Fans out of pocket after vanishing act
HUNDREDS of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans fear they have been conned after the promoter of a national convention on the cult television series vanished with up to $500,000 of their money.
South Australia's Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) is investigating the whereabouts of Edward Schumacher, who vanished in late April with the takings of the Slayercon 2005 convention, which was to be held in Adelaide on July 2 and 3.
Close to 1000 fans from around Australia, of Buffy and a spin-off television series, Angel, had paid up to $800 each to meet stars of the shows, which have cult followings and dozens of fan clubs and websites.
Fans were told that six stars of the shows - including Amy Acker (Fred), Julia Benz (Darla), Clare Kramer (Glory) and Iyari Limon (Kennedy) - had been booked to appear at the convention when tickets went on sale in December.
The OCBA is investigating amid fears Mr Schumacher has left Australia with the fans' money, but it has been unable to located him.
Mr Schumacher runs Scooby Gang Promotions, which purports on its website to be a non-profit organisation formed last July with the aim of promoting Buffy and its spin-offs.
The company claims all proceeds from the events are donated to a charity nominated by guests of the event.
The OCBA has received 10 complaints from consumers who have spent between $175 and $455 to attend the convention.
Tickets were $175 a day, but packages were available which included a dinner with four stars ($235), $25 for an autograph, and $45 for a photograph with a star.
In many cases, the fans have also lost deposits for airline tickets and accommodation.
They were asked to pay Scooby Gang Promotions by money order or direct debit.
No one has been able to contact Mr Schumacher since an announcement was posted on the Scooby Gang Promotions website in late April saying the show, to have been held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, had been postponed.
The message simply said the event had been postponed and a new date was being organised, possibly in October.
No refunds would be available until a new date was announced, it said.
The convention centre has also been unable to contact Mr Schumacher to reschedule the event, and it is now referring all inquiries to the OCBA.
Centre chief executive Pieter van der Hoeven said Mr Schumacher had paid a deposit but had cancelled the event at short notice.
Thirty ticket holders who are owed a total of $13,000 have retained a debt collection company to recover their money.
South Australia's commissioner for consumer affairs, Mark Bodycoat, said the office was still attempting to locate Mr Schumacher, but conceded it was quite possible consumers would not get their money back.
"The primary reason for trying to contact the promoter is to seek redress for those consumers who have purchased a ticket," he said.
Leonard Rogan, convenor of an internet forum for fans of the Buffy program, said it was believed Mr Schumacher had left Australia for the US.
"As far as the money is concerned, we can kiss that goodbye," Mr Rogan said. "I personally would have lost $780."
Attempts by AAP to contact Mr Schumacher by phone or email have been unsuccessful.
TheAdvertiser.News.com.au
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