Company did not perform services we paid for?

[sdlatham]

We paid fees totally $1350 to a sports company so that my son could participate in an "All-American" football game. He was unable to participate because of an injury. We notified the company and he was removed from the National Roster, but we were never reimbursed and the company will not respond to our calls/emails/letters. I did not make copies of the forms that we signed and I have requested those from the company (no response). The company is in another state and making a court appearance for small claims would be too expensive. Any advice on how to get reimbursed would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zigner]

We paid fees totally $1350 to a sports company so that my son could participate in an "All-American" football game. He was unable to participate because of an injury. We notified the company and he was removed from the National Roster, but we were never reimbursed and the company will not respond to our calls/emails/letters. I did not make copies of the forms that we signed and I have requested those from the company (no response). The company is in another state and making a court appearance for small claims would be too expensive. Any advice on how to get reimbursed would be greatly appreciated.

1) US law only
2) I suspect that the fees were nonrefundable (even in the case of an injury)

 

[sdlatham]

1) US law only
2) I suspect that the fees were nonrefundable (even in the case of an injury)

Thanks for speedy reply! So even though the purpose of the event was for college exposure and the company failed to "expose" the player by including his name on the roster, we still do not have a case?

 

[Zigner]

Thanks for speedy reply! So even though the purpose of the event was for college exposure and the company failed to "expose" the player by including his name on the roster, we still do not have a case?

(What US state are you in?)

That would depend on the terms of the membership agreement.

 

[sdlatham]

(What US state are you in?)

That would depend on the terms of the membership agreement.

I am in Texas, the company is out of MA. Ignorantly, we did not make copies of anything! I have requested the documents from them and they will not respond. Do they have any legal obligation to comply with my request?

 

[Zigner]

I am in Texas, the company is out of MA. Ignorantly, we did not make copies of anything! I have requested the documents from them and they will not respond. Do they have any legal obligation to comply with my request?

No. However, if you did sue them, I bet they'd come up with it.
Can you check their web site for conditions of membership?

 

[sdlatham]

No. However, if you did sue them, I bet they'd come up with it.
Can you check their web site for conditions of membership?

I have searched and searched... nothing! Honestly, we probably should have researched the company more before we jumped in! We feel so stupid now. I just don't understand how they can completely avoid us. Just seems wrong. Is it possible to sue without me having to fly to MA to appear in court for small claims? Thanks again for your help!!

 

[Zigner]

I have searched and searched... nothing! Honestly, we probably should have researched the company more before we jumped in! We feel so stupid now. I just don't understand how they can completely avoid us. Just seems wrong. Is it possible to sue without me having to fly to MA to appear in court for small claims? Thanks again for your help!!

You could hire an attorney, but the costs for that are likely not recoverable, so you'd end up spending more than what you hope to gain.