Future Productions LLC

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/06/15) */
Thank you for your concerns and feedback. We are disappointed that your daughter has elected not to compete in this year's pageant, and we certainly hope she will reconsider using her transferred registration fees for next year's...

competition.
Due to the nature of this competition, we are unable to honor a refund simply because a contestant has elected not to compete for this year. As with any competition of this type, many contestants do get "cold feet" prior to the event, so we must have a strict refund policy to avoid such situations after we have already secured venues, hotels, meals, production and transportation for the pageant and contestants. Refunds are only honored in the event of a medical emergency and require a letter from a physician.
Our refund policy is listed on numerous locations in our printed registration packet, as well as on our online payment website:
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Registration Form - Page 5
Registration Forms A, B & C below each required signature:
By signing above, I understand that as soon as I return the required deposit, Future Productions automatically makes the necessary plans for my participation in the pageant. Therefore, if I should drop out of the pageant, there will be no refund for the deposit under any circumstances. Any registration fees above the deposit are also not refundable, but can be transferred to the following year's participation so long as the contestant notifies the pageant office at least 21 days prior to the start of the state pageant. The required deposit is not transferable.
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Registration Packet - Page 7
Release Form - Section 2:
I understand that as soon as I return my required deposit, Future Productions automatically makes the necessary plans for my participation in the pageant. Therefore, if I should drop out of the pageant, there will be no refund for the deposit under any circumstances. Any registration fees above the deposit are also not refundable, but can be transferred to the following year's participation so long as the contestant notifies the pageant office at least 21 days prior to the start of the state pageant. The required deposit is not transferable.
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Registration Packet - Page 17
Sponsorship Information
A minimum deposit of $199.00 is required to secure your position in this year's state pageant. This deposit will be deducted from the total registration fee as listed in the cover letter that accompanied this packet. You can either secure the sponsors to pay for your registration fee deposit or pay the deposit yourself via check or credit card. To send in your required deposit, please fill in the appropriate information in Section A of the Registration Form, cut along the dotted line, and mail to us your deposit along with Section A by the due date stamped on the Registration Checklist. If you find that you need more time to acquire your deposit payment, please contact us and we will set up an extension for you. As soon as you send in your deposit, we will automatically make the necessary plans for your participation in the pageant. Therefore, if you should withdraw from the pageant for any reason, there will be no refund for the deposit. Any money sent in above the deposit amount cannot be refunded, but can be transferred to the following year's pageant.
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www.futureproductions.net/payment
I understand that as soon as I return the required deposit, Future Productions automatically makes the necessary plans for my participation in the pageant. Therefore, if I should drop out of the pageant, there will be no refund for the deposit under any circumstances. Any registration fees above the deposit are also not refundable, but can be transferred to the following year's participation so long as the contestant notifies the pageant office at least 21 days prior to the start of the state pageant. The required deposit is not transferable.
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In conclusion, we do sincerely invite [redacted] to compete in this year's pageant, but if not, we hope that she would join us to watch this year's competition at the Ames Center in Burnsville and use her transferable funds for next year's pageant.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/06/16) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
While I completely understand about the registration deposit not being returned, I would argue that the rest of the amount paid, prior to competing, should be returned. Especially since it was only the second installment. Any ethical business would return the money above the required deposit. As a consumer, I am left wondering...what exactly are they doing with my money six months previous to the event? Why can't they return $300? Are they somehow being fiscally irresponsible with the pageant that they have to keep the deposit money? I have received nothing for my second deposit other than the pageant people telling me that my daughter can compete next year. That is a terrible business practice and I would not do business with this company unless you can say for certain that your daughter will definitely compete in the contest and that you can plan for unforeseen circumstances.