The Watchers Retreat CANCELLED!

[Jimmi Magnus]

Just checked the other board, and LW is looking into getting some sort of confirmation from Amber herself.

[LostSoul]

I would like to apoligize to anyone who made the decision to attend Watcher's Retreat based on anything I posted.

I had NO idea that this could happen until a day or two ago, and even then I wasn't allowed to say anything, eventhough it was killing me not to give everyone a head up.

I thought for sure when they dropped James that they would have to keep Amber on to avoid major problems with attendees, but obviously that didn't happen.

They misled all of us. I hope that no one holds it against me.

[xita]

Will there be refunds is what I want to know.

[LostSoul]

I have no idea yet. They haven't been really forthcoming with the information ever.

I may just bail on volunteering based on principle because they screwed so many of you guys.

My guess is that they'll say that both James and Amber had professional obligations, so that they are covered by their disclaimer.

It's really WRONG.

[xita]

WEbsite says :

10/30/02 - As many of you may have heard, Metro has just announced that Amber Benson will appear in an autograph signing in Santa Barbara on the same day she is scheduled to appear at The Watcher's Retreat. Amber will in fact, not be attending The Watcher's Retreat on that Saturday. However, her appearance at the rest of the Retreat has not fallen through.

On another note, we have recieved many e-mails from attendees who are very disappointed with the news that it appeared Amber will not be attending the Retreat at all (which insofar, is not true). Due to the amount of feedback we have received in this aspect, we may be forced to cancel the event.

We are aware this may be very inconveinent for many of those of you who have made plans to attend this event. We are not taking this decision lightly. We are making an honest effort to keep you informed about this event and making a decision that will benefit everyone.

[LostSoul]

Sounds to me like back peddling.

They probably cancelled her. Got a huge outcry from the fans, and have now realized that if they don't have Amber, they don't have a con.

Sounds to me like they are going to cancel it.

What other reason is there for them to even mention that if she was actually still slated to appear on the other days?

[Lisa of Nine]

Okay, is this correct? The email from the WR people said, "On another note, we have recieved many e-mails from attendees who are very disappointed with the news that it appeared Amber will not be attending the Retreat at all (which insofar, is not true). Due to the amount of feedback we have received in this aspect, we may be forced to cancel the event."

Does this mean that a huge chunk of those coming were there to see Amber? Gee, big shock.

I hope they plan to give folks their money back.

No Amber= No success. Maybe ME should take a look at this, that and realaize they are messing with kittens that have claws.

Lisa
*waiting for a newspaper article called "the kitten that roared."*

[xita]

Well you know I know that moonlight rising had sold about 40 VIPs even though they had known JM would be there for a while. With Amber they are nearing selling out now. They jumped around 100 within like a week.

[jamboree]

I don't understand why Watchers Retreat can't keep Amber since she's so important for this event. I am very disappointed.

[LostSoul]

You know. It wouldn't surprise me if they just took a chance and it turned out that it blew up in their faces.

This thing has been teetering on the brink of cancellation for a long time.

I'm sure the only reason Amber decided to do the Metro signing was to keep the majority of the fans from being completely disappointed.

Plus, Bob is a swell guy.

[xita]

Their continuing statement changing:

Amber's appearance at the Retreat is not finite yet. However, since she will not be in attendence on Saturday, the VIP Dinner will be moved to a Sunday VIP Lunch. More details on this to come.

On another note, we have recieved many e-mails from attendees who are very disappointed with the news that it appeared Amber will not be attending the Retreat at all (which insofar, is not true). Due to the amount of feedback we have received in this aspect, we may be forced to cancel the event.


grrrrrrr

[LostSoul]

Does anyone here actually think that Amber would double book?

I DIDN'T THINK SO

Given the circumstances, I can't imagine that should would have possibly booked Metro without knowing that she wasn't going to be at Watcher's at all.

