Visitors demand refunds after Halloween event falls short of AI ads

Visitors have called for refunds after a Halloween event in the parking garage of the Mylly shopping centre in Raisio failed to match its AI-generated promotional images, Yle reports. The event cost 20 euros per ticket and drew an estimated 3,000 people on Saturday.

Some visitors criticised the event’s limited and poor-quality decorations. The organiser, Sadepäivä Oy, removed the AI images from its website, although they remain on its Facebook page.

Owner Mika Metsämäki said the images were used because the event was being held for the first time, making it difficult to show visitors what to expect. He said the company would not refund tickets, but was offering disappointed customers a free return visit.

Metsämäki said the event had also received positive feedback. Since Saturday, organisers have narrowed the event area, dimmed the lighting and added smoke and sound effects. Actors have also been scheduled to move around the area during daytime hours. “We have tried to make as many changes as possible based on the feedback,” he said.

Mylly shopping centre said the event had safety shortcomings that have been addressed. Metsämäki said children had climbed on props or been lifted onto them for photographs, so some items were fenced off.

Mylly chief executive Mari Hantula said the event had not met the standard customers were used to at the shopping centre. She said no decision had been made about future cooperation with Sadepäivä Oy, but the centre would continue to hold Halloween-themed events.

This is not the first time Metsämäki has faced criticism over event arrangements. A mud-running event held in Turku two summers ago angered participants because it had far fewer obstacles than promised and a shorter route than advertised, Ilta-Sanomat reported. That event was also promoted with images that differed from what was delivered, though a different company was responsible.