Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/30/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid this business $2,500.00 for a retreat that was to take place in ****** in October of 2021. The facilitator, Lauren Harkness, came down with ***** and offered to refund the money or hold it for a make-up retreat to be held in the summer of 2022. I did not request a refund at the time in anticipation of the rescheduled retreat. The retreat never happened and in September of ******************************* ********************** refused saying that she has subsequently adopted a no refund policy, and offered to do private work with me to use up the $2,500. I advised that that is not what I paid for and that she had already given refunds to other participants and a subsequent policy has no bearing on this situation. I have tried to contact *** ********************** numerous times by email, text, messages, phone calls, and a letter, with no response. She did not provide the services promised and I am owed $2,500, plus interest since October of 2021.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/16/2023

  The customer is not eligible for a refund. She canceled her participation in the retreat PRIOR to the retreat because her husband didn't want her to attend. She has always had a credit for the amount and was happy to proceed with that. She had planned to go to an alternate retreat with me, but canceled her participation for that one as well.
  
  I have had several coaching conversations with the client, knowing that she was going through a difficult time, and did NOT charge her for these sessions, nor did I subtract them from her credit.
  
  More recently, she told me that things were so bad with her husband that she couldn't work and, at that point, she requested a refund, which I denied. She does still have the full credit to use with me.
  
  The people who were given a refund for the retreat had NOT canceled their retreat registrations PRIOR to ************** Covid. This client's withdrawal from the initial retreat was BEFORE that happened and thus she is not due a refund.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because

   

  First of all, my husband was in the hospital with Covid prior to the retreat, so I informed *** ********************** that I didn't think I would be able to attend.  As the retreat drew ****** he was starting to recover but then *** ********************** (and others) came down with Covid as well, and she offered refunds. Having just been exposed by my husband, I could not take a chance and expose others, or expose myself again by going on the retreat.  I did not opt for a refund at the time because I wanted to wait for the "make-up" retreat she promised to hold in the summer.   Secondly, *** ********************** only informed me of her "subsequent no-refund" policy in November of 2022, well after she had already offered and given refunds.  I should not be penalized for waiting in good faith for a promised service.  In addition, I was not aware that I would have to pay another $******** for the Radiance Retreat when I initially agreed to go to that instead of the *** Witch Retreat. I didnt have another ******** at the time and advised her in advance that I couldnt go. That retreat got cancelled anyway, and the *** Witch make-up retreat never happened.  *** ********************** accepted my payment in good faith, and I expect the return of that payment in good faith as the service promised was not provided.  

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************