International Performance Baseball

Review: International Performance Baseball, also known as IPB is owned by [redacted], a former professional baseball player. The IPB website claims to hold various events in California and elsewhere for high school to post college baseball players.In October 2013, my son signed up for the IPB "World Free Agent Spring Training" camp at the Cocoa Expo Sports Complex in Cocoa, Florida which was scheduled for March 12-26, 2014. IPB claimed to be offering two of these camps: one at the Cocoa Expo Sports Complex and the other at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. After my son filled out the online registration and he was thereafter contacted, a few hours later, by a representative of IPB (whom I believe was [redacted]. The cost of the camp was $2995.00. The fee was all inclusive (motel accommodations, daily breakfast, all professional instruction, uniforms, and scheduled games). There was a $200.00 discount for early payment. On October 10, 2013, I provided my credit card info to the IPB representative (once again I believe this was [redacted]) and agreed to pay a first installment of $1,000.00. I checked my credit card on line and a few hours later, the funds were transferred. On October 25, 2013, an additional $1995.00 was charged to my credit card. Payment in full was made well within the time frame to receive the early payment discount of $200.00. The promised $200.00 early payment discount was not applied (My first clue that something was amiss).After I paid the fee, there was no contact from IPB that was not the result of efforts initiated by me or my son.As the event drew closer, both my son and I noticed that the there were no updates on the website regarding the camp (Although there were new camps posted to the website). I made numerous telephonic inquiries to the only telephone number available on the website with rare success. On the few occasions when I got a live person, I was told various stories. First, I was told that the schedule was being prepared and there would be an email sent to all the players that week (this was in January). Then I was told that the schedule was going out in the next day or so and I even provided my own email address to be included in the emailing. By mid February, both my son and I became more and more concerned. I again made several unsuccessful attempts to reach a live person at the telephone number. When I did finally reach a live person, (at approximately the end of February) I was told that the person running the Cocoa, Florida camp had been sick so the schedule was coming out later that week. I was reassured by the IPB representative that everything was fine and the camp was on. No schedule was posted, no emails were sent from IPB and the IPB website hadn't changed.As the start date of the camp approached in early March, there were still no emails or any contact from IPB. The IPB website had no new information. I began to email and call daily for an update with no response. My son was promised an IPB-provided shuttle from the airport to the motel (for a $25.00 fee) but he could not arrange it as IPB would not answer their telephone.Finally on March 10 (after almost hourly phone messages and emails from me), I received an email from [redacted] asking me if my son was in Florida yet. He also stated that he was short of pitchers for the camp and was working on it.I continued calling the IPB telephone number and emailing [redacted] on March 11, 2014 demanding information, but got no response. On the evening of March 11, 2014, literally hours before my son was to board the flight to Florida, [redacted] called my son and told him the event was cancelled.A few days after cancelling the camp, [redacted] called my son and tried to get him to accept a credit for a future IPB event--which my son refused.I began to make multiple daily calls and emails to [redacted] and IPB to get my money back. I then emailed him and told him I would consider contacting the police. After that, I got an email back.On March 26, 2014, I received an email from [redacted] stated that-- our bills and refunds go out the first Friday of each month your credit card will be refunded-- So I was told I would have to wait until the first Friday of the next month to get my refund even though IPB debited my credit card for the cost of the camp immediately upon my authorization.Of course the refund wasn't posted.When I did not receive the credit on the first Friday of April), I once again sent [redacted] an email demanding payment. This time, I specifically told him that I was going to contact The Orange County, California Sheriffs Office. [redacted] then sent a terse reply stating-- "You can reach out to whomever you would like. Refunds are processed on Friday and batched out on Sunday evenings. Normally take 48-72 to see on statement.--I have received no credit. I have checked corporate records for California, Arizona and Florida. Those records indicate that International Performance Baseball's certificates of incorporation in California and Arizona were forfeited in 2008. I found no record that IPB was incorporated or chartered as a Limited Liability Company in Florida.I do not believe that there was ever a serious effort to hold this event. There is no reason that IPB should not to refund my money.[redacted] is now working as the [redacted] and head baseball coach of [redacted] which appears to be a non accredited college located in San Bernardino, California.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of all monies paid to International Performance Baseball.