tokyo 2020 olympics

Overseas Tokyo Olympic ticket holders may get only partial refunds

45 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE

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45 Comments
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It may not be pleasing to those who've purchased tickets but a quick check of Cosport's site clearly states its refund policy.

What is CoSport's refund policy on tickets?

Once your “Individual Ticket” and/or “FLEX + Tickets” order is submitted, all sales are final, and the order is non-cancelable, non-changeable, and non-refundable. For additional information please consult the CoSport Terms & Conditions and Tokyo 2020 Terms & Conditions (available at www.cosport.com or by contacting the CoSport team directly).

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The extortionate markup allowed is the fault of the IOC (no surprise there with such a corrupt organisation). The Japanese government moved the goal posts in preventing outsiders attending the Olympics so they are responsible for the basic ticket price. The ticket scalpers (sorry, authorised ticket agents) are responsible for any markup, some are doing the honourable and decent thing, it would appear the US agent is the greedy, money grubbing, morally bankrupt exception!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I foresee problems with partial refunds. Let's say a resident of Japan, whether Japanese or foreign resident, bought tickets for his or her immediate family, already in Japan, and the grandparents or friends of the family, who were going to come from outside Japan for some of the events.

The immediate family members still want to attend, but tbe intended overseas guests can't enter Japan. Does the ticket buyer risk the entire transaction being refunded, ie., losing all tickets through a processing wrror? Can the ticket holder instead invite others who are already in Japan, instead if getting a refund?

I am fortunately not in this situation but I feel sorry for those who are.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is becoming more ridiculous by the day.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In Japan, most products and services are priced more highly than 1st world countries.

Concert tickets are an example, so the Olympics are really not the exception here.

Another is the inescapable Covid checks.

Corona virus checks for flying are double in Haneda than Heathrow.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry. I would not expect the reseller to refund for sservices rendered. JT seriously needs an edit feature...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It's a messed up situation and I can see both side is of it.

On one hand, the 20 percent fee is not for the ticket, but for a handling service that was already provided. This service was provided and charged for by a third party and it's not the IOC responsibility to refund it.

On the other hand, the customer just sees one fee for a pair of tickets that are now worthless. It's reasonable for them to demand a full refund. Though I would expect the reseller to refund for services rendered.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Treating the customer like a sucker.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

one option is to keep the ticket and sell it on some auction site in a few years. It might be a return on investment.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Japan isn't swindling anyone, the US company is.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Swindling the local populace is one thing but now Japan is swindling money from ordinary folk in the West too. I guess we're supposed to sit around and let this happen?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Didn't they do this for 2020 too? I heard from some people they didn't get a refund. Now they're still not giving refunds. So pretty much there was 2 "Olympics" and they got mad cash from both of those. They really be scamming

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I would like to present one example here. Let’s say that maker X produced smartphone and sold it to dealer Y for 600$ which is from country C. Then buyer bought it from dealer Y for 1000$. Because of some technical difficulties smartphone can’t work in country C so maker X offers refunds. Dealer Y believes in “capitalism and free market” and they don’t want to return 1000$ to the customers, but only 600$, the amount they paid for it. In country C they don’t give a damn about customer rights, but in country D there are laws and regulations so customers will get back their full amount. Sounds familiar? It seems that majority haven’t read anything past the title. Japan is refunding full amount and IMHO they should also compensate credited agencies for their trouble, however US agency is greedy in this case and they want to change their customers for services they can’t provide.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

And the graft continues....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

First time I'm glad I didn't hit a lottery.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't really like japanese governemnt, and I complain about it often.

But what is the problem here?

Japan sells the ticket to the resellers: $1000 ($1000 profit).

American reseller sells the ticket to the final buyer: $1200 ($200 profit).

Japan refunds the ticket: $1000 ($0 profit).

American reseller only refunds the nominal ticket price: $1000 (still $200 profit).

So blame the american company, not the japanese government. After, the american company can sue japanese goverment because they modified the event, I guess. But the $200 refund is on them.

Even more because they got a lot of money from american government to help during covid-era.

The UK reseller is refunding the $200 as well, like it should be.

So here I can't really blame the japanese goverment (well, blame them for making it a no-foreigners event, if you want), but the american company. Or you think japan should refund $1000 to the UK company and $1200 to the american one, just because they are greedy?

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

The govt will not spend less on their yachts, YOU will pay for it with your taxes. Just wait for some Olympics Support Tax, 2% of your income.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Hahahahaha!! Thanks for donation to Japan Inc.

That's why the Olympics MUST be held, the money is already spent (on yachts and hotels etc etc..) with no way to recover it.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

That’s not very nice.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The Government of China, must set up and offer some compensatory damages for the financial loss.

These handling fee are tantamount to highway robbery. Buyer beware.

J tax payer should not be held finically accountable for all negative outcomes.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Cosport is the problem in this story. They have the audacity to still try and make money off this and think Japan is responsible for their profit - unbelievable. They've probably spent all the money on themselves already.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

If Japan cancels the tickets, they must take full responsibility for it.

