In November last year, Shanghai Rubik’s Cube Pan-Cultural Performing Arts Co. Ltd, the organiser for Fish Leong’s concerts in China, was sued by concert-goers for what they deemed was an unsatisfactory experience at her gig.
A group of nine fans claimed they were not informed that the seats they bought came with partially blocked views. They took the matter to court after being offered only 200 yuan (S$37) gift cards as compensation.
According to one of the concert-goers, Fish’s concert that day was held on a four-sided stage, and the audience in her section were blocked by a “large pillar”. According to her, almost 800 people were affected by the restricted view.
Nine angry fans sought a full refund of their tickets, which cost 1,299 yuan (S$241) each, as well as 17,140 yuan (S$3,187) in damages on grounds that the organiser had cheated consumers and violated their right to know about the restricted view.
See here for more details on the case.
The court finally reached a verdict regarding the case yesterday (June 20).
The Shanghai Minhang District People’s Court ruled the case in the plaintiffs’ favour, stating that a concert is an event where a singer entertains their audience with their performance, voice, styling, stage decor, lighting effects, and other audiovisual elements. By buying tickets at a high price, concert-goers would expect to see their idol in all their glory.
According to reports, the court found the plaintiffs’ request reasonable, and gave them the green light to receive compensation so as to ensure that consumer rights are kept fairly in place.
The court believed the organiser provided a service that did not meet the terms of agreement between both parties, resulting in a breach of contract.
The ruling states that the organiser has to refund a percentage of ticket costs. In this case, the plaintiffs that bought their tickets at 1,299 yuan (S$241), would receive a 70 per cent refund or 910 yuan (S$S$170).
This case, in comparison to other similar cases, saw the highest percentage of refunds handed out to disgruntled concert-goers.
Photos: Chinapress, Weibo