Hot Wheels fans 'furious' over seating changes
Furious fans say seating changes for the Hot Wheels Dunedin show have split up family groups and ruined their view.
The event's promoters say people had to be moved for safety reasons and they are doing their best to accommodate everyone.
However, several ticket-holders in the premium section have told the Otago Daily Times about their displeasure at their seating arrangements being changed without warning.
Broghan van Aalst said it was particularly annoying as it meant her party's booking of 16 people had to be split up.
"They haven't even left it so we can sit with our own families.
"I am furious, to say the least."
Tickets have already sold out for the September 20 show at Forsyth Barr Stadium and are well on the way to selling out for September 21.
She said she felt treated badly by the Hot Wheels organisation.
"We will go because we've spent so much money on it — it's just not going to be what we've lined it up for the kids to be."
She said she found out about the changed seating nearly three weeks after booking the tickets.
"If there was some sort of apology and explanations of why, it might have been more easy to take on."
Other people have expressed similar concerns on social media.
Dunedin woman Sheila Patterson said she was informed of the changes just before 6pm on Thursday.
"It gave me no time to call up and query the situation.
"We have been moved from the middle of the third row from the front to 13 rows back and off to the side — it's extremely disappointing."
She understood there might have been health and safety reasons for the move.
"But there has been a real miscommunication ... the situation should've been avoided and could've been avoided."
She said those affected should get some form of compensation.
"The poor lady at the stadium has actually had to deal with a whole heap of people and she is going out of her way to try to help people as much as she can.
"But at the end of the day, it's still a lot of people that have been put out."
A Dunedin Venues spokesman apologised for the situation.
"Due to the show's development and to ensure the safety of both the crew and fans, the first 10 rows closest to the stadium pitch in the Speight's Stand for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Show at Forsyth Barr Stadium on September 20 were no longer accessible to the public.
"As a result, patrons with premium tickets in these areas have been reallocated to similar seats within the same premium category. The first row of seating in the new configuration is now row L [not A].
He said all other stands had their first 10 rows removed prior to on-sale, including the second show on September 21.
"This is an isolated impact to a selection of patrons."
The spokesman said affected patrons were notified on Thursday and offered alternative seats.
"While we wish this change could have been communicated earlier, we're pleased to be able to make the necessary adjustments to deliver a safe and exciting event experience for everyone."
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