Federal Minister for Consumer Affairs Rob Beenders (Vooruit) is fighting against the system of expensive prepaid cards, tokens and wristbands as a means of payment at large events.
At many large festivals, visitors are forced to pay with digital coins or tokens. These need to be loaded onto a wristband or prepaid card – a system that has drawn much criticism in Belgium for costing festival-goers money as well as being unnecessarily convoluted.
Now, Beenders wants to know from their organisers why they do not just let visitors pay with their bank card or mobile phone. Additionally, he does not understand why organisers charge fees – which are "often excessive," he said – to recover unused money on a prepaid card.
While the Ministry of Economy published guidelines on refunds at events and festivals last year, Beenders believes that they do not go nearly far enough; he wants it to be no longer possible to make a profit on prepaid cards. Now, charges worth a maximum of one consumption, usually around €3.5, are seen as fair.
'Not disproportionate'
Last year, consumer protection organisation Testachats also filed a complaint with the Economic Inspectorate against ten festivals for breaches of consumer law. It concerned Couleur Café, Paradise City, Graspop, Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Tomorrowland, Ronquières, Lokerse Feesten, Les Ardentes and Dour.
"In 2023, the refund fee was investigated by the Federal Economy Ministry at the request of then-State Secretary Alexia Bertrand (Open VLD). After investigation, it was stated that the fee is not disproportionate," said Nele Bigaré of Live Nation, which organises the popular summer festival Rock Werchter, among others. She also said she is available for consultation with the minister.
If consultations do not yield anything in the coming months, Beenders threatens harsh measures, such as a ban on prepaid cards. However, there is currently no agreement on this in the new Federal Government, he clarified.
