New York Philharmonic — Local services in New York

I am extremely disappointed with my experience with the box office staff. My friend and I, both recent music school graduates, wanted to purchase tickets for an afternoon performance. Being young musicians, we don't have the funds to splurge on $150 orchestra seats, and it was suggested to us by the box office representative to purchase standing room tickets, which she told us were $35 each (still a ridiculous price for tickets that don't even get you a seat). After my friend paid, she informs us that the tickets were actually $45, not $35 as she had told us before the transaction. She asked if that was okay, and we reluctantly replied that it was, since we had already paid and felt we didn't have a choice. Moments later, coming to the full realization that it was absolutely not worth $90-- $20 more than we were told we'd be paying-- to stand in the back of the hall for two hours, we returned and asked for a refund. The representative and her colleague next to her were extremely rude and denied us the refund, calling us foolish for "not asking for the ticket price," even though it was told to us incorrectly. By asking us if the $45 was okay immediately after the transaction, I assume a refund would've been offered at that time. However, just 5 minutes later we were reprimanded, talked down to, and called names just for asking for the money back. Luckily, another very kind and understanding gentleman behind the desk-- who I assume was their supervisor-- told the woman to give us the refund. As she was processing the return, her and the woman next to her (who was not even involved in the transaction, so I'm not sure why she was even talking), continued to childishly push back at us and essentially call us stupid. I had even asked them to please stop speaking to us so rudely, and they continued. I work in customer service myself and would not even imagine speaking to a customer in that way. We are two young musicians just trying to enjoy classical music, and we were treated horribly by two immature women at least twice our age. I can't help but wonder if we would have been treated differently if we were of the older demographic that primarily enjoys performances at the Phil. If I represented the New York Philharmonic, an organization that claims to make music accessible to people of all socio-economic statuses and ages, I would be completely ashamed of...

Beware of their Absolute NO REFUND policy! NO guarantee on seat/program/date. NO Refund. NO exchange to concert in next season. I will not support NYPhil anymore. I do not support an organization that does not take responsibilities and only cares about money $$$.

I purchased a nearly $200 dollar ticket and was notified 6 days before the concert of the performers and program change! I spoke with 4 people in their customer relations team, including two staff to supervisor Andrew.H and director Patrick. Absolutely no refund. Their exchange policy is EXTREMELY limited, the ticket can only be exchanged to something in the SAME season which ends in 5 months and we all know that a lot of the concerts are sold out or with only very limited seat options left.

I suggested alternatives such as partial refund, save the credit to next season, all suggestions were rejected. They kept saying I can “donate” the ticket value to them, I had to repeat myself numerous times that donating is not what I want to do. Their response were cold hearted and made me think that they are in fact a fund raising team and only cares about money.

NYPhil push all responsibility to customers even it is them who can not deliver. I tried and I was not able to get...

Went to an open rehearsal of Baroque music - not something you see very often at Lincoln Center. Bach performance was approximately one third music to two thirds talk by the conductor. He was seated with his back to the audience, unaffected by their presence. This is a rehearsal and interruptions are expected but this was little snippets of Bach and no real opportunity to hear the music. I have attended many open rehearsals and never saw this disregard for the paying customers before. $40.00 for 2 tickets to hear the conductor's unintelligible voice. If they lowered the mike above his head the audience would have heard the conversation and learned a great deal. I will give the rehearsal another try but if a repeat of this performance it will be the last. Many left during the first hour as these folks are not there to socialize or be seen, but are avid music lovers. What a disappointing day on JS....