### Arena VG Cancels Concerts Without Refunds
Just three months after its grand opening, the Arena Valle de Guadalupe (AVG), a vast venue capable of hosting up to 10,000 attendees within the popular wine route, has left over 5,000 people without refunds for concert tickets to see Carín León, Pepe, and Ángela Aguilar. Consumers had used the digital platform, Tickets AVG, to purchase these tickets. When seeking refunds, they encountered numerous legal hurdles.
The AVG’s website lists only an email contact without a phone number, physical address, or Federal Taxpayer Registry (RFC). Its trade name isn’t registered with the Public Registry of Commerce (RPC), which complicates the process for lodging complaints. Although the State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE) classifies this as fraud, filing a criminal case is tricky because the company could claim it is a victim of the artists’ defaults. However, legal experts suggest that buyers could pursue civil lawsuits for compensation.
Event ticket prices in Valle de Guadalupe are typically high. For Carín León’s concerts, tickets ranged from 1,800 pesos (including service and card fees), to as much as 7,000 pesos for VIP seating. According to the AVG Tickets website, some users called it a “fraud” since they received no refunds.
An important notice was posted on AVG’s social media on July 4, announcing refund dates from July 8 to August 9, depending on the purchased seating zones, and informing about a new concert date for Carín León on November 17. Despite the initial positive reception and the presence of several dignitaries and local officials like Gilberto Gamiño of the Tourism and Conventions Committee (Cotuco) during the inauguration, the situation has deteriorated rapidly for ticket holders.
### Fans Ignored by AVG Tickets
Dianet, a professional in Ensenada, had a troubling experience with AVG’s ticket refund process. After purchasing general seating tickets for Carín León’s concert with her partner, totaling 1,500 pesos each, she requested a refund when the concert got postponed indefinitely. AVG Tickets initially informed her that the concert was only rescheduled, not canceled.
After following the refund procedures, which included providing detailed ticket and payment information, she expected to receive her money back between August 5-9. However, the date came and went with no refund in sight. Despite further email inquiries, she received no response from AVG.
On social media, AVG’s reputation has taken a hit. Frustrated customers have bombarded the company, questioning their capacity to organize events and accusing them of lacking transparency.
### Options for Affected Consumers
Oscar Zárate, the local delegate of the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco), recommends that affected individuals file formal complaints against AVG Tickets to initiate a reconciliation process. Profeco, citing similar issues with Ticketmaster, reminds consumers that they have up to a year to file complaints about non-refunded tickets.
In cases where a provider refuses refunds, consumers are entitled to a reimbursement of the ticket price, service fees, and an additional compensation, generally at least 20% of the total cost. If a significant delay or outright refusal continues, it qualifies as a contractual breach, providing legal grounds for further action.
### Legal Implications and Possible Fraud Charges
The State Prosecutor’s Office is open to receiving criminal complaints for fraud against AVG Tickets. Central prosecutor Rafael Orozco explains that fraud cases can arise if a promoter knowingly sells tickets to events they know will not happen. However, complications arise when promoters claim they were also victims of last-minute artist cancellations.
Should accusations proceed, investigating whether the company continued to sell tickets despite knowing about the cancellations will be critical. If AVG is found to have knowledge of the cancellations yet continued sales, it could face substantial legal consequences.
### Secondary Article: Updates and Reactions
Further inquiries reveal that local and national media have extensively covered this developing issue. Profeco has continued to monitor the situation, urging consumers to document all communication with AVG and to consider collective legal actions if needed. Social media discussions highlight broader distrust toward future events at AVG. Moving forward, consumers are advised to remain cautious and seek further clarification before purchasing from potentially unreliable platforms.
**For more updates and to share your experiences, visit TJGringo.com.**
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