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SXSW Rating
Address: PO Box 685289, Austin, Texas, United States, 78768-5289
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Address: PO Box 685289, Austin, Texas, United States, 78768-5289
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Add contact information for SXSW
I filed a dispute with my bank and SXSW tried to make it seem like my dispute was not valid. They sent screenshots of my badge and tried to manipulate my bank by making it seem like I used my badge as if I went to the festival. The festival was cancelled and I disputed the charge with my bank. SXSW claimed to have said they told us about the no refund policy and also were very rude saying even acts of God wouldn't give us refunds. That is a really cruel thing to say I feel very offended that SXSW uses that kind of language. SXSW is well known all over social media and they are denying people refunds like myself. People are dying all over the world and they refuse to refund me my money and others as well. This has really weighed on my life as I feel like I have been robbed. This is a hard time in America and SXSW is making things worse for me and I am sure I am not the only one. I will be going to my lawyer because this has taken an unexpected toll on my life. Even my mental health. Dealing with the dispute with SXSW has made me fall into a depressed state. They tried to set it up like the event wasnt cancelled when I disputed my charge. It isn't my fault they don't have insurance and I have to suffer the consequences. No one knew this would happen in America and SXSW has proved be be selfish.
On February 19, 2020, Ms. purchased an Interactive Badge from SXSW for $1395. The purchase was made through the SXSW online shopping cart located at sxsw.com or wristband-cart.sxsw.com (collectively, the “Cart”). All purchases made through the SXSW Cart include purchase terms and conditions (the “Terms”, which are attached for reference), which clearly state that, “SXSW does not issue refunds under any circumstances.” The Terms reiterate this policy and provide a non-exhaustive list of scenarios where SXSW will not issue refunds: “Any and all payments made to SXSW are not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, failure to use Credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism…” The Terms are properly disclosed at the time of sale to the cardholder and the purchaser must click a box that says, “I agree to the above Terms and Conditions” prior tocompleting the purchase.On March 3, 2020, Ms. disputed that purchase with her bank and requested a return of funds. On March 5, 2020, SXSW responded to the chargeback request with proof of Ms. purchase. The letter SXSW sent to Ms. bank is enclosed for reference. Ms. submitted her chargeback request prior to the cancellation of SXSW, which occurred on March 6, 2020. SXSW 2020 was cancelled by a City of Austin declaration due to COVID-19 concerns, which are beyond SXSW’s control. The City of Austin issued a declaration of disaster prohibiting the 2020 SXSW Conference and Festivals from occurring – the declaration and order are attached for reference. Despite SXSW’s clearly stated no refunds policy in the Terms, SXSW is crediting all SXSW 2020 credential purchasers in the form of one (1) deferred credential to use for the rescheduled SXSW/EDU event in 2021, 2022, or 2023 and one (1) credential at 50% discount to be used in an alternate year for SXSW/EDU 2021, 2022, or 2023. The language of the messages to the purchasers is attached for reference.Due to the proper disclosure of the Terms and no refunds policy, the acceptance of the Terms and no refunds policy by the purchaser, the purchaser's chargeback request occurring prior to the cancellation of SXSW, and the cancellation of SXSW 2020 by the City of Austin due to reasons beyond SXSW’s control, no refund is warranted.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: I was flying from out of town and I realized the numbers were climbing. I knew it was very unsafe for me to risk it because I do have asthma. I was even told by my doctor not to go. That’s not under my control. I am high risk for covid 19. I should have to explain my pero al business just because SXSW refuses to refund bc they don’t have insurance. I could see if I did it maliciously and I did not. Who was to say that covid 19 would get this bad? I’m very disappointed that SXSW Just recycles their responses to me and doesn’t care about my well being. I understand it is a loss for Sxsw but I don’t plan on doing business with them again because they make this harder and stressful for customers.
Regards
SXSW is music, film, and tech festival held over 10 days in Austin, TX. Due to the public health concerns of COVID19 many large companies and vendors have dropped out of the festival lineup, cancelling film showings, shows, and many events or speaking conferences. There is an immense public health risk with tens of thousands of international travelers potentially being infected or spreading the disease. I work in public health in Austin as a nurse for medically fragile and complex pediatric patients. Not only can I no longer attend the festival (which I paid over $1,200 for) due to the risk of infecting my patients, SXSW has offered no refund or deferment for a ticket to next years festival. This is an imminent health concern to myself, all health care workers, and every local cities or attendee, but SXSW has refused to cancel or amend the issue in any way.
