Should I feel robbed?

[Jigghead]

So, as soon as entries opened, I submitted and paid for my entry to what was going to be my second Bela Bela 5i50. Was looking forward to ensuring that my preparation was 100% on track.

 

However, I suffered a little oops and fell off my MTB last month, fracturing my ankle, thus putting an end to my aspirations.

 

I then contact the race office and plead my case. I do not even want a refund, but rather asked if it would be possible to transfer my entry to the race (also a 5i50) in Germiston at year end. The answer was not even a "let me think".

 

I'd barely even finished the sentence when the "no" came out of the mouth of the lady on the other side. I was told that all was not lost though, I could still get around R200 of the R800 or so I paid back.

 

Now I can understand that these things must be kept honest etc., however, under these sorts of circumstances, having offered copies of x-rays and medical reports from the specialist, should some sort of exception not be made?

 

I'm not a piss taker. I entered the 70.3 in Jan and due to not being prepped enough for various personal reasons, I forfeited my whole (around R2K) entry for that. I just feel, so far from the event and given the circumstances they should have made a plan.

 

Am I wrong here?

[Snytjie]

I don't think you are wrong for feeling short-changed, so to speak. A specific medical condition should be taken as due grounds for a refund, or at least a transfer to a race by the same organisers. It has also been mentioned here that it is a safety issue too in 70.3 or Ironman races, where it is dangerous to motivate people to race when they are sick or injured because they do not want to loose the money.

 

I think that there are so few races that organisers can take the luxury in financial planning of just flatly refusing any refund, even those who have a legitimate case to withdraw. It is likely to take some time to become better. There needs to be more competition for entries.

 

Sorry to hear about the mishap.

[Joe Low]

Refund policies are tough on a lot of events, and the drop-out rates between entering and starting are large - 20% or more. It goes with the territory, and if race offices stick to a hard line it makes it a lot easier to manage.

 

Losing 20% of your revenue tends to concentrate people's minds.

Edited June 11, 2013 by Joe Low

[davem]

Whether it is right or wrong, it has always been forcefully and consistently applied by WESA.

 

Does this fall under the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act? As the supply/service has not yet been rendered, is it possible to exit the contract. Is it possible for WESA to contract out of the CPA?

 

Or am I barking up the wrong tree.

[Jigghead]

Refund policies are tough on a lot of events, and the drop-out rates between entering and starting are large - 20% or more. It goes with the territory, and if race offices stick to a hard line it makes it a lot easier to manage.

 

Losing 20% of your revenue tends to concentrate people's minds.

 

I fully understand the fact that dropping out for "any old reason" should not entitle one to refunds etc. It is for this reason that I did not try and pursue any compensation for my failure to participate in the 70.3 this year, although it was not entirely due to my lack of adequate preparation.

 

I do however think that having been advised by my doctor against participating at Bela Bela, that I should be entitled to transfer my entry to the Germiston event. If I fail to get that one right, then it's my problem, but now I'm paying R600 (after the small refund coming my way) and another R800 for the later event. I'm starting to feel like I'm in the wrong business.

[ibruegge]

I think that a transfer to another race should be a fair solution in this case. Generally though, this only works in series - so what is really needed is an insurance solutions same as in travel. Organizers can't be expected to carry the risk, therefore it must be an insurable risk: at the point of registration participants should be given the option of adding 50 bucks or so to cover themselves for "cancellation fees" in case they can't ride anymore. If we chose not to insure the risk, we carry the risk of lost entry fees. Especially with pricier race entries I think this would be a good solution - so, if someone in the insurance trade wants to offer an option for race organizers, here is the opportunity.

[Shebeen]

I'll never understand why triathletes sing the praises of their race organisers whilst simultaneously getting shafted with no option of vaseline.

Withdrawal Policy 2013

 

• Until 24 April 2013 - 50% refund on entry fee
  
• 25 April 2013 - 24 June 2013 - 25% refund on entry fee
  
• 25 June 2013 and after - 0% refund on entry fee
  

Entries may not be sold, exchanged or transferred.

[Blindspot]

Whether it is right or wrong, it has always been forcefully and consistently applied by WESA.

