I had to let go of a horse trainer, Mindy, because of numerous events, cancelling 7 times in 4 weeks, being late, oh and the best one, us asking if everything is okay, and her screaming at us! Anyways, I had to let her go because she wouldn't stop screaming and we had had it with her. She had 2 sessions left with us. $100.00, she will not give it to us. I called left messages, nothing! I even called and told her that is she needed time or a payment schedule, that was fine. NOTHING!! After trying to retrieve our refund for over a month, I called her and my mother called her.
All of a sudden, she has made up lessons that we never had!! To make things better, later that night we get a call from the sheriffs dept. She says we "threatened" her! We never did, we just want our money back, why would we threaten her? Taking her to small claims with cost us more, and we can't aford to take off work. WHAT DO WE DO!! It's frustrating that people think they can do this to others!!!
2007-07-25 05:14:27 · 8 answers · asked by C O 1 in Pets ➔ Horses
It sounds like she is becoming unhinged- perhaps she has a drinking or drug problem, but either way it sounds like it is a good thing you are no longer associated with her. You could try to send her a registered letter, return receipt requested, outling the missed sessions, and your request for a refund. The return receipt will document she received the letter. She will ignore your request for money, but I would'nt call her anymore, as she considers it to be harassment. You will need to write this off as a bad business experience, and just kiss the 100.00 goodbye. You could write though to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Chamber of Commerce, and any horse related business associations and advise them that she is not fullfilling her professional obligations- just state facts and don't get emotional. This will help other people from getting ripped off and her credibility will suffer, as it should.
2007-07-25 05:29:47 · answer #1 · answered by GEEGEE 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well...it sounds like your only alternative is to take her to small claims court. It will cost you money, and the burden of proof that she did these things that you say she did (which eventually caused you to stop using her before she was able to render all the services for which she was paid) would be totally on you...and unfortunately, difficult to prove. It's $100.00 that you have pretty much lost...just walk away with a "lesson learned", unless you're ready for a battle.
It's unfortunate that people think they can do this sort of thing to others, that you paid money for something in advance, basically on good faith, and this woman will not return it. If you do feel that you want to pursue this, what I would do is draft up a letter that states what you are suing her for, the proof that you have, tell her you have witnesses to her behavior and proof that she did not render all the services for which she was paid...pressure her a little...and send this letter to her certified mail, basically giving her the opportunity to return your money or you will be taking her to court and suing her for your money PLUS intrest on that money. This might push her a little, but she might also know that it is going to be nearly impossible for you to prove your case.
In addition, this is a good lesson in why I feel that you should not pay for these kinds of services up front. Lessons should be paid for on the "day of", and if you must pay in advance in order to get some kind of discount, you should come up with an agreement and a calendar that your trainer would sign for you each time you have a lesson, that way she can't say there were more or less lessons given than what was reality. Good luck, and I'm sorry you have to go through this.
2007-07-25 13:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by missapparition 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pay as you go. Do you pay people if they have not earned the money. I am sorry you had so much trouble. Sounds like this individual is a very untrustworthy person. It does not sound as if you will be able to recover your loss.
Chalk it up to expereince and make better choices in the future. Thoroughly check out horse people before dealing with them such as references etc. Not all horse people are honest and reputable.
2007-07-28 09:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by txpainthorse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call it a lesson learned and move on in happiness.
She did not steal from you, not in the letter of the law.
She may have not fulfilled a contractual obligation, yet it is not worth getting upset over.
One allows themselves to become angered, or enraged.
Choose to be happy and let the junk go, or sue for $100, it will cost you $2500,.00 or more to do that.
What you do is not hire crazy peoples anymore.
Lesson learned.
2007-07-25 12:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel sorry for you really.However I don't think it's worth proceeding legally with this matter.You could stop this happening to others by informing other clients of Mindy about your frustration and disappointment.You won't get your money back but you could hurt her financially.Best of luck
2007-07-25 12:53:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Threaten her with small claims anyway. And make sure that in your small claims you add in the cost of the court fees and such to the full amount you're suing her for.
2007-07-25 12:32:12 · answer #6 · answered by Question Able 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she isn't running a professional business, you have to cut your'e losses, if she IS running a business you can share this information with the community to help future "victims" my sister had similar problems with her babysitter and she was powerless. You may be able to press charges or sue her, but 100 bucks isn't really worth the trouble. Truly unfair, I'm sorry.
2007-07-25 12:25:32 · answer #7 · answered by jaime m 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take it to court!
2007-07-25 12:22:52 · answer #8 · answered by bandgeek06 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