Getting a refund for Garth Brooks tickets purchased through Ticketmaster can be a frustrating process for fans. The country music superstar is known for selling out massive venues, which means tickets are in high demand. However, concert cancellations or personal circumstances sometimes prevent fans from attending the shows they planned for. Navigating Ticketmaster’s refund policies can be confusing, but here are some tips on how to get your money back.
Check if Your Show was Postponed or Rescheduled
If your Garth Brooks concert was outright cancelled, you should be entitled to an automatic refund from Ticketmaster. However, in many cases Garth Brooks shows are simply being postponed or rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Double check your Ticketmaster account to see if your tickets are still valid for a future date. If so, you may need to wait until the new concert date approaches before requesting a refund.
Request a Refund Directly Through Ticketmaster
If your Garth Brooks concert has been cancelled or you can no longer attend on the scheduled date, the first step is requesting a refund directly through Ticketmaster. Here are the steps:
- Log into your Ticketmaster account online or through the mobile app
- Find the Garth Brooks tickets in your purchase history
- Select the “Request a Refund” option
- Choose your reason for requesting the refund
- Submit your request and wait for Ticketmaster to process it
Keep in mind that for most events, you will need to request the refund before the event takes place. Ticketmaster typically will not issue refunds for tickets to events that have already happened. You also may need to submit your request within 30 days of purchasing the tickets.
Escalate Your Refund Request
If Ticketmaster denies your refund request or does not respond promptly, you may need to escalate the issue to get your money back. Here are some tips for pushing your Garth Brooks ticket refund along:
- Call Ticketmaster customer service and explain your situation – a phone call sometimes works better than the online forms
- Ask for a supervisor if the frontline agent cannot help you
- Give very specific details on why you deserve the refund
- Mention that you will dispute the charge with your credit card company if Ticketmaster refuses to issue a refund
- Post on social media about your experience and tag Ticketmaster’s accounts
- File a complaint with agencies like the Better Business Bureau
Repeated contacts through multiple channels tend to get more results when dealing with large companies like Ticketmaster. Be persistent yet polite as you move your issue up the chain of command.
Dispute the Charge With Your Credit Card Company
If Ticketmaster continues to deny your refund request, one last resort is disputing the charge with your credit card company. Here is the process for a credit card chargeback:
- Call the number on the back of your credit card
- Request to dispute a charge for services not received
- Provide the date of the charge, merchant name, and transaction amount
- Explain in detail why you deserve a refund and did not receive the promised services
- Confirm the credit card company will investigate on your behalf
Keep in mind there is usually a time limit of 60-120 days from the transaction date to dispute a credit card charge. This protects you and guarantees you receive the services or products you paid for with your credit card.
Get Confirmation in Writing
If you successfully receive a refund approval through any of the above methods, make sure to get written documentation from Ticketmaster. This can protect you if the refund gets held up or lost in the processing system. Only consider the matter closed once you receive a confirmation email or see the refunded amount appear in your bank or credit card account.
Know the Fine Print on Ticketmaster Refunds
While it can be very difficult to get refunds for Garth Brooks tickets or other high-demand events, your odds improve when you understand Ticketmaster’s stated policies. Here are some key facts to know from the Ticketmaster purchase terms:
- Refunds are available for cancelled or rescheduled shows.
- You typically need to request a refund within 30 days of placing an order.
- No refunds are given after an event occurs.
- Exchanges for new tickets at the same event are often permitted instead of refunds.
- Refunds go back to the original payment method used to purchase.
- Refund processing time is approximately 7-10 business days.
Knowing the fine print on Ticketmaster refunds gives you additional leverage when requesting your money back. You can point out where your situation fits the refund criteria stated in their terms.
Make Sure Your Ticketmaster Account is Secure
To avoid hassles getting Garth Brooks ticket refunds, make sure your Ticketmaster account is secure. Here are some tips to ensure no one else can get access and request refunds without your knowledge:
- Create a strong password that is unique from your other online accounts.
- Never share your Ticketmaster login info with a second party site or reseller.
- Setup login notifications to be alerted of account access from new devices.
- Use two-factor authentication for logins when possible.
- Watch closely for phishing emails pretending to be from Ticketmaster.
Keeping your Ticketmaster account locked down tight prevents many refund and account security headaches down the road. Enable all security features available to give yourself peace of mind.
Avoid Purchasing from Ticket Resale Sites
To avoid the mess of trying to get refunds for Garth Brooks tickets, avoid buying from secondary ticket resellers in the first place. StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and other major resale sites have their own refund policies separate from Ticketmaster. Some resale sites may refuse refunds even if Ticketmaster issues one. Whenever possible, purchase tickets directly from Ticketmaster to deal with only one refund process.
Read Reviews of Ticketmaster Refund Experiences
Don’t assume getting a Garth Brooks ticket refund will be easy. Take the time to read online reviews from other customers detailing their Ticketmaster refund experiences:
- Trustpilot, SiteJabber, Google Reviews
- Better Business Bureau complaints
- Consumer Affairs, Yelp
- Reddit threads on Ticketmaster
- Facebook groups for event ticket buyers
Look for common themes among both positive and negative refund reviews. This gives you an idea of what to expect during the process. You can then tailor your approach accordingly to improve your chances of success.
Submit Proof You Cannot Attend the Event
To boost your odds of getting Garth Brooks ticket refunds approved, submit supporting documentation on why you cannot attend the event. If you have an unavoidable conflict or emergency come up, evidence helps prove your situation to Ticketmaster. Helpful documents can include:
- Note from a doctor if sickness/injury prevents attending
- Updated school or work schedule that now conflicts with the concert
- Proof of military deployment or temporary relocation
- Details on a family emergency such as a death or illness
- Government advisories if traveling to the event is impacted
Providing proof takes some extra effort up front, but greatly improves your chances of getting Ticketmaster to make an exception and approve a refund. Especially for high-demand Garth Brooks shows where reselling the tickets will be easy, Ticketmaster looks for concrete reasons to issue refunds.
Conclusion
Getting refunds for Garth Brooks tickets or any major concert through Ticketmaster can certainly be a headache. But being persistent and methodical greatly improves your chances of success. Understand the standard refund policies, escalate your request when needed, dispute the charge if necessary, and provide documentation that shows you cannot attend. While frustrating, this systematic approach allows fans to recover their money when shows do not go according to plan.