Complaint Review: Paranormal Research Society LLC - Raleigh North Carolina

First of all let me state I used to be a huge fan of PRS and Ryan Buell.  I took one webinar that was very good and then signed up for another "Demonology" which as yet to be finished over a year later, with LOTS of promises to do so. Not to mention another webinar "I am Six" in which were promised interviews with the family and also that recordings would be posted if we had missed a night of class. This also has never been done.  Also I can't tell you how many times we have been left wondering if we have class tonight only to be informed at the very last minute and late I might add.that class is cancelled or whatever.  This should have been an indication to me that we aren't important except for our $$.   I can live with that but what I can't live with any longer is being ignored about a refund of $600 owed to myself and friend for a "FT 15" that NEVER happened. 

In July of 2012 we signed up to attend a field trip put on by PRS in Orlando in September. We opted for a regular ticket making 3 payments for a total of $308 each.  These payments were made via Eventbrite and Paypal. The original location for the event was to be the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, we opted to not stay there due to the expense of the rooms, but prepaid for our hotel closeby.  We were given a tentative schedule with all these wonderful things planned and were very excited about our trip.  The day before the event while we were picking up our rental car we rec'd an email from Sergey stating Ryan was ill and the event was postponed but if we wanted a refund please allow him till the end of the week to give us the information on how to go about it.  Being our hotel was paid for already and the car we went ahead and went to Orlando. This incurred way more expenses as we had to pay for more things to do because the event was not happening.  Also let me mention that 2 weeks before the event they changed the location from the Hard rock to another hotel which didnt effect us but many other's had booked and paid the deposit on their rooms there.
 
When we returned from our trip I emailed PRS asking about refund and what we need to do. On September 26th I received the following:

"We have received your request for a refund for 2 Standard tickets. We are sorry to hear that we were not able to meet your satisfaction. PRS will do its best to make it up to you.  Please allow at least 3-5 business days for your request to be processed.  Due to recent high volume of requests, the processing time will take longer than usual.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  You also have the option of requesting a credit towards a future PRS event or webinar. Sincerely,PRS"

I wrote them back and politely told them that we did not wish to attend another events and please refund our $$.  Heard absolutely nothing back and when emailed only received automated responses.  After about a month or so and feeling I had been more than patient with the situation I contacted Paypal who of course did nothing and then Eventbrite and was told they could do nothing.

Finally on November 25th almost 3 months after the first email I got this:

"As we stated before...We understand that some of you may insist on asking for refunds before the new outline for the postponed event is announced. Unfortunately with the sunk cost for the event, the uncertain count of how many refunds we are to expect and other expenses we are not able to issue to refunds to everyone right away. If you had already emailed us requesting a refund, you do not have to email us again. You are on the list as one who has requested a refund.
Thank you,
PRS"

I had NEVER been told this information and sunk cost for what? They did nothing? We do not want to attend the event, we don't have the $$ not the desire!  Then just like another person who has complained on here I too was banished from facebook pages and attacked for posting questions or comments about refunds. Even told that me wanting the $$ back in time for Christmas was unreasonable.

This is the most unprofessionally run organization i have ever had contact with.  They have no concern and have proved that via their lack of consideration and communication.  I am sorry if Ryan is sick but that should not be affecting our getting refunds. What really pisses me off is that before they have taken care of this they move onto advertising other events and their precious "Bureau"

I might never get my money back however now that I have an address I will be filing a formal complaint with someone that might be able to help. I just want it known and i'm sure all the PRS worshippers will try and respond to this...what kind of rip off organization this is.  Sorry I don't worship at the altar of St. Buell!