New Jersey Assembly Bill A4861

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/23/24
• Refer: 9/23/24

Caption

Requires issuance of refund or credit for tickets purchased through reseller or ticket resale website for events that get postponed.

Impact

By amending the existing New Jersey law, specifically P.L.1983, c.135, the bill holds resellers accountable for ensuring that consumers are not left without recourse when events are postponed. This legislative change is expected to enhance consumer confidence in the ticket resale market, promoting fair practices and transparency in ticket pricing and refund policies. It also seeks to mitigate the complications consumers face when events change unexpectedly, requiring resellers to be more responsible in their dealings with customers.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4861 aims to enhance consumer protection regarding ticket purchases made through resellers or ticket resale websites. The bill stipulates that if an event is postponed, resellers or ticket resale websites must provide a refund or credit to the ticket purchaser. This refund policy primarily applies to the purchase price of the tickets, excluding any handling or delivery fees, provided that such exclusions are clearly disclosed to the consumer at the time of the transaction.

Contention

While the bill appears to support consumers, it has raised concerns among some in the ticket resale industry. Critics argue that mandating refunds could strain resellers’ operations, particularly smaller businesses that may struggle to maintain liquidity when refunding numerous transactions. Additionally, opponents warn that enforcing such stringent policies might lead to increased ticket prices as resellers adjust their business models to accommodate the potential financial risks introduced by the bill.