UPDATED: Local companies cope with fallout after cancelled concert
By Kyra Hoggan
As of Nov. 2 at 2:41 p.m.:
Roger Carruthers, of Rockopolus, issued the following public statement:
“Due to the problems with getting back the deposit monies, we are now looking at a timeline in early 2013.International dealings with this situation has made this a longer time.
“We are also still hosting some smaller shows to help raise money for refunds.We apologize to the Nazareth ticket holders and are committed to refunding their ticket money.
“We will advise the media when this situation gets resolved in the near future. Thanks for your patience.”
Original story:
A Nazareth/Headpins concert slated for July 10 in Nelson, then cancelled due to a lack of ticket sales, is now netting frustration for local business owners who helped by selling tickets through their stores.
The concert, put on by Nelson promoters Rockopolos and Revolution Audio, was intended to raise money for the Nelson recreation centre, and several local businesses, including Castlegar’s Thirsty Duck Pub and Nelson’s Phoenix Computers, volunteered both time and money to sell tickets to the venue.
The concert was subsequently cancelled due to lack of interest and slow ticket sales, at which point ticket holders were advised they could exchange their tickets to attend an Oct. 13 concert by Pink Floyd tribute band Pigs – an event which was cancelled as a result of a strike between the Regional District of Central Kootenay and CUPE workers at the Nelson Community Complex Arena.
Ticket holders were told they would be given a refund today, Nov. 1, by contacting Phoenix Computers, where owner Scott Newland found himself directing a huge volume of calls to the promoting agencies.
As Newland understands it, he said, all the money that was raised in ticket sales went directly to the bands as a deposit, and has not been refunded, resulting in legal action by the promoters.
“Due to legal matters with the band’s management, refunds are still pending for the cancelled fundraising show in Nelson,” Newland said.
“The businesses that graciously donated their time and money to sell tickets for the fundraiser are not responsible for any of the funds collected. It is our responsibility to provide the refunds, and we are doing our best, including legal assistance, to get the deposit (all the monies collected) back from the bands. We have every confidence that this will happen.
“Regardless, refunds will be provided when funds are available.”
He said he feels for everyone involved – “It’s just rotten,” he said – but he’s convinced the promoters are on the up-and-up and will come through with refunds as soon as possible.
“They’re well-known and respected – there’s nothing fishy about this,” he said, adding Phoenix Computer’s involvement was solely a volunteer effort.
“Every transaction cost us time and money,” he said. “We just wanted to help out.”
Thirsty Duck owner Carol Millar said the experience hasn’t soured her on pitching in for community events – but it has made her more circumspect.
“It will make me more particular about who I deal with,” she said. “I’ll continue sell tickets for the Toy Run and Ducks Unlimited and Rotary until the cows come home.
“I love my community – as a Castlegar business person, my community supports me, and I want to support my community.”
People still looking for ticket refunds are encouraged to contact Roger Carruthers with Rockopolos at 250-352-0608 or rockopolus@gmail.com
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