Core Viewpoint - The difficulty and high costs associated with concert ticket refunds have become a significant issue in the Chinese concert market, with a rising number of complaints from consumers regarding refund policies and processes [1][6][11] Consumer Issues - A recent case highlighted a consumer's struggle to obtain a refund for a concert ticket after a family member's death, illustrating the challenges faced by consumers in the current ticketing system [1] - The China Consumers Association reported that over 90% of concert-related complaints in the first half of 2025 were related to refund requests, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with refund policies [6][11] - Many consumers are frustrated by the strict "no refund" policies and high fees associated with ticket returns, which they perceive as unreasonable [6][10] Ticketing Policies - The current ticketing system in China operates under a strong real-name purchase policy, which prohibits ticket transfers or gifts, leaving refunds as the only option for consumers unable to attend [1][6] - Various concert ticketing platforms have implemented different refund policies, including "no refund," "conditional refund," and "tiered refund" systems, often leading to confusion and disputes [7][9] - The majority of complaints on platforms like Black Cat Complaints are related to refund issues, with 66.5% of concert-related complaints specifically addressing ticket refunds [6] Organizer's Perspective - Concert organizers argue that strict refund policies are necessary to mitigate financial risks associated with the high upfront costs of organizing events, as unsold tickets cannot be easily resold [9][10] - Some organizers also claim that high refund barriers are intended to prevent scalpers from hoarding tickets and subsequently returning them, which could lead to greater financial losses [9] Legal and Regulatory Context - Despite recent guidelines from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Public Security aimed at improving refund mechanisms for large-scale events, the ticketing industry still lacks a unified standard for refunds [10][11] - Legal experts suggest that many "no refund" policies may violate consumer protection laws, particularly if they are not clearly communicated to consumers at the point of sale [10] - The China Consumers Association has called for the establishment of standardized refund management practices in the concert industry to protect consumer rights and enhance satisfaction [11]