Grandma's marathon just cancelled. I understand the non-profit citing that they cannot offer refunds, as much of the $ has been spent to plan and prepare. However, since they are not holding the event wouldn't it be reasonable to offer deferment until the following year? Am I missing something?
skopexc wrote:
Grandma's marathon just cancelled. I understand the non-profit citing that they cannot offer refunds, as much of the $ has been spent to plan and prepare. However, since they are not holding the event wouldn't it be reasonable to offer deferment until the following year? Am I missing something?
Well, they're offering a 20% discount for next year's race and converting this year's registration fees into a tax deductible charity donation. That's a lot better than keeping all the money and doing nothing.
skopexc wrote:
Grandma's marathon just cancelled. I understand the non-profit citing that they cannot offer refunds, as much of the $ has been spent to plan and prepare. However, since they are not holding the event wouldn't it be reasonable to offer deferment until the following year? Am I missing something?
Yes. You are missing the fact that they will still have to pay for producing the race next year. If they do not charge any money (i.e., defer all those registered this year), then it would be impossible for them to produce the race.
It's event planning 101.
Well, it appears they are offering determent.
Captain Obvious! wrote:
skopexc wrote:
Grandma's marathon just cancelled. I understand the non-profit citing that they cannot offer refunds, as much of the $ has been spent to plan and prepare. However, since they are not holding the event wouldn't it be reasonable to offer deferment until the following year? Am I missing something?
Yes. You are missing the fact that they will still have to pay for producing the race next year. If they do not charge any money (i.e., defer all those registered this year), then it would be impossible for them to produce the race.
It's event planning 101.
The race is still a long way off and a lot of their costs will not have to paid for this year (policing, etc.). So what are the sunk costs that they have lost in "planning" the event to date? It's certainly not the entire race fees paid or how could they have ever put on the race.
The sunk costs are race directors etc. who still want to get paid their full salary. Anyone else who gets laid off for the coronavirus they don't get paid. These race directors etc. want to get paid despite no longer doing any work and actually putting on a race. That's the problem.
They have a full time staff that puts on an incredibly well organized "Big City" marathon in a small town . I don't think anyone is getting rich off of the cancellation.
The sunk costs are race directors etc. who still want to get paid their full salary. Anyone else who gets laid off for the coronavirus they don't get paid. These race directors etc. want to get paid despite no longer doing any work and actually putting on a race. That's the problem.
Do you want the race directors to still be around to run next year's race? Or would you rather get your refund but have the race be out of business forever?
If the RDs and other race staff were laid off, they'd find different jobs. In that case, the races would be canceled not just for this year, but forever.