Cancelled attendance to HOP (Rose Parade)

ChuckD · July 17, 2022

My Dear Bride and I have been to many events put on by the Escapees and enjoyed them all. I am 84 and we still are active in RVing. So this year when the HOP for the Rose parade came up we decided to go. Then a big problem came up. Shorty after we signed up and paid half the cost, the Doctor said "Cancer", and it appears that I may not even be alive Jan first, 2023. One of the things to do was cancel the HOP. So over 6 months before the event I notified Escapees that we had to cancel. Of the $1200 we paid, Escapees will refund half, only $600. To me, with over 6 months to the event, it would be easy to to fill the spot we took. Surely there is a waiting list and the Escapees are not going to be out of the money. It isn't the money so much as the thought. We are not rich enough where the money is nothing but I don't think it is right to do that much. I don't know why this brothers me so much. I have been a good member for over 11 years, did all the things to be a good member and then BAM. I don't expect this to change anything, but the money will be for my Bride. And that is what is important. Please pardon the vent.

Larry Burkett · July 17, 2022

Chuck, did it say anything on the form about cancelation fee? It would seem that a $50 fee would not be surprising for this far out, but $600 is totally out of line, and I would be on the phone tomorrow morning with them about it.

Edited July 17, 2022 by Larry Burkett
changed

mptjelgin · July 17, 2022

From the page for the Rose Parade HOP (Which I note is "SOLD OUT. WAIT LIST ONLY".)

Cancellation Policy

1 Business Day from Booking: Full Refund
More Than 90 Days to the event: 75 % Refund
30 – 90 Days to the event: 25% Refund
30 Days or Less to the event: No Refunds

It seems that you are due a 75% refund, but 75% of what? The deposit that you paid or the total price of the HOP? It appears the Escapees is interpreting it as 75% of the total price, meaning that you be required to pay 25% of the total price, which is half of the deposit you've already paid.

I would make an argument that they owe you a 75% refund of the funds you've paid, which would get you another $300. Maybe they'll go for that.

Once again a reminder that Escapees is a for-profit business, not a benevolent "club".

Twotoes · July 19, 2022

Refund means getting a portion of the money you already paid, not the amount you owe. I would think you are entitled to a refund of 75% of what you paid, not the total cost.

Kirk W · July 19, 2022

On 7/17/2022 at 3:20 PM, ChuckD said:

Please pardon the vent.

With the sort of news that you just received, I think that you have a right to vent. But as much empathy as we have for you, I doubt that our opinions will do much to help. Let's all center our attention on dealing with your health issues. If nothing else, we can certainly send our goodwill and best wishes. Do keep us posted, please.

ChuckD · July 20, 2022

To those who wondered, I was told, when I complained, that the penalty was to be taken from the entire cost of the event which was $2400, is $600 which I feel is still a lot. Regardless of what I paid. I am afraid that this is not giving me a rosy, loving feeling to the staff of the Escapees. As was said, there is a waiting list, so I would think after filling the vacancy I created that I would be given the full amount minus a small amount to just cover the cost of someone writhing to full the time. I don't know, but somehow I am feeling a bit betrayed by my club. Thank you to all that responded and showed caring.

durangodon · July 20, 2022

Chuck, I hired a local prominent electrical company to install a home generator for me. They said because of high demand and the supply shortage it would be at least 9 months before they would install it. They required a deposit 50% of total cost. When I asked why they wanted so much deposit, they answered "because we can".

It seems to me that is what you're dealing with. Never mind what's fair, just "because we can".

TXiceman · July 21, 2022

A few years ago, I had a major fight with the Escapees folks for a HOP in Texas. Due to medical issues, I had to cancel about two weeks out. They had a waiting list for people wanting to attend and still wanted to soak me for medical issues. I finally told them, OK, don't cancel me and let the site go unused and charge me the full amount, but I had a friend in the area that would drive through to make sure that had not double sold the site. They finally agreed to a much smaller cancellation fee to cover the printing cost on nametags, etc. since they had a waiting list.

I do not intend to be signing up for any more functions and will just travel on my own. The group has a lot of benefits, but they need to realize that we have medical issues, rigs break down, etc. Maybe they need to offer a cancellation insurance policy for a small fee when you sign up, like the cruise lines do.

Ken

ChuckD · July 26, 2022

Thanks to all who posted and showed they cared, which is more than the staff of the Escapees did. So this is probably the last post I will be doing. I am leaving the Escapees and cancel all the extras. They don't care, nor do I. I wish you all the best. Thanks for 11 good years of friendship and companionship

bobsallyh · July 26, 2022

I have a question about these "HOPS". Are the only folks on these outings Escapees or are there other folks who signed up with some other group? In other words, are the Escapees "partnering" with some tour outfit?

melaniecarr · July 27, 2022

Hi Chuck, we are deeply sorry to hear about your health diagnosis and a member of our team is reaching back out to you directly via email to resolve this. I want to apologize on behalf of the organization for this experience and we’d like to thank you for being a long time member of Escapees.

Wishing you safe and happy travels,

Melanie Carr

Vice President & co-CEO

ChuckD · July 29, 2022

Thank you. I have received the full refund from the Escapees. So I will be sticking around as long as I can.

pjstough · July 29, 2022

I wonder how many people have had a similar experience, but never said anything, just left the Escapees?

2gypsies · July 29, 2022

CHUCKD just made a new post explaining what happened and he's a Happy Camper with Escapees once again. This post should probably be closed as none of it pertains to the final result.

THANK YOU CHUCK D for your new post!!! Good luck on your new journey!

Edited July 29, 2022 by 2gypsies