Giant Village Prepares for Giant Headache

POed in LA on January 01, 2006, at 12:04PM – #1

From GV's website:

"At 4:30 p.m. today during meetings between event producers GIANT Los Angeles Inc. and officials of the City of Los Angeles, we were advised that the extreme weather conditions caused serious concern for public safety. Namely, city officials advised Giant that if the event were to proceed, numerous factors threatening public safety likely would result in the termination of the event sending away the full capacity crowd. Therefore, based on these discussions and the city�s recommendations, we determined to accede to the city�s direction to postpone the event at this time."

Either the sponsors or the LAFD is putting a big spin on things or outright lying.

jim on January 01, 2006, at 12:27PM – #2

i don't see anything the lafd has to gain by spinning this.

and it took them until 4:30pm on the day of the event to figure out that rain might be a problem? this wasn't exactly a sudden squall. so much for contingency planning.

josh on January 02, 2006, at 12:04AM – #4

i have to say i am deeply skeptical of the explanation. the event was planned rain or shine, and they would have reveiewed the planning with the LAFD long in advance. i dont see this getting cancelled during the final walkthrough.

what is more, the hour-by-hour weather report for the evening was pretty much unchanged throughout the day, showing the rain cutting back to 40% chance of light showers by 6pm, and 20% after 9pm or so. And, sure enough, the rain had dropped to light showers by the time of their walkthrough and stopped completely by late evening.

i think it is far more likely that presales were low (one article i read mentioned that most tickets were expected to be sold onsite) and the rain had them scared they were not going to make their numbers at the door, and they decided in the end they would take less of a hit if they triggered their event cancellation insurance, than ran the event with bad attendance.

i suspect their insurance company is going to have some very detailed discussions with the fire department about exactly who said what to whom.

POed in LA on January 02, 2006, at 01:15AM – #5

^ Did Dave Dean think this year's event was attracting way less interest than in the past? If true, what happened? Did LA get hit with a huge quake? Has the town's economy tanked? Has there been another riot? Is the murder rate soaring? Are people becoming spooked by downtown again?

I read an article that says the sidewalks of New York City over the past few weeks have seen record crowds, ridiculously so around Fifth Avenue and Times Square. Maybe that's where all the tickets buyers to Big Village in the previous few years have ended up. And so if Dave Dean is being a BS artist as to why his event was terminated, then maybe New York or some other town far away is where he should end up too.

However, I don't want attention taken away from some of those fire dept officials either. Sometimes they're big wussies about things taken for granted elsewhere.

JAY on January 02, 2006, at 09:16PM – #6

BRAVO!!! FINALLY A SITE THAT KNOWS THE TRUTH!!!!

If you want to get some answers -

Producer of Giant Village - Dave Dean 612 S Flower St. Suite 721 Los Angeles, CA Tel.:

Giant's Offices 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90028 Tel:

You can also contact one of the main marketing people:

JC FRANCO DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Nightlife - Marketing - Promoter WWW.WIREDLA.COM http://www.wiredlife.org/

MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/jcluvsu

-or-

Jay on January 02, 2006, at 09:27PM – #7

Here's a letter I wrote to the LA Times today after reading a story about the show:

Dear Patrick,

I read your story today about the NYE Giant Village party cancelled in downtown over the weekend and I'm disappointed in how the media has covered the events. Whatever happed to accountability?

They blamed the fire Marshal and no one has called them on that. The ticket says "rain or shine" and no one has called them on that. The weather had been forecast all week that it was going to rain on Saturday and no one called them on that. It wasn't raining at the time the event was supposed to go on and no one has called them on that. The statement that finally said the event was cancelled didn't go up until after the event was supposed to start and no one called them on that. What about the fact that getting a refund has been a nightmare for everyone involved - no one called them on that!

The only thing your article did do was give our Mayor another press opportunity (thanks I guess).

In case you're going to do a follow up story, I thought you may be interested in knowing some details:

At 5pm NYE, there was a posting on Groove Tickets (the site to buy tickets for the event) which said that the event was cancelled. About 10 minutes later, the posting was taken of the site. We called Groove and they confirmed that the site had deleted the posting and that the tickets say, rain or shine.

Around the same time, an employee at Virgin named Jesse (who claimed he was a manager) said he had spoken to the event organizers and assured us that the event was still on. He actually called us back to let us know it was ok to pick up tickets for the event. We even double-checked it with another ticket agent at another store and they said they had not heard that that show had been cancelled. By this time, it was well after 6pm. In fact, he had just sold 4 tickets moments before he picked up the phone. After watching the news, signing on to giantvillage.com and not finding a definitive cancellation notice, we bought our tickets at 6:45pm from Virgin Mega Store at Hollywood & Highland after the reassurance that the event was going on as planned. By this time, the weather was clear and perfect and in our mind, LA was finally going to have a NYE party!

We got downtown about 10pm and there were thousands of people roaming the street. I noticed two news vans there, but no crews. When we got up to the gate, the event security officers said that "the event was closed down by the fire marshal" and that we should go find some place else to celebrate NYE (ok brains, we're stuck in downtown where should be go?) The weird part about the event is that when we looked through the gates, if there was going to be an event, wouldn't they have had things set up and wouldn't vendors be still wrapping up their spaces? The place was desolate and empty.

We are reasonable people; if the rain was dangerous we would have stayed home. However, before we even left the house, the rain had already stopped for at least 2.5 hours. The night was beautiful.

What we're really upset about is the lack of preparation for rain (despite the "rain or shine" clause on the ticket) and, more importantly, the failure to make a timely announcement of the cancellation shows a lack of respect for all the anticipated patrons and performers. It rained 1/2 inch downtown as forecast, which has been predicted as early as Tuesday. The event organizers did not officially cancel the event until late Saturday. The fact that the organizers elected to cancel the "rain or shine" event on their own, without an order from the City, is what really irks us.

If the scene was dangerous, the City would have closed it down. That did not happen. What did happen is that the promoters screwed up, and now they should do something to correct the situation. Your article said that the rain may "create a public safety issues." When have we started living by the word "may?" If it was "going to" then they would have shut it down.

The next phase of this fiasco is how we "may" get a refund.

Some credit card companies are refusing to issue credits because it wasn't a fraud case (which of course the bank teller couldn't tell us where in our contract does is define what is considered fraud, but that's another story).

We bought our tickets from Virgin and yesterday we were told that they would not honor our tickets for a refund. Basically, they said that they had heard from the event organizers in an email sent to a marketing guy at the sunset store in which they should tell ticket holders to look on the giantvillage.com website for a rebate update which should have been posted by 7pm yesterday. That email specifically said not to mention the word "refund" to any person calling about the event. Well, now the site is completely off line and people are very angry.

Like I said what happened to accountability? They blame the City and the Mayor doesn't do anything except use this as a PR opportunity. Please, for the love of God, ask people if they will ever go to another event promoted by Giant? I know I won't and will make sure that if they try to "sell us" on their NYE 07, I will make sure everyone knows these people are frauds. At a minimum, Giant events (or any company run by Dave Dean), should be discredited, and, as the saying goes "never work in this town again."

Elle on January 02, 2006, at 11:35PM – #8

Fishy for sure! I didn't buy the LAFD excuse for a second. I feel bad for everyone that paid cash -good luck getting that back. This whole thing smells of the 90's rave scene -back when promoters would call everyone to a place in the desert and split with the money these guys are bold. They ripped us off in the middle of the city! Unless they can make some serious amends I hope nobody attends another Dave Dean event again.

