Trans Baviaans 2021

[aquaratza]

Well said Mamba. My friends and I were booked to ride the August (and then this) event. The no-refund thing is dodgy and short-sighted.

Edited December 30, 2020 by aquaratza

[RearWheelDrive]

While I'm also a little miffed, like everybody else, and I also feel they could've probably delayed the Aug entries until Jan (or whenever) was done and dusted. Worse things have happened to people this year.

 

Epic cancelled the day before, Sani day 2 rained out (the whole reason we do Sani is for day2) People lost their jobs etc. Here we are complaining about loosing R2K-R4k or whatever your portion of the entry was. 

 

We are super fortunate to afford a MTB in the first place, never mind enter races and service the thing afterwards, at least there wont be those bills and travelling etc. And then there's the health and well being to actually attempt events like this.

 

Maybe Ecobound dropped the ball a bit on this issue, but then again I don't have an event that has sold out to a thousand plus riders within an hour year after year so who am I to judge.

Imagine owning a bottle store and being told on Monday evenig "You're takin (At least) a 2 week sabbatical" during your busiest time of the year.

 

Like I said worse things have happened to people this year

[aquaratza]

... and I also feel they could've probably delayed the Aug entries until Jan (or whenever) was done and dusted. Worse things have happened to people this year.

They did delay it? Just like Sani. It isn't about whether worse things happened or not, or being able to afford to pay in the first place, that's immaterial. These operations are profit-generating businesses. It's about entries having been paid for, the associated service not being provided and refunds not being offered, full or partial.

[sled]

Ecobound are not interested in the safety or health of anyone. Having had numerous email discussions with them their attitude is really arrogant and supercilious to say the least. Opening 2021 entries for August before even confirming the 2020 event was going to happen showed their total lack of concern for anyone except their pockets. If I had wanted to do a day ride I would enter a host of other events but the whole night time experience is what makes TB special. Some event organizers are doing their utmost to give riders the experience they paid for but others just don’t seem to get the picture that we are what make them successful.  Vote with my wallet in future and go with those that care. Bye bye TB was good while you offered an experience that few others did but another 40C ride in a valley just isn’t what I wanted. 

[RobertWhitehead]

So hang on, let's just take a look quickly about this pandemic which has affected the whole world and not just SA.

Where do Ecobound get their money from? From hosting events right? Essentially, they spend money (hosting events) to make money (the profits after paying to host the events). When last has Ecobound hosted an event? So it's pretty rich complaining about an entry fee (which was paid for in December of 2019) and stating that they are walking off with the profits even though they have probably not seen an income since this whole pandemic started. The so called profits can drop pretty quickly if there's nothing that comes back in.

 

I am not choosing any sides, yes they are also at fault for opening the 2021 entries prior to knowing about the 2020 event but then again in their heads we weren't going to go back to L3 again.

 

Let's also put this into perspective: the entry fee is not lost, they have made an arrangement to carry the entry over to the next 3 years. So what's lost - accommodation (deposit or in full), travel expenses and that's it. Maybe R2-R5k at the most. Sho, this over a close to 18 month period, R277pm. I think the riders came off pretty well considering the times we're living in.

[Mook]

So hang on, let's just take a look quickly about this pandemic which has affected the whole world and not just SA.

Where do Ecobound get their money from? From hosting events right? Essentially, they spend money (hosting events) to make money (the profits after paying to host the events). When last has Ecobound hosted an event? So it's pretty rich complaining about an entry fee (which was paid for in December of 2019) and stating that they are walking off with the profits even though they have probably not seen an income since this whole pandemic started. The so called profits can drop pretty quickly if there's nothing that comes back in.

 

I am not choosing any sides, yes they are also at fault for opening the 2021 entries prior to knowing about the 2020 event but then again in their heads we weren't going to go back to L3 again.

