Brooks’ Fans Short-Changed On Refunds

The Belfast Telegraph says they’ve fallen victim to the fluctuating sterling / euro exchange rate and in many cases were refunded less than they paid.

The exchange rate has changed in sterling’s favour since the tickets were purchased.

“As the shows were due to take place in Dublin and the tickets were purchased in euros, we have to refund in euros,” a Ticketmaster spokesman told the Belfast paper.

Jimmy Hughes from Trading Standards Northern Ireland said he was looking at a breach of contract because people shouldn’t have to suffer a loss.

“If you paid £300 sterling you should get £300 sterling back again. If you paid euro 300 euro you should get euro 300 back again, but the difference is the bank rate will be less favourable when that comes back into your account.

“People are unfortunately saddled with the fact that the exchange rate has changed.”

One of the unfortunate people was Cate McCurry from Fermanagh, who lost £12.35 on the deal. “For three tickets I paid £182.35, however the refund was just £170, despite being told it would be in its entirety,” she explained. “I am disappointed I wasn’t given the full refund as Ticketmaster stated in an email. It is a very unfair process.”

Brooks’ five shows in the Dublin park were scrapped when promoter Peter Aiken could only get licences for three of them.

Aiken had sold out the 80,000-capacity park for all five shows. Brooks apparently wasn’t happy with only doing three shows and so the entire run was scrapped.

At the time, the Telegraph reported Aiken was not insured for the shows because insurance companies required a licence before providing cover.

Aiken said “it’s disappointing and we’re devastated. It was going to be the biggest musical event. There will never be another artist in my lifetime going to do 400,000 tickets”.