Should There Be Refunds on Cancelled Tournaments?

Should there be at least partial refunds to teams for weather-related or other cancellations of tournaments? Take into consideration that some expenses that would have been incurred if the tournament had played would not be there but some of the expenses would still be there, regardless.

 

If no games are played and the total thing is a washout, then I could see the need to refund at least a part... or give a credit towards the next tournament they hold.

Everyone, teams, umpires, venues and tournament directors, know there is a certain amount of risk when it comes to the weather, and each needs to know that there will be some cost (or lost revenue) if the worst happens. But that risk shouldn't fall completely on the teams.

Tournaments should establish a "rainy day" fund (pun intended!) when things go good, to help defray costs when the weather gods decide to ruin a weekend...

If there are any questions how to spend a "rainy day fund", just ask Aunt Bev and the legislature how that works... they're getting to be pros at it!

 

YES...

 

Our team had to pay $325 for a tournament that we got two games in before it was rained out. I think all teams could have gotton a partial refund and the TD still could have made a little money. $325 for two games is a little steep in my opinion.

 

we are on, the bad end of one of these deals as we speak, we paid $485 to play in a showcase, they have a " once team is accepted no fee refund" clause. They postponed and rescheduled because of weather, we cannot attend the rescheduled dates(SAT's and visits). I would understand them keeping administrative expense but to not refund any is unethical. We did not pull out and had every intention of playing. I am not sure they have heard the end of this one.

 

Maybe

The director may have to pay umpires and or partial field rental even if weather goes bad! It is a gamble for all, as I posted elsewhere, get a committee of travel coaches together and avoid future issues.
One association refused to give our team any portion of a refund when we had to cancel more than 90 days before tourney and he had a waiting list of teams wanting to enter! We finally got a portion back several weeks after the tourney was played. This procedure was not spelled out in tournament announcement or later data provided. Communication is KEY!

 

The following is one example of a tournament refund policy. Google for more examples.

RAIN OUT & REFUND POLICY:
Refunds stipulated in this policy refer to the individual team's entry fee money.
• Full Refund (100%) of Entry Fee if any tournament is cancelled prior to the 1st Day of the event.
• Seventy - Five Percent (75%) Refund of Entry Fee if any tournament is cancelled on the 1st Day of the event of which no games have begun.
• Sixty-Five Percent (65%) Refund of Entry Fee if any tournament is cancelled and only one (1) game has been started.
• Fifty Percent (50%) Refund of Entry Fee if any tournament is cancelled and only two (2) games have been started.
• No Refunds (0%) once a third game begins.
• No gate admission refunds, nor rain checks, for spectators at any time. If the potential for inclement weather is high we suggest fans stay outside of the ballpark until the games have begun.
• Team forfeits count as a completed game

 

It would seem that if there is a 3-game guarantee, for example, AND there is no weather-related policy then the 3 games must be played OR the guarantee must be honored. But what are the guarantee conditions; money back; an apology; etc?

 

Be careful...

You could be stripped down naked and thrown out in the street for starting a thread like this, and messing with peoples livelyhood.

 

Our team does not have big bucks to pay $325 for two games. I guess the only way to deal with it would be screw me once shame on you and screw me twice shame on me. We will have to think twice before attending another tournament there. In my business/livelyhood if we don't work with our customers they go somewhere else and pretty soon we don't have a livelyhood to mess with. There is a difference between greed and livelyhood.