GWPro
#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, March 26, 2013
My position related to Bill Sanders is clear. We refunded his ticket price minus the food and beverage fee as per our guidelines.
The event began on the evening of March 6th with an open bar cocktail party, dinner on the beach and a live band.
On Thursday March 7th, included in the ticket price was breakfast, lunch, mid afternoon snack, cocktail party with live band, and dinner.
On Friday, March 8th, included in the ticket price was breakfast, lunch, mid afternoon snack, cocktail party, boat excursion to casino, dinner party by the pool with live band, and return boat ride.
On Saturday, March 9th, included in the ticket price was breakfast, lunch, boat excursion to a private islands party, cocktail party, dinner party by the pool with live band, and return boat ride.
On March 10th, there were no official meeting times, only availability for one-on-one meetings with speakers which were included in the ticket price. Each speaker charges a minimum of $250/h for consultations and this was included in the price.
Bill Sanders claims that the food/beverage package had a value of $100. Our cost on lunch alone was approximately $100pp. This is why we do not refund for the food/beverage cost as that is significant out of pocket expense.
Bill according to his own admission to many other attendees was only seeking a free ride. We refunded his entrance fee but are unwilling to foot the bill for his entire free vacation.
He complains that we "blackballed" him from the speakers. We only abided by our private contract with the speakers to inform them of his desire to seek a refund. Once he chose to seek a refund for his ticket price, he was no longer in the "paid attendee" category. Nothing more.
This is my last response as I already know the outcome of his attendance to the Argentina conference that followed our event. They have been in contact with me regarding Bill Sanders and his activity there.
We had glowing reviews from our attendees like Mike S., "I have attended offshore conferences for over 20 years and this is hands down the best event I've ever been to." or Andrew C., "This was our first event with you, but it won't be our last. We learned more at this event and made more business connections than in the past 2 years combined. We will be at every event from now on."
And dozens of others. Bill Sanders was looking for a free ride. It's a pity, but clearly people like him must exist. I will offer no additional rebuttal. Our reputation will stand based on the value we add.
Wildbill562
Palm Harbor,#3Author of original report
Tue, March 26, 2013
Rather than defend the discrepancy between his offer of a 100% refund of the TICKET PRICE if I did not feel the event was worth the ticket price, Bobby Casey is now making false statements, spreading innuendo and rumors.
The conference was 3 days with 3 meals each day provided plus a cocktail party the night before. I skipped a few of the speaker presentations, but did attend each meal - which is how I know they did not cost anywhere near $50 each - as claimed by Mr. Casey.
I had 2 one-on-one appointments with speakers. I agreed to do business with one and rejected the offer of the other because it did not match what he claimed verbally during his presentation. I hung out and socialized with a few of the other speakers.
I did not say, "Hi Bobby, I had a good time at the conference and learned a lot. Can I get my refund issued?" Frankly, I didn't learn alot. I said, "Hi Bobby, I enjoyed the conference, but I don't feel it was worth the TICKET PRICE. Can I get a refund check before I leave?" This is exactly what Bobby told me to do if I attended and did not feel the event was worth the ticket price.
The following statements are flat out lies:
Casey: Bill was also overheard by several of the speakers and attendees bragging about how he attends events and demands a refund as a way to participate in conferences at no cost. Bill even mentioned that he went to a seminar that promoted such a strategy.
Casey: Ironically, just a few days later I received an email from one of our attendees who was at another event also attended by Bill Sanders. This other attendee informed me that Bill attempted the same thing by demanding a refund from this seminar provider.
I did attend the Harvest Celebration at Doug Casey's (no relation to Bobby) La Estancia de Cafayate later that week, but I never requested a refund. In fact, I paid $225 for 3 days of property tours, golf, free massage, spa/pool, Casey Research presentation, wonderful lunches, dinners and cocktail parties. I can say without reservation that I got much more for $225 with Doug Casey than I did for $1997 with Bobby Casey!
I did receive a credit of $1512 from Bobby Casey - thank you. My point in writing this report is let others know that Mr. Casey will not honor his word regarding 100% money back guarantee of the ticket price. And I am discovering more about his lack of honor each passing day...
GWPro
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, March 26, 2013
The conference attendee who made this ROR complaint is Bill Sanders with Sanders Equipment Company in Palm Harbor Florida. Bill was refunded his fee minus the food and beverage fee according to our guidelines (http://www.globalescapehatch.com/register/) which states that refunds will be issued minus the food and beverage fee.
The conference was held over 4 days and each day included breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail parties and boat excursions, which were included in the event price. Bill Sanders attended every event, every meal, every cocktail party, and every excursion.
Bill Sanders even had one-on-one appointments with more than half (15) speakers and even attempted to engage several of them in business transactions. Bill approached me on the final day while I was sitting at the table with 8 other conference attendees and stated, "Hi Bobby, I had a good time at the conference and learned a lot. Can I get my refund issued?"
Bill was also overheard by several of the speakers and attendees bragging about how he attends events and demands a refund as a way to participate in conferences at no cost. Bill even mentioned that he went to a seminar that promoted such a strategy.
Ironically, just a few days later I received an email from one of our attendees who was at another event also attended by Bill Sanders. This other attendee informed me that Bill attempted the same thing by demanding a refund from this seminar provider.
As per the contract with our speakers, they participate in our events presenting their educational material to our attendees and can only conduct business with our "paid" attendees. As Bill Sanders requested (and received according to our guidelines) a refund, we informed the speakers that Bill Sanders was no longer a paid attendee.
This is part of the private contract between my company and our speakers and thus we are required to inform speakers of any refunds issued.