Number of complaints plummets as Tatler announces 50pc refund: Consumer Council

Only a dozen of new complaints related to Lionel Messi’s no show in exhibition game last week have been filed since organizer Tatler Asia announced to offer a 50 percent refund on Friday, according to the Consumer Council. 

On a radio program on Tuesday, the watchdog’s chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han recognized Tatler’s effort when the council intervened into the matter and believes the partial refund is the most direct arrangement that can calm the fans’ outrage. 

As of 2 pm Friday, the council received a total of 1,303 complaints related to the match between Inter Miami and a Hong Kong XI, totaling HK$8.92 million. 

Among the complaints, 1,038 were filed by locals and 265 by tourists. The highest amount in a single case involved about HK$82,960, and the number stood at HK$6,847 on average. 

Although not having watched the game in person, Wong said she understands the audience’s frustration of not seeing the Argentina football star play. 

Still, she noted the many had praised the great experiences brought by the game overall as well as the performances by guests. 

She said Tatler had mulled holding another similar activity or gifting souvenirs to ticket-holders, but ultimately decided that a refund was the best approach after taking time and costs into consideration. 

Tatler earlier said they will announce more details for the refund by mid-March and Wong reminded fans to keep their tickets and electronic transaction records. 

Wong added that it would be difficult for tourists to ask the organizer to compensate their traveling costs. She referred to past cases of fans going to concerts that couldn’t be staged and noted that their trip may include other tourist experiences and visits other than the concert itself.