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guzismom
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 31,617
March 2002
Posts: 9,340
Layouts: 59
Loc: southern new mexico
 |  Posted: 3/23/2012 8:46:59 PM
I would be careful with the words I posted in a public forum....words like "scam" have a legal definition and if you can't prove that what they've done rises to that level, then THEY can sue you for defamation, which includes libel and/or slander. From Supertips:
When it comes to defamatory statements, both libel and slander refer to false published statements that severely harm the reputation of the plaintiff, or subject of the statements. While both libel and slander qualify as defamation, the major difference between the two lies in the form a specific case of defamation takes. Libel refers to defamatory statements made in published words, pictures, signage, and electronic communications—basically anything written or printed. Slander, in contrast, includes defamatory statements spoken aloud or physical gestures made against a person. To be valid, however, both forms of defamation must be published or broadcast over some type of media.
It is one thing to state your experience and I totally support that (heck, I've done it on other threads ). But using inflammatory words to drum up your own business is WRONG and just might come back to bite you in the butt! Be careful! |
Marilyn (now in New Mexico!!)
SCUBA diving and SCRAPPING Mom of two
Canon 5DMkII, 24-70 2.8L; 70-200 2.8L IS, 50 1.4;
my blog | |
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sara b
Labby "Mom"
PeaNut 33,785
March 2002
Posts: 22,169
Layouts: 95
Loc: Indianapolis, IN
| Posted: 3/24/2012 7:22:01 AM
Yes, the way you want to "help" these poor ladies is selling them on coming to YOUR paid crop weekend.
I've seen many other self-promoting companies try to "help" people on these boards and it didn't end well. My suggestion is that you start your own board to promote your crop events. |
Sara B
"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the unhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better" George Bird Evans
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog (aka Lab ): If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it & walk away!" (author unknown)
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EllenPea
Pea with a Pen
PeaNut 70,644
February 2003
Posts: 19,335
Layouts: 783
Loc: Southern California
 | Posted: 3/24/2012 2:41:37 PM
Yeah, at least four of your five total posts are accusing this other business of a scam. And your first post was 2 years ago, so it doesn't really seem like being a helpful part of this community is your true motivation. |
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katybee8
AncestralPea
PeaNut 421,136
April 2009
Posts: 4,941
Layouts: 8
Loc: Chicago NW burbs
 | Posted: 3/24/2012 3:12:29 PM
I just put SDV Event Path into Google and came up with a webpage that said the event this weekend was back on.
ETA: This coming weekend, starting on 3/30. | |
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arelys1228
PeaFixture
PeaNut 422,247
May 2009
Posts: 3,234
Layouts: 161
Loc: Queens NYC
| Posted: 3/24/2012 3:58:29 PM
im at a weekend crop where 2 gals mentioned they were upset about the cancellation i hope it works out for all in the end |
| Love Peace Health and Happiness to you...Rosey | |
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SDeven
Love Letters Pea
PeaNut 65,852
January 2003
Posts: 28,205
Layouts: 380
Loc: Nashville, TN!
| Posted: 3/24/2012 6:58:42 PM
Hi Ladies - I think some of you have misunderstood my intentions - as a business owner and as a person. I would truely like to help these scrapping ladies who lost out on their weekend of fun. I would be devastated! The only way I can think to help is to refer them to my crop (of course) but more importantly offer them a discount for their losses (does not have to be monetary to be a loss - stress, dissappointment, etc).
Also - I think SDV (Event Path) are going to have bigger problems than me mentioning there "alleged" scam. From what I have read - they cancelled all events, took down their FB page and disconnected their phones. Hmmmm...
Anyway - certainly would not trash a business in an open forum - but this really makes me irate...it's unfair to those affected and to the rest of us honest business owners who now will be scrutinized due to their practices...very sad all around....
I think appealing to those who were all packed up and then suddenly had no crop to go to this weekend (or next, whenever) is a pretty smart marketing strategy but perhaps "help" isn't the most appropriate term.
A smarter approach would have been to say "Alleviate your disappointment in the cancelled crop...come crop with us."
When you directly benefit from "help", people tend to question your motives. You shouldn't have to slam your competition--or really even mention them at all--in order to sell your product. That's why Creative Memories has turned so many people off over the years, with their "ours is the only safe product" line of BS.
There are ways to do these things with finesse and true customer care...and then there's this way, which just feels slightly predatory and underhanded, something that makes people think of both companies in the same light.
It's not really your place to address whatever is going on with SDV/Event Path. Just do your thing well and word will get around.