Bobby on January 03, 2006, at 08:00AM – #9

I've noticed on the back of the tickets in small print it states "All sales are final, unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled." "Refund requests must be made within five days of the event's originally scheduled date." The event was cancelled, therefore according to the "ticket policy" we should get a refund regardless if Giant reschedules the event or not. The tickets stub states that you only have five days to receive a refund. Is this why Giant hasn't released a new statement? Is Dean quitely allowing the 5-day grace period to end? Makes me wonder......

Tammy on January 03, 2006, at 10:15AM – #10

The problem I've found with getting a refund as been that Groove claims they sold tickets to the promoter for about $0.20 a piece to sell to places like Virgin and refuse to refund anyone their money if they weren't purchased through grove tickets. Virgin claims that the promoter said they'd give a refund and that we should check back with giantvillage.com for info (which the site isn't even working properly). The promoter is nowhere to be found and the 5 days are running out fast. Groove is calling Virgin's marketing people to find out what's going on. If no one ever goes to another giant event, it will be worth my $80! We have to remember this for next year - when we're caught up in the holiday spirit, if you see announcements for giantvillage 07, do all you can to remind people of the giant-con 06.

Melissa on January 03, 2006, at 10:32AM – #11

I found this on the LAFD blog the night of the event. http://lafd.blogspot.com/2005/12/organizers-cancel-la-giant-village.html Organizers Cancel LA Giant Village Event

We have been informed that the "Giant Village" New Years Eve Event in Downtown Los Angeles has been cancelled by event organizers.

This was a decision made entirely by event organizers. There was no order from the Fire Marshal's Office.

WE AGAIN WISH TO STRESS, THE EVENT WAS CANCELLED BY EVENT ORGANIZERS AND NOT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE LAFD HAS NO FURTHER DETAILS.

For all further information, please contact event organizers through:

www.giantvillage.com

Kiley on January 03, 2006, at 11:06AM – #12

I'm starting to really suspect that the promoter has become, or always has been, a flim-flam man. Too bad, too, because that means major New Year's Eve celebrations in downtown are now kaput. I hope that's not a warning that the area's rocky past will become a rocky future.

Wally George on January 03, 2006, at 12:27PM – #13

Giant Village = Giant Disappointment

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=4541

Talk about spin, who does David Dean know at American Chronicle and why hasn't this "information" appeared elsewhere???

Wally George on January 03, 2006, at 12:32PM – #14

THIS JUST APPEARED ON THEIR WEBSITE

JANUARY 3, 2005

GIANT VILLAGE CANCELLED

We will not be rescheduling a make-up event. We will be honoring refunds for tickets purchased.

We apologize for the delay in this notice, but many factors had to be considered on the night of the event and we put up all the information we could at that time.

If you purchased through GrooveTickets.com, you will be receiving an email directly from them. We will be posting additional refund information for other outlets, as soon as they are available, later today. Thank you for your patience.

Jonathan on January 03, 2006, at 02:29PM – #15

It is always always always about the bottom line. This would have been a great event on a perfect night. However, because sales would have been down at the gate it was cancelled. A class action suit should be brought against Giant because "rain or shine" means one and only one thing. It is the Fire Department's job to err on the side of caution, but they did cancel the event. It is the promoter's job to make the right decision, which in this case, meant doing nothing at all except for letting the night take its due course. Any other city in the country would kill for the conditions we had...like, bring a jacket. Once again, Los Angeles looked like a joke (remember the millenium), and my wife and I vowed never to spend another NYE in LA.

~J~ on January 03, 2006, at 02:52PM – #16

In my opinion no matter what, they should of have a alternate plan for the event or else don't be printing "rain or shine" on the tickets. I was looking forward to this party for long time. This really sucked!!! Messed up my New Year Eve, and also I got the event canceled email around 10:30pm on New Year eve, what the hell was that!! If they could notify earlier, we could of plan for other parties. Luckly I'm from Los Angeles area, it's really messed up for those who came from outta town and booked the hotel for this event. I've been going to GiantVillage for the past 3 years I know I won't be looking foward to GiantVillage7. Dave Dean should just go to hell for screwing up 20,000 people's NYE, but like he really cares anywayz, he made enough money from us already.

Jonathan on January 03, 2006, at 03:05PM – #17

The only remedy can be found in a class action suit. The only winners in a class action suit are the lawyers, but this strategy should sufficiently drain Giant of any money in which they may attempt a recovery of their business operations. Also, the management needs to be named in the suit individually, so that their personal funds are at risk.

Alexandra G on January 03, 2006, at 05:31PM – #18

I know you keep telling us that the web site now has new information, but it doesn't. It's the same old "today at 4:30pm" crap.

I love the June Caldwell's story at American Chronicle (thanks for posting that, I needed a good LAUGH)- what a bunch of boo hoo. David Dean lost $1.5M? Come on... haven't you ever heard of insurance??? What the story missed was telling us how he must have cried in the corner when he broke the news to reporters... Did anyone offer him a klenex?

I can't imaging the LAFD has that much time on its hands to put a stonghold on an event because of .5 inch of rain? Are you for real? June, now I know why you write for AC, that's the only place that will let you write for free. Your story is not worth the pixels it's made from. I hope you write for them for a long, long time - It will be good to have a laugh every once in a while.

Wait a second, we're pissed at Dave Dean and Giant... don't mean to take it out on you June, but if you associate with these losers, you're opening up yourself to it. Sorry!

POed in LA on January 03, 2006, at 05:36PM – #19

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=4541

Now I'm really pissed. I felt a bit of sympathy for Dave Dean because of rumors that ticket sales had been bad. But if, in fact, response had been as good, if not better than, last year's, Dave Dean now looks like an even bigger wussie or idiot.

POed in LA on January 03, 2006, at 05:42PM – #20

"Wait a second, we're pissed at Dave Dean and Giant"

That writer sounds like she's as disbelieving as anyone else about the reasons for BV's cancellation. I think she'd like to kick Dean in the ass as much as the rest of us.

DH on January 04, 2006, at 09:10AM – #22

I found this quite interesting, an excerpt from an interview June Caldwell conducted with Dave Dean, posted on December 30:

June: Last year's event almost got rained out. If it does rain this year, what modifications will be made to the event?

Dave: A lot of the stages are tented. The one thing about LA, for example it did rain at 10 on the day of New Years Eve. LA weather at it's worst is nothing to worry about,...

June: (lol)...like Glastonbury in the UK, where everyone is in rain gear the whole time.

Dave: that's right! My hope is that people will realize that party has been going on for 5 years, and it always goes on! We are very accommodating if people want to bring raingear, we have a huge coat check. We have been doing this for 5 years - when it was t-shirt weather, or when it was a little chilly, and we always have a great time. There are several indoor seated areas of this event. It's LA!

Link to article http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=4185

Wally George on January 04, 2006, at 09:48AM – #23

Alexandra G, They HAVE updated their website, you have to empty your browser cache first in order to see the update.

Balut on January 04, 2006, at 11:39AM – #24

THIS IS THE REPLY THAT I GOT FROM DAVE DEAN WHEN I WROTE HIM...

Hello,

Please forgive the delayed follow up. the past few days have been the worst of any of our experiences and it has been impossible to put into words all the issues and difficult decisions that we’ve faced.