 

Let's also put this into perspective: the entry fee is not lost, they have made an arrangement to carry the entry over to the next 3 years. So what's lost - accommodation (deposit or in full), travel expenses and that's it. Maybe R2-R5k at the most. Sho, this over a close to 18 month period, R277pm. I think the riders came off pretty well considering the times we're living in.

Just noticed this morning that Ecobound wants 50% on top of your entry fee simply to do a transfer of your 2020 entry. Your 2021/2022 or 2023 TB will effectively cost you R1.9k in entry fee.

While I fully support the transfer initiative in principle, I am of the opinion that Ecobound pushed it a wee bit far this time. R650 on top of your entry fee is very stiff. Admittedly the Covid curve ball was not a result of Ecobound's doings, BUT neither was it anyone of the +-1600 riders' fault whom have already paid their entry fees.

If you've entered for the 2020 events, you are now stuck between the proverbial rock .......... and the TB. If you do not pay the R650, you lose your entry fee, yet you do not receive a bedazzled medal to the value of R650 if you transfer and complete the event.

 

Feels like we are being "ridden" 

[JohanDiv]

Just noticed this morning that Ecobound wants 50% on top of your entry fee simply to do a transfer of your 2020 entry. Your 2021/2022 or 2023 TB will effectively cost you R1.9k in entry fee.

While I fully support the transfer initiative in principle, I am of the opinion that Ecobound pushed it a wee bit far this time. R650 on top of your entry fee is very stiff. Admittedly the Covid curve ball was not a result of Ecobound's doings, BUT neither was it anyone of the +-1600 riders' fault whom have already paid their entry fees.

If you've entered for the 2020 events, you are now stuck between the proverbial rock .......... and the TB. If you do not pay the R650, you lose your entry fee, yet you do not receive a bedazzled medal to the value of R650 if you transfer and complete the event.

 

Feels like we are being "ridden" 

 

Where did you get that info??

 

I haven't received an email yet. Checked my spam as well. 

 

 

They shouldn't have called it an entry transfer then..

It's more like, "We are cancelling the event and you don't get any refund, but here is an opportunity for you to buy an entry for a next race at 50% discount".

Edited January 12, 2021 by JohanDiv

[Zawillow]

Where did you get that info??

 

I haven't received an email yet. Checked my spam as well. 

 

 

They shouldn't have called it an entry transfer then..

It's more like, "We are cancelling the event and you don't get any refund, but here is an opportunity for you to buy an entry for a next race at 50% discount".

 

Details on their website.

[Rowl]

Thought about the TB last night while listening to El Presidente - thank goodness the decision had been made.

 

Recall them somewhere in one of the previous posts saying that they have years of event planning experience and that they don't expect the numbers to grow

[JacquesJ]

Sorry, this is just pathetic. They have lost my respect.

Normal 'admin fee' was in the order of R150. Per team change. Asking R620 per rider smacks of trying to profit from the situation.

 

Dryland did it properly when they had to cancel Tankwa. I know which outfit I will support going forward

Edited January 12, 2021 by Jacques Joubert WC

[Cookie88]

That's actually disgusting - a 3 Team Entry for 2021 is advertised as just under R2500 and our three man team will be forking out R1950 to TRANSFER our existing 2020 entry across... Our transfer fees constitute almost 80% of the cost of a new entry?

 

From the looks of things I am being penalized and used to recoup the costs for an event that never happened. I understand that the economics of running events is tough, but this does leave a bad taste.

[RobertWhitehead]

Sho  . That's not on, I always look if I am able to justify the labor / hours involved to justify a cost and then if it does not then I walk away or find someone else who'll be able to do it for a number which I am happy with. In this instance, asking 50% on top of the entry fee just to move a persons name from the 2020 excel document over to the 2021 does not justify it. There's a fine line between running a legit business and being greedy, unfortunately this is getting very close to the latter for me

 

Just noticed this morning that Ecobound wants 50% on top of your entry fee simply to do a transfer of your 2020 entry. Your 2021/2022 or 2023 TB will effectively cost you R1.9k in entry fee.

