Urbanna Rally - A word about Cancellations

jbeletti

Well-known member
We've had a number of rally cancellations in the last week or so and there has been a bit of irritation felt by some of those who've had to cancel.

Why rally attendees have to cancel their rally registration varies. And honestly, their reasons are their own. Julie and I have no reason to judge them. Life happens and we understand that.

Sometimes, rally attendees forget about seeing and acknowledging the Rally Terms and Conditions. Among other things, here's what it states regarding cancellations:

  • Cancellations, less a 10% processing fee are allowed through May 21, 2014. Partial refunds will be made.
  • No refunds of rally fees for cancellations after May 21, 2014.
Your acceptance and understanding of these terms and conditions must be acknowledged before proceeding with registration.

This means that we processed refunds in the amount of 90% of rally registration fees for all cancellations through May 21. It also means that cancellations after May 21 will not be refunded in any amount.

We understand this policy doesn't sit well with everyone. We've been given many legitimate reasons for cancellations, from illness, to accidents to deaths. The way we've structured it, we're not putting ourselves in the position of having to be a judge of any sort. We just administrate the policy.

What some attendees may not understand and what we try not to make a big deal about, is that we have expenses that are not reimbursable. Some of these include:
  • Rally Hall Rental
  • Games boards we've had Bethpage make for us
  • Games administration Bethpage will be doing for us
  • Site costs to bring in 10 show coaches
  • Catering costs (note that all catering head-counts are turned in and we can only increase our counts)
  • Door prizes are purchased
  • Travel expenses for factory reps has been expended
  • Rally bags and stuffers have been purchased
  • Rally t-shirts have been printed and shipped
  • Rally documentation has been printed
  • Entertainers (2 each) have been hired
The point is that, for no reason, will the entertainers lower their fee to us, will the caterer reduce their fee to underproduce for us, will the printer take back documentation, will the screen printer take back t-shirts, can Bethpage's vendor unmake game boards, can I return door prizes, can I return table decorations, will Bethpage charge me less for building rentals, will Bethpage charge me less for space for display coaches, etc. etc.

I really don't mean to belabor the point. And I am not trying to be judgemental or unsympathetic or insensitive to cancellation reasons. I just simply don't have the money to give back as it can't be unspent.

What we did decide to do, was to refund 50% of the site costs, less 10%. 50% because that's the rate the rally is being subsidized by Heartland. That means that for rally cancellations from May 22 and onward, we've been processing refunds of $54. Not a lot of money, but something none-the-less. We can refund this because Bethpage is not charging us for unused, contracted sites. This is not always the case at other venues.

My hope is that this post serves to better clarify:
1) Why we have the cancellation policy for these rallies, and
2) To point out the unadvertised "attendee favoring" variance that we made to our written policy, where beginning May 22, we're processing refunds in the amount of $54

Thank you everyone for your understanding.
 

porthole

Retired
If you sign up and cancel - you take your loss. Been there - done that - got the Tee shirt.

Hopefully with some cancellations, the couple we met at Dover who are on the east coast traveling from their Sacramento home, will be able to attend a good ol' east coast rally!
 

krhyde

Kentucky Chapter Leaders-retired
I am one of those who had to cancel due to a seizure last week that caused me to fall and break my nose, got a concussion and other cuts and bruises. Can't drive for 90 days. I understand the policy and I agree with it. It's the price of admission. See you all next year. Ken
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
I am one of those who had to cancel due to a seizure last week that caused me to fall and break my nose, got a concussion and other cuts and bruises. Can't drive for 90 days. I understand the policy and I agree with it. It's the price of admission. See you all next year. Ken

Ken - we're going to miss you. I didn't know you had such a long driving restriction. Secretly, I was hoping you could re-join us. Heal up well my friend.
 

ncc1701e

Well-known member
I am one of those who had to cancel due to a seizure last week that caused me to fall and break my nose, got a concussion and other cuts and bruises. Can't drive for 90 days. I understand the policy and I agree with it. It's the price of admission. See you all next year. Ken


OMG.....We just saw you a couple weeks ago at the KY rally. Hope everything is going better now? Really sorry to hear you damaged such an impressive nose. Tell Faye we both said hello.
 

jayc

Texas-South Chapter Leaders
Ken, sorry to hear of your misfortune and we'll miss you in Urbanna. Get well soon.
 

lindaw

Florida Chapter Leader - Retired
I am one of those who had to cancel due to a seizure last week that caused me to fall and break my nose, got a concussion and other cuts and bruises. Can't drive for 90 days. I understand the policy and I agree with it. It's the price of admission. See you all next year. Ken
Ken so sorry to hear of your seizure and fall. I hope you are on the mend. We will pray that you are better soon. Take care.
Linda
 

Nabo

Southeast Region Director-Retired
I am one of those who had to cancel due to a seizure last week that caused me to fall and break my nose, got a concussion and other cuts and bruises. Can't drive for 90 days. I understand the policy and I agree with it. It's the price of admission. See you all next year. Ken

Oh my Ken - so sorry to hear about your misfortune. We will definitely miss you both and BamBam will miss his walking buddy. Get well soon.
B & N
 
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