BBT Edventures

The report is inaccurate and actually somewhat unreasonable. We have responded in a timely manner to her emails in light of the Virus. We have laid off all our staff members and volunteering part time to keep the business up and running. We have over 260 travelers and it seems there is this one group of travelers from the same area, Maryland and Virginia, that believe they can bully us into giving them their money back. We have stated all along, that AT THIS TIME, we are not able to give cash refunds. The form sent today will give us a number that are cancelling and we are also still waiting for the government to respond with an amount for disaster relief. Once we have these two items below we will know how we can proceed with refunds. We have been very transparent and responsive throughout the entire time as you will see below.

On March 4th we sent this letter to all travelers.

Hello everyone,Here is an update on BBT Travel for Summer of 2020, as a result of the Coronavirus.Protecting the health and safety of our teachers and staff is our top priority. We are continually watching the U.S. travel advisories, Travel.state.gov. Unless they go to level 4, meaning 'Do Not Travel', we will continue as scheduled. If a level 4 is announced, trip will be canceled, and we will not be able to reimburse monies, nor provide credit for a trip next year. If you decide to cancel a trip that is not labeled at level 4 by the US Travel Advisory, then you are subject to our cancellation policy, found in FAQ’s.There are a lot of moving parts, most happening in the background, that we are at the mercy of including our hosts and host schools. We continue to be in communication with all of them daily. In legal terms, a possible epidemic as such is considered an "Act of God", which in the travel and tourism industry means, no refunds and not covered by any business insurance, nor any travel insurance. Simply, we will not be refunded whatsoever for all monies paid, including hotel, transportation, any group deposits, side trip deposits, etc. Therefore, we cannot refund monies. As educational leaders, we are vigilant in keeping you informed and staying on top of all the moving parts and backup plans that are underway. We will continue to inform as soon as we are able.Thank you again for being a part of our Educational Community of Global Teachers. We appreciate you more than you know.Sincerely,Taina B, Kenny G and the BBT Team.

On April 25th, Ms *** sent this

Date: Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 7:40 PMSubject: Re: BBT Update :: 3.17.2020 :: GermanyTo: Taina from BBT Global <***s>Cc: ***
Hello Taina,I hope you are doing well. I have decided to cancel my trip and want a refund back. I have read this email in its entirety and know I may not get a full refund because its based on vendors etc. I am interesting in future trips with you as I love your organization and how you help teachers see the world. However, due to Covid-19, I can't risk going out of country and being around other individuals since I do have a respiratory illness. Thank you understanding. I look forward to hearing from you soon.Best,***

We then responded with the note below, believing it was a response to her with more information.

