OLYMPICS/ News
Read the small print to safeguard Olympic tickets
By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-14 14:10
Olympic tickets sales are becoming synonymous with R&R -- not rest and relaxation, but rules and regulations.
With the first phase of ticketing now concluded, those lucky enough to bag their seats must ensure they have enough money in the bank to pay or risk losing out.
For the rest of the public, or those unlucky first-time applicants, they will get another shot at securing their seats next month.
On August 24, organizing committee BOCOG announced that over 300,000 people had "won" the right to purchase 1,593,345 tickets during the first stage of ticketing, which began on April 15, 2007 and concluded at midnight on June 30.
BOCOG has promised that all those who applied for tickets will be notified via email or letter of their success or failure. But according to the Olympic ticketing center, some fans remain in the dark. "The ticketing center took every measure to notify the applicants of the lottery results, but some still cannot be reached," said Rong Jun, director of the center.
"For those people who haven't received notification, they still have to put enough money into their saving accounts to ensure that that they will not lose their hard-won chance of getting the tickets.
"After September 25, the applicants can call the ticketing center on hotline-952008-to check the results of the draw and find out about payment collection. Those who haven't completed the payment as of September 25 can pay at one of the 1,000 branches of Bank of China designated by BOCOG."
All of the money is scheduled to be collected by month's end, but BOCOG has said it may adjust the deadline if this proves unworkable.
If the bank tries and fails to withdraw the money from any designated account, however, the booking will be canceled.
The second stage of ticket sales will start from October on a first-come, first-served basis. As well as booking through the official BOCOG website or by visiting Bank of China branches, people can apply by calling the aforementioned number.
Rong warned that speculating on prices is not allowed.
"Those people who have not paid their fees do not yet own the tickets, so they have no right to sell them on," he said. "Even if they successfully make the payment, their tickets can only be transferred according to strict regulations."
"BOCOG will crack down on any illicit speculation that may take place."
For more imformation, call the Olympic Ticketing Center hotline at 952008
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