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Country Thunder refunds: Viewers credit FOX 35 for company's response to customers over canceled festival

By
Updated  December 31, 2024 12:51am EST
Volusia County
FOX 35 Orlando

FOX 35 investigates Country Thunder refunds

FOX 35 News has been investigating delayed refunds from Country Thunder’s canceled October music festival. Country Thunder said it finished issuing those refunds on December 20, but ten days later, many people still don’t have their money.

The Brief

    • Country Thunder faced criticism for delays in refunding customers after its October festival was canceled, with many still waiting for their money despite promises of processing by December 20. 
    • Some customers received receipts late at night, but concerns over missing transaction details have caused trust issues. 
    • While a few have received refunds after FOX 35's investigation, many vow never to attend another Country Thunder event, citing frustration and poor communication.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - FOX 35 News has been investigating delayed refunds from Country Thunder’s canceled October music festival.  

Country Thunder said it finished issuing those refunds on December 20, but ten days later, many people still don’t have their money. The company stated it could take up to ten business days for refunds to process. However, both the refunds and some of the communication from the company have been arriving outside of regular business hours.  

Late Friday afternoon, Country Thunder informed customers that if they wanted a receipt for their refunds, they’d need to contact the ticketing company, AXS.  

After FOX 35’s coverage of Country Thunder aired that evening, the company began reaching out to customers individually on Facebook and sending refund receipts. Courtney Lucciola, one of the affected customers, received a receipt Friday night.  

"They had told me that my refund was issued on December 19 and that I should have it in 7 to 10 business days. So then I turned around and checked with my bank," Lucciola said. "My bank told me that it only takes 2 to 7 days for something like that."  

As of the close of business on December 30, eleven days after the refund was allegedly processed, Lucciola still hasn’t received her money.  

She says she’s having trouble trusting the receipt. "There was no authorization number on there. There was no transaction number on there. There was nothing on there that said this was processed into your bank."  

Leila Walker did receive her refund. Like Lucciola, her receipt stated that the refund was issued on December 19. Country Thunder sent her confirmations at 9:25 and 9:27 p.m., and the refund appeared in her account at 9:33 p.m.  

"I know it was the attention you gave us and what you brought forward for us," Walker said. "Whatever you did lit a fire under them."  

"Thank you for staying on top of it," added Lucciola.  

Regardless of whether they’ve received refunds, most of the customers FOX 35 has interviewed say they will not attend another Country Thunder festival.  

"They’ve tainted our experience. I don’t want to do business with them," Walker said.  

Country Thunder did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. Their voicemail states the office is closed from December 21 to January 5.  

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