The Japanese way of bowing and saying sorry, it's not gonna work overseas.

As they allowed that 20% of third-party commissions, they'll have to respond for it.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I don’t understand why people are complaining about Japan here. They are refunding the full price of the ticket. It’s not the Japanese organizers job to refund the various IOC approved tickets sellers surcharge. By the way this is not a Tokyo Olympic only thing, this has always been the case regarding approved ticket resellers.

The approved reseller for the UK is refunding all ticket prices and surcharges, it’s the American company that refuses to refund the surcharges, even though they have received US taxpayer money as described in the article. Cosport is the problem here, not the Japanese organizers

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

HimariYamadaToday 09:52 am JST

and why should it? There is nothing in the contract that says Tokyo has to provide a full refund. If the Olympics were cancelled, the IOC would not refund the money Tokyo spent (15b-24b USD). Would it?

In most civilised countries, this is called fraud, at least. In here, in Japan, it's called "しょうがない”. By the way, maybe you should read the article again. It's about buyer-seller. Buyer-seller agreement is a pact between the buyer and the seller. Which is the end buyer who purchased the tickets and the seller who sold the tickets. Which is mostly some third party. Not our government.

Our government is always incompetent and can never accept any responsibility. Just blame always someone else. And most our citizens are just OK with that. Imagine you'd pay for a new car at your local dealership and you wouldn't receive any car. I'm sure you wouldn't be OK with that.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

A typical rip off or fraud scheme. Like ordering a notebook, but getting only a package with a stone, buying a concert ticket, but it’s not valid as only a copy, getting a call your family member has problems, but if you withdraw money and pay to an unknown pets everything is gonna be good...and all such similar. The only difference in this case is , that the suspect is a quite famous and powerful international ‘sports’ organization. And who really wants to mess with a mafia? lol

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Just don't buy anything from Japan. Easy.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

"Tokyo organizers have said they would refund the face value of the tickets, but are not responsible for other added charges. They have said they will not cover the extra fees imposed by ATRs, or cancellation fees for hotels or flights"

and why should it? There is nothing in the contract that says Tokyo has to provide a full refund. If the Olympics were cancelled, the IOC would not refund the money Tokyo spent (15b-24b USD). Would it?

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

I laughed when my Japanese friend said he was sure the government would give full refunds for any cancelled Games or events related to the Olympics. The money is already more than spent.

23 ( +24 / -1 )

Well, especially or at least for customers of EU, unless the seller has had anything like this in the ToC, you will get 100%. Especially if you haven't cancell it on your own but the seller or third party did. If not, banks can cancel the transaction or your card provider will. Our government may pull something like this on our citizens and they know nothing will happen, but they forgot that many citizens in other countries will not tolerate it. They have not received a service/goods they paid for. Contract of sale in most EU countries considers this as unjust enrichment by the seller.

18 ( +18 / -0 )

I hope President Biden takes notice of this.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Scammed again, remember the tokyo marathon? No refunds !

If you set up an event presell tickets then cancel you have a duty to refund the full amount and cost incurred to the persons who purchased in good faith.

So All the international spectators can now see the hollow husk that is the olympics and the tokyo govt.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

The problem with saying the Japanese government should bear all costs (something I agree with) is that what it means is that those paying Japanese taxes will have to pay for this.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Ripping off punters left, right and centre.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

... I mean, it's not Japanese government's fault resellers are allowed a 20 percent margins on tickets, right? The Japanese government already committed to returning the face value of the ticket, it what it would have received.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

This is bullcrap of cosmic proportions.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Everyone scrambled to try to get tickets through that corrupt lottery system. Most people left very disappointed. Those few that got tickets actually get ripped off.

Nice Olympics you scammers.

30 ( +30 / -0 )

I hope the people sue is masses.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I knew this would happen. The money they dumped into this tradgedy has to be paid back somehow...even if the way is to scam people. Japan already looks bad to the world so why not tarnish the reputation more?

27 ( +29 / -2 )

The Japanese government banned international spectators. The Japanese government should make up the difference from the legal scalpers to ensure everybody gets a full refund.

29 ( +34 / -5 )

So let me understand. The Olympic host, a public entity, outsources the ticket selling process to many private ticket-seller, in neoliberal fashion, to cut their own costs. Then it legalizes graft, by authorizing "20%" margins, up there at the level of the credit card swindlers. Finally it graciously offers the middle finger to people reasonably seeking reimbursement for a cancelled service they had to pay up front for months in advance. Is this part of Tokyo Olympic's Omotonashi?

36 ( +37 / -1 )

When the PM dresses as a game character, you have to question the validity of what he is promoting. And here we are a convoluted dodgy process that returns little for delivering nothing.

21 ( +24 / -3 )

I see a class action something in the future. Lawyers love this sort of thing...

17 ( +17 / -0 )

The rip off games.

41 ( +41 / -0 )

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