[Tsogo Sun The Cullinan showing it's real colours.]

I can only try understand your frustration - this is clearly a huge disappointment after building up to it.

I don't think you're alone here amongst the epic entrants, and you're definitely not alone amongst people who are not going to get money from something they think they are owed either due to Ts& C's or bankruptcies.

 

but basically it seems like you've started a thread bashing a hotel in the title when a middleman is keeping the money?

 

ps. more than welcome to call in march 2021, we'll hook you up one way or another!

 

edit: ps where are you based, overseas?

I'm Belgian. And the bashing of the hotel is because I first contacted the hotel and they referred me to the Epic organisation. Epic said, and I quote: "Unfortunately the hotel is unable to refund riders not using their post-accommodation package as per their cancellation policy." A communication that I can only understand as: it's the hotel that does not want to refund.

[Tsogo Sun The Cullinan showing it's real colours.]

look I think we're talking past each other here.

 

clearly this was the most convenient way to do it, and you paid the Epic premium price for it.

if you did a bit of legwork there are a myriad of solutions available, cheaper but less convenient.

it's the similiar thing for bike mechanics/massage packages etc

 

your point that hotel is not refunding is what you were getting at, i'm still not sure if you paid the hotel directly (and then you have a case) or paid Epic as the middleman(then good luck)

Via Epic because coach transfer was element of that package. And I will come back to you when, you never know, the entry for this year will give us access to next year's edition. So you can help me with a less convenient but much cheaper option.

[Tsogo Sun The Cullinan showing it's real colours.]

OP, the hotel industry still has running costs like salaries to pay, maintenance to perform and running costs that they committed to for April, exactly the same as Epic.

 

Your Deposit (especially if it's for 1, 2 or 3 nights) usually allows the Hotelier to afford the running costs and commitments, the other half is what they 'earn'.

 

I get your frustration, but your couple of grand is allowing the chain to afford to pay their staff during this tragedy.

 

Look at it as doing your bit for the poor community.

 

You can afford it if you can afford to do Epic. Let it go

Some people, like my co-rider, can only just afford to do the  Epic. It's a dream so they use their savings to buy a decent bike, train and pay for the entry. They buy a ticket for a flight, book a cheap b&b for the days leading up to the Epic and return one night after the event is over. To lose the race because of cancellation and no refunding in sight yet, needing to book other, extra, lodging because you can not rebook your flight, spend money on food and drinks, whilst worrying whether and when you will return home and how your family is doing, that there will be no work nor income for you when you return home... Yes, then you may expect that some of the bigger players do not keep 100% of the money they get paid for their non-performed service. As nearly all hoteliers are doing in Europe and as one of the Cape Town guesthouses we stayed in did when we asked them to delete one night.

[Tsogo Sun The Cullinan showing it's real colours.]

The OP Point doesn't HOLD Reason in My Book!

 

"ONLY WAY TO GET From A to B".

I can Think of Plenty of Options.

Yes, you can. Because you are a South African. We had to find ways to transport 2 bikes, luggage and riders. Together with a lot of other international riders. The number of taxis/ubers able to do this are  limited, so yes the hotel option is by far the best one.

[Tsogo Sun The Cullinan showing it's real colours.]

Just received the message that the not used post Epic accomodation will not be refunded "as per their cancellation policy". This was an expensive booking as for many international riders it was the only way to be able to get from Val de Vie back to Cape Town (without spending huge amounts on taxi's that can fit the bikes). So that's why you book this expensive room. And then: no refund. What a crap hotel chain. I do hope this is the last time this hotel will be used and that the Epic will take extra care of reading the small print and cancellation policies.