Paid for Weekend Course, Got Sick, Facilitator Not Answering Emails

I paid in advance for a 2 day course, $855, plus a hotel for the night $92. I drove there on time and arrived early then started to feel not well. I was hoping it would pass but it got worse. At 9am the start, I told the guy (he was aware I booked a room) and we agreed I would try anyway. I kept rushing to the bathroom and had vomiting and diarrhea. At lunchtime, when I was able to check in I told him I had to go and lie down, he said get some sleep for tomorrow. I was unwell all night and couldnt eat, use the computer or watch tv. I just stayed in bed and hoped I could drive home on checkout. The next day I managed to drive home and slowly started feeling better, no more vomiting or diarrhea. I sent him an email at 10pm saying I was feeling better now and I think it was food poisoning. I also left my folder behind and does he have it. I also said I needed to reschedule as I wasnt well on the day. No reply as yet

closed Comments

  • +42

    Your attitude to this is honestly appalling.

    You emailed someone at 10pm on a Sunday night and are contemplating legal action on Monday morning??

    Do you not see how insane that is?

      • +5

        in all of your posts XD

      • It really does…

  • +8

    sounds like you had a shitty time

  • Thank you for your post! I have learnt alot

  • You should be paying him more for disrupting his class so much.

  • -6

    I have other things to do now, so have a good day

    • +5

      /endthread

    • +6

      So you just posted this to listen to what you wanted to. Not to get anyone else'e point of view.

      Literally everyone feels you do not stand any ground and with your attitude you are killing any little chance (of goodwill gesture you might get).

      Have a good day…good luck

    • +1

      Good riddance

  • Whether this works out or not, you can always go to the OZB Birthday meetups in November. If you fall sick, you can always reschedule to next year (don't sue me though if you can't because I haven't run it by Scotty). :)

    • no thanks

      • +3

        I have other things to do now, so have a good day

        Hello Pam, I didn't see you there.

        • I think you're entitled to a refund

          • @Scope: She is not entitled to anything, period. The guy might take pity and offer a refund, but not turning up on time to a course that was run is not the fault of the course operator.

            Not showing up to a flight on time doesnt mean you are entitled to a refund.

            You simply aren't entitled to a refund on a scheduled service under ACL if you simply don't turn up. The reason behind not turning up is irrelevant.

  • This thread is begging to make me feel ill too…

    • well you get what you pay for

      • +4

        I have other things to do now, so have a good day

        Hello Pam, I didn't see you there.

  • +2

    I also left my folder behind and does he have it

    You better give him a 10% finder's fee.

    • The way it is worded, that's a question not a statement.

  • +4

    EDIT: I take it back. Based on the OP's history, I would say probably not a troll but needs help.

    • +2

      A hell of a lot of help …

      • I'm not qualified to diagnose or comment further. I just have no desire to make fun of someone that rather than being a bit silly or petty may have a more substantial mental health problem.

        • I dont think $855 is petty, in fact I think it is worth fighting for, which I will do

          • +2

            @screensaver: The problem is you have nothing to fight for. They have done nothing wrong. This is what insurance is for. generally on the day there is no cancellation/refund (maybe this place is extra special and nice and will reschedule if you are really nice to them but they are probably under no obligation too). Running training is expensive and they certainly won't be getting their money back from facilities or paying trainer.

          • +8

            @screensaver: The instructor was there and gave you his time. It isn't the instructor's fault you were sick. He blocked out those days and that meant he couldn't teach anyone else. If you don't think $855 is "petty" why do you think the instructor should lose it through no fault of his? And furthermore you agreed to push ahead, so regardless of cancellation policy the instructor continued to provide you with his time. He showed up. He was there to provide the service and tried to do so.

            Then you don't even give him a day to respond to you before trash talking him and carrying on like a toddler having a meltdown? Is that correct? For all you know the reason he hasn't responded is you gave him gastro. Have some basic manners. Wait until he responds to you. Maybe he will give you a partial refund out of good will. But not if you jump online and talk smack about him.

            There is a difference between fighting for something and being a self centered bully. Did you have travel insurance or not and if so did you try to find out if you're covered? Or are you more interested in fisticuffs?

        • +3

          Entitlementioso Grandiosa

          Symptoms (apparently) involve diarrhoea, loss of appetite, photophobia and nausea.

    • Stop bullying Pam! :)

    • The seminar could have been a self-help course. 🤔

      Op, self-help rarely works. If you do need help, talk to your GP and ask him to refer you for free counseling sessions.

      • I get 3 free a year through work, i choose jack, met him at dans office.

  • +4

    Refunds or a reschedule are not a statutory right for a service if you fail to show up or show up and then decide to leave, or if you get abducted by aliens. It honestly sounds like you got to the hotel had a few to drink.

