In my earlier post I mentioned that we were going to AR for a wedding. Well, now that we have a hurricane heading near us we have naturally abandoned those plans as we won't leave our kids with a babysitter when there is the possibility of severe weather. I called the place where we had a reservation (same place we vacationed this summer) and cancelled. I would have called yesterday, but the other couple we were staying with had found other people to take our place. That has since fallen through, so they switched to a 1 b/r cabin instead of 2 b/r to save money---no problem.

Now the woman is acting like we will still have to pay a deposit. Under normal circumstances, totally understandable, but we aren't coming because of an ACT OF GOD---not simply b/c we changed our minds. She asked if I wanted to reschedule and I told her no b/c we were coming for a wedding, not vacation. Then she proceeded to tell me that I needed to come up anyway b/c of evacuation. I informed her that we are just to the west of the hurricane warning and we aren't being evacuated, plus the traffic is soooo horrendous here with everyone evacuating that we can't get out. It is taking people 10-14 hrs to go from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and it is a 60 mile drive!!!! She proceeded to suggest bringing the kids when I told her we couldn't leave them with a babysitter and severe weather and then I told her that they weren't invited to the wedding AND we'd have no childcare there AND...should I mention again...we can't even get out of town if we wanted too!!! She was going to talk over the deposit with her husband and get back to me. AARRGGHH!

Thanks for supporting my vent. You may now go back to your regularly scheduled day.

By Christylee on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 03:22 pm:

Boy she has some nerve, it's not like you WANTED this to happen. I'm sure you were looking forward to a weekend away. I can't believe she actually had the audacity to make all those suggestions, like it's any of her business. I hope you get your deposit back and if you don't I wouldn't be going back there to vacation again that's for sure.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 03:28 pm:

You would think that with all the people evacuating that they would certainly be able to fill the cabin on short notice, therefore, they wouldn't lose any money.

Poop happens!

By Melanie on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

I hate when stuff like that happens!! My BIL and fiance were supposed get married almost two years ago on her home island of St. Croix. We had a villa rented and plane tickets purchased. Her father was diagnosed with glioblastoma-a very aggressive brain cancer-and the wedding was cancelled. We lost our entire deposit on the villa and were given one year vouchers (after having to pay extra to change the tickets) for the plane tickets. Her father has since passed away. We got no sympathy whatsoever, and that wedding that we never got to go to (they ended up eloping) cost us a couple thousand dollars.

It's one thing if you just change your mind, but when the unforeseen happens, it would be so nice if there was a little common decency out there.

I hope it all works out for you.

By Pamt on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 04:01 pm:

Thanks all...and it did work out. She just called back and said due to the circumstances and the fact that we wre repeat customers that they wouldn't charge us the deposit. I feel much better now. Thanks for indulging me!

By Dana on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 05:11 pm:

Too bad she acted that way in the first place. Like you don't have enough to worry about anyways.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 05:13 pm:

Good grief! There should have been no question! Sheesh!

By Emily7 on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 05:25 pm:

I can't believe she needed to talk to her dh. It was not something that was in your control.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 06:25 pm:

Pam, I can certainly sympathize with you! I'm sorry you missed the wedding, but you're right, you're better off home with your kids.

I'd say 80% of the people in my area evacuated as we are in a mandatory evacuation, but we didn't go. Bad us! But - while outside this morning talking to the neighbor next door, we saw a couple cars come back down the road with their luggage racks on top, apparently got tired of sitting in gridlock and came home.

My mom could never have made it in a car that long, she's been doing nothing but sleep the entire time she's been here.

So.............are you getting a refund or not???

By Melanie on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 06:53 pm:

I am so glad it worked out okay for you!!

Karen, will you be sure to stay in cell phone contact with a Momsview member so we'll know you are okay even if you are without power? I am happy to send you my contact info, though my guess is you already have contact info with Amy and a few others. I don't like that you stayed, although I understand your reasons. Please, be safe!!

By Jelygu on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 06:54 pm:

Good luck getting your deposit!

By Amecmom on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 07:28 pm:

I'm glad it turned out that you didn't get stuck for the deposit. Sorry you are going to miss the wedding.
We had a similar situation when we booked a vacation in Daytona Beach. That was a year that most of Daytona was on fire.
They finally allowed us to switch our reservations (timeshare). No fun dealing with hotels when you have to cancel.
Just remember, when they hem and haw about your deposit, call your credit card company and ask that they deny any charges made by the hotel.
Ame