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Post by legalchick on Jul 10, 2007 10:00:19 GMT
I have today received a letter from Royal Lancs telling me that the show has been cancelled (which we all know) but then referring us to the conditions. Ive got an awful feeling that we aren't going to get our entry fees back. Has anyone else had the letter and do they read it that way?
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Post by just read it on Jul 10, 2007 10:12:58 GMT
I've just re-read my letter and then the terms and conditions of entry within the schedule and it states that entries are non-refundable.
We normally interpret this to mean, if we as a competitor are unable to attend then we won't get our money back. If you turn this on its head though it could also mean that they don't have to refund even though they have cancelled??
What does everyone else think? There is a copy of their rules on their website.
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Post by paddocklow on Jul 10, 2007 11:38:25 GMT
I think it will work both ways, if you don't turn up then you don't get a refund, if the show don't happened, then you don't get a refund. Thats how I read it !
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Post by piper on Jul 10, 2007 11:46:24 GMT
That doesn't sound very "user friendly" I wonder how many other shows have that in their terms and conditions.I know that certain expenses are incurred when cancelling a show but there are a lot of savings as well.After all they don't share the profits when they make any so why should we pay all their expenses.I'm not sure it would be legal to keep all the entry fees,worth looking into I think.
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Post by ferret on Jul 11, 2007 7:31:15 GMT
my friend rang them yesterday and they told her that they could not guarantee she would get her entry fees back ! I have also heard that the show is cancelled mainly as the field is a foot deep in grass and the farmer wont let the tractor on to cut it cos of wet ground... part of the deal that RLAS get from renting it is that the grass is cut for silage and cleared at least two weeks before the show so they can prepare, and as this is unlikely to happen before beginning of next week due to land conditions that is why they have cancelled so early
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Post by smallbutmighty on Jul 11, 2007 15:01:22 GMT
That doesn't sound very "user friendly" I wonder how many other shows have that in their terms and conditions.I know that certain expenses are incurred when cancelling a show but there are a lot of savings as well.After all they don't share the profits when they make any so why should we pay all their expenses.I'm not sure it would be legal to keep all the entry fees,worth looking into I think. Weather has not exactly been user friendly! It is a common thing in the rules and conditions of entry which shows issue and exhibitors sign and agree to at time of entry, that there are no refunds of entry. Rare that shows are cancelled so thankfully doesn't come into force much other than exhibitors themselves not being able to compete on a n individual basis. Unfortunately most show costs are incurred whether show goes ahead or not - Royal Lancs (and others) will still have a big bill even if show not going ahead as planned - and will have no gate receipts or anything so reduced income. Don't like it - don't sign and agree to it! I bet Royal Lancs don't run at much profit, and what they raise probably goes towards keeping the Agric Society ging particularly in lean years (or when show goes ahead but blighted by poor weather!)
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Post by just read it on Jul 11, 2007 15:57:27 GMT
I'm sorry smallbutmighty - but I disagree! I know we can't help the weather and yes we all have to pay.
You don't go into a shop and hand someone the money and not receive the goods, you expect delivery in some shape or other.
Showing is an expensive game and I am quite happy to pay an admin fee etc for cancellation or a proportion of the entry fee as with all of the other shows that have been cancelled but not just hand over all of my money??
I am sure cancelling well in advance as they have done, they have reduced their costs. I will look long and hard in future before entering.
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Post by what wet ground on Jul 11, 2007 21:38:06 GMT
I pass the show ground daily. The river is at its normal level. It was high last Friday but has been normal ever since.
The owner of the land is fuming that the show has been cancelled and is slamming the RLAS for cancelling the show so early - he said this on Radio Lancashire himself - wasn't quoted, actually spoke.
When I went pass today the grass has been cut, baled and wrapped and the machinery which has obviously been on the field to do this hasn't so much as marked the ground.
The ground is in good condition - the show has been run in far worse conditions.
I personally shall boycott the show next year if some/part of the entry fees are not returned. Maybe they could consider carrying over entry fees to next year?