Here's the scenario in my mind:

Watcher's cancelled her appearance, thinking they could slide by. Amber, being Amber, didn't want to totally disappoint all of us, so she arranged the signing at Metro.

There is NO way that she would double book.

[Jimmi Magnus]

Just to clear my head of some of the confusion:
Is Metro geographically close to WR?

[LostSoul]

Jimmi - It's about an hour and a half north of Burbank.

[Amymlc]

what? OMG!! I want my $300 back now. They better be giving refunds! This is freaking wrong. I really couldn't afford this stupid trip to begin with and was putting most of it on my credit card. This really sucks. They have also accepted my money through paypal but haven't contacted me in any way. I don't want to go if Amber isn't goint to be there...or only if she's going to be there for half the time. They better be giving refunds is all I have to say now. I'm so upset!

[sparrow]

Bloody hell, can't get ahold of anyone. If she is not there I so want my money back.

[Trance Rat Spooky]

This just posted up:

~*~*~*~*~*~
Due to some miscommunication and mis-lead conclusions between certain parties, there were some announcements made yesturday that severly hindered the work we've put into making this event possible. We hoped to clear the air with our own announcement and continue to work toward a successful event.

However, due to the negative feedback we have recieved, we feel it is necessary to cancel this event. We are very taken aback by the recent turn of events and apologize for the inconveinences this may cause. It was not something we planned or wished to do.

Refunds WILL be dealt with promptly. Please do not bombarb the event staff with e-mails and questions and disappointments. We WILL be getting to everyone, and are aware that many of you are unhappy with this situation. Even if you have paid and not recieved a confirmation, we WILL be contacting you shortly. If you do not recieve notification by Friday 11/1/02 at 11:59PM PST, we recommend you contact us at that time, and not before. E-mailing us with questions and complaints will only slow the process of getting to each of you within a reasonable time frame.

If you've made plane reservations that can not be changed, or plan to be in the area November 16th, I'm sure you will be happy to hear that there is an alternative event for you to attend. Amber Benson, Emma Caulfield, Juliet Landau, and Elizabeth Anne Allen from "Buffy" and "Angel" will be signing at Metro. Check out the Metro Signing.

We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors for this weekend.
~*~*~*~**~*~*~

~TRS

[sparrow]

This all sounds very wonky. People wondering what's going on cannot lead to the cancellation of an event. Something was up and no one told us about it until the last minute. All I want is my money back now so I can get big red ready for the trip to Santa Barbara.
See what I just got connected within the abovementioned statement in my email...If many of you are still interested in attending a event with the same activities and guests (every guest except Amber Benson), we would consider putting together a much smaller event for that weekend. However, we do not expect this to be a popular idea. If you are interested in this, please do e-mail retreat@fanshoot.com stating you are interested in attending an event.

[BBOvenGuy]

Wow, what a fiasco.

I haven't really been following this thread until it got mentioned over on the Metro thread. Am I right in interpreting the events as meaning that these guys tried to cancel Amber and had such a backlash that now the entire event is kaput?

Wow, what a fiasco.

And let this be a lesson to you - don't take Amber and her fans lightly!

[sparrow]

No Amber No event, here endth the lesson

[Amymlc]

geeze...that email that we got was very strange. I emailed them asking if Amber really wasn't going to attend and if she wasn't if I could have my money back since almost no actors...or anyone remotely famous is attending...and that they still hadn't contacted me...now they get upset and totally cancel? Hmmm...strange.

[xita]

The funny thing is they cancelled James Marsters last week without much of a response, certainly not enough to cancel.

The deal was with the money they had collected they couldn't pay Amber. They would have been better off letting go of 80% of their other guests. Amber is so good to her fans that she was able to hook up the metro deal to at least have something for her fans.

[Amymlc]

Amber really is awesome. But now I've got a hotel booked and now some extra money....what do I do? I still wanna go to CA that weekend because I already took off work for it and everything. Do you need to buy tickets at the metro? How much are they? Is there a lot of standing in line and stuff or is there more?

