It is always a pleasant surprise to see credit figures on the monthly credit card bill.
Unfortunately, several of the credits since late-March have come as a result of refunds for concert tickets we had purchased at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.
While I haven’t kept track of the total amount of the refunds, it would have quickly added up, for indeed we had been super excited to get our favourite seats in our favourite row for many of the excellent shows scheduled for the concert theatre.
But one after another, the performances were postponed, rescheduled or finally, cancelled because of COVID-19. One or two shows are still pending for 2021 so we have our fingers crossed but we’re not holding our breath.
One of the concerts for which we had our last hope of the year was the rescheduled show, Yesterday Once More, coming here Oct. 9, after being moved from a postponed date in early April. This concert was being managed by our friend from Rocklands Entertainment so in addition to hearing some excellent music, we would have been able to visit with our friends Brian and Darren and maybe even John.
Alas, we knew deep in our hearts we would be disappointed — COVID-19 shows no sign of relenting on the numbers allowed for indoor venues, and the Canadian-United States border remains closed for non-essential travel.
I suppose I could make the argument that music is indeed essential for the health of concert supporters but I know that opinion would not have been taken seriously.
So instead, I will go on YouTube to find some of the group’s music and while listening, imagine the performers are on stage at the Mae Wilson, we are in our seats in Row G and we have had excellent visits with our friends. It just won’t be the same though.
Meanwhile, Kudos to the Cultural Centre box office/management staff for efficiently and without delay, ensuring that ticket purchase money is refunded to appropriate credit cards. The refunds are made within days of the cancellations and that efficiency is much appreciated.
Once the credit shows up on our monthly statement I am able to crow about the speed of the refund, and lord it over friends who are still awaiting refunds for shows that were cancelled months ago at Mosaic Place.
Despite several pass-the-buck explanations as to the delays, there is considerable frustration out there with the lack of response to repeated complaints. One fellow we know is owed $950 for concerts he and his wife planned to attend. Some others have had success by dealing directly with their credit card companies.
So indeed, the Cultural Centre staff should be proud of how it operates, proving that dealing with local business outlets most often provides the desired outcome — without any of the hassle.
Besides, unlike that other venue, not once has the Cultural Centre ever changed our seats. And that’s a bonus to be appreciated. Applause.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
