Charlotte, NC Woman’s StubHub Paid-For Concert Tickets Disappear
A Charlotte woman recently learned the hard way that using secondary ticket markets can cause problems. According to WCNC Charlotte, this woman’s StubHub paid-for concert tickets disappeared. Pam Stowe flew…
A Charlotte woman recently learned the hard way that using secondary ticket markets can cause problems. According to WCNC Charlotte, this woman's StubHub paid-for concert tickets disappeared.
Pam Stowe flew all the way to New York with her kids and was walking into the Billy Joel concert when she learned that the tickets that she had already paid for were no longer hers.
With tickets becoming harder to get a lot of people end up turning to secondary markets for tickets like StubHub.
Stowe is turning 70 this year and decided that she would celebrate with her two sons who live in New York. When she saw Billy Joel was there, she thought it would be a great way to celebrate.
She ended up spending $3,000 on the tickets to get the best seats possible.
Stowe said, "I was so excited I couldn’t sleep that night."
She received an email from StubHub confirming the ticket purchase and the money was taken out of her bank account. She said she waited to download the tickets in hopes that she could surprise the boys with how great the seats were.
Just an hour before the Billy Joel concert there was a big problem.
Stowe said her son checked the email and told her the tickets were gone. She had gotten an email from StubHub a day before the concert that said the seller no longer had the tickets that were originally purchased.
A customer service representative from StubHub told Stowe that the tickets were likely re-sold and were from a third party that they couldn't control.
StubHub insists that the problem was a technical error and they advise all customers to immediately open all emails and accept transfers of the tickets as soon as they can so they have enough time to troubleshoot any issues. StubHub did refund the full amount of the tickets that Stowe paid for and gave her a $200 credit.
South Carolina Named One Of The 9 Best States For Music Festivals
Summer is festival season. And let's face it, when it comes to music festivals you either love or hate them. When you think of music festivals your first thought probably goes to Coachella. Other big ones include Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, or if you're a country fan Tortuga or Stagecoach. I've been to a couple of country festivals including one in South Carolina, so seeing SC on the best states for music festivals made sense to me. Music Festivals can mean long days in the heat, lots of money spent on food and drink, and perhaps the investment of hotel rooms. If you love music and being in an exciting atmosphere they can be well worth the money though.
Perhaps the best place for a festival to you is one nearby? Or maybe you're looking to plan a trip to one of the festivals named above. Bonnaroo was on my bucketlist for a while, but now the idea of sleeping outside and not showering for days just isn't that appealing. I'd still love to attend Tortuga right on the Florida beach. And rumors are swirling that my favorite artist Taylor Swift could be playing Coachella next year. So California may be in my future. So whether proximity, the vacation appeal, or the artists are what is drawing you to a festival. But what are the best places to attend a music festival?
Our friends over at AirportParkingReservations.com created the Ultimate Festival Guide and shared that guide with us. And as a part of that, they ranked the best (and worst) states to attend a festival. And South Carolina, well its one of the best states for music festivals. That's something to be proud of right? It's close to home. Plus festivals are great for the economy. Keep reading to see where they fell on this list.
1. Wisconsin
Number of Festivals: 16
Crime Reports (2021): 21,832
Average Rainfall: 34
Average Temperature: 43.1
Cost of Accommodations: 432
Cost of Smirnoff: 12.29
Total Ranking: 50.6
Wisconsin probably isn't the first place you think of when you think of music festivals. But perhaps you should! I was vaguely familiar with the fact there was a country music festival in Wisconsin but I couldn't have named it before a little research. But low crime, and lower-than-average temperatures are some of what led to the state's number one ranking. Some of the 16 festivals that take place in Wisconsin include Summerfest, Mile of Music, and Country Thunder Wisconsin.
2. Nevada
Number of Festivals: 14
Crime Reports (2021): 19,298
Average Rainfall: 10
Average Temperature: 49.9
Cost of Accommodations: 474
Cost of Smirnoff: 9.49
Total Ranking: 49.5
I'll be honest my first thought when I think of Nevada music festivals is one surrounded by tragedy. A tragedy I'm still trying to make sense of today. But despite that incident, Nevada still is a great place to catch a music festival. The state is home to 14 festivals including Life Is Beautiful, EDC Las Vegas, and Rock In Rio. One thing that makes a Nevada festival great? You're in the desert so there is a good chance you won't have to pack rain gear.
3. Georgia
Number of Festivals: 8
Crime Reports (2021): 46,865
Average Rainfall: 50
Average Temperature: 64
Cost of Accommodations: 372
Cost of Smirnoff: 8.99
Total Ranking: 48.8
I am shocked Georgia doesn't have more festivals. But even with only 8 and a higher-than-average crime number, they still ranked 3rd on this list. Low accommodations helped boost The Peach State in the rankings. (Though if you've ever tried to get a hotel room in downtown Atlanta when a concert is going on, I'd challenge that!). Festivals in Georgia include Midtown Music, Imagine Music Festival, and Shaky Knees Music Festival.
4. Mississippi
Number of Festivals: 2
Crime Reports (2021): 12,841
Average Rainfall: 56
Average Temperature: 63
Cost of Accommodations: 422
Cost of Smirnoff: 11.99
Total Ranking: 47.1
I guess math allows a state that only has 2 festivals to rank 4th. While it's not best for the accessibility of festivals, the ones they have are great to attend.
5. Kentucky
Number of Festivals: 6
Crime Reports (2021): 15,159
Average Rainfall: 47
Average Temperature: 56
Cost of Accommodations: 372
Cost of Smirnoff: 10.49
Total Ranking: 47.0
Kentucky festivals include Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life, and ROMP. You'll find decently priced accommodations, low crime, and affordable drinks. Not a bad combination. Plus I'm sure you can get some great bourbon at all these festivals!
6. New Mexico
Number of Festivals: 2
Crime Reports (2021): 22,077
Average Rainfall: 14
Average Temperature: 53
Cost of Accommodations: 438
Cost of Smirnoff: 11.49
Total Ranking: 46.2
The desert location is what boasts New Mexico this high on the list. While it isn't home to many music festivals now, perhaps it should be. Any festival promoters out there reading this, here's your next festival location. They have a need and the weather. Just perhaps a spring or fall festival would be best!
7. Maryland
Number of Festivals: 12
Crime Reports (2021): 27,435
Average Rainfall: 44
Average Temperature: 54.2
Cost of Accommodations: 393
Cost of Smirnoff: 9.99
Total Ranking: 45.3
I've actually been to an outdoor concert in Maryland and it was very pleasant even in July. Festival producers love it, as Maryland is home to the Moonrise Festival, Hot August Music Festival, and Maryland Deathfest among others.
8. South Carolina
Number of Festivals: 4
Crime Reports (2021): 33,133
Average Rainfall: 48
Average Temperature: 62.4
Cost of Accommodations: 248
Cost of Smirnoff: 11.99
Total Ranking: 45
I've actually been to the Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach numerous times. It's a fun time and a beachfront festival is the perfect way to experience live music. So seeing South Carolina on this list, well it wasn't a surprise to me.
9. Florida
(Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Number of Festivals: 36
Crime Reports (2021): 86,907
Average Rainfall: 54
Average Temperature: 71
Cost of Accommodations: 546
Cost of Smirnoff: 10.99
Total Ranking: 45
With one of the largest number of music festivals, why is Florida ranked only 9th? High numbers of crime, rainfall, and the high cost of accommodations are mainly to blame. Florida is home to festivals such as Tortuga, Ulta, and the Gasparilla Music Festival.
