Has anyone had a problem getting a refund back from Tricolumbia? I signed up for the Rocky Gap race (in MD) that was cancelled. I did receive an email that I would be receiving a refund in February. Nothing. I am aware of the financial issues with this company, wondering if anyone else has had the same problem.
Yes, same problem different races. I broke my collar bone earlier this year. I requested a refund for Columbia and Eagleman. Not long after withdrawing their website locked up.
Despite what I’ve read on prevoius threads I’m not real confident that I ever see a refund.
have you read the articles on the front page describing what’s happening with this race series? have you read the forum threads?
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Dan, I’ve read everything that’s been written.
I got an email form their Registration Services Coordinator back in Feb. letting me know they’d process my refund, I haven’t heard anything since.
The Coulumbia Tri is a little over a month away and their website hasn’t been re-activated. They still appear to be “closed for business”.
Not a big deal to me b/c I’m injured and can’t race but for those coming from out town; I’d imagine they’d like to hear something definitive so they can plan accordingly.
Let us know if you hear anything.
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“Dan, I’ve read everything that’s been written.”
i asked you because it seems to me pretty clear that this thing is transitioning from CTA, which is winding down its operations, to WTC. what i have heard from the CTA is that they have enough cash to take care of all their outstanding obligations. they just did not have enough to continue on in the business of producing races.
i would be shocked if refunds are not forthcoming, because, correct me if i’m wrong, the only refund exposure is for those races not occurring, and that’s very few, and pretty small (the reason they’re not occurring is because reg numbers were quite low). the bigger races - columbia and IM 70.3 eagleman - are going forward. so, if refunds were to be issued, it wouldn’t be for these races.
bear in mind that the whole staff got laid off when all of this happened. so right now i’m guessing that they’ve been figuring out how to staff up enough just to wind the thing down.
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I’ve read all posts as well. Seems as though I’ve picked a lovely year to start doing Triathalons! What a mess. I hope to see a refund, I don’t even know who to attempt to contact anymore. (obviously, Tricolumbia has everything shut down)Thinking my money is gone, but not ready to give up just yet. I just wondered what others were doing about it.
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the bigger races - columbia and IM 70.3 eagleman - are going forward. so, if refunds were to be issued, it wouldn’t be for these races.
I’m one who also posted a question on this…I paid for two entry fees (including my sister’s) for the Columbia 5150. For now, all anyone can do is wait…and hope Slowman is correct, the big races, Columbia and Eagleman will go on as planned. I have sent two emails to WTC asking for any kind of information…and have gotten no response. I’ll start to get really worried if we hear nothing by end of next week…which will be the 30 day mark for Columbia…and try to figure out another event if needed. For now, I’ll count on Dan to know what he’s talking about. What else?
I think what is frustrating for people who have already paid money and made travel arrangements for one or both races, is that the only real information we have received on this issue is from you (thanks for that) and an article in the Baltimore paper. No official announcement or communication from the now defunct TriColumbia or WTC. Clearly they still have access to email lists etc. as they sent out an email to the Choptank Bridge registrants that it was cancelled. I am sure there is a lot to accomplish in terms of transferring or getting new permits, insurance, waivers, staff, etc. etc. and that may be the reason there has been no communication. But to me (and I just could be wrong and impatient), it seems like for that reason there is still some chance the races may not happen. Especially since the Columbia registration numbers were low, I would think they would want to get registration open asap. I know several people who are waiting to register, but they will only wait so long before they look for another race that weekend. IronGirl half marathon is supposed to be 4/26 and I don’t believe there has been any communication to those participants – If I was planning on that race I would be pretty much writing it off at this point I think.
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We are still looking for our refund from the Rocky Gap triathlon that was cancelled back in February.
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Likewise I have e-mailed WTC asking for confirmation of what Dan has reported. It’s not that I don’t have faith in Dan or SlowTwitch, I just think we should hear it ‘from the horse’s mouth’. To be sure, basic customer service would dictate that WTC would send e-mails to all registered entrants letting them know the races are a go! Worst case, they should respond to inquiries with either a ‘yes’, a ‘no’ or an ‘information forthcoming’. That they don’t respond at all indicates they really don’t care about the athletes, just about the $$!
