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New York Lawmaker Asks for Probe Into Ticketing Refund Policies New York Lawmaker Asks for Probe Into Ticketing Refund Policies
(about 3 hours later)
A New York lawmaker on Thursday expressed concern about consumer accusations that Ticketmaster had changed its refund policy in the midst of the pandemic, and asked the state attorney general to open a formal investigation into the company.A New York lawmaker on Thursday expressed concern about consumer accusations that Ticketmaster had changed its refund policy in the midst of the pandemic, and asked the state attorney general to open a formal investigation into the company.
A spokesman for the attorney general declined to discuss whether the office had started a formal investigation of the sort requested by State Senator James Skoufis, chairman of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee. But, the spokesman said, “We are already looking into the matter.”A spokesman for the attorney general declined to discuss whether the office had started a formal investigation of the sort requested by State Senator James Skoufis, chairman of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee. But, the spokesman said, “We are already looking into the matter.”
The Attorney General’s office said it had also independently received several complaints from ticketholders about the ticketing industry and delays for refunds on live events hit by the pandemic.The Attorney General’s office said it had also independently received several complaints from ticketholders about the ticketing industry and delays for refunds on live events hit by the pandemic.
Ticketmaster has denied changing its refund policy, saying that it only clarified language on its website. And Ticketmaster maintains that it acts only on behalf of clients, like concert promoters and venues, that often have the final say about whether to refund tickets.Ticketmaster has denied changing its refund policy, saying that it only clarified language on its website. And Ticketmaster maintains that it acts only on behalf of clients, like concert promoters and venues, that often have the final say about whether to refund tickets.
In a statement this week, Ticketmaster — which is owned by the concert giant Live Nation — said that its clients had already authorized refunds for more than 11,000 concerts and sporting events, including 4,000 that had been postponed.In a statement this week, Ticketmaster — which is owned by the concert giant Live Nation — said that its clients had already authorized refunds for more than 11,000 concerts and sporting events, including 4,000 that had been postponed.
That announcement came after consumers flooded social media with gripes over their difficulty securing refunds for postponed concerts from Ticketmaster and other big ticket vendors like StubHub, and portrayed those companies as being greedy at a time of need.That announcement came after consumers flooded social media with gripes over their difficulty securing refunds for postponed concerts from Ticketmaster and other big ticket vendors like StubHub, and portrayed those companies as being greedy at a time of need.
AEG Presents, Live Nation’s biggest rival, plans to start a 30-day window on May 1 for fans to request refunds for shows that have been rescheduled. After May 1, they will get 30 days from the time new dates are announced.AEG Presents, Live Nation’s biggest rival, plans to start a 30-day window on May 1 for fans to request refunds for shows that have been rescheduled. After May 1, they will get 30 days from the time new dates are announced.
According to a document that AEG circulated to talent agents this week, the refunds will be offered for concerts that were postponed once the pandemic shut down the concert world last month, and have been given new dates.According to a document that AEG circulated to talent agents this week, the refunds will be offered for concerts that were postponed once the pandemic shut down the concert world last month, and have been given new dates.
AEG, which is owned by the billionaire investor Philip F. Anschutz, puts on tours by stars like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Celine Dion and owns regional concert promoters like Goldenvoice in Los Angeles, which organizes the Coachella festival.AEG, which is owned by the billionaire investor Philip F. Anschutz, puts on tours by stars like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Celine Dion and owns regional concert promoters like Goldenvoice in Los Angeles, which organizes the Coachella festival.
Around 30,000 events have already been postponed as a result of the pandemic, and tickets to many of those were sold months ago. By some estimates, consumers have spent more than $1 billion on tickets to disrupted events.Around 30,000 events have already been postponed as a result of the pandemic, and tickets to many of those were sold months ago. By some estimates, consumers have spent more than $1 billion on tickets to disrupted events.
Live Nation has not set any specific timing for refunds. But in a statement, the company said: “Live Nation’s plan is to continue offering an opportunity for refunds on all of its rescheduled shows as new dates are set. We anticipate those windows will begin to open up on an event by event basis in the next few weeks.”Live Nation has not set any specific timing for refunds. But in a statement, the company said: “Live Nation’s plan is to continue offering an opportunity for refunds on all of its rescheduled shows as new dates are set. We anticipate those windows will begin to open up on an event by event basis in the next few weeks.”
The issue of ticket refunds during the coronavirus pandemic has crystallized many longstanding complaints about Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which merged in 2010. A 10-year consent decree, negotiated with the Justice Department to ensure that the combined company would not exert unfair influence over the concert business, was recently extended by five years after an inquiry by federal regulators.The issue of ticket refunds during the coronavirus pandemic has crystallized many longstanding complaints about Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which merged in 2010. A 10-year consent decree, negotiated with the Justice Department to ensure that the combined company would not exert unfair influence over the concert business, was recently extended by five years after an inquiry by federal regulators.