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Post by smallbutmighty on Jul 12, 2007 8:31:48 GMT
I will look long and hard in future before entering. Very wise - always pays to read the smallprint in any transaction.
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Post by piper on Jul 12, 2007 10:06:59 GMT
I don't quite see where these Huge expenses come from,surely they wont be paying for Ground,Marquees,Security,Judges Expenses etc etc .Rosettes can be held in stock and mostly the societies will hold the affilliations over until next year.I would be quite happy for a percentage to be kept to defray admin costs,1 phone call ,1 envelope 1 stamp and 1 cheque plus the 2 mins of someone's time to deal with it but come on I can't see any other service where you would stump up for something you didn't get.
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Post by Guestless on Jul 12, 2007 10:08:37 GMT
I would be pretty miffed if I paid for entries for a show and they were not at least partially refunded when show is cancelled. There is a large agricultural show up here that is postponed more often than not, but we always get a call offering us a refund or transfer of entries to the new date.
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Post by legalchick on Jul 12, 2007 10:24:32 GMT
I am so pleased to read that people are also horrified at the thought of fees not being returned.
I too am happy to have some admin fee taken out, but there is not way that my fees (around £100 for two horses) should be kept in full.
I also agree that the show cannot still have huge fees to pay when they have canceled in advance. I was talking to a commercial exhibitor (trade-stand) who told me that their fees are never refunded if shows are canceled but they all insure against that risk.
So if Royal Lancs are keeping all the trade-stand fees - which wont be cheap at a County show, I am sorry but I see no need to keep all the equine exhibitor fees too. If they do refuse refunds I am going to suggest that I would be happy if they re-arranged to light horse section to a different venue or date!
I think they need to be very careful upsetting local riders and exhibitors, especially with their anticipated re-location next year. Having attended the Great Yorkshire yesterday I also think they were foolish cancelling so early.
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Post by meg on Jul 12, 2007 13:09:02 GMT
hi, I'm new to this site, but am pleased to see that others are as cross as I am that there is a possibility that we will not get our entry fees refunded. so, what are we going to do about it ? I suggest that we contact RLAS and ask them directly what will be refunded and if the answer is "nothing" then we ask them to stump up the reasons. I have serious concerns that someone has seen a quick buck here and that the trade stand fees and the exhibitor entries are being used to fund the new showground next year. Incidently, have you seen that the show jumping may still go ahead !!!
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Post by dl on Jul 12, 2007 14:18:34 GMT
i agree this is disaapointing yes the rosetes can be held til next year there will be no fees for use of field as farmer apears to have cancelled( in which case insurance should cover the other costs) judges wont need paying there will be no prize money to give out so the only costs incurred are advertisement and admin but we provide stamps & envelopes so seriously how much does it cost ive paid £60 in entries i might as well work for free. garstang agri has cancelled a few times but offered money back or they will keep it and put it towards classes the year after (you get a receipt and it doesnt have to be same class) this way they are still getting the interest! and you arnt loosing either
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Post by hmmmm on Jul 12, 2007 16:40:07 GMT
I saw on another Thead that the Olympia is going on but could you swop entries on to one of the class
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Post by sophie66 on Jul 12, 2007 16:55:55 GMT
i think it terrible not getting fee,s back shows are expensive enough without them keeping entry fee,s. Could i also say i judge Royal lancs some years ago and it took me almost 7 months to get my cheque off them for a bit of fuel i paid my hotel bill myself, would not judge again for them.
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Post by ferret nli on Jul 12, 2007 20:46:25 GMT
i find it incredible that they might not refund entry fees ....yes i dont mind an admin fee taken out ...but to not get anything back is disgusting Does anyone know what will happen to the Olympia Q ? Cant believe they are trying to resite the SJ and nothing else !!!!
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rtk
Junior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by rtk on Jul 12, 2007 21:24:40 GMT
First time I've been pleased I missed the closing date for entries.
Disgusting but I dont think its unusual, I've seen it on quite a few entry forms before.
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Post by paddocklow on Jul 16, 2007 6:47:22 GMT
Looking at RLAS website this morning it would appear they are running some classes and offering 50% refund to everyone else, which is better then nothing !
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