Americans who purchased tickets for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are expected to lose at least 20 percent on refunds after authorized ticket reseller (ART) CoSport said it would not return any handling fees.
After news broke on March 20 that foreign spectators would not be allowed to attend the Games due to ongoing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, those who had bought tickets started the process of requesting refunds.
Shortly thereafter, the New Jersey-based CoSport sent out an email that quickly spread across social media indicating that it would only refund customers the face value of the tickets and shipping fees – excluding the 20 percent handling fee it charges in the U.S.
As the country’s ATR, CoSport has exclusive access to sell Olympic tickets in the United States.
CoSport’s message also said that any refunds will likely “take up to the third quarter of the year” to be processed and returned to purchasers, saying that’s when it expects Tokyo 2020 will return funds to it.
CoSport pointed to the Japanese Government as the reasoning behind the 20 percent handling fee not being refunded, saying this stipulation was in the Terms & Conditions of the purchase agreement.
“Although CoSport and other Olympic entities encouraged the Japanese Government and organizers to refund all costs incurred by international spectators, they decided to refund event tickets based solely on the Terms & Conditions included in your purchase agreement,” the email says.
Cosport USA sends email detailing their refund policy for #Tokyo2020. Cosport will not be re-funding the 20% handling fees with the orders and spectators will not be refunded until the 3rd quarter of this year. pic.twitter.com/SOdOdgfNy8
— Ken Hanscom (@KenHanscom) March 27, 2021
Jet Set Sports – the trade name of CoSport – was among the ATRs that requested that the IOC not ban international spectators from the Olympic Games on the eve of the announcement that only Japanese fans could attend.
According to Inside The Games, CoSport is also an ATR in Sweden, Norway, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan and Australia.
Kingdom Sports Group, the ATR for most African and Asian countries, are also not refunding fees and charging a processing fee on top, with the notice to apply for refunds being just one week.
Other ATRs, such as Team GB Live in Great Britain, have pledged to offer full refunds to purchasers.
Tokyo organizers have said that about 600,000 Olympic tickets have been sold outside of Japan.
“Other ATRs, such as Team GB Live in Great Britain, have pledged to offer full refunds to purchasers.”
Welcome to Japan. More corrupt than China.
It’s an American company screwing everyone.
It’s not japan that is directly making the decision, they have the choice to the company I believe but the ones making the end decision to basically rob people is the American company
Im just happy to see that the IOC WILL allow raised fists and…KNEELING during the anthem
Which anthem… cause ya know. its global.
You fail to mention that Japanese nationals and even former Japanese who have given up Japanese citizenship will still be able to enter their homeland and root for their favored athletes while everybody else will have to eat the tickets they paid good money for.
This is not accurate. Visa and immigration rules entering Japan are very strict right now. Keep in mind there are MANY individuals who work, own property, have immediate family in Japan yet there are still unable to enter.
Where are you hearing that former Japanese citizens are being allowed in Japan?
NBC gifts ticket holders a flat screen TV…and Rowdy delivers it personally.
Hopefully Rowdy will be too busy delivering TVs to commentate.
Id approve of that. I could get an updated picture with him then.
Given the depth of the pocketbooks of those affected by this (olympic tickets plus travel to Japan is no small amount of money) I wouldn’t be surprised if a class action is incoming
company is based in Japan I believe. so governments will have to get involved.
I tried to edit this and say I was wrong, I completely forgot what I read in the article that its NJ based
Company is based in NJ, USA
These are extraordinary circumstances for the paying public.. This is robbery on CoSport’s part.
I would at least demand a pair of shoes .as reparations for my hurt which will soon be historical . I think Asicss would be appropriate .because , you know , Japan . For swimming ticket holders add a pair of Mizuno jammers.
BTW – If you could afford the tickets plus 20% plus travel and accomodation to Japan I think you can afford to take the hit.
Maybe, but they shouldn’t have to.
Agreed
While I was supposed to go, and I had tickets purchased already. 20% is still a chunk of change that could be used for something else. I wouldn’t just piss 20% down the drain and say, oh well.
at what point is 20% a big deal for you? $1? $5? $100? how about $1,000?
Also, take into account that some people that go this is their once in a lifetime trip to see their family in the greatest contest their sport has. some have to take out loans just to go. so, yeah, just because people can go doesn’t mean they are all rich. I know I’m absolutely not rich. I’ve saved up knowing the possibility of going… Read more »
We bought Opening Ceremony packages for our entire family (kids and grandkids) of 15 and 25% for us is a $22K loss.