We cannot begin express to you how devastated we are that we were not able to deliver this year’s GIANT Village as planned. We made what we still believe was the right decision based the determination from the Los Angeles Fire Department that the extreme weather conditions caused serious concern for public safety.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Sunday stood by Los Angeles Fire Department officials whose advice the day before helped convince the organizers of a massive New Year's Eve music festival planned for downtown to cancel the event.

"I think the fire officials made a determination that they believed was in the interest of public safety, and I don't have any information that that wasn't an appropriate decision," Villaraigosa said Sunday.

                - Los Angeles Times, Monday, January 2, 2006

Further pushing our decision, which we had to make at 4pm on New Year’s Eve, was the news that a stage had collapsed at Paramount Studios in Hollywood at 3pm during the set-up for another outdoor New Year’s Eve Party. The Paramount Studios event subsequently had its permits pulled and was canceled due to the severe weather.

Although the rain subsided in the early evening, the danger of the flooded streets remained and the potential for more rain later in the evening could never be ruled out. Considering the commotion of the afternoon’s events, we did our best to notify all media outlets regarding the night’s cancellation and posted security to inform everyone who had not received the notices.

In an emotional announcement on the night of the event, we proposed scheduling a make-up show in hopes of salvaging what we believed to be a memorable line-up. After weighing all options for a make up event, we will now be offering ticket holders the choice of a make up event package consisting of multiple club events of greater value featuring talent from the GIANT Village or a full refund for the face value of your tickets.

Please understand that there was no benefit to us to cancel our event other than your safety. We did not have 'Event Cancellation Insurance' to cover our loss, all of the artists were at the venue and we had sold more advance tickets through December 30 than any of our previous events. We make money by producing shows, not canceling shows. This was a disastrous financial loss for us.

As difficult a time as it is for us, we�d like to assure you that we always consider the importance of our loyal customers to our business� as well as their safety. Yes, it says 'rain or shine' on your ticket, but not 'rain or shine, injury or death.'

A belated Happy New Year,

Dave Dean Director, GIANT

MAKE UP PACKAGE OR REFUND INFORMATION:

GrooveTickets.com: Anyone who purchased tickets via GrooveTickets.com has or will receive an email notification.

Virgin Megastores: Please email with the Subject: 'VIRGIN - Information Request' by Friday, January 6, 2006.

Independent Retail Outlets: Please email with the Subject: 'INDEPENDENT - Information Request' by Friday, January 6, 2006.

Independent Retails Outlets Include:

Street Sounds Brat Store Benway Records Sound Station Grooveriders Sanctuary Fingerprints Catwalk Ipso Facto Electric Chair Mileage Clubwear

Other GIANT Village Online Sales: Please contact the ticketing company directly.

Grand Pavilion Information: Please contact the person from whom you directly purchased the ticket or from the online ticketing agency from which you purchased the ticket.

Rocio Villalobos on January 18, 2006, at 10:29AM – #25

Has anyone who purchased tickets with cash gotten a refund- and how??? I emailed giantvillage as posted on their site, within the said time period- actually sent off 3 emails so far and have not gotten a reply. Went to the local record store where I purchased them soon after the event and they didn't have any info either. What am I supposed to do?

syd on January 20, 2006, at 04:48AM – #26

i know for a fact that the rooms for the performers were cancelled 48hrs prior and the peeps involved did very little to plan b this event

syd on January 20, 2006, at 04:53AM – #27

i have not been refunded or contacted by groovetickets.com i purchased 2 tickets vip ........ i have called several times only to get a recorded excuse... these people need some professional planners or should never have respect for a party again... i have had volunteers do a better job

Rosa on January 24, 2006, at 04:29PM – #28

Hello, I've sent three e-mails to so I can obtain a refund for the ticket I purchased at Virgin Megastore in Ontario. No response yet and Virgin Megastore has no information.

Has anyone been successful in getting their credit card company to dispute the charges?

26 Days and Waiting on January 25, 2006, at 09:10PM – #29

It's January 26th and I still have not received my refund for the 8 Giant Village 2006 tickets I purchased with CASH at the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco. I followed the instructions on the website down to the "T".

What's the update? Does anyone know? Or do I have to storm down to the Giant offices in LA and curse some MF's out?

~26 Days and Waiting...for my freakin refund!

Trina McCord on January 27, 2006, at 11:38AM – #30

I have gotten a response from the saying that they will reach everyone today to give details on how to get your refund. I have tried sending out another e-mail this morning but have not heard anything back yet. I think this is getting ridiculous. I have never had to wait this long to obtain a refund on tickets I purchased in the past for various events. They should at least keep people posted instead of ignoring everyones responses.

Daniel on January 27, 2006, at 04:50PM – #31

Still waiting on 2 tickets purchased from Virgin. Sent the tickets right after instructions was put on their site. Sent 2 emails to giant in the last 2 weeks. Didn't even threaten them, only inquired whether they received my tickets. No response. No update on site. Nothing. Has anyone successfully disputed w/credit card company? Thinking of doing so if I receive no word by end of month.

Jake on February 01, 2006, at 09:22AM – #32

I've sent couple emails to , never got any replies. Still waiting... if anyone got any new updates please post up. Thanks.

JayC on February 01, 2006, at 05:54PM – #33

I've received reply from Giant for the refund for independent retail outlet if you had mail the ticket back to Giant:

Hello,

We have received the GIANT Village ticket(s) that you sent for a refund. Although we experienced a slight delay due to the need to manually cross-reference the individual ticket numbers to the actual store where purchased, the process is now complete.

We will begin mailing refunds on Wednesday, February 1, 2006. The refund check will be for the face value of your ticket(s) as we do not receive the service charge on tickets sold.

Also enclosed in the refund envelope is an invitation to become a Giant Member. As a Giant Member, you will be entitled to many perks throughout the year including discounted tickets to upcoming major events and a special gift.

We understand the inconvenience that you endured on New Year’s Eve and we are making it our mission this year to rebuild your trust moving forward.

Kind Regards,

Dave Dean President, GIANT Los Angeles, Inc.

Devon Biagan on February 01, 2006, at 07:13PM – #34

What's the address to send the tickets to? I see that JayC obviously got a response, but I have sent 7 emails to giant and still no answer. Giant club? That's cute. Like I would ever buy tickets for a Giant event again.

Pissed and ready to sue on February 03, 2006, at 07:48PM – #35

Still waiting for a refund, and I'm ready to participate in a class action suit, as well as getting the media involved. 4 weeks for a refund is already ridiculous.

JayC on February 05, 2006, at 01:18AM – #36

Update: I've received my refund check, along with a postcard for Giant 2006 Complimentary Membership Offer which will include the following if u send the postcard back:

• A Giant 2006 Membership Card that will allow exclusive privileges and discounts at weekly club events in Hollywood.

• A 2006 Giant T-shirt

• Discounted tickets to the launch of the Giant Village as an annual summer music festival this July at the same location in Downtown L.A.

• Discounted tickets to the first of what will become Giant's new INDOOR 21+ New Year's Eve Celebration on Sunday, Dec 31, 2006

JayC on February 05, 2006, at 01:23AM – #37

Devon Biagan:

This was the email I've got about a month ago for the INDEPENDENT RETAIL TICKET refund instructions:

INDEPENDENT RETAIL TICKET PURCHASERS

We would like to reassure everyone who purchased tickets for the Giant Village NYE 2006 from one of the INDEPENDENT RETAIL OUTLETS listed below that you are eligible for your choice of a make up event package consisting of multiple club events of greater value featuring talent from the GIANT Village or a full refund for the face value of your tickets. In order to help us expedite this process we ask that you follow the instructions given below.

