Furious Robbie Williams fan is denied a refund after missing start of show due to traffic chaos – but who is in the right?
An irate Robbie Williams fan has been denied a refund for two tickets to the British pop star's concert in Perth after she and her daughter missed the start of the show due to bad traffic.
Janette Hyder, from Burns Beach, Western Australia, had purchased two $200 tickets for Williams' XXV World Tour on Thursday, November 30, but missed the support act and the start of the main show due to a traffic jam.
Ms Hyder claims it took her more than five hours to get from her home to the concert at Nikola Estate, Swan Valley, after an official concert shuttle bus got stuck in traffic, according to PerthNow,
As a result, Ms Hyder missed out on entertainment acts Gaz Coombes, Lufthaus and YO! MAFIA, and part of Williams' set.
Event organizers Mellen Events and Nikola Estate apologized for the chaotic traffic situation the following day and encouraged all affected ticket holders to get in touch.
An irate Robbie Williams fan has been denied a refund for two tickets to the British pop star's concert in Perth after she and her daughter missed the start of the show
“Regarding the traffic issues we experienced last night at the Robbie Williams concert, we share your disappointment and frustration,” an official statement said.
'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused; we recognize that the traffic delays people experienced were very inconvenient.”
“We are currently working with the venue and the venue's traffic management team to mitigate this for tonight's show,” Mellen Events added.
Janette Hyder (left, with a friend) had purchased two $200 tickets for Williams' XXV World Tour on Thursday, November 30, but missed the supporting acts and the start of the main show due to a traffic jam
Ms Hyder decided to send a letter asking for a refund.
“Robbie was brilliant to say the least, but we paid to see the whole show and lost precious time to spend with our friends back east,” she wrote.
Ms Hyder said she had managed to get a lift home with friends as she wanted to avoid taking the shuttle bus again.
Ms Hyder claims it took her more than five hours to get from her home to the concert at Nikola Estate, Swan Valley, after an official concert shuttle bus got stuck in traffic. (Image: Text messages Ms Hyder sent to a friend while stuck in traffic before the concert)
But even in a car, Ms Hyder was stranded at the venue for three hours after the show ended at 10.50am due to traffic conditions.
To make matters worse, Mrs Hyder said there was 'nowhere to buy water' and complained that the portaloos were 'out of paper and water and full to the brim'.
Mellen Events is said to have rejected Ms Hyder's request for a refund, claiming the matter needed to be discussed with a traffic management company.
Mellen Events is said to have rejected Ms Hyder's request for a refund, claiming the matter should be discussed with a traffic management company
Ms Hyder wasn't the only concertgoer to complain: Many people flooded social media with rants about the consequences of the traffic chaos. (Image: The traffic fiasco outside Robbie Williams' concert on November 30)
Ms Hyder wasn't the only concertgoer to complain: Many people flooded social media with rants about the consequences of the traffic chaos.
Some said they had to walk two kilometers to reach the main gate due to the traffic jam, while others claimed they were forced to sleep in their cars because they could not get home.
“I was supposed to go to the Robbie Williams concert with Mellen Events, but the sh** show that happened last night, with traffic chaos and lack of organization, totally put you off going,” one person raged.
Some said they had to walk two kilometers to reach the main gate due to the traffic jam, while others claimed they were forced to sleep in their cars because they could not get home. (Image: The traffic fiasco outside Robbie Williams' concert on November 30)
“What a shame that Perth concert organizers ruined the evening for some people with their poor planning,” another raged. 'People sleeping in their cars because they couldn't get out after the show ended! Nightmare!'
Another agreed: 'Whoever gave the green light to let him play at this venue should be fired! Absolutely no thought about the logistics.'
Tickets for Williams' penultimate show of his XXV World Tour started at $150, rising to $345 for the “Millennium VIP Package.”
The car park opened at 3.30pm and was advertised as a 10 minute walk to the main entrance, with all parking required to be pre-paid by ticket holders.