WHEN A consumer pays money for a party, they take certain risks, the greatest one being that the party may be a "flop". However, when a consumer pays J$2,500 on a pre-sold ticket or $3,000 at the gate there are certain things the consumer 'reasonably' expects and should receive at a minimum:
1. Secured parking
2. Safe transit to and
from the venue
3. Safe entry
Some consumers who paid $2,500/$3,000 for Special Delivery on Friday July 16, 2004, to an event put on by High Society Promotions were greatly disappointed. The promoters should be ashamed of themselves. The 'reasonable' expectations of patrons were not met. The following is an experience had by some patrons:
UNSECURED PARKING
On arriving at the parking lot in Manor Park, the official parking lot for the party being held in Norbrook Mountain, there was no space to park. This was due to the fact that High Society Promotions only contracted 1 of the 2 plaza parking lots. Those who came after 11:30 p.m. were told they must park on the road. The majority of patrons, therefore, had no secure parking.
UNSAFE TRANSIT
On parking in an unsecured location, many consumers walked to the parking lot with a
reasonable expectation of "improved shuttle
service", as was advertised on the ticket. We were picked up instead by JUTC buses (last year they used coach buses with AC). On entering the bus, the stench of stale sweat greeted us.
On two particular buses the drivers did not know the way. When they finally found their way on the right path, a traffic jam prevented the two busloads of patrons from arriving at the venue via shuttle. We waited 15 minutes on the hot bus before being told that the likelihood of getting through the jam within an hour was slim and that the venue was only 300 meters away. It was recommended that we walk -- therefore, no safe transit to the venue.
UNSAFE ENTRY
With hesitation we ventured to walk. Patrons walked past cars and buses stuck in the jam. After passing the bus that had caused the jam due to not being able to manoeuvre around a corner (the buses were too big for the narrow roads), we were suddenly immersed in darkness. There was no security along this dark path and patrons had to use their cell phones to light the way amidst screams and shrieks as female patrons stepped in mud. The path was filled with puddles, mud and frogs and patrons prayed that they were indeed walking the right way since they saw no indication of a party up ahead.
After about 20 minutes of walking we finally saw light, excitement built, we had made it. Our excitement quickly turned to dismay as we realised we were approaching a river. The river blocked patrons from the party as the entrance to the property facing us was right across the river. Luckily, it was low tide. Patrons had to roll up their trouser legs -- ladies had to take off their shoes -- and gingerly walk across the silt, slippery rocks and two inches of water. After crossing the river patrons had another five-minute hike through dark and muddy terrain before we spotted the lights of the party. There was no safe entry to this party. As we got to the gate we were greeted by the staff with a feeble "sorry" as our tickets were taken from us.
The promoters of 'Special Delivery' offered nothing special and should refund disappointed consumers as the service advertised was not the service given. While this experience described was only had by a few, there were others who were also disappointed by the service. While their experience was not as extreme as ours was, it did not meet the standards expected.
Promoters such as High Society are fully aware that putting on an event is a business. They put on parties to make money otherwise their parties would be free. If this is the case, they should treat it as a business and the patrons as consumers.
The promoters should give special attention to customer service which consumers have paid for at a premium price. Patrons who experience poor customer service at such parties should not be ashamed to cry foul.
"FOUL!"
- Alison Young