On April 27th, (4 days before we said we would) we sent this to all travelers

On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 5:01 AM Taina from BBT Global <*** wrote:Dearest Teachers,Thank you to all who waited so patiently for this email. Special thanks to those who have also been cheering us on and sending messages of encouragement and support, we adore you.Coronavirus has affected our little company in ways we had never imagined. Around the country and world, many small businesses are hurting at this time. Because BBT Edventures is a small company, but with big hearts who give 110% to our clients, we have very tight margins. Therefore, we have especially been impacted. One hundred percent of our revenue comes from our in-person events around the globe. Many and most of our vendor deposits have been returned to us as a credit, or not at all, but none as a refund. With no end date in sight, Ken has had to make the heart-wrenching decision to temporarily furlough all employees, yes... all, including himself. Ken will continue to work part-time for BBT unpaid. Bill, Carolyn and I will also work some part-time hours for BBT as volunteers. With the advice of counsel and travel partners, it is with great pain, that we must also cancel all 2020 BBT trips. All teachers scheduled to travel with us in the summer of 2020 will receive a voucher for any trip in 2021 or 2022. So, here we are. All of us working, in different forms, from home, including you. All of us together, yet all of us having our own individual experiences. Many of us feeling like we are walking in...a waking dream. But in the midst of this, we have never felt more hopeful. We are not changing our mission. As mentioned in my prior email, we truly believe that we will get a handle on this, our world will recover, travel restrictions will be lifted, and BBT will be waiting with open arms for you to come learn, explore and experience all that our global classrooms have to offer. BBT remains committed to serving teachers and schools around the world. Our little community of over 1500 plus teachers, as of today, have grown so much in just three years.We love our teachers and miss you immensely -- but it is all truly secondary to Ken and I wanting you to be alive and full of hope. We are doing the best we can... alongside of you. With Love,Taina and Kenp.s.I have included some new FAQ's here to help with questions you may have. If you do not see a question here answered, please email Ken at ***.Q: If I have more questions, who do I email since the staff has been furloughed until further notice?A: Ken G, owner. His email is ***
Q: How much is my voucher for?A: It is for the amount you have paid to date. Since everyone has paid different amounts due to their custom payment plans, we ask that if you are not sure, email Ken at c*** and allow 24-72 "business hours" for a response (do not count the weekends, please.)Q: Can I switch which country I will visit?A: Yes, you may choose amongst any country we are visiting.Q: When do I need to use my Voucher or refund by? A: BBT can only give Vouchers. You have till December 2022 to use your voucher.Q: Will we still be able to visit schools?A: Still unknown. For now, we will tailor all trips to have the same PD model that we have used in Finland with great success. Here is an example of this model: https://www.bbtedventures.com/finland2020Q: When do we learn about the 2021 PD trips? A: Ken will be sending an email the week of May 4th announcing 2021 PD trips.Q: Will prices be the same for 2021 trips?A: We estimate prices to be the same, but due to many unknowns, there may be a price increase. As always, we will work with our partners to keep prices as low as we can.Q: I signed up for a group flight. Who cancels this for me?A: Ken has canceled all group flights. No further action needed from you.Q: I signed up for a side trip through *** directly. Who cancels this for me?A: You do. Please call them asap to cancel.Q: What is my next step?A: Just two steps 1. Next week (week of May 4th,) Ken will send out a Google Form for you to make your selection, voucher for 2021 or 2022 or Cancel (if you cancel we will not be able to refund any money). Again your voucher will be for the amount you have already paid. 2. In the same form, if you choose to use your Voucher in 2021, you will choose your PD trip of choice.2022 PD trip dates will not be posted till Spring of 2022.(There will be another FAQ regarding trips specifically in the next email.)Q: What countries will you be visiting in 2021 and 2022?A: The same we offered this year, with a couple of changes and additions. More FAQs to follow with the next email mentioned above.Q: Can I still email you all to say hi?A: Absolutely! Ken loves hearing from our teachers and so do I! Our Leaders would also be happy to hear from you! You can find everyone's IG on our website www.bbtedventures.com under "our mission" tab. You can also still find me working for my non-profit organization, Teach With Love, Inc.-Kindly,Taína BBBT Global | Teach With Lovep: 864-***e: ***

Then the next time I heard from Ms. is on May 3rd, (a Sunday, Yesterday)

*** Sun, May 3, 4:27 PM (19 hours ago) to ken, tainaHello,I hope you are well. I know you all are working part-time or volunteering now. Whenever you get a chance, can I get a receipt of how much I have paid for my Germany 2020 trip. My information is as follows: ***Best,
***

and

*** Sun, May 3, 4:42 PM (19 hours ago)to meHello BBT Edventures,I hope you all are doing fine. On April 25th, I have asked for a refund in regards to the Germany 2020 trip. Per your email on March 5th, "To assist with this, we have decided to stop charging any and all payments toward your trips. On May 1st, if you decide to still travel with us, we will then charge your card for final payment. But you must tell us in writing by May 1st, if you still plan to attend." I am requesting a full refund for my Germany 2020 trip. Thank you for your time. I look forward in hearing from you soon.Best,***
***

Then today this was sent to all travelers.