Please make sure your ticket was purchased at one of these INDEPENDENT RETAIL OUTLETS: Benway, Grooveriders, Sanctuary, Catwalk, Mileage, Street Sounds, Brat Store, Electric Chair, Ipso Facto, Sound Station or Fingerprints.

GIANT currently is putting together a VIP make up events package, and while the details of this package have not yet been finalized, we can assure you that this package will be more valuable than $80.

If you are interested in the make up events package you must e-mail on or before Thursday, January 12, 2006. Make sure that the subject field of the e-mail reads "Make Up Events Giant Village NYE ". This will allow us to keep in correspondence regarding information on the make up events package. Rest assured, by indicating your interest in the make up events package at this time, you will not forfeit your right to obtain a refund at the time GIANT issues details regarding the make up events package.

If you are not interested in the make up events package when details are announced, you can simply request a ticket price refund at that time. However, in order to remain eligible for the make up events package (or to maintain your eligibility for a future refund) you must both follow the email instructions above and send in your ticket in the manner described below.

If you are not interested in the make up events package and you would like a refund you must e-mail on or before Thursday, January 12, 2006. If you have already e-mailed us requesting a refund please reply to this e-mail using the format described below.

The subject field of the e-mail should read: "Refund - Independent"

The body of the e-mail should include:

1. Your Full Name
2. Phone Number
3. Address, City, State, Zip
4. The number of ticket(s) you purchased
5. The Retail Outlet where purchased

Your Ticket(s) must be returned to us before you are eligible either for the make up events package or the refund.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please make two Xerox copies of your ticket(s). Keep one of the copies for your own personal record.

On the other copy, write your name, address, phone number, email address, the store where you purchased your ticket(s) and the words "Make Up Events" or "Refund" (as applicable) on the other Xerox copy and mail that copy, along with the original ticket(s), to:

GIANT Village P.O. Box 811636 Los Angeles, CA 90081

Due to the large volume of refunds it may take up to 15 business days for your refund to be processed. Your refund will arrive by mail.

Thank you and, again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

32 days and no longer waiting... on February 05, 2006, at 05:52PM – #38

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know that I just received my refund for the 8 Giant Village tickets I purchased. Took awhile, but I got 'em. For those of you that haven't received your refunds yet, hang in there. I'll come soon.

~32 days and no longer waiting formerly 26 days and waiting

Not Happy on February 06, 2006, at 10:24PM – #39

I've also sent multiple emails to with no response at all.

I bought my tickets at Grooveriders and they have no clue about refunds.

Very shady. I'm disgusted.

GIANT pain in the ass on February 07, 2006, at 12:16PM – #40

I have not received my refund yet either, despite complying with their instructions. If Giant is having trouble getting these refunds out on time, the least they could do is reply to emails or update their web page to inform us of their current backlog!

Lisa on February 08, 2006, at 10:02PM – #41

My boyfriend and I havent got our refund or even answers for the e-mail message that we've sent!

Totaly agree with "Giant pain in the ass" above!

Does anyone knows if I should do something?!

Freakin Bastards!!!!!

alex wells on February 09, 2006, at 11:38AM – #42

i have yet to receive any update from the promoters, and i am in the same situation by Purchasing from VIRGIN and not hearing anything from the promoters. It has been over 15 business days and i had sent the tickets in before the deadline. I have color scans of my tickets and have sent numerous emails. This is VERY discouraging and $160 is a nice refund that I require, and I do not want any of the makeup events they offered. If nobody has recieved refunds by week 3 of February, there really should be a Class Action Suit/Small Claims Group Filing against Dave Dean and Giant. Promises must be kept, they should be working around the clock to keep their 'good name' from sinking any further.

Not Happy on February 14, 2006, at 05:20PM – #43

I've still heard nothing from Giant. I keep getting advertisements for new Giant events, but no response to my emails. It looks like they made a bad decision not to buy rain/event insurance and now want all of us to pay for their mistake.

Shannon on February 15, 2006, at 10:53AM – #44

I haven't heard anything from them either. I bought tickets at Virgin, and I mailed out my tickets to Giant on 1/10. Did anyone mailed tickets later than that and has received refunds from them?

alex wells on February 15, 2006, at 12:30PM – #45

file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The more of us that do so, the faster they will work. Copy and paste this link in your browser:

http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=

Hit the file complaint button and make sure you let the BBB know about THIS blogsite. I have yet to hear anything, and have resorted to leaving messages and emails again and again. If I see or hear nothing by March, I am personally going to file a small claims case, the $20 fee is worth it.

Rosa on February 15, 2006, at 02:21PM – #46

I just filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I've sent 5 e-mails requesting information and have received no response. Has anyone who bought a ticket at Virgin Megastore received refund information??

alex wells on February 16, 2006, at 10:05AM – #47

I finally got a response from Giant Club, i really don't feel much better about it though....here it is:

"We have issued the majority of the refunds for tickets purchased at Virgin Megastores or Independent Outlets. If you have not received your refund, please do not be alarmed as we will make sure everybody who has sent their tickets in will be refunded.

At this time, we have not received all the ticket sales income from Virgin and several Independent Outlets, but have been assured we will be receiving this money in the very near future. This delay in receiving all the income has delayed our refund process, but will not prevent us from satisfying all refund requests as soon as possible.

We apologize for any unexpected delay.

Dave"

This is after no response, and my tickets are in THEIR posession. I bought them from VIRGIN too, and my hope for a refund is growing smaller by the day. At this point i'd be happy to receive the makeup package of concerts just to feel that my money and time weren't wasted on the one new years my wife and i actually tried to go out and get crazy and celebrate. Only time will tell if GIANT and DAVE DEAN will honor their end...Please keep posting people, we need to keep this in the news or up to date as possible...

Giant Village Complaints on February 17, 2006, at 03:50PM – #48

Hello everyone!!

I have been in touch with a few attorneys to discuss the unfortunate situation many of us are in right now due

the way Dave Dean and his corporation been handling ticket refunds for the cancelled Giant Village New Year's Eve

event.

If you HAVE NOT received a refund for your tickets, we would like to hear from you.

Please read the questions below, and then please copy the questions below into an email (with your answers below

them) and send to :

1. How many tickets did you purchase for Giant's CANCELLED NYE "Giant Village '05-'06" event?

2. Did you purchase regular or VIP tickets?

3. Where did you purchase your tickets?

4. What date did you mail back your tickets to Giant? How long have you been waiting for a response/refund?

5. Have you emailed their email address to follow up on your request? If so, how many times?
   

And did you receive a response to any of your follow up emails.

1. Please include any other information specific to your situation here.

Please copy and send this message to your friends that are in the same situation as you, and please feel free to

post this message on other message boards, blogs, myspace accounts etc. that might help spread the word, as we

are looking for a strong response in order to pursue further action.

We know there are lots of folks that purchased tickets and HAVE NOT received a refund, and we want to hear your

story.

Please email if you have further questions as well.

