I sure wish I had read reviews about Headout before I used them. They are a fraudulent scam. In September, I purchased two online tickets from Headout for a ferry from Boston to Salem. The tickets clearly stated that it was for 10:30 am. I arrived early and was told by the ferry operator that there was no 10:30 ferry. The ferry would be returning from Salem, and the next one going back to Salem was 11:45. They wouldn't accept my worthless Headout tickets for 11:45 because they were from a third party. He pointed to the empty dock and the ferry schedule, which clearly showed no 10:30 ferry to Salem on any day. I bought two more tickets from the operator and figured that Headout would quickly reimburse me for their obvious mistake. Boy was I mistaken. After I contacted them, the runaround began with many emails exchanged. First, they said I was a no-show for the ferry that didn't exist. Then they said they needed proof that I had bought more tickets. I sent them a snapshot of my CC charge for the two tickets I bought from the operator on the same day. Then they said I needed to send them a time-stamped photo showing that I had been there for the 10:30 ferry! I repeatedly pointed out that there was no 10:30 ferry, as proven by the ferry schedule and the operator of the ferry. If I had known I was dealing with such a dishonest company, I would have taken a photo of the empty dock! They are scammers! It's a fraudulent company that sells you a ticket for something that doesn't exist and then refuses to refund? Stay away from them. The time spent and the aggravation with this shady company tell me that this is a practice they use to scam people and then repeatedly refuse to reimburse, hoping you will give up.
Posted by
3667 posts
Oh, dear. I have tickets to Moulin Rouge in London purchased through them. Not quite sure how I did that.
I guess I will see what happens.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17590 posts
Oh Beth, I hope it works out for you!
To the OP, there have been previous posts about this company. Here’s one who got his money back from Headout by posting complaints on socials.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tourist-scams/beware-when-buying-from-headout-com
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4913 posts
On Headout's website, the company states that it curates "The world's best experiences... just for you." The company appears to sell tickets to tourist sites worldwide. It sounds like a fairly large company with poor customer service. That of course creates frustration for consumers. Moral of the story? As many folks on this forum know and practice, buy tickets to sites/sights you want to visit direct from the company/organization that owns the site/sight.
Posted by
3667 posts
I recall now that I was using their site to “see” the seats I was looking at and got immersed. I forgot where I was and continued to purchase them.
I am usually very careful.
But glad it wasn’t my airline tickets!!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
9303 posts
Thank you for the report about this company.
Have you contacted your credit card customer service? They may help you contest your charge for a service that didn’t exist, and you might get a refund that way.
Posted by
Freedonia
19583 posts
Sorry, but I still scratch my head as to why people involve third parties when tickets can be purchased direct from the supplier.
It seems just fodder for problems as we see with this post.
Posted by
Calgary
2224 posts
Cyn has a good suggestion. I've been successful with any disputes I've filed with my CC company.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I agree that it's best to go directly to the source instead of a third party, as I did. I just took the first company that came up and figured they couldn't screw up something so simple. If you have them already from this company, or perhaps any third-party company, check closely for dates and times, both on the tickets and for the venue, to make sure they match. If I had checked the ferry schedule after getting the tickets, I would have seen no daily 10:30 ferry at all. I figured they would be able to know the regular schedule they are selling me tickets for. We are working with our CC company on this, and I am spreading the word and my complaint on various sites just as I told them I would after getting so many maddening, stupid emails from them when the subject should be cut and dried. I'm stubborn sometimes when I think I've been ripped off, so I've spent a lot of time and aggravation with them. Most likely, they do this repeatedly and then wear people down into giving up, as it's not a huge amount.
Posted by
Land of La
10351 posts
Unfortunate mistake.
Stay on your CC company to resolve the issue.
Next time remember the theatrical theme of the TV series The X-Files, “ Trust No One.”
Safe travels.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1813 posts
I am sorry about your experience with the ferry tickets. Out of curiosity, I went to the Headout website to see if I could replicate your experience. I choose tomorrow to book Boston to Salem ferry tickets. On the website, once you choose the date, you are asked to choose from two options: Salem to Boston OR Boston to Salem. Once you make your choice, you are then given the ferry schedule and asked to pick a time. It seems pretty straightforward and not confusing at all. The only way I could see where things went wrong for you, is that the Salem to Boston choice comes up first and if you were careless or rushed, you would have selected that option and seen the 10:30 time slot. I believe you may have made a mistake during your purchase process. Of course, I am just speculating about what probably happened to you and I want to be clear that I have no affiliation with Headout.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13892 posts
I think Mary figured out what probably happened.
jd do you still have your ticket? Does it show "Boston to Salem' or "Salem to Boston" ?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I was not confused about picking the time or destination. Their website showed a 10:30 from Boston to Salem, and that is what I picked. They sent me tickets and an email all showing 10:30 from Boston to Salem. There is no 10:30 from Boston to Salem. My mistake was trusting Headout without verifying with the actual vendor.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Logo Booking ID
34080242
Confirmation Illustration
Hi James,
Your booking is confirmed.
Boston to Salem Ferries
Boston to Salem Ferry
Experience date
September 15, 2026
Guests
2 Adults
Start time
10:30 AM
Purchased by
James Llewellyn
Posted by
Portland, OR
1033 posts
People don't want to believe Companies can be that bad. They can. Especially with the increasing use of Ai.
Posted by
Birmingham
5462 posts
If you know what state Headout is located in, file a complaint with that state's consumer affairs division.