Coachella Layaway Draws Suit

The suit, filed by Abigail Drake in Los Angeles Superior Court April 23, proposes a class of “thousands of would-be attendees at music festivals,” including Coachella, Stagecoach, First City and Firefly, among others, who attempted to purchase tickets using a layaway plan that required a 50 percent down payment.

Drake claims the forfeiture constitutes an illegal penalty under California law and violates the state’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law. It seeks an injunction to stop the practice and return of forfeited funds to class members. The companies are also accused of simply reselling the tickets for full value after “pocketing” the forfeited payments.

Court documents say Drake attempted to purchase two Coachella tickets and a camping pass totaling $850 using the layaway system. She says the credit card she used to make the purchase was compromised at some point and subsequently reissued with a new number, causing her fifth and final installment to be rejected. Drake says she discovered her tickets and camping pass were canceled only after some of her friends began receiving their tickets, but she had not.

She says she contacted the defendants and explained the situation, but her request for a refund was rejected. “As a result, Defendants not only received $617.90 from Plaintiff for the tickets, Defendants also received the revenue from the ultimate purchase of the tickets and camping pass,” the complaint alleges.

The suit alleges unjust enrichment, unfair competition, and violation of consumer codes. It does not seek damages beyond restitution but cites California civil code in demanding that the companies “correct, repair, replace or otherwise rectify the wrongful practices … for the entire Class” within 30 days or the complaint will be amended to seek further damages. AEG, the parent company of Goldenvoice, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment but typically does not comment on pending litigation.