The Consumer Council had received 174 complaints by 5pm on Thursday, with total claims amounting to HK$485,333 after Taiwanese band Mayday cancelled the opening night of its 25th Anniversary Tour in Hong Kong.
Originally scheduled to have a four-night run at Kai Tak Stadium, the March 24 opening show was canceled on Monday (Mar 9) and replaced with an exclusive "Birthday Edition" concert on March 29.
The organizer has offered a full refund and a 40-minute "special rehearsal session" to compensate ticketholders for the scrapped performance after criticism, with further details to be announced later today.
According to the council, 80 complaints came from local consumers while 94 were filed by non-locals—the majority from the mainland.
Notably, seven additional local complaints have been lodged since the rehearsal session was announced on Wednesday(Mar 11), expressing dissatisfaction with the arrangement.
The consumer watchdog has confirmed that it will refer all complaints for follow-up and is urging a prompt response from the organizer.
It is reported that local complaints mainly arise from dissatisfaction regarding the lack of priority booking or ticket exchange options for other performance dates, with the highest individual claim reaching HK$7,900.
However, the organizer confirmed that such arrangements are unfeasible as tickets for the March 29 concert have already sold out.
Meanwhile, non-local complaints largely focus on the absence of compensation for travel and accommodation, with the largest claim reaching HK$8,000—an issue the organizer has yet to address.
With no details released for either the "special rehearsal session" or the refund process as of 5pm on Thursday, the council affirmed it will maintain close communication with the organizer and continue to monitor developments on behalf of affected consumers.
Speaking on a radio program this morning, Consumer Council Chief Executive Alaina Shum Jiu-fai acknowledged the organizer's effort to provide a compensatory event, but called for expedited follow-up action.
In a reminder to affected fans, she highlighted that accepting a refund or alternative arrangement does not preclude consumers from seeking additional compensation, depending on whether a final settlement is reached.
She advised affected individuals to retain evidence, communicate their demands promptly, or seek assistance from the council if necessary.
Shum also urged future event organizers to clearly communicate limitations and potential financial risks to consumers, suggesting to establish a special task force to handle unforeseen circumstances.
As for whether the incident violates the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, lawmaker and barrister Alex Fan Hoi-kit stated on the same program that it would require examining the organizer's intent at the time of payment.
Specifically, it must be determined whether the service provided was materially different from what was promised or if there were reasonable grounds to believe the organizer could deliver the product within the specified timeframe or a reasonable period.
Regarding civil claims for compensation, Fan highlighted legal uncertainties as it depends on the foreseeability of indirect losses and the specific terms of the contract.
