I wanted to make sure they had received my cancellation, so a few weeks later I both called and left a voice mail, and emailed to ask that they acknowledge my cancellation and return my check. I did receive a terse acknowledgement back (“Yes, we received your cancellation.”), but no word about returning my check.
What approach is useful under these circumstances? The show is being held in a week. Perhaps they will wait til after the show, and then send my refund (though…why?). I don’t want to make a big stink, in case I want to apply again. Though this gives me pause about the advisability of that. Thanks!
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Bummer. But you're not without power here.
You may not have a copy of the show prospectus, but you may know another artist who did the show, and can give it to you. Beyond that, the show certainly does--and if you take them to court, they may be required to produce that. (You'd have to check with a lawyer, but you could do that on a free introductory phone call, I'll bet.)
You don't have to go the law route, though. If the show is run by the local chamber of commerce/business organization, they are very publicity-sensitive. I would call the CEO or the marketing director--or better yet, go to one of their community events--introduce yourself, professionally, to the principal(s), and state your case. I bet you'll get a meeting and get it straightened out. If they don't play ball, go to the local media.
This is not good. Ready to name names?
I was trying to be nice, and give them every opportunity to make it right. But since I don’t have a copy of the prospectus printed out, I don’t have a leg to stand on. It must have just read as “the usual”, so all I did was jot down the relevant dates like refund date, notification, etc. This is probably the ONLY time I did not print one out.
When I talked to the person on the phone today, she said she would leave a message for “Ryan”. But that is the same person who has not returned by emails thus far. I’ll give him til tomorrow.
UPDATE: The show has been over for almost a month, and still no refund. Emails are not answered.
I called today, and the person who answered said, "There are no refunds." I again specified that a "refund by" date (April 12) was in the prospectus, and I cancelled on April 9.
It's not a lot of money. It was the principle that I was sticking to, that a refund was due and I cancelled in time. But I don't think I'll get it. I checked and their prospectus is no longer online. Normally I print out everything, but this time I had not, making a note of the cancellation date on my print out of the application. Not enough, apparently.
Also on principle, I would not have applied under "No refund" circumstances, unless I was absolutely sure that this was the show I wanted to do.
What does your contract say? Is there a clause saying they must be able to fill your spot or no refund?
Many promoters spend a lot of money putting the show on. I would wait until after the show and then contact them again. If you want to do it again, why not just tell them to apply your fee to the next show?
No, cancellation by a certain date (which I met easily) for full refund. Nothing about having to fill my spot first. It's run by a local business association/chamber of commerce.
It's very likely that the check won't be cut until after the show is over. Some front offices are very lax about returning your money. I would wait a few days after the show, and then contact them again.