iTunes RHCP ticket promo

Apple's first ever ticket promotion on iTunes appears to have gone awry and hundreds of iTunes customers expecting to be able purchase pre-sale tickets have been unable to obtain the necessary codes. According to AppleInsider, users have begun protesting and demanding for action and a refund, as the company touted Red Hot Chili Peppers pre-ticket sales as a means to drive electronic album purchases through its industry-leading iTunes Music Store. In April, the company launched a promotion in conjunciton with the release of Red Hot Chili Pepper's new album, Stadium Arcadium"; however, it appears that a large number of users have not received their special Ticketmaster code that would allow them purchase tickets before ticket pre-sales began on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of angry users have posted on Apple's support forms, indicating that they have received no email or code from Apple, while others said they had a received an email but with no promotion code; some users had indicated that they had indeed received the ticket codes, but only 30 minutes before the pre-sale began--although Apple had promised users the codes on May 8th. Some users were still awaiting codes for download of purchased material as well.

Postings by users indicate that some Apple support representatives have acknowledged the problem, but offered no immediate solutions. An Apple support email sent to customers indicated that Apple is resending the codes to some users, but claimed that the codes were no guarantee for tickets.

"Tickets for the Red Hot Chili Peppers/iTunes pre-sale are available on a first-come, first-serve basis," Apple wrote in response the ticket code problems. "Pre-sale codes are valid for only participating shows and are not a guarantee for tickets." Apple also appeared to be deflecting any further questions to Ticketmaster.

In addition, many users were frustrated as some concert venues had sold through their most popular floor seats. Many users had not received any communication or code from Apple by Tuesday afternoon, although there were indications that Apple and Ticketmaster may be working to resolve the problems.

Apple working on a solution?

A few users noted that the promotion may be (temporarily) suspended as it appears that some of those who did receive their codes have been unable to use them. Instead, some have encountered an error message when entering the codes: "We're sorry, there are no more tickets available for this promotion."

Previously, Apple had said the pre-sales tickeet promotion would be available through May 13th, offering iTunes customers the second shot at concert tickets. Those part of the membership-only RCHP fan club were offered first shot through a similar promotion that ended on May 8th.

Apple representatives refused to comment, but at least one user was told that Apple is working to get the codes in the hands of its iTunes customers as soon as possible.

by MacNN Staff