State Associations and workshop fees

Status
Not open for further replies.
Rhonda

Rhonda

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2002
5,925
2,788
113
124
Millinocket
www.millinocketflorist.com
State / Prov
Maine
Our State Association has held annual Spring Shows in March or April every year for over 15 years. On occasion weather has caused problems. We always try to hold two workshops - hands on usually - on Saturday. We, of course, ask for pre-registrations for product procurement and instructor hand outs etc. The workshops are restricted to size (usually 20-25 people). Twice in the 15 years we have had large snowstorms and this year snow/ice storm on the Saturday, yet only two or three pre-registered shops failed to show for the workshops. The question::::
If you pay for a workshop, seminar, roundtable etc. and then not go, do you expect your money back? Does your State Association refund monies for failure to show?
We are getting opinions because we have already procured the product, contracted the instructor, printed hand outs, booked the room, and in some cases, refused other participants due to pre-registration.
Although we don't wish to lose those who do pre-register, we also can't afford to let those spaces sit in "limbo" and try to guess on numbers and overpay for product.
We do keep a list for "watchers only - non participatory in hands on but bring your tool kit" in case someone does not show or drops out that day and someone wishes to step into the spot, but that does not always happen so monies lost are not regained.
Opinions please....
 
Refunds

I have never been able to have a refund from any organization I have belonged to when I paid ahead and then couldn't show up....and I did not expect to receive it.

All organizations set up their meetings , dinners, etc based on the number of people signed up. They simply cannot afford to give money back unless there is a national disaster. Since several people find a way to attend...the ones that stay home should not use that for an excuse. I have been on the planning end of many functions over the years and know all the problems you can have when you return the money.

It reminds me of employees that only have a block to come to work during a snow storm, but, don't show up because of the weather and the ones that live 30 minutes away always seem to make it to work.

I attend many prepaid dinners, meetings, etc and when I am unable to go at the last minute, I either give my ticket to another person or just accept that I am donating to the cause or charity. But, you could have a clause that states a certain percentage back before a certain date.

One year, I paid for full registration for AIFD and at the very last minute could not go and therefore, no money was returned to me. Ouch.....but, it is written in their guidelines and I knew this when I cancelled.

People might be a little more willing to attend and make the extra effort if they knew they had to pay for it even if they chose not to attend.

Carol Bice
 
Our association gives refunds if notification is given by a stated deadline.
 
We have a no refund policy . . . .

BUT. . .will make exceptions for something like an illness that puts them in the hospital or a death in the family.
 
Thank you, Thank you.
We agree, vehicle breakdown, illness/death in family. If they notifiy such as 3 days prior. Our problem stems from weather and it was "funny" that so many shops made the trip, ice and all, yet someone from the town next door to them didn't. The one year we had a complete Northeaster ( as in like over 2' of snow overnight) we had the largest attendance ever.

I appreciate your help!
 
Rhonda at work said:
Thank you, Thank you.
We agree, vehicle breakdown, illness/death in family. If they notifiy such as 3 days prior. Our problem stems from weather and it was "funny" that so many shops made the trip, ice and all, yet someone from the town next door to them didn't. The one year we had a complete Northeaster ( as in like over 2' of snow overnight) we had the largest attendance ever.

I appreciate your help!
Click to expand...


I would never expect a refund. If the refund was that detrimental, I probably would have had no right to spend the money in the first place. I think that sometimes people think that there is always so much food left over at these things that it is paid for by someone else. Teleflora has told us on many an occasion that unless pre-registered we cannot supply a meal at our shows. It takes alot out of the budget to plan for extras and you end up having to charge more for shows later on down the road.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back