”
The plaintiffs say most live events were indeed canceled or rescheduled after the state declared an emergency due to coronavirus; however, Eventbrite refused to honor refund requests, telling ticket holders that event organizers were not allowing them to return their money.
Each of the plaintiffs say they spent hundreds of dollars on Eventbrite tickets for events that were rescheduled or indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. They each say they attempted to request refunds through Eventbrite’s refund system but were denied.
“At best, Eventbrite has urged some organizers to ‘make good’ when events are canceled, postponed and/or rescheduled,” the Eventbrite class action lawsuit states. “This ‘make good’ requirement only appears to apply to event tickets: (i) that were purchased before March 15th; and (ii) were scheduled to take place between March 15, 2020 and May 15, 2020. All later purchases and later scheduled events that are canceled, postponed and/or rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions are not even covered by Eventbrite’s ’make good’ policy.”
According to the complaint, even if the so-called “make good” policy applies, Eventbrite ticket holders are only being offered credits, future tickets or other forms of alternative compensation. The plaintiffs say they and other consumers are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price of their tickets under California law.
“In light of the coronavirus outbreak, Defendant has refused to provide refunds for these ticket sales,” the Eventbrite class action lawsuit contends.
“Defendant has quietly sought to force its buyers to endure the financial losses that Defendant would suffer in the entirely foreseeable scenario that world occurrences would cause the simultaneous cancellation and/or postponement of numerous public events.”
The complaint points out that, in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak, Eventbrite told ticket holders “the ticket price and any Eventbrite fees, should be refunded to you by the organizer” for events canceled by the event organizer due to the disease.
For postponed events or for Eventbrite ticket holders concerned about attending an event because of coronavirus, the distributor allegedly told consumers to contact the event organizer directly.
The plaintiffs say this and other Eventbrite policies are not enough under California law. Further, these policies are confusing and ineffective for Eventbrite ticket holders nationwide, even outside of the context of the coronavirus outbreak, the complaint alleges.
“In instances where the event is canceled or postponed/rescheduled, Eventbrite feebly suggests customers should contact Eventbrite’s ‘customer experience team. They can pass your request on to our Trust & Safety team who works to protect the Eventbrite community,’” the class action lawsuit says.
“Eventbrite’s requirement that an organizer ‘make good’ for a failure to provide the goods and services is meaningless nonsense, which frustrates the entire policy. Moreover, it only applies to event cancellations and not rescheduled events or postponed events, including indefinitely posted events.”
The Eventbrite class action lawsuit seeks to represent Eventbrite ticket holders nationwide who were denied full refunds of their ticket price for canceled, postponed or rescheduled events between June 3, 2016, and the present, along with a California subclass.
The complaint accuses Eventbrite of breach of contract, conversion, unjust enrichment, fraud, false advertising and violation of California consumer protection law.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages on behalf of Class Members, as well as a court order requiring Eventbrite to comply with its own policies and California law and refund tickets for all canceled or rescheduled events.
Consumers have been faced with the fallout of numerous issues since the coronavirus outbreak, including refunds for events, travel and memberships, along with false advertising of virus cures and even price gouging. Top Class Actions is staying on top of the issues with a complete legal guide to help consumers know their rights during this time.
Were you an Eventbrite ticket holder? Was your event cancelled or delayed because of COVID-19 restrictions? Do you think you should get a refund? Tell us what happened in the comment section below.
The lead plaintiffs and proposed Class Members are represented by Seth A. Safier and Marie A. McCrary of Guitride Safier LLP.
The Eventbrite Ticket Holder Coronavirus Refund Class Action Lawsuit is Snow, et al. v. Eventbrite Inc., Case No. 3:20-cv-03698, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco.
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83 thoughts onEventbrite Ticket Holders Say They Are Owed Coronavirus Refunds
Same story… bought 2 tickets 02/13/2020 for the event in Houston NRG stadium. NOOOO refund at all.
Last email I received:
Your event, Minefaire, which was rescheduled for October 17-18, 2020 has been canceled.
You will receive (or may have already received) notification in the mail regarding All Access Labs LLC, the Minefaire event owner.
Purchased 2 tickets = $91.50 during their deal period, that clearly was NOT a deal. Got all the same info everyone else got including that All Access is bankrupt. Bank will not refund that transaction because I agreed to it and this is an issue in taking it up with the merchant. Can’t do that clearly. We need a class action on this case.
Does anyone have any good news on this issue?
I have kept all of my emails with Eventbrite and Minefaire.
11-20-2019 – I purchased 3 tickets for St. Paul Minefaire, March 21, 2020.
3-13-2020 – I was notified via email from Minefaire that the event was postponed on 3/13/2020.
4-20-20 – I was notified via email by Minefaire that the event was rescheduled for 11/2020 dates to be determined. I then requested a refund because I was no longer able to attend on the rescheduled dates and this is the response I was given by Minefaire:
First and foremost, we wish you the very best during these uncertain times.
