BBB Tip: Van Gogh events – One Artist, Two Shows, lots of Ticket Confusion

 

Art lovers beware! Two exhibits featuring post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh are scheduled to tour select cities in North America, but they are offering two different experiences. The soundalike names of the events are causing confusion, and some fans are frustrated that they bought tickets to one event but then realized it was not the one they wanted.

The exhibit called “Immersive Van Gogh” is described by the promoter as one that allows visitors to see projections of the artist’s work on an enormous scale, filling the room. The original exhibition in France was featured on the popular Netflix show “Emily In Paris.” Tickets for this event are being sold through VanGoghNYC.comTicketmaster and Universe.com. The show is scheduled for New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Toronto, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

A similarly-titled event, “Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience,” is described as offering a virtual reality headset encounter, allowing the visitor to feel as if they are stepping into the artwork. Tickets for the virtual reality show are being sold through a European-based business called Fever, which has had complaints filed by consumers with the Better Business Bureau and as of March 10, 2021 they are in the process of responding to previously unanswered complaints.

Consumers are urged to read everything carefully, so they are clear as to the tickets they are buying.

Before purchasing any tickets, BBB recommends the following:

  • Buy only from trusted vendors. Look for the lock symbol in the web address to indicate a secure purchasing system. Do not click through from emails or online ads. Check the vendor with BBB.org to see what information may be available about the seller.
  • Read the ad and website carefully. Make sure to read the event description carefully and ensure that it is the one you want. Also, be sure the event advertised matches the tickets being purchased. Verify the website selling the tickets also matches the event advertised and is an authorized seller for the event you want. Be wary and do more research if you spot confusing marketing claims.
  • Watch for red flags. For any ticketed event, always check the terms and conditions as well as other posted policies. If refund and cancellation policies or other terms and conditions are not posted on an event producer’s website, that is a red flag. Lack of contact information for the event producer is also cause for concern.
  • Use payment methods that come with protection. Always use a credit card so there is some recourse if the tickets are not as promised. Debit cards, wire transfer, or cash transactions are risky; if the tickets are not the ones you intended to buy, you will not be able to get your money back.
  • If you are unsure, verify your tickets. Go to the arena, museum, or art gallery where the event will be held. Present your ticket to “Will Call” (customer service) and they can verify if your ticket is for the correct event.
Information courtesy of the Better Business Bureau