The purchase was made through the SXSW online shopping cart located at sxsw.com or ***.com (collectively, the “Cart”). All purchases made through the SXSW Cart include purchase terms and conditions (the “Terms”, which are attached for reference), which clearly state that, “SXSW does not issue refunds under any circumstances.” The Terms reiterate this policy and provide a non-exhaustive list of scenarios where SXSW will not issue refunds: “Any and all payments made to SXSW are not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, failure to use Credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism…” The Terms are properly disclosed at the time of sale to the cardholder and the purchaser must click a box that says, “I agree to the above Terms and Conditions” prior to completing the purchase.SXSW 2020 was cancelled by a City of Austin declaration due to COVID-19 concerns, which are beyond SXSW’s control. More specifically, on Friday, March 6, 2020, the City of Austin issued a declaration of disaster prohibiting the 2020 SXSW Conference and Festivals from occurring – the declaration and order are attached for reference. In addition, COVID-19 is a global pandemic according to the World Health Organization. SXSW’s 2020 event will be rescheduled.Despite SXSW’s clearly stated no refunds policy in the Terms, SXSW is crediting all SXSW 2020 credential purchasers in the form of one (1) deferred credential to use for the rescheduled SXSW/EDU event in 2021, 2022, or 2023 and one (1) credential at 50% discount to be used in an alternate year for SXSW/EDU 2021, 2022, or 2023. The language of the messages to the purchasers is attached for reference.Due to the proper disclosure of the Terms and no refunds policy, the acceptance of the Terms and no refunds policy by the purchaser, and the cancellation of SXSW 2020 by the City of Austin due to reasons beyond SXSW’s control, and the World Health Organization’s classification of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, no refund is warranted.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: offering to defer the badge to a following year does not reimburse the fact that I have lost money and time and an experience which I paid for this year. A refund should be an option for those of us who cannot commit to attending in the future since we were given no exchange of goods, services, or experience this year. You are avoiding all responsibility by refusing to provide refunds for those who are unable to abide by the deferment regulations. This is unacceptable.
Regards
Festival cancelled by City of Austin- company has a no refund policy-
The purchase was made through the SXSW online shopping cart located at sxsw.com or wristband-cart.sxsw.com (collectively, the “Cart”). All purchases made through the SXSW Cart include purchase terms and conditions (the “Terms”, which are attached for reference), which clearly state that, “SXSW does not issue refunds under any circumstances.” The Terms reiterate this policy and provide a non-exhaustive list of scenarios where SXSW will not issue refunds: “Any and all payments made to SXSW are not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, failure to use Credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism…” The Terms are properly disclosed at the time of sale to the cardholder and the purchaser must click a box that says, “I agree to the above Terms and Conditions” prior to completing the purchase.SXSW 2020 was cancelled by a City of Austin declaration due to COVID-19 concerns, which are beyond SXSW’s control. More specifically, on Friday, March 6, 2020, the City of Austin issued a declaration of disaster prohibiting the 2020 SXSW Conference and Festivals from occurring – the declaration and order are attached for reference. In addition, COVID-19 is a global pandemic according to the World Health Organization. SXSW’s 2020 event will be rescheduled.Despite SXSW’s clearly stated no refunds policy in the Terms, SXSW is crediting all SXSW 2020 credential purchasers in the form of one (1) deferred credential to use for the rescheduled SXSW/EDU event in 2021, 2022, or 2023 and one (1) credential at 50% discount to be used in an alternate year for SXSW/EDU 2021, 2022, or 2023. The language of the messages to the purchasers is attached for reference.
Hotel and airline issues should be taken up with those businesses directly, not with SXSW.Due to the proper disclosure of the Terms and no refunds policy, the acceptance of the Terms and no refunds policy by the purchaser, the cancellation of SXSW 2020 by the City of Austin due to reasons beyond SXSW’s control, and the World Health Organization’s classification of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, no refund is warranted.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:there was a failure to execute contracted arrangement. Both the airline and the hotel are honoring their refund policy and are allowing us to products in kind to be used at our convenience. SXSW is violating the customer contract. The virus was not an act of god. An online SXSW experience is not comparable to an in person experience. Complaint *** was filed with the FTC. Any rescheduling for future credit places too much of a burden on a festival attendee. There may be any variation on issues that are not compatible for a future date and SXSW is demonstrating unconscionable greed not refunding event attendees or artists. This is on the level of the Fyre festival.
Regards
I registered my startup called *** based in Austin, Texas to give a pitch at the 2020 SXSW Pitch Event to be held on Sat, Mar 14, 2020 – Sun, Mar 15, 2020
at Hilton Austin, Austin, TX.
I paid $220. When I was registering, I did not see anything that tells me that they have a no refund policy.
To my surprize, SXSW sent me an email telling me that they cannot accommodate me. So, I responded and said if they cannot accommodate me, then I need a refund of my $220 registration fees. That is when they told me that they have no refund policy. I told them I have atteneded more than 50 conferences, and all the conferences select people they can accommodate before asking them to pay. Why they asked people to pay and while they know that they cannot accommodate everybody.
I called them to ask for a refund and they said they cannot do anything.