We have either rescheduled or are working hard to reschedule each of our events. Once we have new dates for an event, [www.minefaire.com]www.minefaire.com is updated with the new date.
Also- We know how important a family day can be at one of our events, so we wanted to make sure you can attend either one or both of the rescheduled dates. As a courtesy, all pre-purchased tickets to rescheduled events will be automatically upgraded to two-day passes!
Regarding refund requests, we will begin accepting refund requests 30 days prior to the new event date that you wish to request a refund for.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate this trying and unprecedented time.
Warmest Regards,
The Minefaire Team
10-8-2020 – I received an email from Eventbrite stating the event was cancelled and to contact the event owner.
10-21-2020 – I requested a refund since it was 30 days prior to the event as Minefaire instructed and I was greeted with this response:
Thank you for your request for information pertaining to a Minefaire Event. Please be advised that All Access Labs, LLC, the company which owns Minefaire, was unable to host its scheduled events due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, accordingly, was forced to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case on 9/25/2020. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a liquidation proceeding, which required the company to cease all operations. As a result, the company is no longer operating, and with great regret, it will be unable to hold any future new or rescheduled events or process any refunds of any kind. The bankruptcy case is pending before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of PA (Case No.: 20-13871).
This company does not get to make millions off of customers which are mostly children and then declare chapter 7 bankruptcy because they have already spent the money. Eventbrite should not allow vendors to use there ticket system without a policy in place that refunds must be given at the time of events being rescheduled or canceled.
I asked for a refund multiple times and followed the procedure Minefaire laid out meanwhile the whole time Minefaire was figuring out how not to refund anyone. This is criminal business behavior and they should be fined and no longer able to hold events to the public.
Also purchased 2 tkts for Minefaire Pgh Pa . The first scheduling June 6 and7 was rescheduled for Nov.8 2020 and that was cancelled. So, for $191.38 I got nothing. Can anyone schedule an event , keep the money and walk away? Eventbrite and minefaire did just that.
I have purchased 7 tickets for Minefaire in NJ and have received similar responses to the above. I received this email but never received nothing in the mail:
Eventbrite
Your event, Minefaire, which was rescheduled for January 23-24, 2021 has been canceled.
You will receive (or may have already received) notification in the mail regarding All Access Labs LLC, the Minefaire event owner.
I also tried for a refund through event it’s and was denied.
In for Three tix Minefaire in Minneapolis, no refunds no way to resolve.
“ Thank you for submitting your refund request to Eventbrite. We know this is a challenging and unsteady time, and we’re working hard to support your needs while also balancing the needs of our event creators.
We reviewed your request and unfortunately are not able to process your refund since it does not meet our refund program guidelines for events cancelled as a result of COVID-19. As a reminder, requests need to meet these criteria:
The event was cancelled
You purchased your ticket before March 15, 2020
The event was scheduled to occur between March 15, 2020 and September 15, 2020
The event creator has not indicated they are offering an alternate form of accommodation (e.g., future tickets, credit)
Refund request submitted within 45 days of the event cancellation
If the event status changes in the future to meet the above program criteria, you can re-submit your refund request through this form. Please note you may need to wait 48 hours from your original refund request submission before submitting a new claim for the same order number.
If you haven’t already, be sure to connect with your event creator directly as they may provide refunds or alternative refund methods, such as honoring your ticket purchase as a credit to a future event.
We’re continuing to develop initiatives to further support our global community, and we’re here to offer guidance and support. If you have any additional questions, please visit our attendee COVID-19 information page.
Stay safe,
Eventbrite”
And this afterwards…company appears to have been desolved
“Your event, Minefaire, which was rescheduled for November 21-22, 2020 has been canceled.
You will receive (or may have already received) notification in the mail regarding All Access Labs LLC, the Minefaire event owner.”
I purchased 3 tickets for Minneapolis Minnesota minefaire. At first the vent was postponed, now it is cancelled and this company is refusing to refund anyboy. Let’s not even mention how devastated my daughter is. I want my $136.00 and I want them to be in trouble for ignoring their customers!!
I purchased 3 tickets for the event in Minneapolis for approximately $136. The event was rescheduled, then cancelled. Eventbrite would not honor any kind of refund. They directed me to my credit card company. My credit card company also would not honor the refund in a recent dispute. I guess Eventbrite pulled a “no refund” policy with my credit card company. Ugh. Help!
I purchased 5 tickets to Minefaire in Minneapolis Minnesota have been denied a refund. No responses to refund requests.
It was originally scheduled fir March 21-22 at the St. Paul River center and then was postponed to November 21-22, 2020 which was cancelled. I received communication that All Access would be send me a letter in the mail however I didn’t receive anything. It looks like All Access filed for bankruptcy.
Eventbrite sent communication on March 13 stating it is their promise to overdeliver.
I purchased 5 tickets at $50.28 each plus $19.80 sales tax for a total amount due of $271.20