In his letter to the New York attorney general, Letitia James, Mr. Skoufis urged her to look into what he said was a recent change of policy regarding refunds on concerts that have been postponed because of the crisis.In his letter to the New York attorney general, Letitia James, Mr. Skoufis urged her to look into what he said was a recent change of policy regarding refunds on concerts that have been postponed because of the crisis.
“I ask the Attorney General to intervene in any means necessary, including a criminal inquiry, and strongly urge these corporations to reconsider their newly adopted policies and refund consumers who are struggling to survive,” he wrote.“I ask the Attorney General to intervene in any means necessary, including a criminal inquiry, and strongly urge these corporations to reconsider their newly adopted policies and refund consumers who are struggling to survive,” he wrote.
Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Mr. Skoufis also said that his committee had since January launched a broader investigation into practices in the ticketing industry. But he said that the cancellation of thousands of concerts since the virus struck had given new impetus to look at Ticketmaster’s practices on refunds.Mr. Skoufis also said that his committee had since January launched a broader investigation into practices in the ticketing industry. But he said that the cancellation of thousands of concerts since the virus struck had given new impetus to look at Ticketmaster’s practices on refunds.
“Deceptively changing the language of refund policies and excluding postponed or rescheduled events are forms of corporate robbery,” he said in a statement. “Withholding billions of dollars that many now need to survive this pandemic is the antithesis of corporate social responsibility.”“Deceptively changing the language of refund policies and excluding postponed or rescheduled events are forms of corporate robbery,” he said in a statement. “Withholding billions of dollars that many now need to survive this pandemic is the antithesis of corporate social responsibility.”
“Ticketmaster is a sales platform and does not hold all customer dollars,” Ticketmaster said in a statement. “Revenue from ticket sales is held by our clients and event organizers. The entire industry is working through these unprecedented times to reschedule as many of the tens of thousands of disrupted events as possible or cancel them.”“Ticketmaster is a sales platform and does not hold all customer dollars,” Ticketmaster said in a statement. “Revenue from ticket sales is held by our clients and event organizers. The entire industry is working through these unprecedented times to reschedule as many of the tens of thousands of disrupted events as possible or cancel them.”
“We believe the vast majority of our clients will open full refund opportunities once they have had time to determine if it is realistic to reschedule them or not,” the statement continued, “and we welcome the opportunity to work with legislators and regulators to ensure consumers and the industry are well protected.”“We believe the vast majority of our clients will open full refund opportunities once they have had time to determine if it is realistic to reschedule them or not,” the statement continued, “and we welcome the opportunity to work with legislators and regulators to ensure consumers and the industry are well protected.”
Ticketmaster recently adjusted some of the language on its website about when ticket refunds are available. Whereas a few weeks ago, it said that people can get their money back “if your event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled,” now it only lists cancellation as a basis for refunds, though it suggests there may be other circumstances in which they might be considered. Ticketmaster says this is not a change in policy and that its refund policy has remained the same for years.Ticketmaster recently adjusted some of the language on its website about when ticket refunds are available. Whereas a few weeks ago, it said that people can get their money back “if your event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled,” now it only lists cancellation as a basis for refunds, though it suggests there may be other circumstances in which they might be considered. Ticketmaster says this is not a change in policy and that its refund policy has remained the same for years.
Ticketmaster, which processes more than $30 billion in ticket sales each year, acts on behalf of concert venues and promoters. For events that are canceled outright, Ticketmaster says that it offers refunds within 30 days. But for shows that are postponed or whose status is in doubt, it relies on venues and promoters to decide whether tickets should be refunded — and in many of those cases, the promoter or venue may be controlled by Live Nation.Ticketmaster, which processes more than $30 billion in ticket sales each year, acts on behalf of concert venues and promoters. For events that are canceled outright, Ticketmaster says that it offers refunds within 30 days. But for shows that are postponed or whose status is in doubt, it relies on venues and promoters to decide whether tickets should be refunded — and in many of those cases, the promoter or venue may be controlled by Live Nation.
Beyond the refunds for shows that have already been postponed, the concert world — which had expected 2020 to be a banner year — has been in a state of deep anxiety about when artists will be able to tour again, and when the public will feel comfortable with the elbow-to-elbow proximity of an arena or club.Beyond the refunds for shows that have already been postponed, the concert world — which had expected 2020 to be a banner year — has been in a state of deep anxiety about when artists will be able to tour again, and when the public will feel comfortable with the elbow-to-elbow proximity of an arena or club.
While some events have been rescheduled for later this year, many talent agents and industry executives say that they do not expect tours to resume full-steam until 2021. And in a recent note to investors, Morgan Stanley predicted that it may take until 2022 for Live Nation to return to the level of profitability it had last year.While some events have been rescheduled for later this year, many talent agents and industry executives say that they do not expect tours to resume full-steam until 2021. And in a recent note to investors, Morgan Stanley predicted that it may take until 2022 for Live Nation to return to the level of profitability it had last year.