Well, my husband decided to email the farm's trustee about this matter and present our issue (which I am sure she knew about already).
The ultimate response is nothing different than said before. I do have a copy of the letter received but I am not certain it is legal or not to post someone's exact words. The base of it is that as far as they are concerned the farm followed the correct process, and though they said a mistake was made along the line (but didn't say they made the mistake), that they can take no responsibility for an email not being received or read and that since they have proof that they sent it... pretty much that is all that matters to them. Also states that they felt it was fair to allow us to re-book at half the price. They also mention about them being a charity and charge things at the lowest price (something I do not find to be truthful since we did look online at more than one place for an Own a Pony Day and the prices were nearly identical and the other places were not charities).
Unfortunately, we end up taking the fall for the mistake made. The trustee ends the letter by hoping this won't affect our visiting the farm in the future... but really, how could it not affect things? I have no intention of returning to that farm... if we want a farm visit again, it will be another one.
The ultimate response is nothing different than said before. I do have a copy of the letter received but I am not certain it is legal or not to post someone's exact words. The base of it is that as far as they are concerned the farm followed the correct process, and though they said a mistake was made along the line (but didn't say they made the mistake), that they can take no responsibility for an email not being received or read and that since they have proof that they sent it... pretty much that is all that matters to them. Also states that they felt it was fair to allow us to re-book at half the price. They also mention about them being a charity and charge things at the lowest price (something I do not find to be truthful since we did look online at more than one place for an Own a Pony Day and the prices were nearly identical and the other places were not charities).
Unfortunately, we end up taking the fall for the mistake made. The trustee ends the letter by hoping this won't affect our visiting the farm in the future... but really, how could it not affect things? I have no intention of returning to that farm... if we want a farm visit again, it will be another one.
Warning dealing with small businesses
I feel like it is necessary to again remind and warn people about dealing with small businesses. It is a real shame to have to do it as there are many wonderful small businesses... and in this economy we are supposed to be supporting everything local... but at the same time, we don't all have the funds to take the loss when problems happen.
There are laws out there to protect consumers from these troubles... though, the thing is, it assumes you can provide proof, such as recorded phone calls, receipts, emails and so on.... and of course, in this situation we have nothing to fall back on and we end up losing.
So beware, when you decide to deal with small businesses... it is your money at stake. Make sure you have receipts, written promises, contracts, record the phone call yourself if needed because small businesses won't a
There are laws out there to protect consumers from these troubles... though, the thing is, it assumes you can provide proof, such as recorded phone calls, receipts, emails and so on.... and of course, in this situation we have nothing to fall back on and we end up losing.
So beware, when you decide to deal with small businesses... it is your money at stake. Make sure you have receipts, written promises, contracts, record the phone call yourself if needed because small businesses won't a
