Eventim refund: model declaratory action by consumer advocates against market leaders

Eventim refund: model declaratory action by consumer advocates against market leaders

According to a report from www.merkur.de, a current court case concerns the question of whether consumers are entitled to a refund of the entire ticket price after a concert is canceled. The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) filed a model declaratory action against the ticket provider Eventim with the Bavarian Supreme Court in December 2022. Affected consumers have been able to join the lawsuit since February 9th.

Eventim is the market leader in the sale of event tickets and is often commissioned by event organizers to reverse ticket purchases for canceled events. However, Eventim often retains individual price components, such as the booking fee. Many consumers have complained to consumer advice centers about this.

However, according to the vzbv, Eventim is obliged to refund the full ticket price. The aim of the model declaratory action is to clarify this claim in court. So far, over 1,500 people have already entered the lawsuit register, indicating that the lawsuit is generating great interest among affected consumers.

As www.merkur.de reports, Eventim considers the lawsuit to be unfounded. In a ruling from June 2021, the Munich Regional Court determined that ticket buyers have no claims for reimbursement from Eventim in the event of cancellations or postponements. Similar judgments were also made by the Bremen Regional Court and the Federal Court of Justice. Eventim plans to reject the model declaratory action.

The consumer advocates see the case differently, especially with regard to the ruling of the Federal Court of Justice of July 13, 2022. There, a claim against Eventim for a refund of the ticket price was rejected if the event was canceled due to the corona pandemic and the consumer received a voucher instead of payment. However, the current lawsuit involves cases where consumers have received payment, but not in full.

The impact of this model declaratory action can be significant. If the court rules in favor of the consumer and obliges Eventim to refund the full ticket price, this could lead to an adjustment of the return process not only at Eventim, but also at other ticket providers. Consumers would then be entitled to a refund of the entire purchase price, including any fees. This could lead to greater protection for consumers during canceled events.

Source: According to a report from www.merkur.de, March 6, 2023, 5:21 p.m., Markus Hofstetter.