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Likewise I have e-mailed WTC asking for confirmation of what Dan has reported. It’s not that I don’t have faith in Dan or SlowTwitch, I just think we should hear it ‘from the horse’s mouth’. To be sure, basic customer service would dictate that WTC would send e-mails to all registered entrants letting them know the races are a go! Worst case, they should respond to inquiries with either a ‘yes’, a ‘no’ or an ‘information forthcoming’. That they don’t respond at all indicates they really don’t care about the athletes, just about the $$!
Yes, that is the only logical explanation!!!
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I had requested a refund for tri columbia awhile ago, the week before all the info and articles came out. I got a notification last week that my refund had been approved and credit processed, but to please allow 3 weeks for the funds to show up in my account. Its only been a week, and the money isn’t there yet. I’ll let you know when I actually get my money back, but it appears they have been working to make things right.
I too have read everything that has been written about WTC assuming control of all CTA’s events following the collapse of TriColumbia; that “all races will go forward as planned.” I wouldn’t believe it …not just yet.
It’s not that I doubt Dan or Slowtwitch either, but what stands out to me is not what has been written, but what HAS NOT been written. WTC has yet to make an official, formal public statement confirming (or even announcing) their takeover of CTA events, not even the one event with WTC’s own branding on it; Ironman Eagleman 70.3. In addition to no official public announcement, WTC has yet to send out even the most generic of email to the registered participants assuring them their event will go forward and more information will be forthcoming. Instead, WTC has gone dark on the matter.
Based on my own experience (multiple unanswered emails and unreturned telephone calls to WTC requesting confirmation that Eagleman will go forward as scheduled, and when they anticipate making the Athlete Information available online) and the recurring posts on this forum that the emails of others have also gone unanswered seems to lend credibility to the theory that Eagleman and the other CTA events, which WTC is allegedly going to produce and put on, will unfortunately be cancelled. Most likely last minute. The one thing that does seem to have been confirmed through WTC’s silence on this mess is their terrible customer service and questionable concern for the athletes who are left to twist in the uncertainty. Their silence is deafening. Undoubtedly WTC has a whole host of logistical issues to sort through, and I suspect they are working hard at doing so. But, they should at minimum take a moment to directly and officially address the status of these races; good or bad.
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There are certainly a whole host of legal issues going on and while you say WTC should send out information whether good or bad, there is the situation where it is neutral…meaning WTC is working on transferring all permits, contracts, etc until everything is formally and officially in place, it is probably in their best interest to remain silent.
I have no working relationship with WTC nor do I have any inside information, but it seems to me that WTC would do everything in its power to assure the survival of Eagleman given that it is one of the most popular 70.3 races on the circuit (given the fact that it sells out all slots). It would be a huge black eye for them to allow it to fail.
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Seems like WTC could simply say just that…there are several complicated legal and logistical issues they are currently working through and information on all affected races will be forthcoming as soon as possible.
Something to let the people with a vested interest know their concerns and questions will be answered. Until that happens everything is just rumor and speculation…isn’t it ?
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So on a whim this am I tried emailing TriColumbia asking what is going on and this is the response I got (within minutes).
"I am sorry for the lack of communication. I understand your frustration. Please know that these races are going to happen has planned. Please keep training and a communication will be forthcoming.
Regina L. Crites
Accounting Department
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping other non-profits and charitable organizations raise donations and service their communities, by providing superior multi-sport events which encourage health and wellness in all aspects of life.
TriColumbia
9130-G Red Branch Road | Columbia, MD 21045
accounting@tricolumbia.org
Office: 410-964-1246, x104
Fax: 443-542-9124
www.tricolumbia.org"
If they are so quick to respond like this I am not sure why they don’t send out a mass email. I would rather hear something from WTC, but at least this better than complete silence.
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“If they are so quick to respond like this I am not sure why they don’t send out a mass email. I would rather hear something from WTC, but at least this better than complete silence.”
i am in contact with all sides. for what it’s worth, i am comfortable with how WTC is handling this. which is easy for me to say, because i’m unaffected personally. nevertheless, based in the information i have i think WTC’s doing everything the right way.
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“If they are so quick to respond like this I am not sure why they don’t send out a mass email. I would rather hear something from WTC, but at least this better than complete silence.”
i am in contact with all sides. for what it’s worth, i am comfortable with how WTC is handling this. which is easy for me to say, because i’m unaffected personally. nevertheless, based in the information i have i think WTC’s doing everything the right way.
Thanks, Dan for comments…haven’t cancelled hotel reservations yet!