Melbourne Good Food Wine Show Masterclass Dispute Advice?

LMellevegas on 18/06/2014 - 12:14

I attended the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show this year after getting the comp tickets through the Ozbargain link. Seeing that we got the general entry for free, I thought it would be a great idea to splurge a little and surprise my husband by attending one of the Riedel A+ Wine Bar Masterclasses, which cost me $85 a ticket.

We went to the "A Taste of Victoria" Saturday Masterclass which was quite underwhelming to be honest (6 small tastings of wine & 3 minuscule bits of finger food per person), but to me the value was to be in the hamper that was supposed to be included as advertised - "these classes include:

- 45 minute class hosted by an industry expert 
- 6 premium wine tastings
- Gift Bag to take home valued at over $50 including a twin pack of Riedel Magnum glasses, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine and a bottle of wine". The class ended and no one received their take home package, but no one said anything. I started second guessing myself, thinking maybe there was no package included for the class I booked and we walked out feeling ripped off and disheartened.

When I got home, I read through the emails I had been sent advertising these Masterclasses, as well as the Show Map Pamphlet that was handed out at the show, and realised that the package was in fact included in the price.

On the Monday, I rang the organisers for the show thinking that I would just explain the situation, and I could just pick up my packages from their Melbourne Head Office.
Not so. What started was a huge cold shoulder, several unanswered phone calls, several unanswered emails, and now I have taken my complaint to Consumer Affairs.

I have all the evidence to support my complaint, but my matter may be too small for Consumer Affairs to pursue. They said I would have a greater case if several people that also attended the show came forward stating that they did not receive what was advertised. ( Of my knowledge, I did not see anyone in the masterclass we attended walk away with any take home package). The guy that I spoke to at Consumer Affairs was so sympathetic to my cause, as he also tried to call and email the Event Organisers and was treated with absolute contempt and rudeness (he was called a fraud & even sworn at) they even blocked his emails from getting through.

I'm not sure where to go to from here. I know it's not the largest amount of money, and I could just wear it as having another ripped off experience, but its the principle of the matter. And in true Ozbargainer form, I hate to be ripped off!

Any advice guys? Or does anybody know of anyone who had a similar experience?

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Comments

  • neil on 18/06/2014 - 12:50
    +3

    Can you do a chargeback on your credit card citing goods not received?

  • Mellevegas on 18/06/2014 - 13:15

    I'll try, but not sure how I'll go seeing that I attended the event.

  • nubzy on 18/06/2014 - 14:45
    +2

    Good luck, you are certainly entitled to it if that's what was stated. Not good publicity for the GFWS organizers if they are behaving like that.

  • voteoften on 18/06/2014 - 21:00

    I bought brioche and bubbles, then wondered if the inclusions were with that one. I went back and read the email and sure enough, the only classes that were listed with inclusions were the non food classes. I emailed for clarification and was told that my class did not include the show bag. I asked to change and they were very obliging. They had someone call me back and I was just charged the difference. I also received a refund for a chefs table event because I was no longer going to be in town for it. The ticketing group ran the ticketing and their fees are so cheap and their staff were so good. Sorry about your experience.

    • Mellevegas on 18/06/2014 - 21:42
      +1

      My class included food, but at $85 a ticket I would have expected more than 3 tiny appetizers if that was all that was included. I'm wondering which email you're referring to that listed the inclusions?

      Brioche & breakfast as well as Taste of Victoria are clearly listed as A+ Riedel Australian Wine Bar events, and their website, promotional emails & show map and timetable clearly state all those events in general include the take home pack.

      I have no issues with the ticketing agency, but rather with the event organisers, Diversified Communications, for their absolute unprofessionalism and the way they have refused to even talk to me from the get go. I was never rude with my requests, I just simply asked for an explanation. Same goes for the poor man from Consumer Affairs that also got a spray from the so called event marketing manager. It makes me think, what are they hiding & why are they being so shady?

      • voteoften on 18/06/2014 - 23:58

        I received an email spruiking the cheese classes and wine things. It specifically mentioned that the non food classes get the show bag. By specifically I mean they said this, this and this will get show bag. It did not mention the food classes.

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