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sugarcoated
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 140,176
April 2004
Posts: 2,095
Layouts: 0
Loc: At Work
 | Posted: 3/24/2012 7:31:28 PM
If you want to "help" then let them come for free. They are already out a huge amount, so a pidfly discount is not "help." Well, I guess it would be helping you out. | |
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Rmaneca
Just one more post!
PeaNut 473,163
June 2010
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 3/25/2012 2:10:08 PM
Wow ladies. My apologies here . I was offerring a discount where i would make no profit from anyone who lost $$ my crops are usually pretty full but I thought if i could squeeze a few more ladies in at a discount it would be good for them, not me. I am a scrapbooker 1st and my intentions were honest. | |
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Cincysis
BucketHead
PeaNut 327,188
July 2007
Posts: 576
Layouts: 0
Loc: Ohio
 | Posted: 3/26/2012 8:24:41 AM
Somewhere, someday, someone will find out what is actually going on with Nancy, Dale, and family. Maybe they will post and tell us what that is and maybe they won't but until then "scam" is rather harsh in my book. I would be devistated also if this happened to me. The events are not inexpensive but .... again you were self promoting your business. | |
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disneygirlwv7
Baby Pea Step
PeaNut 127,499
January 2004
Posts: 1
Layouts: 0
Loc: West Virginia
| Posted: 3/31/2012 9:32:04 AM
Well....now they have pulled their website. I am a real fan of sdv....but this has gone to far, after she tells us they have someone to take over and will be in Orlando. We all have put disputes into our bank to get our money back .....A great lady in Kissimmee has a crop house and we are doing that since friends from texas have plane tickets to come...what a mess.
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scrapmaven
PEA-T-A-Mom's kitteh is a fraidy cat.
PeaNut 90,665
June 2003
Posts: 15,735
Layouts: 0
Loc: Wherever my little mind takes me
| Posted: 4/1/2012 3:57:11 PM
I wouldn't go to an event w/the OP, because the marketing is terrible. You promote your business w/honesty, not w/mud slinging. This isn't a presidential election. Personally, I've never heard of either company until today, but I still think your marketing tactics are in need of help. Learn to promote your business. If you can afford it hire a PR rep, because you really need it. Promote your business w/positives and never put down the competition. EVER! Even if the competition is doing stuff that is unethical, that's their problem. You focus on your positive attributes. You attract a lot more customers w/honey than w/vinegar. |
_____________________________________________________
I'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in? | |
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Emmy27
Baby Pea Step
PeaNut 549,699
April 2012
Posts: 1
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 4/2/2012 8:07:16 PM
I was just at the event this past weekend in Knoxville. I was only able to go because Nancy found a local vendor to take over the event for SDV as she was so concerned about people not being able to have their weekend away. This worry was in the midst of true personal tragedy, not "just" having to close the doors on her business.
Please, have some compassion for another human being and their family. This business has been more than a business to these people as they actually care about the participants.
If you still need to believe that it is a "scam" then fine, but really, wouldn't you think they could use the prayers under those circumstances as well?
I cannot stand the thought of vultures circling - typically I have found scrappers to be some of the most caring and compassionate people going. Let's not lower that bar.
And I promise, if it took some time for me to get a refund, I would be patient... these are peoples lives we are talking about.
Anyway, just had to jump in here, never posted before (or, rather it's been probably 100 years, lol) but I have been to several of their events over the past 10 years and care about them, as I know they care about their peeps too (yes, they really do).
Be well. Thanks for "hearing" me out. | |
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scrapper2k
BucketHead
PeaNut 11,992
March 2001
Posts: 758
Layouts: 0
Loc: East Coast
 | Posted: 4/2/2012 9:14:13 PM
I've never been to SDV and I feel truly bad for Nancy and Dale but can certainly understand people's frustration when they are owed money. | |
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lisamc1
PeaNut
PeaNut 95,427
July 2003
Posts: 101
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 4/2/2012 10:26:08 PM
I have been to more SDV weekends than I can count. They are going through a very personal health issue right now and it's just not right for everyone to jump to so many conclusions without having all the facts. They are truly good people and I know that they didn't do anything intentional to rip people off. I'm sure if people are owed refunds they will get them though it may take some time (myself being one of them if I decide to cancel my event I've placed a deposit on for August). Try to be patient and say a prayer for them. | |
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abtmathews
PeaNut
PeaNut 548,464
March 2012
Posts: 109
Layouts: 3
Loc: ocala fl
| Posted: 4/3/2012 9:23:44 AM
I have also been to a number of SDV's meet great people and really enjoyed them. I am not offering anything or promoting anything. I am not accusing anyone of anything. However enough time has passed since the original announcement was made that those of us that were registered for events with deposits or more in their trust should be given an explanation and eta of funds to be returned. If they are dealing with a tragic health issue I can understand and sympathies but we have not been told anything more. I am not trying to pry but some people seem to know more than others. By this time from a business standpoint someone not related to the health issue should be in place to handle the public interests that are still in limbo with this company.