Thank you.

giantvillagecomplaints at gmail.com

rebecca on March 03, 2006, at 02:32PM – #49

I have still not received a refund, now almost 60 days later. I paid cash for tickets at Sanctuary in Pasadena. I have not received any response from my letter that included the original tickets or to any emails sent to Giant.

I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau today. This is ridiculous. If anyone is organizing a class action suit please post information. Thank you.

Not Happy on March 03, 2006, at 05:50PM – #50

It's now been over two months since the event was cancelled and still I have not received one reply to the emails I've sent. I'm convinced they will just avoid paying until people give up and go on with their lives. Bad Karma for Dave Dean, this dude will get what's coming to him. Too bad for all of us that lost our night, our time and money.

nikki on March 06, 2006, at 12:32AM – #51

its March ..still havent received my refund!!!

jp on March 06, 2006, at 02:43PM – #52

I think karma is not a good enough answer for the treatment people have received from Giant. There seems to be little point in filing a BBB.org complaint because as of this posting, Giant Club already has two unanswered complaints, giving them a BBB.org rating of "F," meanting that they aren't responding to those complaints.

Matt on March 09, 2006, at 03:25PM – #53

This is unbelievable. I bought from Virgin. Has anyone heard ANYTHING????

Rosa on March 10, 2006, at 08:55AM – #54

Hello. I just got a response to my complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, it's not good news!

Re: Complaint # - Giant Club "Although we have tried to obtain a response to your complaint form the company in the hope of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution, they have ignored our requests. We are, therefore, closing this complaint. Your unanswered complaint will become part of the information we report to the public on this company for the next three (3) years. Also, should any government agency request our files on this company, your complaint will be included."

I bought one ticket from Virgin megastore. I have received no response to the multiple e-mails I have sent to Giant Club. I still have the ticket in my possession w/ receipt. Can anyone give me the address of where I'm supposed to mail the ticket to? Thanks! Keep posting.....

jp on March 11, 2006, at 08:02PM – #55

Anyone else notice that Dave Dean doesn't seem to be answering emails?

Before his address was and now that doesn't work. It seems he changed it to , but now he won't even reply to that one.

How can they NOT have event insurance for something of this magnitude? Aren't they supposed to be one of the premiere nightclub organizations in LA? Not some guys who break into a warehouse and throw an underground like it was 1989. If that is the way they intend to do business, I can't believe anyone would go to one of their events. What if some crazy person showed up at Giant this weekend with a weapon and caused injury to patrons...would they not have insurance to cover themselves from liability? Or is going to a Giant event just a giant crapshoot? Is it a buyer beware situation? Would they just shut their doors and walk away?

If I were Dave Dean, I would be digging into my own pockets to keep patrons from getting this angry. At this point, I believe Giant owes ticket purchasers the price of their tickets plus interest. 2 months is way too long...maybe 2 days would have been reasonable, but 2 months? Who are they trying to kid? I don't believe Giant should even hold events anymore until they have settled this issue. Why should they continue to operate when something like this happens and they don't even give an explanation for how long it has taken.

A previous email from Giant states that the majority of people who purchased tickets at Virgin and Independent outlets have been paid back. Really? I have yet to hear one person who purchased from these outlets on this or any other message board say they've gotten their money back.

What happened to "make up packages" they were telling everyone about? I hope Giant doesn't think that the longer they wait, the less angry people will become and that people will begin to forget about getting their money back because each day that goes by just pisses me off more and more. No more apologies for delays, they need to apologize with actions.

Vanessa on March 13, 2006, at 09:01AM – #56

I have been trying to get a refund since January 2 and have been unsuccessful. I mailed in my tickets according to the directions and have heard nothing. I have even called Dave Deans office and have heard nothing back.

jp on March 13, 2006, at 09:43PM – #57

Today, March 13th, 2006, we finally got our money back from Giant today.

Good luck to everyone else.

kam on March 17, 2006, at 02:22PM – #58

I was sent an e-mail saying they would check into my returned tickets. I chose to get the info on the make-up event, but will probably end up getting a refund as I was interested in the Flaming Lips not the DJS. Make up event is July 22, no details, plus free tickets to the indoor NYE party.

MR. ACAPULCO on March 19, 2006, at 11:31AM – #59

I did everything as told to get my refund it's been months and haven't received nothing not even an answer to all my emails this sucks. we should all get organized and just crash every giant event till we get our moneys worth !!!!

Trina McCord on March 21, 2006, at 04:51PM – #60

I agree. I have never had to wait this long for a refund. Its not only the enormous amount of time its taking to recieve a refund but the lack of communication and follow up with the people who purchased the tickets. I have sent several e-mails to a Andrew Scoggin at () but til today I have not recieved any reply. I have sent in my original tickets along with a copy of my drivers licence via certified with return receipt. They said it would take up to 6 weeks for a refund if the certified mail was postmarked by February 2. It is now going on 9 weeks. I think we should take this a step further and file a class action law suit. If there is anyone out there who is having the same problems with their refund and is in the process of filing. I can be reached at

Good Luck to everyone!

me on March 23, 2006, at 02:35PM – #61

Does anyone remember that fire that occurred in the nightclub in Rhode Island a few years ago at a Great White concert? Can you imagine if this happened at a Giant event? Would Dave Dean and his employees just go into hiding? What if they were found to be negligent in a court of law and asked to pay for the injuries caused to patrons at their club? They would just file bankruptcy and run away?

I am a business owner and although I would like to make money from my business, I would NEVER considering opening if I did not have insurance. I received money for my tickets several days ago, and it has been almost 3 months since the event was scheduled to take place, but I am still in shock that Giant would not have insurance for this event. How irresponsible. It is obvious that they are fueled simply by greed. The fact they did not think to have insurance pretty much negates everything Giant has done in the past to raise money for charities and help the community because now it is obvious those were merely PR stunts, not actual acts of caring.

E. on March 27, 2006, at 01:54PM – #62

It's March27, and we have not seen our refund nor have we received any NOTIFICATION of receipt.

I have emailed Dave Dean and he had replied back requesting information on WHERE we bought the tickets and stated that he would look into it ASAP.

That was last week. Last week (In a frustrated move), I also wrote a letter to the A&E Editor of CityBeat and CC'd the EIC AND Dave Dean as well. Well... you can't say that I complain about Dave Dean behind his back.

Guess what? He replied all to that email promptly, stating that those who sent their tickets back accordinly WILL get a refund.

But you know what? Giant Club said we'd get refunded; I trusted that professionalism and sent them my tickets accordingly. Now, I have no hard tickets as proof of purchase... and still no refund. All I want to know is WHEN we'll get our check.. and want to know WHY there is a delay BEYOND the MAXIMUM 15 DAY waiting period -- as advised by the GIANT CLUB emails.

Nancy on March 29, 2006, at 04:12PM – #63

I bought 5 tickets and still no refund it is now March 29.I have exchanged 2 emails with GIANT in the last couple months. They are telling me they can't locate my name or my tickets. They will not call me. I'm very upset and angry at this whole refund ordeal. All I have is the copy of my tickets I don't know what else is left to do? Has anyone come across the same excuse from them?

Unhappy consumer on March 31, 2006, at 02:15PM – #64

I agree with Trina, a couple of my friends and I we have been trying to get in touch with ANDREW SCOGGIN with no luck, we bought over 10 tickets through a promoter. I have a party of 10 people who are willing to proceed with a class action suit. Or even better, does anyone know were to pay him a visit?

