To think this is really unfair?

[PashunFroot]

Every year my grandad goes to a festival, usually alone, some years someone goes with him. He bought his ticket before the pandemic for this years festival but obviously it was postponed and it started yesterday. However, for some reason this year they have decided to only allow etickets.

To access the ticket you need a smart phone and to download an app. When you open the app it displays the ticket with a moving border and a qr code. They will not accept screenshots, will not allow printed tickets and did not give the option to apply for a printed ticket.

my grandad has never owned a phone in his life. We got him for the festival and tried to show him what to do, but he was so confused and so anxious that he’s now decided last minute not to go. This means he has lost out on over £200.

AIBU to think that while I personally think etickets are great and that’s what I would have chosen myself, they could have at least had an option for you to apply for a physical ticket to be sent out? I’ve seen in some forums that quite a lot of older festival goers have felt they couldn’t go this year due this which seems a shame.

That doesn't seem right - what do blind people do?

Which festival? Have you contacted the festival and the ticket companies?

That seems very unfair. Even if an extra admin fee for the printed tickets then the option should be there

would he be comfy handing the phone to the staff and telling them to open the app and find the ticket? May mean he doesn’t need to miss out

Yes, this is a good idea. I'm sure they could quickly navigate to the ticket and app if it was all set up beforehand.

This is what i was going to suggest - as long as he can unlock the phone I'm sure someone wil be willing to help him. Or does he know anyone else going? Even to just go in with but not actually go with if that makes sense? Could you even go as far as security, get him through then come away? (no idea on distances and if that migth be practical!)

I can see why it's frustrating for you, but there have been so many issues with fake tickets and people reselling for huge fees so it makes sense to move to a system they have more control over.

Your poor granddad😔

I agree with you OP, totally unfair!

Although I do think e-Tickets are more efficient and Green, we need to consider people who may not have access to smart phones/technology.

All festivals/concerts/events absolutely should have an option to be sent a physical ticket or to print them. (Even if it had a small fee).

He can’t get there now unfortunately! As the coach left yesterday and it’s 5 hours away. I feel so bad for him he was excited. I would have gone with him but I’m breastfeeding so can’t leave my baby.

How gutting for your grandad!

I agree it's really unfair. Lots of gig venues are like this as well, it's becoming the norm. Whilst I agree e-tickets are generally more efficient, there should absolutely still be the choice to print out a ticket, even if at an extra cost.

Technology fails us all the time and I hate having to be reliant on my phone to get into gigs.

Did no-one tell him to just hand the phone to the person asking to see the ticket??

I agree though, it's not fair.

Yes but he’s just gotten himself so anxious about travelling all that way and not being able to figure it out/no one helping him.

I'd write to the festival and make a complaint. Say nothing about buying him a smart phone though. Tell them everything else, and ask why they made no efforts to support people on low incomes, with disabilities or where they just don't have a smartphone. Then ask for a refund.

Blind people use smart phones all the time....

Use software for their phone to read to them

It's not even just old people, I don't want everything on my phone
I'd complain too

Wait until you need a microchip and enough social credit and it applies to buying food.

Yes it is very unfair. Someone should take legal action against a company for this on the grounds on indirect discrimination (age and disability). If he threatens to do that - by letter with your help if necessary - they will probably give him his refund no questions asked. It sounds as though they would have been originally contracted to give paper tickets so they should have given paper tickets for the rearranged dates too. Push back.

I think there is at least one celebrity who is campaigning about this. It might be Esther Rantzen. Help The Aged, Which?, Trading Standards (do they still exist?) etc might be able to help too.

Even with an app, he might have to type in username and password - that’s the way with Ticketmaster - but moving the tickets into Wallet would be easier.

Blind people use smart phones all the time....

Like with most things, some do, some don't. Older people who have lost their sight later in life may not do so to the same extent especially if they weren't using a smartphone before their sight loss. Although I mean that at the population level.

I have a relative in their 80s who doesn't use a smartphone for reasons of dexterity and complexity and this is due to disability as well as age. They need (and get) paper tickets from the venues they go to because of this. Make a fuss everyone it is the only way.