No refunds if cricket matches rained out

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 3

No refunds if cricket matches rained out

Cricket fans with tickets for this month’s one-day internationals between New Zealand and England will get no refund if any of the matches are rained out.

Tickets are being pre-sold for each of the three matches, in Auckland on February 19. Wellington on February 23, and Christchurch on February 26. The day after each fixture has been set aside as a reserve day in case of bad weather, but if it rains on both days the match will have to be cancelled. For the first time, the New Zealand Cricket Council has said on the tickets that, “Play is not guaranteed and refunds will not be made under any circumstances.” Tickets cost $7.50 each.

All of the 33.000 tickets which went on sale on February 2 for the Auckland match had been sold by yesterday, and the Auckland Cricket Association was planning to provide temporary seating for an additional 1000.

The Canterbury Cricket Association hopes to pre-sell 25,000 tickets for the match at Lancaster Park. More than 7000 had been sold by midday on Monday. Tickets will go on sale in Wellington on Monday and, judging by. the number of inquiries received by the Wellington Cricket Association, all 15,200 tickets for the match will be sold “within hours.”

The secretary of the Cricket Council, Mr G. T. Dowling, said yesterday he was surprised that the matter of refunds was being raised. He said there were “massive” costs associated with such a series, and that it was normal procedure overseas not to offer refunds.

“One has to take precautions or there would .be chaos. Could you imagine refunding all that money?” said Mr Dowling.

The Consumers’ Institute believes that refunds should be given if any of the matches are called off.

When approached yesterday, the institute’s district

officer in Christchurch, Mr J. S. Ainsworth, said that in all commercial situations where the public paid for goods or services — including attendance at international cricket matches — they should be entitled to a performance, or alternatively given a cash refund where prior payment had been made. He said that even if it was stated on the tickets that no refunds would be given, it should be clearly made known to the purchaser of the ticket before payment. That way the purchaser had a clear choice as to whether he wanted to commit himself.