I ALSO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO START A BOYCOTT AGAINS GIANT EVENTS. This is no way to run a businees or treat their patrons

Julian Green on March 31, 2006, at 04:54PM – #65

Still no refund!!!!! This is beyond ridiculous, Andrew Scoggin refund performance is a jok e. Who is organizing a Class Action Law Suit? I want in..... J Green

Angela on April 02, 2006, at 07:32PM – #66

I also purchased two tickets, and exchanged numerous emails, but have not received my refund yet. This is ridiculous! It has been over 3 months since the event! I would really like to get in on a class action laws suit!!!

Patrick Green on April 03, 2006, at 08:41AM – #67

NYE refunds have proven to be a Giant headache for me as well. I'm out 6 VIP tix Which I bought from a local LA PROMOTER -- Mikey Appel. He has been looking into things, but of course can't provide any substantial refund info. This is complete BS. I have followed the refund procedures to a tee and yet Andrew Scoggin, David Dean & co. canasked to get our can't so much as post an update about what the f%#ck is going on? I happen to be a freelance writer so I'm going to FWD this blog info to the PR co. that handled this nightmarish event. I will post her response ASAP. I will do whatever it takes (a class action lawsuit) to get the $$$ back. We should also FWD this blog to the LA Times writer who did the initial story because this is FRAUD -- plain and simple. We must keep pressuring these A-holes and not let them get away this.

Tahamtan Nematbakhsh on April 07, 2006, at 05:34PM – #68

I am in the same situation, 2 tickets worth $160. I've emailed them a few times with no response. I'm a law student right now and this could be a very interesting application of what I am learning in school.

Andre on April 11, 2006, at 12:01PM – #69

Listen everyone, it seems like a lot of people are interested in a class action lawsuit, WHO CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN? Tahamtan Nematbakhsh you are a law student, can you or someone you know make this happen? Enough time has been wasted. LETS MOVE FORWARD and organize this thing If any of you can make this happen please post you email address or contact information so we can start this.

jimmy stephens on April 17, 2006, at 02:14PM – #70

I aggree...this is total BS. I too am in the same boat as you guys. My question is though, what company actually threw the event? Was it "One Night Entertainment"? I ask, because if we need to actually move forward with this class action (which by the way is very much worth someone's time to get in motion), who do we sue? These are Grand Pavilion tix right? not the actual Giant Village?

Anyways, just wanted to chime in. 4/17/06...still no refund!

andre on April 20, 2006, at 02:15PM – #71

I found this on a blog on this site, not sure if it stills works but Im sending them an email

Hello everyone!!

I have been in touch with a few attorneys to discuss the unfortunate situation many of us are in right now due the way Dave Dean and his corporation been handling ticket refunds for the cancelled Giant Village New Year's Eve event.

If you HAVE NOT received a refund for your tickets, we would like to hear from you.

Please read the questions below, and then please copy the questions below into an email (with your answers below them) and send to :

How many tickets did you purchase for Giant's CANCELLED NYE "Giant Village '05-'06" event?

Did you purchase regular or VIP tickets?

Where did you purchase your tickets?

What date did you mail back your tickets to Giant? How long have you been waiting for a response/refund?

Have you emailed their email address to follow up on your request? If so, how many times? And did you receive a response to any of your follow up emails.

Please include any other information specific to your situation here.

Please copy and send this message to your friends that are in the same situation as you, and please feel free to post this message on other message boards, blogs, myspace accounts etc. that might help spread the word, as we are looking for a strong response in order to pursue further action.

We know there are lots of folks that purchased tickets and HAVE NOT received a refund, and we want to hear your story.

Please email if you have further questions as well.

Thank you.

giantvillagecomplaints at gmail.com

on Feb.17.2006 at 04:00 pm

Sir Ayjay the third on April 22, 2006, at 01:09PM – #72

Im in !! im sick of waiting for this prick !!

ScottD on April 23, 2006, at 10:38PM – #73

3 months = no refund! We have to do something...

KEN on April 27, 2006, at 08:12AM – #74

I too have not received my refund for the ticket I've purchased and a couple others that were comped from a radio station. Earlier this week I've received an email from Giant. Has anyone else receive this email??? This forum has been great and hope everyone gets their refunds now!

According to our records, you are one of the few remaining GIANT Village ticket holders who has yet to receive your refund.

First, we sincerely apologize for the delay and assure you that you will receive a full refund of the face value of your ticket(s). We hope to have all refunds issued in the near future.

In addition to your refund, you will receive complimentary tickets to the upcoming launch of the GIANT Village as an annual summer music festival on Saturday, July 22, 2006, at the same Downtown Los Angeles location (on Wilshire Boulevard).

Returning from the original line-up are John Digweed, The Crystal Method, Miguel Migs, Christopher Lawrence, Jimmy Van M, Marques Wyatt and Jason Bentley.

Added to this event are Deep Dish, Paul Oakenfold, James Zabiela, Mark Farina, Hybrid and more... please stay tuned for complete details.

As of today, we have implemented a new email for GIANT Village refund communications as well as brought in a Customer Service Manager who can handle any questions you may have and confirm your refund status.

Please direct all future correspondence to:

Over the next year, you will also be receiving complimentary tickets to our new INDOOR New Year's Eve event, and, when available, we would be glad to place you on our complimentary guest list or discount list at our weekly club events - please send list requests to the email above.

The past few months have been challenging for GIANT as we recover from a disastrous financial setback this past New Year's Eve. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to you and look forward to delivering the GIANT Village this summer as well as exciting special events in the future.

We greatly appreciate your understanding, and promise to reward you for your patience.

Sincerely,

Dave Dean President, GIANT Los Angeles, Inc.

Kate on May 04, 2006, at 04:05PM – #75

DAVE DEAN & ALDEN ARE A BUNCH OF LIARS

I followed every single step required months ago, including sending in our original tickets. Luckily I knew not to trust these people and made copies. Still no freaking refund. I've left numerous messages and sent and emails. Finally Dave Dean writes to someone named Alden to look into things. Alden states that the refund was SENT?! It's been over a month and I have not received it. More emails from Alden stating he was looking into it. I asked for confirmation of payment such as a copy of the cancelled check -- what a surprise!! No further response from the Giant Village people!!

Yes the above email was also sent to us. Who wants to be on a guest list? Just give us our freaking money!!

These people are CROOKS! How long does it take to write a check and cross someone's name off the list?

KEN on May 04, 2006, at 04:19PM – #76

FYI for anyone who will find it helpful.
Producer of Giant Village - Dave Dean 612 S Flower St. Suite 721 Los Angeles, CA Tel.:

i too am STILL waiting for my refund for an event that was suppose to take place 5 months ago!

Brian Humphrey on May 21, 2006, at 06:44PM – #77

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the many of you who retained faith in the Los Angeles Fire Department from the outset. It has been heartbreaking for us to read the comments, as theyre appear to be no winners in this situation, including our agency, whose reputation sadly remains tarnished in the eyes of a small but vocal group of would-be attendees who never bothered to follow this or other message threads.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department

Trina McCord on June 01, 2006, at 05:14PM – #78

Here is the latest response from Giant. Hopefully its not to long now!

-----Original Message----- From: GIANT Customer Service [mailto:] Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 12:21 PM To: Trina McCord Subject: Re: Refund

Thank you for your message. We sincerely apologize for the delayed response, and we can understand your frustration through this process.

