Hello Friends.....this year in Cincinnati one of the biggest festivals of the year was cancelled, Appalachian Festival. Several other artists and myself have emailed and called the people that are in charge of the show. No one will respond to our repeated attempts to get information about being reimbursed for booth space. Expensive booth space...... I paid 250.00 and I get a discount bc I live in an Appalachain area of Cincinnati. I'm so upset and I just don't know what options are available to get my booth space refunded. Not only is it a lot of money, but it is dishonest on their part, and a matter of principal for them to not even communicate with us. Has anybody else had this experience with a cancelation? I would welcome any suggestions you may have about how to resolve this.
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First, what does the contract say? That's the very first place you go. Is there anything in it concerning refunds? That's why many shows go on "rain, snow, or shine" as one promoter puts it.
If the facility was unavailable due to circumstances beyond the promoter's control, such as a flood, what does the contract say?
The promoter should be insured for such a possibility also.
Your last resort? Small claims court. Take them to court. I know martha mentioned the AG, but that's not gonna get you your money back. You're out $250. File a claim in Small Claims Court. Even if they don't show up, they'll have a judgement against them.
If you paid by credit card then you can get a credit processed by your credit card company. If you paid by check, good luck.
I would advise that you start making noise. Contact the Cincinnati newspaper and ask if they know why this show was cancelled, have some facts on hand, like how big the show was, who the promoter is, how long it was in existence, what contacts you have, how you were notified, how many exhibitors there are (that you are aware of), etc. If there are 200 exhibitors at $250.00 a booth fee then you're talking $50,000 that's gone missing.
Contact the Attorney General for the state of Ohio, they definitely would be interested in a group that took that much money and then cancelled the show, it's called FRAUD.
The cancelation was legit. The ohio river was flooded and Coney Island where the event was held was underwater. They had to cancel it. The show has been in existence for like 43 years. They probably have well over 300 vendors. This fair attracts like 25,000 people each year. I don't know how long these particular promoters have been in charge of the show. All I know is they should be returing our calls or letting us know if they intent to reimbuse us. At least give me a credit for next year's booth space if you already spent the money. I just want someone to contact me and answer my questions.
Larry Berman > Alecia SimmonsJune 8, 2011 at 5:37pm
It's a rough one because they probably spent their entire budget preparing for the show. Same thing happened at Bethesda Row with the DC sniper and they offered everyone a free booth the following year. Because of that, they had to increase the number of exhibitors by 100, which watered down sales and made the street too crowded the next year.
Be careful what you wish for. It's far better to give everyone half the booth fee toward next years show, if they are that dependent on the booth fees covering operating expenses.
I understand what you are saying. I would be happy to just not lose my money. I'd rather have it back, but if they don't have the funds, they can at least offer us a credit for booth space next year. I agree with you.
I also wanted to add that ignoring the vendor's questions and repeated attempts to get some sort of resolution/offer is a very unprofessional and unethical way to handle the situation. It will not make for trust, good faith or decent artists to return to this venue.
Larry Berman > Alecia SimmonsJune 8, 2011 at 6:14pm
Not professional at all. The show needs to make a decision and notify the vendors ASAP.
Yes. The show was canceled beginning of May, mother's day weekend. Enough time has gone by for them to assess the situation and give vendors some info.
Replies
First, what does the contract say? That's the very first place you go. Is there anything in it concerning refunds? That's why many shows go on "rain, snow, or shine" as one promoter puts it.
If the facility was unavailable due to circumstances beyond the promoter's control, such as a flood, what does the contract say?
The promoter should be insured for such a possibility also.
Your last resort? Small claims court. Take them to court. I know martha mentioned the AG, but that's not gonna get you your money back. You're out $250. File a claim in Small Claims Court. Even if they don't show up, they'll have a judgement against them.
If you paid by credit card then you can get a credit processed by your credit card company. If you paid by check, good luck.
I would advise that you start making noise. Contact the Cincinnati newspaper and ask if they know why this show was cancelled, have some facts on hand, like how big the show was, who the promoter is, how long it was in existence, what contacts you have, how you were notified, how many exhibitors there are (that you are aware of), etc. If there are 200 exhibitors at $250.00 a booth fee then you're talking $50,000 that's gone missing.
Contact the Attorney General for the state of Ohio, they definitely would be interested in a group that took that much money and then cancelled the show, it's called FRAUD.
good luck - martha
Martha,
The cancelation was legit. The ohio river was flooded and Coney Island where the event was held was underwater. They had to cancel it. The show has been in existence for like 43 years. They probably have well over 300 vendors. This fair attracts like 25,000 people each year. I don't know how long these particular promoters have been in charge of the show. All I know is they should be returing our calls or letting us know if they intent to reimbuse us. At least give me a credit for next year's booth space if you already spent the money. I just want someone to contact me and answer my questions.
Be careful what you wish for. It's far better to give everyone half the booth fee toward next years show, if they are that dependent on the booth fees covering operating expenses.
Larry Berman
412-401-8100
Larry,
I understand what you are saying. I would be happy to just not lose my money. I'd rather have it back, but if they don't have the funds, they can at least offer us a credit for booth space next year. I agree with you.
Larry,
I also wanted to add that ignoring the vendor's questions and repeated attempts to get some sort of resolution/offer is a very unprofessional and unethical way to handle the situation. It will not make for trust, good faith or decent artists to return to this venue.
Larry