Only displaying the ticket to apply for the 50 percent refund for the Inter Miami friendly in which superstar Lionel Messi was absent won’t work, said Consumer Council chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han.
Wong continued that based on the spirit of the contract, only first-party buyers can apply for the refund. Otherwise, she added, that it may be possible for both the buyer and the holder of the same ticket to apply for the refund at the same time, leading to further disputes.
Speaking on a radio program on Tuesday, Wong also said citizens are always reminded not to buy tickets from scalpers and explained that it is difficult for secondary ticket buyers to get compensation from them.
Wong pointed out that the resolution of offering a 50 percent refund by organizer Tatler Asia is acceptable and noted that the football game and performances were successfully carried out.
She also said it is reasonable for the organizer to request those who have accepted the refund to withdraw their compensation claims from third parties such as banks, saying that affected citizens have no reason to accept a solution on the one hand and sue the organizer on the other.
She suggested the affected citizens accept the arrangement and get back the 50 percent refund as soon as possible.
A total of 1,465 complaints were filed to the Consumer Council regarding Messi’s no-show, including 302 cases from tourists.
The involved amount was about HK$6,900 on average and the highest sum in a single case was about HK$92,000.