We have finally received your tickets from the promoter of Grand Pavilion and you are now in our database. The delay in processing your request has been because these tickets were issued to an outside promoter who received your funds and not GIANT. Unfortunately, we have not been able to recover any of these funds from the outside promoter and thus it has been difficult to issue refunds on these tickets when we are also dealing with refunds for tickets that we sold as well.

Know that we are working hard to resolve this issue, and your situation is not being ignored.

To thank you for your patience, we would like to extend 5 complimentary tickets to the Summer Music Festival on July 22, 2006 which was just announced. If you would like to be on the guest list for this event, please reply to this email message.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Kind Regards, GIANT

Andre on July 06, 2006, at 09:58AM – #79

Its been 7 months and still no refund I too got the above email a few months ago and still no refund.

NOW THEY ARE AT IT AGAIN. It's an absolute joke that GIANT is hosting another d-town event after the New Year's fiasco. I along with hundreds of other NYE tix holders have yet to receive a refund for Giant NYE. Although we've been contacted in the past months (twice to be exact) we have yet to receive a penny back.

The bellow email was a press release from Giant's PR company on their new event, I urge everyone to BOYCOTT this event and ALL Giant events until everyone has received their full refunds

From: "Alexandra Greenberg" Subject: GIANT VILLAGE "SUMMER IN THE CITY" SET FOR JULY 22 IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES W/ OAKENFOLD, DEEP DISH, THE CRYSTAL METHOD, DIGWEED AND MORE Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 10:41:

JULY 5, 2006 FR: ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/MSO

GIANT VILLAGE "SUMMER IN THE CITY" SET FOR SATURDAY, JULY 22 ON THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

PAUL OAKENFOLD, DEEP DISH, THE CRYSTAL METHOD, JOHN DIGWEED, CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE, MARK FARINA AND MORE TO PERFORM AT THIS SUMMER'S LARGEST 21+ MUSIC FESTIVAL

GIANT returns to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, July 22 for GIANT VILLAGE "Summer in the City." Following in the tradition of past GIANT open air block parties, GIANT VILLAGE offers five stages under the stars on four city blocks of downtown Los Angeles catering to anticipated crowd of 10,000 party people for the first of what will now become an annual summer bash.

DJ sets from major international turntable stars of all different dance/electronic genres will please all attendees: On the Grand Stage confirmed are DJ sets from Deep Dish, Paul Oakenfold, Jason Bentley and Omar Kahn. Highlighted on the Flower Stage are John Digweed, James Zabiela, Jimmy Van M and Mark Tabberner. Christopher Lawrence, Matthew Dekay, Markus Shultz, Boris MD and David Moses will appear on the Hope Stage. The Crystal Method presents the Community Service stage with Hybrid, Robtronik and Jay 'Idol' Videna. And on the Deep Stage will be Mark Farina, Miguel Migs, Marques Wyatt and Raul Campos.

In addition to five music stages, GIANT VILLAGE, with its dramatic placement among the soaring skyscrapers and tree-lined streets of the new downtown, will be filled with a giant Ferris wheel, video, light and art installations as well as an indoor VIP lounge. Out-of-town guests can stay at two luxury hotels within one block of the event: the Westin Bonaventure and the Downtown Sheraton. Exclusive rates staring at $139 are available via giantvillage.com. Doors open at 8:00 PM and will close at 4:00 AM.

Tickets for the GIANT VILLAGE are $75 in advance and available through. $125 VIP tickets are also available and include a separate VIP entrance to GIANT VILLAGE via the Pegasus Lobby, a premium open bar in the Pegasus Indoor Lounge with music by John Digweed and James Zabiela and in & out privileges to all GIANT VILLAGE Hotels. .

For press list or more information on GIANT VILLAGE "Summer In the City," contact: Alexandra Greenberg/MSO x223,

AGAIN, PLEASE BOYCOTT THIS EVENT AND ALL GIANT EVENTS.

charlie on July 09, 2006, at 04:30PM – #80

If you are a myspace member join the following group against Giant and help boycott their events

Please pass the word around

http://groups.myspace.com/giantclub

Liza on October 16, 2006, at 02:24AM – #81

Giant NYE Ticket Refunds . . .

After reading the blogs, I wondered if everyone who commented had by now received the refunds they requested.

We have a client who was to be reimbursed almost $3,000 for purchased tickets, and after many promises, is now simply being ignored.

I can be reached directly at .

~Liza

Ben on October 16, 2006, at 10:22AM – #82

Giant LA owes me about $3,000 and I have an action against them being filed. If any of you have still not been paid, contact me or contact Liza directly at

Jerry on October 22, 2006, at 09:08PM – #83

I still haven't recieved any refund for my two tickets. If I never get my money back, I have promised not to support any of GIANT'S events.

Mike on December 07, 2006, at 12:24AM – #84

We just received this appalling letter from GIANT. Disgusting because:

• They actually expect us to sympathize with them because "the past 11 months has been frustrating" for them! Boo hoo. The reality is, if I knew of some (legal) way I could make life miserable for these people for (at least) 12 months, I would do it with pleasure.

• They had the gall to offer to settle the refund with tickets to this year's event. How insulting. So we essentially paid in 2005 to have those New Year's plans demolished and instead go to a crap New Year's Eve "event" a year later? Wow.

• They still cannot give a definitive timeframe for settling the refund. What can that mean? Another 11 months? How I wish this company was run by adults who could just own up to it and give us the respect of an honest estimate, even if it's distant.

This is a company that absolutely smacks of incompetence and hubris and doesn't even try to hide it. Instead of taking responsibility and acting in good faith, they've abused the patience, wallets, and dignity of those who had entrusted them with their hard-earned cash. Outrageous.

Check out http://groups.myspace.com/giantclub

Original message: According to our records, you are one of the few remaining GIANT Village ticket holders who has yet to receive your refund from the cancelled NYE 2006 event.

First, we sincerely apologize for the delay in processing your refund. As another NYE approaches, we have an exciting offer that we would like to extend to you in order to finally resolve this issue.

Second, we are willing to MAIL to you ticket(s) to the NYE 2007 Celebration: GIANT Maximus equal to the number of ticket(s) you purchased for NYE 2006. Please click on the link below and return the completed form as instructed by Wednesday, December 13, 2006. Forms received after this date will be invalid. Once your form is received, your new ticket(s) to GIANT Maximus will be sent to you via certified mail.

As an added bonus and to thank you for your patience, we are also willing to send you ticket(s) to see Steve Lawler at Vanguard on Saturday, December 30, 2006. Please indicate on your completed form if you would also like to attend this event.

If you chose not to accept this exchange offer, refunds will continue to be processed early next year. Although, we do guaranty refunds will be issued, we cannot give you a definitive time when they will be processed.

We know that the past 11 months has been frustrating, as it has been for us as well. We hope that you will accept this exchange offer so that we can start the New Year with this behind us.

Thank you sincerely for your cooperation and patience.

Kind Regards, Dave Dean

President, GIANT Los Angeles, Inc.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that receipt of this email does not guaranty qualification for this offer. Your information will be verified against our database and the final mailing of ticket(s) will be honored once your information is confirmed.

jp on December 26, 2006, at 01:21AM – #85

This sounds like more apologies without actions from DD and Giant. If you are interested in taking yet another chance of having your New Years ruined, go ahead and attend an event held by a promoter who claims to not have purchased insurance for a large event and may or may not even put the event on. After last years fiasco, you still haven't finished all this refund nonsense? Who is to say that the tickets you give to make up for last year will even be honored at the door when you haven't honored promises in the past?

