Beware Ticket Payment Plans!

Ticket Clip ArtMany teenagers want to go to festivals with their friends (and not their parents!) so it’s only fair they pay for their own ticket. This is where ticket payment plans come in handy.

However, given the experience of a teenager featured on the BBC Radio 4 consumer advice program “You and Yours” today you may want to check the small print before signing up. 

Payment Plans

With the increasing price of festival tickets not everyone can pay upfront. Not wanting you to miss out, many festivals offer a payment plan to spread the cost over a number of months. This is a great idea for teenagers who’s income is from a part-time job, such as Tom featured in the radio program.

In some cases there’s also a discount if you sign up early, but unfortunately you still cannot escape the dreaded booking and postage fees.

What’s the Catch?

For many, a payment plan is a trouble free way to get to your favourite festival. Yet some may fall foul of the terms and conditions imposed.

Tom had paid all but one instalment, totalling £100, towards his Truck festival ticket. When the festival tried to take the final payment, it failed. The small print on the Truck website says:

Please note that the payments detailed here are non-refundable. Should you fail to make all payments successfully or decide you no longer wish to go to the event you will not be entitled to a refund of sums that have been paid. (emphasis mine)

Wow! If you fail to make a payment you will not get back any money already paid, and you won’t be going to the festival either.

The Festival’s Response

The radio program contacted Truck festival and were told that should someone miss a payment they will be sent three reminder emails, followed up with a phone call. Seems reasonable, but in Tom’s case it didn’t happen that way; listen to the recording from 27:23 to get the whole story.

Truck also said they would be looking at changing their terms, although this does not appear to have happened yet. They also have offered to refund Tom in this case, probably only due to the bad publicity.

Be aware

Don’t let Tom’s experience put you off using a payment plan, just be aware of the terms and conditions. Parents might want to make the payments for their child and then get the money back from them. At least you won’t miss out – getting the money back from your child could prove difficult though!

Have you, or one of your friends, had a bad experience buying festival tickets? Let us know so we can warn others.