Failure to refund Galileo Outdoor Cinema Tickets

I have long been a supporter of Galileo Outdoor Cinema and have even reviewed their services as a blogger for them a few times.

I recently booked for a friend and I to go to the V & A venue to watch JOY. As it turned out the weather did not play along and after 3 hours in the wind and dust, the showing was cancelled. We were advised that we would be able to rebook and that Webtickets would be in touch (no mention was made of a refund period). The next day I received a notification to say I would get an email. Days later and still no email, I emailed (30 December) them to ask them about the procedure to get my funds back?

I then went on leave, checked my mails and still no email from Webtickets, upon returning to work I checked my emails again and cleared my spam only to find an email sitting in the spam. The email gave the procedure and a deadline which had by now already passed.

I emailed the Webtickets office to explain what happened, only for them to tell me sorry but we can't assist the time has expired. So I have a few questions: - I understand you can't control nature, but how do you feel it is okay to just take R220? - You did not have a showing, nor were you my actual service provider and yet you will not refund me? - You are a service provider bound by the consumer act, and if I have not communicated or corresponded to an email it is not deemed acceptance of your "terms" (as per your email)!!!

47. (1) This section does not apply to— (3) If a supplier makes a commitment or accepts a reservation to supply goods or services on a specified date or at a specified time and, on the date and at the time contemplated in the commitment or reservation, fails because of insufficient stock or capacity to supply those goods or services, or similar or comparable goods or services of the same or better quality, class or nature, the supplier must— (a) refund to the consumer the amount, if any, paid in respect of that commitment or reservation, together with interest at the prescribed rate from the date on which the amount was paid until the date of reimbur*****t; and (b) in addition, compensate the consumer for costs directly incidental to the supplier’s breach of the contract, except to the extent that subsection (5) provides otherwise. (4) It is a defence to an alleged failure to supply any goods or services, as contemplated in subsection (3), if— (a) the supplier offered to supply or procure another person to supply a consumer with comparable goods or services of the relevant kind to satisfy the consumer’s request; and (b) the consumer— (i) accepted the offer, and the supplier has supp**** or procured another person to supply the goods or services so offered and accepted; or (ii) unreasonably refused that offer.

Also your terms for Galileo states: If a movie is cancelled the day before or on the day of the event before doors open, we will inform the registered Webtickets account holder via email and SMS. You will then have the option of choosing another movie on another date or getting a refund. Please note that no refunds or exchanges will be given after 7 days for any reason whatsoever. ** I was never offered a refund but only an exchange

Your offer was: Dear valued Galileo client, as you already know, last night’s screening of ‘Joy’ was unfortunately cancelled on location due to strong wind. Our sincerest apologies for this unexpected ending to the evening. As per our Terms and Conditions, we will be giving everyone new tickets to another screening of their choice to make up for this.

I am really disgusted in Webtickets and because of this will never purchase tickets through them again. This is shocking service and customer service. You expect us to understand a cancelled showing and yet you do not have the audacity to live up to similar expectations. It is not as though this was months ago, in fact, it is not even a month since that day!

Pathetic! Valued client ...phffft!