I think it is not right and fair from them to take startup money and at the end say they cannot accommodate them.
I do not agree, the conference is in March, it is not even over, so, I need a refund. That is whay iam finling this complain.
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From: *** Sent: Friday, January 3, 2020 10:42 AM
To: *** Subject: SXSW Pitch Health, Wearables and Wellbeing Applicants
Thank you again for submitting your organization to the SXSW Pitch, at the SXSW Interactive Festival.
*** SXSW | Pitch
SXSW l Release It
***
SXSW Conference & Festivals | March 13-22, 2020 | ***
SXSW Pitch Highlights
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer your company a spot in this year's event.
/ *** (collectively, “***”) affirmatively accepted and agreed to SXSW’s no refunds policy when they submitted their SXSW Pitch application and paid their application fee. Accordingly, no refund is due to ***.
The following paragraphs provide more information about SXSW Pitch, SXSW’s no refunds policy, and the documents that detail the SXSW no refunds policy.
SXSW Pitch is a Competition with an Application, Not a Registration
The SXSW Pitch competition is an opportunity for selected startups to present pitches and/or product demonstrations in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. In order to be selected to pitch as a SXSW Pitch finalist, an applicant must first fill out the SXSW Pitch application available at ***. Importantly, this is not a “registration” to participate in SXSW Pitch, but an application to be considered for participation in SXSW Pitch, and like any application, not all people that apply are accepted.
After submitting the SXSW Pitch application, each applicant receives a confirmation email message that again explains that the application will be reviewed by an advisory board and the general process for applicants that are selected and for those who are not.
When SXSW receives an application, it is closely reviewed, and based on the SXSW selection committee’s criteria and analysis, the applicant is either accepted to pitch at the SXSW Pitch competition or their application is rejected. ***’s application was reviewed, and not accepted.
*** Agreed to SXSW’s No Refunds Policy
SXSW’s no refunds policy is stated in the FAQ that is linked from the SXSW Pitch “About Page,” and is included in the SXSW Pitch application Terms and Conditions, which all applicants (including ***) must review and agree to before submitting their application.
An applicant cannot apply to participate in SXSW Pitch unless they first agree to the Terms and Conditions. And *** was no different – they agreed to and accepted the SXSW Pitch Terms and Conditions, which include the no refunds policy.
The SXSW Pitch Documents Clearly State SXSW’s No Refunds Policy
Each year, many hundreds of people apply to participate in SXSW Pitch, and only fifty (50) are accepted. Yet, this is the first time in the history of SXSW Pitch’s ten (10) years as a competition that an applicant has been confused about the no refunds policy or that not all applicants are selected to pitch at the competition. Undoubtedly, this track record is due to the visibility and transparency of the SXSW policies stated in publicly available materials, including the: (a) purpose of the SXSW Pitch application; (b) SXSW's process for reviewing applications; and (c) no refunds policy.
Below is a list of the documents that are attached to this response, some of which have highlighted sections added for emphasis. It’s clear based on the documentation that SXSW Pitch is not a conference people “register” for, rather they apply, and not all applicants are selected to pitch at SXSW Pitch as a finalist. Further, SXSW’s no refunds policy is stated in the FAQ about SXSW Pitch, and, importantly, in the SXSW Pitch Terms and Conditions which were agreed to and accepted by *** when submitting its application.
Our general SXSW Pitch “about page” (available at *** and screenshot attached)
The FAQ about SXSW Pitch (available at *** and screenshot attached)
The application itself (screenshot attached with emphasis supplied) [NOTE: to preserve ***’s confidential information, the application attached is the form and does not contain the answers provided by ***]
Our confirmation message that is sent once people apply (screenshot attached)
Due to SXSW Pitch’s clearly stated “no refunds” policy, which was agreed to and accepted by *** when it submitted its application, no refund is due to *** and SXSW is not able to issue one.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: I did not sign any agreement with SXSW. They are organizing a scam instead recognising it they are menitoning their refund policy. DO you think If I really read that refund policiy, I will pay $220 knowing that I will be rejected? This is a scam and I do not agree.
Regards
A friend of mine purchased two music badges (~$2,500 in total) from this joke of a festival for her and a friend from out of town. He left town and I paid $175 from the badge holder's account on SXSW's online cart to transfer the badge to myself so we could go to events together. SXSW informed me that once the badge is printed it cannot be transferred (fine) - only after I escalated the request to a supervisor. I've now been requesting a refund for a week now, and they finally returned my calls and emails to tell me that they cannot refund the non-purchase. So they've essentially accepted my "donation". They told me to dispute the charge with my credit card company. SXSW is a SCAM with terrible customer service, stealing money from anyone who's stupid enough to give it to them. Never again.
This matter was resolved and a refund was issued on March 16, 2019. It may have taken a few days for the customer to see the refund on their statement.
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Regards