BBT Global <***> 11:11 AM (1 hour ago) to ***
May 4, 2020Dear Teachers.I hope this letter finds you safe, healthy, and not going crazy with eLearning. I know for some of you it has been a mixed bag of emotions and for those of you with health conditions it has been very scary. I pray that you will find comfort, peace, and good health.As promised in the letter on April 27th, here is the information to make your selection to sign up for a future trip or cancel. If you are considering the cancel option, there is an important paragraph below with more details.I started this company to provide an awesome experience for teachers around the world! For the past three years BBT/Bookbag Tours has delivered on its promise and has always tried to do what is in the best interest of our teachers. This has not changed, even in these trying times. We are grateful for your understanding of our decision to postpone our trips.We are excited about the offerings for 2021 and 2022! Although dates have changed, one thing remains constant, our people on the trips are amazing and I know you will have a great experience! For those desiring a refund, I will try to explain:Once we know from the attached form, who is wanting to cancel, who is selecting to take a trip, and once we find out how much the government is going to give us in an interest loan, then and only then, will we have any idea what and how much we can refund. We have a large sum of money already spent on the trips that our vendors are not refunding in cash. Many are giving vouchers, some are not giving us any refund at all. And of course, we had overhead expenses to cover. All of these factors are what is making cash refunds very difficult. As Taina stated in her letter, refunds will be given on a case by case bases, once we know where we stand. I believe we have been transparent and fair under the circumstances and hope all of you will select the voucher for a future trip. I do understand how tight most of your finances are and really want to help more than you can possibly know. But we are not in a position to provide cash refunds at this time as this is a Force Majeure situation.On the link below you can make your trip selections for 2021 or 2022 or to cancel. If you want to be considered for any type of refund, which I cannot promise will materialize, simply check the Wish to Cancel box and I will be in touch.***I hope to see all of you in the future. Thanks for all you are doing to serve others, even in a pandemic.Kenny G864-***www.bbtedventures.com

Information sent on May 4th letter, which was already attached, was very clear about where we are at this time with cash refunds. Amazing that out of 265 travelers, your crew is the only one with any issues. Over time we may be able to give refunds, but AT THIS TIME we are not in a position to give a cash refund. I have nothing more to add.

I apologize for the late response. It's the first time I actually saw this one. Her friend submitted one on the same day and it was answered. Since the submission we have met with council and even though council said we were not obligated to give back any money, we always strive to do what is best for or teachers and we have authorized a refund to each girl of $799 and they accepted.

It's worth noting this all took place in a span of less than 20 days total. I believe we have been communicative throughout. We never wish any harm on/to our travelers.

Our letter to them

***.us> Mon, Mar 16, 11:59 AM (20 hours ago) to ***BBT remains committed to serving teachers and schools around the world. As mentioned in an earlier email, this is a very fluid time with things changing daily due to the Coronavirus. This virus is causing people all over the world to suffer, including us. We are a small, family run business, made up of educators for educators (we are Principals, Instructional Coaches and Award-winning Edu Leaders.) Like many small businesses around the globe, we are doing our best to come up with solutions that are in everyone's best interest. For most of us here at BBT, it is more than our job. We pour our hearts and souls into every part of it, and each and every person who has trusted us with a valuable part of their educational journey and growth. Which we do not take lightly. It is important for us to keep operating so we can continue to make a difference in the lives of students, teachers and schools around the world, through our global professional development that also bring donations to schools and teachers in need.We are discouraged and disappointed that you took an immediate hostile approach by reporting all of us to several agencies, in this ever changing environment and unprecedented time.On the further advice of counsel and our vendors, as well as after a review of all correspondence and payment history, we are well within our rights to provide no refund at all. However, each of you have made $2299 in payments, in which $1500 we will retain, which gives you a total refund of $799, per our original offer. This is fair and well within our legal rights, as stated in the initial cancelation policy you agreed to when registering for the trip. Please provide the following by Wednesday, March 18th at 5:00PM EST. If both items (1 and 2) are not received by 5PM EST on Wednesday, March 18th, we will consider this a non acceptance of the agreement. Receipt of both items will be considered an agreement and the check will be sent in accordance with the process below.Please provide:1. The address where you would like us to send the agreed upon refund2. A signed copy of this letter, via email (a screenshot will suffice), which will indicate the above amount is agreed uponUpon acceptance of the agreement, you each agree to refrain from any additional Revdex.com filings (or other such agencies) and any media or social media posts about BBT or the trip or anything else that a reasonable person would view as damaging or defamation, either libel or slander, to BBT.If you agree to the terms above, your refund checks will be sent on the payable date of Monday, March 30th. We will mail them to the addresses provided to us in an email. Should you not accept the settlement, we are prepared to hold, in separate accounts, all of the monies paid by each of you and let the courts decide what to do.Kindly,Ken G

Her response

*** Mon, Mar 16, 2:21 PM (18 hours ago) to me, ***, Thank you for the prompt email and agreeing to a partial refund. I have attached a screenshot of the email and signed it through my phone as I do not have access to a printer right now. My address for the check is: *** Dr. ***, VA 22405 Hope you are staying safe and healthy. *** On Mar 16, 2020, at 11:59 AM, ***us> wrote: