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WILD WEST
in Branson
Honeysuckle Inn
(from
scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com)
First, let me say that you have not fully
experienced life until you have had a weekend retreat for 30 scrapbookers scheduled for almost a year, then found out 10 days
before the event that the hotel you have booked is going to be closed for renovation during your retreat! Yikes!
Last summer, Karin and I had methodically toured Branson, searching for just the right place for Scrapbook Generation's
spring retreat. We signed a contract, paid a hefty deposit, and then proceeded to advertise our event and collect people's
money. Periodically, I had corresponded with my contact at the hotel, and even spoke to her in person in January. We went
over every detail of times, meals, and other activities. She just neglected to tell me that the hotel would be CLOSED March
2-4! I started to have a bad feeling when I called in February and most of the hotel's phone numbers were out of service.
I finally found one that had a recording that mentioned renovations, but no dates were listed. I started sending a barrage
of emails, faxes, and phone calls. No answer.
Finally, 10 days before our retreat, the group sales person returned
one of my messages and acted like she had never heard of us. According to her, we had
a. not paid a
deposit
b. not signed a contract
c. not done much of anything
I told
her that
a. the hotel had deposited our check months ago
b. we HAD signed a contract
c. she was going to cause me to have a nervous breakdown
We produced the cancelled check and
other documents, but that didn't help the situation much. The hotel was not going to open until April 1, and instead,
she would help us find a spot at one of their "sister properties." After I explained to her that a bed and breakfast
she mentioned would not be quite big enough, she asked if the location had to be in Branson. At that point, I decided that
we would be better off finding our own new place than having her help!
The next day, after a few phone calls, I
was beginning to be a little scared. Many of the hotels in Branson are closed in March, and the ones that were open all seemed
to be booked for other events. Finally, I found one that was available. Karin and I made a quick trip south, looked things
over, and quickly wrote a deposit check. We were so relieved!
Fast forward to March 2, and Scrapbook Generation'sWild
West scrapbooking retreat went on as planned, just at a different location. The ladies involved were very gracious about the
change, even though the accommodations were not what we had planned.
Click here for testimonials
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