Bat Out Of Hell Singalong - Ticketmaster Hell

[gazzaw13]

Foolishly I bought tickets well in advance and my chosen performance has been changed to a singalong.  Can't imagine much worse than 2,000 punters shouting out the words, out of tune (let's assume, for this argument, that the Dominion's full on that night).

An inconvenience but no problem, I thought as Ticketmaster will refund my money or allow me to rebook.  Sadly not as they claim that they only refund in the event of cancellation - despite their purchase policy stating that they will refund in the event of 'material alteration'.

Any ideas or prior experience as to how I get them to see reason?  I can't face a singalong performance.

Cheers

[steve10086]

They don’t have a leg to stand on! I’d go absolutely apesh*t if I was in your situation.

If you booked by credit card claim the money back from the credit card company.

[Deleted]

Maybe try contacting the show/Dominion box office directly and see if they'll do anything to help?

[Deleted]

Oh god that is outrageous! As much as I don't object to sing-alongs in principle they should be very much opt-in.

I second the contacting the Box Office directly, they may be better inclined to wrangle something(I'm sure you can't be the first to object to this?!)

[l0islane]

People who booked directly with the theatre apparently received an email about the singalong performances offering them the option of changing their tickets for another date so they may be sympathetic. You aren't the only person with this problem (unless this is also you?!)

[robertb213]

Yet more reasons why I'll never use Ticketmaster again. Their fees are exorbitant, you often can't choose your seats, and if the event gets cancelled (which has happened to me twice) you don't get a full refund as they keep their service charge, so you're left out of pocket through no fault of your own. Absolute swines. I will continue to steer well clear 😀

[shady23]

For purely selfish reasons I'd like you to go just so you can feed back to us the horrors.

[cg]

I was also booked for this but had done so through the Dominion - replied directly to their email and my ticket money was refunded to my account within a couple of days....thank goodness!

[gazzaw13]

Thanks everyone this is really helpful. I've gone back to Ticketmaster on the basis of your comments and await their response.

[gazzaw13]

cg I sent you a DM on this, thanks

[Deleted]

Aug 15, 2018 11:01:58 GMT @theatremonkey said:

If you get no joy, refer it to STAR www.star.org.uk, who can arbitrate. I'm also happy to help if I can, PM or Email me if you wish.

ETA: Ticketmaster move at glacial speed at best, much of the time, so it is also possible news of the "sing-along" and changes in policy regarding existing ticket holders has not yet reached the customer service desk at all.

Hell the speed Ticketmaster move, news that Bat is on stage might not have reached them yet....

[BurlyBeaR]

Also, the average customer service advisor will probably not understand what Bat is, or the huge difference that this change represents from what was originally booked. I would guess that it’s a communications issue rather than bloody-mindedness until proven otherwise.

However if you want me to stand at a safe distance behind Monkey and shout encouragement whilst eating a banana, I’ll be happy to oblige.

[ali973]

I've tried canceling events with Ticketmaster in the UK and the US, and I've had good luck with both. The UK cancellation policy (Hamilton) allows you to cancel with no prior notice. My US ticket specifically said no cancellation for any reason, but I emailed them a sob story and they decided to fully refund me.

[Deleted]

TheatreMonkey lists sing-along performances at the following dates: 28th August, 25th September, 31st October, 27th November and 31st December 2018.

I'm considering going on the 31st October at 2:30pm. Now, do we know if the sing-along thing applies for both performances that date? Cause I'm not ready to put up with that bullsh*t.

[Michael]

Aug 16, 2018 11:17:45 GMT @eldermillan said:

I'm considering going on the 31st October at 2:30pm. Now, do we know if the sing-along thing applies for both performances that date? Cause I'm not ready to put up with that bullsh*t.

