Eventbrite Ticket Holders Say They Are Owed Coronavirus Refunds

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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