Northern Territory Consumer Affairs issues ‘scam’ warning for Darwin Dinosaur Festival

Northern Territory Consumer Affairs is advising that the Dinosaur Festival Darwin is "on the verge of extinction", warning Territorians the company behind the festival is still selling tickets with no official venue for the event and recommending refunds be sought now.

Consumer Affairs advised on Monday morning that the venue operators - Festival Ignite Pty Ltd - have confirmed the event will neither go ahead at the Jingili Water Gardens nor the Darwin Show Grounds from 29th to 31st July. Applications to hold the event on another date have not been received.

NT Consumer Affairs has no further information that might indicate that the event could take place elsewhere. Enquiries made to Festival Ignite Pty Ltd (ABN 20 642 145 186), and its director David Huni, have remained unanswered.

Yet, the company is still selling tickets through one of its websites, while another associated website has recently been suspended. Advertisements on their Facebook page have not been removed – sparking the warning.

NT Consumer Affairs Commissioner Sandra Otto advises “In light of this new information, particularly the absence of any confirmed bookings for a venue at which to hold the event, I would encourage those who have already purchased tickets to the event to contact Festival Ignite Pty Ltd and ask for a refund anyway.

“If you don’t have any joy, you may wish to lodge a charge-back with your bank to have the payment transaction reversed.

“Given that the event has previously taken place in other parts of Australia, we had no reason to entertain the scam allegations that arose in the past. However, in light of this new information, it is time to warn consumers and hopefully save Territorians some money.”

Receiving a refund may prove challenging however, Consumer Affairs advised, adding “The Terms and Conditions exclude the possibility for refunds even in circumstances where consumers are entitled to get their money back.

“Such Terms and Conditions have the potential to mislead consumers about their rights to refunds.

“In Newcastle in New South Wales, the event was scheduled from 13th to 15th May. The company cancelled at the very last minute on 13th May due to the heavy rainfalls. The company now relies on their Terms and Conditions to deny any refunds. However, even after the cancellation of the event, the company was still selling tickets online for the cancelled event.”