Their website does only list the Evening show as a singalong performance: www.nederlander.co.uk/whats-on/bat-out-of-hell/dates?from=2018-10-01&to=2018-10-31

[Deleted]

I find this quite peculiar given the relative ease I've experienced in cancelling/re-booking Hamilton tickets via TM.
Granted Hamilton is a slightly different kettle of fish compared to a sing-a-long-a-BOAH, but they can't exercise a different policy for a different production surely.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2018 11:31:34 GMT Michael said:

Aug 16, 2018 11:17:45 GMT @eldermillan said:

I'm considering going on the 31st October at 2:30pm. Now, do we know if the sing-along thing applies for both performances that date? Cause I'm not ready to put up with that bullsh*t.

Their website does only list the Evening show as a singalong performance: www.nederlander.co.uk/whats-on/bat-out-of-hell/dates?from=2018-10-01&to=2018-10-31

Thanks!

[danb]

Aug 16, 2018 11:36:23 GMT @remark said:

I find this quite peculiar given the relative ease I've experienced in cancelling/re-booking Hamilton tickets via TM.
Granted Hamilton is a slightly different kettle of fish compared to a sing-a-long-a-BOAH, but they can't exercise a different policy for a different production surely.

Yes, yes they can.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2018 11:52:00 GMT danb said:

Aug 16, 2018 11:36:23 GMT @remark said:

I find this quite peculiar given the relative ease I've experienced in cancelling/re-booking Hamilton tickets via TM.
Granted Hamilton is a slightly different kettle of fish compared to a sing-a-long-a-BOAH, but they can't exercise a different policy for a different production surely.

Yes, yes they can.

Thanks for the clarification.

[danb]

Tut, if I must clarify (you kids! 🙄😂) Hamilton is the first high profile show for years to actively adverise taking tickets back if you can’t use them, mostly to stop them falling into touts hands but also so they can charge what they like for late release and return tickets. £250? No problem....

[Deleted]

Surely it's a producer thing. Ticketmaster's general MO is "no refunds unless the event is cancelled or materially altered", but when Cameron Mackintosh went to them and said "I've got this HELLA HIT SHOW coming and I reckon you're the lads who can help me institute measures to defeat touts, would you be willing to personalise the T&Cs for this show (including offering refunds) in return for getting a li'l taste of ALL THE MONEY that people are going to pay for it?", it seems they were very willing to adapt in this individual case.

By the by, if they're being tricksy about refunding a Sing-Along ticket, cite "material alterations". They say they won't refund for understudies, rain, changes to the support act, an individual band member being poorly, bands dropping out of a festival line-up, the event finishing early if most of it was completed, or a delayed start. So to go from "just the cast will be singing" to "the entire audience will be bellowing along" isn't something they've already covered their arses from.

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/legal/purchase.html

[danb]

Aug 16, 2018 12:47:03 GMT @baemax said:

Surely it's a producer thing. Ticketmaster's general MO is "no refunds unless the event is cancelled or materially altered", but when Cameron Mackintosh went to them and said "I've got this HELLA HIT SHOW coming and I reckon you're the lads who can help me institute measures to defeat touts, would you be willing to personalise the T&Cs for this show (including offering refunds) in return for getting a li'l taste of ALL THE MONEY that people are going to pay for it?", it seems they were very willing to adapt in this individual case.

By the by, if they're being tricksy about refunding a Sing-Along ticket, cite "material alterations". They say they won't refund for understudies, rain, changes to the support act, an individual band member being poorly, bands dropping out of a festival line-up, the event finishing early if most of it was completed, or a delayed start. So to go from "just the cast will be singing" to "the entire audience will be bellowing along" isn't something they've already covered their arses from.

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/legal/purchase.html

Yep, lovely old Cameron wants as many people to pay HIM inflated prices to see it rather than touts which I suppose offers a layer of protection. It cost a family of five of us £400 to see it from 4 restricted view stalls seats & one £100 ‘ok’ seat. If I had the money I’d have paid more because it made them all deliriously happy, but it’s hardly inclusive theatregoing. I rate experiences far higher than material things so could justify the expense (plus £220 for hotel rooms and god knows how much for food and drink) but it was a trip to remember. When it becomes the norm I can’t think that the W/E will sustain itself.