Consumer affairs minister cracks down on expensive payment systems at festivals
Belgium's minister for Consumer Affairs is cracking down on expensive cashless payment systems at events and festivals that use wristbands or prepaid cards. In his policy statement, Rob Beenders says festival organisers often charge visitors excessive fees to recover unused money, De Morgen reports.
At many large festivals, visitors pay with digital coins that they have to upload on a wristband or prepaid card. Beenders now wants to know from their organisers why they don't let visitors pay with their bank card or mobile phone, and why they charge fees to recover unused money on a prepaid card. In his policy statement, he writes that such charges are “often excessive”.
Belgium’s Federal Public Service Economy has had guidelines on refunds at events and festivals since last year. These do not go nearly far enough, Beenders believes. He wants it to be no longer possible to make a profit on prepaid cards. At the moment, fees worth a maximum of one consumption, usually around 3.5 euros, are seen as fair.
Consumer organisation Test Achats last year filed a complaint with the Economic Inspection against 10 festivals for breaches of consumer law.
“In 2023, the refund fee was investigated by the FPS Economy at the request of then state secretary Alexia Bertrand,” Nele Bigaré of Live Nation, which organises Rock Werchter, told De Morgen. “After investigation, it was stated that the fee is not disproportionate.”
If consultations with festival organisers don’t lead to any concrete results in the coming months, Beenders threatens harsh measures such as a ban on prepaid cards. There is currently no agreement on this in the new federal government.
Cashless payment system at the Rock Werchter music festival © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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