Thanks,
Amy

[LostSoul]

Amy - Check the Metro thread. All of the info is there about how much things cost at Metro, as well as the phone number and the store hours.

The way it works is that you don't HAVE to buy a ticket. But, I would recommend it because Amber will be there for a certain amount of time and they may not get to everyone in line (as the freebie tickets start at number 201 I think). You can buy a ticket for as little as $5 (I think those tickets are like #101-#200).

They will not let you take personal pictures of Amber at Metro. If you want a pic with her, you have to buy a polariod for $10.

The way it works, is that you line up outside the store. They let like 10 people in at a time. You get your autograph and a few words with Amber (although lord knows that Amber always gives you more than a few words) then you leave the store.

If you have paid for a polariod, you line up on outside the store in a different line.

They alternate the siging and the pictures to give Amber's hand a much needed rest.

I hope this info helps you out.

[sparrow]

Check out I just found in my inbox...

I'd like to start by thanking all of your for your patience in waiting for your refund. It is truly appreciated.
Unfortunately, we must ask for your further patience. Inner Space Productions, LLC is reorganizing its banking system, and as a result, the paypal account which would serve to refund each of you has been limited. We are working as quickly as possible to amend this situation, and it is our main priority at this time.
As you are aware, the Watchers Retreat has been cancelled. Having signed up for this event, you must also be aware that, as posted on the Watcher's Retreat website, there are no refunds for this event.
However, we at The Watcher's Retreat and Inner Space Productions, LLC do not want to take your money. We are not required to give any refunds, but we would like to.
We have been looking at the numbers and obligations for this event and have tried very hard to figure out a way to give each of you a full refund. However, due to paypal fees, financial obligations and other factors and contracts made before your payments were made, we are unable to do so. Our own staff, who has fronted thousands of dollars in hopes of this event becoming a success, will not be getting reimbursed because we feel your refunds are more important.
As soon as the account is open, you will each recieve a 50% refund. We anticipate this happening within the next 2 weeks. We do not wish to delay or drag out this process, so please know as soon as we are able, it will happen.
Just a reminder, you are all being entered into a raffle for 1 of 3 Buffy XBox games, which will be drawn this Sunday (or when they arrive, whichever comes first) which were donated to us by Fox Interactive. We are also looking into getting other items to give away and/or raffle off to all of you.
We know many of you will not be pleased with this, and we apologize for the unfortunate circumstances. Please know our best efforts are in making this cancellation as painless as possible for everyone.

Sincerly,
The Watchers Retreat and Inner Space Productions, LLC Staff

Yea, right, whatever...

[LostSoul]

The only thing I can say is

That Sucks!!!

What a fiasco.

[tommo]

Only half? Woah, that's really poor.

[sparrow]

Paypal fees, I didn't tell they to use that so why do I have to lose more of my money for this system. Just write me a check and get me back my money. What's this thing about other prizes/gifts that they may raffle or give away, just show me my money end of story.

[emma peel]

sparrow, that sucks big time!!!
I'm glad I wasn't able to go. I hope someone kept the info regarding the organizers, i.e., names and such. I know their site kept changing with updates. I never did see a contact phone number, which makes me go "hmmmm" about any "business." I googled and kartoo metasearched for Inner Space Productions, LLC but came up empty.
I do remember that a while back, before all this caca started, I went to one of the women's links at the site and saw the initials of her company were ME, but I don't remember what it stood for, much less her name.
If you guys have any of that info, I hope that word of mouth will prevent the organizers from trying something like this again. I am so sorry for your guys.
Rant over.
Janice

[LostSoul]

Hey guys, here's the info. Blast away:

Suzette L. Mako
FanEvents by ME/Mako Events
745 Hendren, Ste 300
Philadelphia PA USA 19128
610-667-9050 (9-5EST, M-F)
610-667-9915 (fax)
MakoEvents@cs.com