    Assuming you find his refund/cancellation policy and it says that for whatever reason a customer decides to not show up for the full course that they are entitled to a refund and any and all possessions left in a hotel are to be sent to the customer at the cost of the facilitator, you are in good standing for the small claims court. Short of that, you are a vexatious litigant and having faced a few of them in my time, the ruling from the small claims court might be a bit of a shock to you to be honest.

    I get you don't think it's your fault Pam, and therefore it must be his fault you ate something and got sick; but if you want to take his time for the next course, pay him the $ he deserves.

    Small claims court is there for the public, its a service we all get to enjoy to settle disputes (until declared a vexatious litigant of course).

  • +3

    Isn't anyone wondering what the course subject was? I know I am.

    • +11

      'Negotiation and Issue Resolution'

    • +2

      How to make friends and influence people

    • +1

      To quote another poster, “Irrelevant”.

    • Constitutional crises.

  • +3

    Did you complain to the person who cooked the food that made you sick?

  • +2

    DisabledUser314010 in 3… 2… 1…

    • +4

      goodbyepam2019

      • +2

        hellopam2020

  • +4

    At 9am the start, I told the guy (he was aware I booked a room) and we agreed I would try anyway. I kept rushing to the bathroom and had vomiting and diarrhea.

    So you attended the class? Why would they refund or reschedule you? Do you even have a medical certificate?

    • So much this. Not even a slight mention of such… makes me think Pam isn't who I think she is.

  • -1

    Hi hellopam2019. Was the course with Connect Skills Institute?

    If so, this is the refund policy: https://connectskillsinstitute.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/201…

  • What was in the folder?

    • +9

      Probably a list of stupid grievances.

      • +2

        A blank, signed doctors certificate

    • +2

      Marcellus Wallace’s soul

  • It sounds like the OP needs that inner engineering course that was on OzBargain but seems to have been removed. That was a free course.

    Also it would align with my desire that OzBargain had a karma voting system like reddit.

  • Still no word, I called the hotel and they said no folder. I guess I will send a repeat email in a few hours or tomorrow

    • +1

      Wait, what? Why would you?

  • Yes I can do the same course on Udermy for 19.99 That might be where I am headed along with the small claims court

  • I cant find any reviews for him and his school online, lucky for him

    • actually I just found one, a google review with 11 reviews

      • There is one one star review

      • Was it Connect Skills Institute?

  • +18

    After reading through the thread, I'm truly happy this has happened to you. I also hope you go down the full path of trying to get your money back/compensation, wasting your time and frustrating you further. This will bring me and most people here immense satisfaction.

    • Its okay, I have become hardened to trolls and bullying. It says more about them than it does about me. I have the worst bully in the world as a sister (now an ex sister) None of you can trump her

      • WD I think you have the hottest thread on OzB :)

        • +3

          No that was the guy who was upset with the spelling errors on the invoice from his gardener. That was glorious.

      • +4

        Maybe everyone that you thought was a bully is really just trying to get you in touch with common sense.

        • that was one of her excuses.

          • +2

            @screensaver: Not only her - just EVERYBODY else…but I guess everyone is wrong and you're right, right?

  • +1

    must be not much going on

  • +4

    Where is Jim, Pam?

    • who?

      • +1

        jim

        • You've got the wrong thread

        • +4

          ^Asian Jim.

  • +3

    Hey Pam, I ordered a pizza last night. I wasn’t home when they delivered the pizza. I don’t want to eat a cold pizza and want them to deliver a fresh one tomorrow. I emailed Mr Dominos last night and they haven’t heard back. I think they have stolen my money.

    • +1

      yeah once they have your money they dont want to know you

      • +1

        Should he try small claims court?

  • +1

    Can we start a petition to rename OP to hellokaren2019 - they seem more of a Karen.

    • Hellokitty?

      • +2

        Live. Laugh. Love.

        • You forgot shit.

          (Someone else forgot socks).

  • +2

    Wth? 5 mins of my life wasted

    • +1

      moral of the story, if you pay in advance for something, check refunds and cancellations if something dire should happen

      • If there is nothing, then you have to ask it seems

      • FYI, I have never seen a training place that will accept cancellations/refunds on the day. A few will reschedule for a fee (usually a percentage). generally the rule is on the day it is too late. Many won't do a refund in the previous week even or at least not without a large fee/percentage cost.

      • +2

        you mean if something diarrhea should happen, right?

    • +7

      really? I think reading this thread has given me the best 5 minutes spent of today!

      • Yep there should be an OzBargain award for this kind of post. So far the guy who complained about his gardener misspelling on invoice is in the lead so far.

      • And I'm spent! (negs that is)

  • Disableduser######## in how long?

    • -1
    • User is already disabled. The name hasn't been amended to reflect it yet.

      • Omai wa mou shindeiru disu-eburu.

  • +1

    Ridiculous thread

  • -1

    Whats with all the negative waves?

Login or Join to leave a comment