I had the most unpleasant experience with the Empire Ballroom recently: There was a concert and tickets were sold online through 3-d party (ticketmaster). While booking tickets online there were no warnings that minors are not allowed or that ID is needed. More than that, tickets said 'all ages are allowed' in big letters.
We reached right on time, but security kept the whole crowd outside for about 40 minutes, without even telling how long will be the delay. When it finally came to the point when people were allowed in we realised, that ID's are required. So there were whole bunch of people who were not allowed inside. Few families with children, showing those 'all ages allowed' tickets, and some people who just did not bring their ID's, because they came to the concert, not to drink. We (me and my boyfriend) were in the second category. Well, actually he had a government issued ID, but that it was issued by other country and for sure didn't look as fancy as Canadian ID's, so security guy just told that 'he can make this f***ing thing at his backyard'.
There were not listening to any arguments (like that website didn't say anything about age restriction or ID's, or that none of us didn't look below 21 anyway), and just kept blaming ticketmaster and referring to 'house rules'. And when we requested our money back, they, of course, sent us to ticketmaster.
Well, if there were some misunderstandings and mess-up between Empire ballroom and ticketmaster, maybe they should take the consequences, not the customer?!
So I've got spoilt night and not even sure if I'll be able to get money back. read more