Canadian fans say they could lose hundreds on Billy Joel tickets after U.S. border rules block them from concert
Billy Joel fans in Canada are trying to get refunds for their concert tickets as the U.S.-Canada border closure prevents them from attending the event.
The concert, originally scheduled for summer 2020, is now set to take place in Buffalo, N.Y. on Aug. 14.
The U.S. land border restrictions will extend until at least Aug. 21, however. Currently, travel over the border is limited to essential purposes.
“This makes it impossible for myself and fellow Canadians to attend this event,” Mike Kovach told CTV News on Thursday.
Canadian fans have left comments on a post on Billy Joel’s Facebook page announcing the Aug. 14 concert, expressing their frustrations.
Kovach bought five tickets at $149.45 USD each, coming to a total of $747.25 USD — nearly $1,000 CAD today.
On a post announced the Aug. 14 on Billy Joel’s Facebook page, Canadians fans have left comments expressing their frustrations.
“I am in Canada and now that they have announced the border still remains closed until august 21st we can’t go. Of course, Ticketmaster won’t refund nor answer my phone calls. Shameful really,” wrote one fan.
Another, trying to sell their tickets in the comment section, called it a "Canadian dilemma."
Kovach said that refunds were offered when the show was originally postponed last year, but not thinking that the border would be closed for as long as it has been, he decided to keep his tickets.
“I’ve made numerous inquiries to Ticketmaster but a refund [has been] denied,” he said, adding that the ‘Sell Your Tickets’ feature on Ticketmaster’s website has also been greyed out.
CTV News Toronto has reached out to Ticketmaster and Billy Joel's online team for their comment on the issue, but has yet to receive a response.
“It should be clear to the promoters, as well as Mr. Joel, that the show should be postponed or outright cancelled until the border and travel protocols have returned to normal,” Kovach said.
Jessica M., who asked not to have her surname published, is facing the same issue.
Jessica told CTV News Toronto Thursday that she bought tickets for the show that she has been unable to obtain refunds for.
“The average price for a pair of tickets is $500 USD that we are now out,” she said. “We have tried to contact Ticketmaster, the venue, Billy Joel's party, and none of them can be of any assistance.”
She says that Mastercard won't dispute the charge, as well.
Jessica argued that the show should be cancelled or postponed due to the border closure and that Canadian fans are unlikely to receive refunds.
“This concert is going to be empty, and all of us Canadians are out, on average, about $500 USD each. I truly cannot believe it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army ordered some 100,000 Palestinians on Monday to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and further complicating efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza.