ridecamp@endurance.net: RE: Refunds

RE: Refunds

Linda VanCeylon (LVanCeylon@vines.ColoState.EDU)
Tue, 27 May 97 13:40:02 -0600

Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 06:42:40 -0600 "Karen Steenhof" wrote-----------

>>A rider checks into a ride the afternoon/evening before the ride. The
horse passes the vet check. The next morning, the rider decides not to
start the ride. Should the ride manager:
a) refund the entire entry fee
b) refund part of the entry fee
or
c) refund none of the entry fee?>>

I believe (c) no refund is due. You must remember, you are taking up a
slot that someone else could have had. This won't apply in may areas since
their rides have low attendance, but the manager has still made plans to
accommodate you. However, it's really up to the ride manager whether to
give a refund or not. A pre-stated policy is probably best.

>>Should this decision depend on whether:
a) the horse got sick or injured overnight
b) the rider got sick or injured overnight,
or
c) the rider simply changed his/her mind about riding?>>

None of these should make any difference. NO REFUNDS. I attended a ride
this weekend and paid for two days. It was really rainy the second day and
I decided I was too tired to fight the rain all day, so I only rode the one
of the two days I paid for. I WOULD NOT HAVE DREAMED OF ASKING FOR A
REFUND!!! How could a ride manager ever break even, if they refunded at
the rider's whim. You will never know, until you are a ride manager, how
hard these folks work and how much crap they have to put up with from
riders, landowners, bureaucrats, etc., etc. Not to mention how easy it is
to go broke putting on a ride. They do it for the love of the sport. They
don't need your excuses. They just need your money and your thanks!

>>What are the typical policies in the various regions, and what do you
think
the policies should be?>>

The policies here in Mountain Region vary. I believe all are too liberal
with giving refunds and not requiring deposits. If ride managers don't
start running rides like they are a business, they won't be putting rides
on more than once or twice. I think we will start to see a tightening up,
as the attendance goes up and people get turned away because rides are
full. I believe the policy should be NO REFUNDS.

Since I'm not managing rides anymore, I can rant all I want! END OF RANT.

Linda Van Ceylon
lvanceylon@vines.colostate.edu

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