Dave Dean, stop trying to hold onto other people's money by offering make up events. Be a man and do the right thing and just give back people the money they trusted you with. I'm not even suggesting you pay for the hotel stays, the travel expenses, the time and energy it took for people to get to your event anymore...but it's time stopped these games and paid people what they paid you.

Stacy Bonilla on December 27, 2006, at 07:24PM – #86

Dave Dean and Alden are a bunch of liars and deceitful people, by the way folks Alden is a chic - I still have not received a refund of a significant amount and they have the audacity to invite me to this year's event. I explained to them that I wil be out of the country and would like a refund and they have ignored my requests. Dave has his minions working for him and you should look for his minions at the Giant events and demand an anwer....

stephanie on January 04, 2007, at 04:39PM – #87

2006 was a rain out...2007 had a great line-up, but VIP ticket holders are screwed - - yet again. GIANT motto: come to our events and get screwed! pay more money and get screwed more! Sounds enticing, doesn't it?

We thought that Giant was going try and redeem itself and make up for the catastrophe from last year's rain out event... My husband and I bought VIP tickets. What a joke that was. Does GIANT really think they gave their VIP attendees VIP treatment?

We started out having to wait in the SAME LINE as General Admission to pick up our will-call tickets..."buy VIP - no lines". After missing Ferry Corsten's entire set because of the entry line we were then hit w/ our VIP bar...a 40 by 40 foot space dedicated all to ourselves - - the ones who paid $150 PER TICKET for open bar...ONE BAR w/ two bartenders servicing the entire VIP crowd with free drinks...and of course, yet ANOTHER line...I mean, with only two bartenders, what do you expect?? But, that was their point...we got it. Screw us as much as they can...get our money and then jerk us around. That's GIANT.

"Main tent - a designated spot for VIP overlooking the crowd!" A 20 foot long, 4 foot tall cat-walk set up at THE VERY BACK of the main tent... Nice "overlook". And sticking the VIP crowd - - yes, the ones that paid $150 PER ticket - - ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK of the tent - - splendid, because that's where the party is, right? All the way in the back......as far away from the DJ as possible. That's why we pay extra money....we were kind of hoping to be a little FURTHER away though...it just wasn't FAR ENOUGH.

GIANT is infamous for jerking people around. I can't believe how they disappointed and jacked us for our dollars...yet again. We should have known better...only because there was a kickass lineup, but that's it. GIANT is a GIANT f-up.

Beth on March 16, 2007, at 11:16AM – #88

I am interested in putting a class action suit together against Dave Dean/GIANT Los Angeles, Inc. My brother is an attorney and he said that we basically have no power as individuals, but might have a better chance at getting our money back if we all band together. I am surprised that no one has moved forward with a class action suit already. Please contact me if you are interested in joining a class action suit.

Beth

Melissa on April 08, 2007, at 07:34PM – #89

Are there still people waiting for their 2006 NYE GIANT VILLAGE refund? I turned down their offer for the 2007 NYE party with an express reservation of my right to collect the refund promised but since December, none of my emails have been answered. Anybody else having issues with GIANT still?

ken on April 11, 2007, at 07:33AM – #90

i too have emailed them requesting my refund and not a single reply. i just want my refund. all i get is their damn email promoting upcoming events. i have posted their telephone number a few posting prior and hope that everyone calls.

here it is again: FYI for anyone who will find it helpful. Producer of Giant Village - Dave Dean 612 S Flower St. Suite 721 Los Angeles, CA Tel.:

Melissa on April 13, 2007, at 11:58AM – #91

So Ken..Anna from Giant emailed me back last week to say:

"Melissa:

I know that our lack of response has been frustrating, and you are totally correct to be upset. Because of financial constraints, I am only able to process a few refunds a week.

I hope to process your check soon.

Anna"

I don't believe her because she's said this before but at least I got a response.

mike on April 20, 2007, at 03:41PM – #92

I'm ready to go forward with a lawsuit... this is the e-mail I got 4/20/07 when I sent it 2/9/07.

GIANT Customer Service wrote:

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately, I don't have really good news at this time. We are struggling to get refunds done, but for economic reasons our cash resources do not allow me to process more than a few each week.

If instead of a refund, you would be gracious enough to take complimentary tickets to any event at Vanguard in Hollywood or Belo in San Diego, please let me know. We have some great events coming up. Please see www.giantclub.com for more details.

As an events company, we are able to extend you tickets more quickly than a cash refund and it would put this entire process behind you.

Thank you for your patience, and time.

Kindly, Anna

On 2/9/07 8:22 PM, "Mike" wrote:

Haven't heard from you in about - a month and a half. No surprise...

Just checking in... seeing if I'm on some kind of refund list.

My b-day is 2/25... I would really, REALLY like the check then. It would be the best b-day present EVER!!

michael on June 28, 2007, at 02:37PM – #93

im game for a lawsuit. lets put this horrible horrible company out of business. this company is ridiculous and for us to allow them to hold our money while they have wild and extravgant hollywood parties every weekend, is just a shame.

if anyone knows a lawywer or has a case started, please email me: . i will be more than happy to send all my emails to you showing that they say theyll send it out and for months i get nothing. we have just over 6 months till 2008. stop giving this company your interest free loan.

Armine on August 08, 2007, at 02:46AM – #94

I'm also waiting for a refund of $640. It's totalyl ridiculous. they send the same form letters to everyone.

Trina on August 13, 2007, at 01:50PM – #95

Anyone out there have any luck on receiving their refund so far?

Ryan on August 15, 2007, at 10:29AM – #96

I know of one person who received her refund. But I know several others who are still waiting. I haven't been able to get a response back from them since April. And even then it was the same generic response.

Jim on September 11, 2007, at 12:29PM – #97

These guys suck. I still haven't received a refund.

jp on December 12, 2007, at 11:10PM – #98

I haven't come on here in about 8 months, when I received rebates on 4 of 6 tickets. I gave up after that. As it gets closer to another new year, it reminded me how horrible this experience was and I had to come back.

I'm sad to say I'm not shocked to hear people are still waiting for their money back. You plan a night like New Years for weeks, sometimes months. For Giant to continue being a subpar promoter on such a large scale is the biggest example of greed I've ever seen.

Excuses of funds not being available to give out rebates so long after they screwed up this event is inexcusable. How are they still in business? How can anyone continue to support a promoter like this?

To those considering going to a big event on New Years or any other time, please please consider going with a reputable promoter that is willing to purchase insurance and REALLY make the safety of its patrons a high priority.

ken on December 26, 2007, at 03:40PM – #99

i have tried calling david dean a few minutes ago and the phone number has been disconnected. these people really sucks. i keep getting their junk mail promoting their event. has anyone tried his email?

Tel.:

Four_Ari on December 31, 2007, at 01:26PM – #101

Good luck to those that are going to Giant this year. My g'f never got her money back.

How come they never answer the phone? Who is this ANNA girl?

I was wondering how they got away without being sued -4 ari

Cris on March 23, 2008, at 04:56PM – #102

I never go my money back either... but what i do still receive are those emails promoting future events... they make me sick!

mike silvano on May 27, 2008, at 04:35PM – #103

as of May 27th, 2008 - still haven't received our 2 tickets worth of refunds.