 

Does this fall under the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act? As the supply/service has not yet been rendered, is it possible to exit the contract. Is it possible for WESA to contract out of the CPA?

 

Or am I barking up the wrong tree.

 

The service they render is the organising of the event. They have started organising it long time ago. It is not their fault the OP had an accident. They can make a long list of expenses which they have incurred and had to pay with the entry fees. I would also have been upset if I had to forfeit the entry fees, but rules are rules, break it for one, then you have to break it for all and soon the race will be draft legal

 

Hard luck Jigghead.

[Jigghead]

I'll never understand why triathletes sing the praises of their race organisers whilst simultaneously getting shafted with no option of vaseline.

Withdrawal Policy 2013

• Until 24 April 2013 - 50% refund on entry fee
  
• 25 April 2013 - 24 June 2013 - 25% refund on entry fee
  
• 25 June 2013 and after - 0% refund on entry fee
  

Entries may not be sold, exchanged or transferred.

 

You must remember that these races go off without a hitch 99 times out of 100. These guys do a phenomenal job making sure that we race safe. I also do not disagree with the withdrawal policy to be frank. But my issue is that I am not able to participate due to a medical condition and therefore feel that some sort of concession should be made.

 

I did not even ask for a refund but rather a substitution to another event organised by the same guys. They probably realise that I'm going to enter later on in the year anyway and so why not get a double entry fee?

Edited June 11, 2013 by Jigghead

[fabes]

I personally think that whole refund policy is a load of BS.

 

1 x entry = 1 x person on start line. A substitution won't take the whole day.

 

I also understand that a lot of organisation goes into an event and clothing for each competitor is also a tall ask to organise. However these events are to expensive to just tell the entrants sorry but you lose your entry. If they want to avoid the whole substitution thing then they must accommodate you when it comes to transferring to another event.

 

With the nature of the sport injuries will occur and this has to be taken into account when they come up with refund policies.

 

A mate of mine also broke his leg last year before IM and didn't request a refund he just asked for an entry to this years IM and they just refused. He was also not able to get a refund as it happened 3 weeks before the event

Edited June 11, 2013 by fabes

[reteid]

i feel for you brother.

[Kranswurm]

Refund policies are tough on a lot of events, and the drop-out rates between entering and starting are large - 20% or more. It goes with the territory, and if race offices stick to a hard line it makes it a lot easier to manage.

 

Losing 20% of your revenue tends to concentrate people's minds.

 

As a previous race organiser I can attest to the number of deaths,chronic deseases and death bed excuses there are for wanting your money back.You are not the only one Jigghead looking for a carry over or refund.The line is quite long

[Caerus]

As a previous race organiser I can attest to the number of deaths,chronic deseases and death bed excuses there are for wanting your money back.You are not the only one Jigghead looking for a carry over or refund.The line is quite long

Surely if you can provide evidence that you can get a refund? So I will pose this question, how money people will on average drop out a race for an excuse of death, broken leg, decapitation?

[Jigghead]

As a previous race organiser I can attest to the number of deaths,chronic deseases and death bed excuses there are for wanting your money back.You are not the only one Jigghead looking for a carry over or refund.The line is quite long

 

Fair enough, many would try anything to get this sorted out, however, I offered copies of x-rays (there were 4 sets available - taken 1 week apart) and the orthopedic surgeon said he would provide me with a clinical justification, in writing, as to why he believed it would be detrimental to my injury if I participated. I'm also not even trying to get my money back, I just want to race a different event.

[fabes]

Surely if you can provide evidence that you can get a refund? So I will pose this question, how money people will on average drop out a race for an excuse of death, broken leg, decapitation?

Yeah I understand what Kranswurm is saying. There are so many chancers out there that at the last minute will claim sick, death or whatever and they trying not to open that door. But like you say with Jiggs case there is medical evidence and they should be accommodating

[Kranswurm]

Surely if you can provide evidence that you can get a refund? So I will pose this question, how money people will on average drop out a race for an excuse of death, broken leg, decapitation?

 

Speaking for the Kalchal quite a few