While I fully support the transfer initiative in principle, I am of the opinion that Ecobound pushed it a wee bit far this time. R650 on top of your entry fee is very stiff. Admittedly the Covid curve ball was not a result of Ecobound's doings, BUT neither was it anyone of the +-1600 riders' fault whom have already paid their entry fees.

If you've entered for the 2020 events, you are now stuck between the proverbial rock .......... and the TB. If you do not pay the R650, you lose your entry fee, yet you do not receive a bedazzled medal to the value of R650 if you transfer and complete the event.

 

Feels like we are being "ridden" 

[Karooryder]

 

We are super fortunate to afford a MTB in the first place, never mind enter races and service the thing afterwards, at least there wont be those bills and travelling etc. And then there's the health and well being to actually attempt events like this.

 

This is like going to a restaurant, receiving a bad meal and poor service and afterwards saying "we should not be complaining because we are REALLY fortunate to be able to eat out". 

 

It doesn't work that way, especially not in the corporate world.

[dave303e]

Thought about the TB last night while listening to El Presidente - thank goodness the decision had been made.

 

Recall them somewhere in one of the previous posts saying that they have years of event planning experience and that they don't expect the numbers to grow

 

Like the pandemic analytic specialists on Facebook stating that there will never be more than 15000 deaths in SA last year?

[pedal menace]

YIKES...I have always been an ambassador for this event. Having done 6 of them, it has always been one of my firm favourites! I encouraged every fellow rider I met to at least do one. UNTIL.....I saw how they handled the 2020 event. Again, I know this is their bread and butter, I know the impact COVID had on them. I fully understand and respect the conundrum they face. But there are ways to handle this properly. First they claim to have done a survey..REALLY?? I never got a mail to do a survey, yet I get all their other mails. I have also mailed them numerous times, and feedback received did leave a slight bitter taste in my mouth. It was clear that their (I assume dire) financial position left them in a difficult spot. I tried my best to understand it all. However, their level communication just got worse. It was clear their brand was taking damage yet they continued (in my personal opinion) to put their financial position over that of the riders. And now this!!!!! I am sorry, I have lost all respect for the event. I am dissapointed. They can technically do what they want, we have little choice in teh matter, but they care what we think? But I know how we as riders feel and act...in a year or two or three when entries open (and  they are still around), all entries will likely sell out again. We as riders are a loving bunch and forgive easily and our deep love for the sport is so big, we will put all this nastiness behind us...I hope :-) 

Edited January 12, 2021 by pedal menace

[Rowl]

YIKES...I have always been an ambassador for this event. Having done 6 of them, it has always been one of my firm favourites! I encouraged every fellow rider I met to at least do one. UNTIL.....I saw how they handled the 2020 event. Again, I know this is their bread and butter, I know the impact COVID had on them. I fully understand and respect the conundrum they face. But there are ways to handle this properly. First they claim to have done a survey..REALLY?? I never got a mail to do a survey, yet I get all their other mails. I have also mailed them numerous times, and feedback received did leave a slight bitter taste in my mouth. It was clear that their (I assume dire) financial position left them in a difficult spot. I tried my best to understand it all. However, their level communication just got worse. It was clear their brand was taking damage yet they continued (in my personal opinion) to put their financial position over that of the riders. And now this!!!!! I am sorry, I have lost all respect for the event. I am dissapointed. They can technically do what they want, we have little choice in teh matter, but they care what we think? But I know how we as riders feel and act...in a year or two or three when entries open (and  they are still around), all entries will likely sell out again. We as riders are a loving bunch and forgive easily and our deep love for the sport is so big, we will put all this nastiness behind us...I hope :-) 

I browsed my spam box a few days ago, to find a mail from ecobound@gmail.com (or something like that) with a survey.  I obviously missed this survey completely, and I assume a number of other riders as well.