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fiftyfive
Just one more post!
PeaNut 548,889
March 2012
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/3/2012 10:29:19 AM
lisamc1 stated "it's just not right for everyone to jump to so many conclusions without having all the facts"
The facts that I know:
1. Their phone has been disconnected
2. Their email bounces back
3. Their website has been removed
4. Their Facebook site has been deleted
5. They went out of business or claimed bankruptcy around 2 years ago under the name Dream Events, Inc. aka Scrappers Dream Vacation
6. They run another business and website www.ablehomesupport.com which has NOT been removed
7. They have NOT been forthright in giving full disclosure in explaining the closing of the business.
8. They have not provided timely refunds, selling or turning the business over to someone else is NO EXCUSE for not providing a timely refund.
All things someone does not typically do when facing a health related issue.
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,974
Layouts: 19
 | Posted: 4/3/2012 11:41:22 AM
I have been to more SDV weekends than I can count. They are going through a very personal health issue right now and it's just not right for everyone to jump to so many conclusions without having all the facts. They are truly good people and I know that they didn't do anything intentional to rip people off. I'm sure if people are owed refunds they will get them though it may take some time (myself being one of them if I decide to cancel my event I've placed a deposit on for August). Try to be patient and say a prayer for them.
I agree that anyone going through a health trial deserves prayers. If they had given a little more information (for example, stating if the health issue were an advanced stage of cancer, or a debilitating stroke, or a horrifying car accident), I think a lot of people would have been more inclined to be sympathetic and patient.
Unfortunately, they have taken actions that are likely to give most of their customers great concern. They disconnected their phones, and they have also very recently taken down their website, a venue that they could have used to reassure customers about forthcoming refunds if local businesses couldn't take over the scheduled events. Now their customers apparently have no way to contact them. Maybe it was just time to renew their domain, and it wasn't deemed worth the cost, but it does look very bad, especially when you consider that there have reportedly been some financial problems in the past:
Buyer Beware SDV thread
If they had issued immediate refunds to customers when they notified them of the sudden cancellations, their integrity would have been without question, and there would simply have been no reason for anyone to jump to conclusions. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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fiftyfive
Just one more post!
PeaNut 548,889
March 2012
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/3/2012 12:13:08 PM
Their domain name doesn't expire until July 17, 2015
They purchased it for 5 years in 2010. So renewal would not be until July 17, 2015
----------------------------------------------------
Domain Name: EVENTPATHUNLIMITED.COM
Registrant:
Nancy Bohrer
ATTN EVENTPATHUNLIMITED.COM
care of Network Solutions
PO Box 459
Drums, PA. US 18222
Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Nancy Bohrer zx2ur5re5tx@networksolutionsprivateregistration.com
ATTN EVENTPATHUNLIMITED.COM
care of Network Solutions
PO Box 459
Drums, PA 18222
US
570-708-8780
Record expires on 17-Jul-2015.
Record created on 17-Jul-2010.
Bulk whois optout: N
Database last updated on 3-Apr-2012 13:00:50 EDT.
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fiftyfive
Just one more post!
PeaNut 548,889
March 2012
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/3/2012 1:27:59 PM
One more tidbit or FACT that something in not kosher...
On the www.ablehomesupport.com website the phone number, up until a few days ago, matched exactly the one that was always on www.eventpathunlimted.com which was: 301-789-1404
A few days ago the ablehomesupport.com one was changed to 301-841-7037
Just Google the phone number: 301-789-1404
and look at the first ten results for proof.
You'll see the same phone number listed for both businesses.
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,974
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 4/4/2012 1:50:15 PM
I am impressed, fiftyfive, with your detective work! And you are right about Googling the number and seeing what came up. Google did list entries showing the Event Path phone number for Able Home Support.
Since the Event Path domain was not due to expire for some time still, then the removal of the website looks really questionable.
I was inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt with regards to whether or not it was a scam, but something is very, very wrong. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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SavannahDannah
PeaNut
PeaNut 549,696
April 2012
Posts: 24
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/5/2012 11:05:45 PM
I just hope all the people who are slamming Nancy and Dale will beware of karma. You are truly heartless. | |
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devildog
Be gentle; I'm a delicate little flower
PeaNut 172,765
October 2004
Posts: 11,472
Layouts: 2
Loc: Why do you wanna know?
 | Posted: 4/6/2012 6:19:59 AM
I just hope all the people who are slamming Nancy and Dale will beware of karma. You are truly heartless.
Seriously? Why don't you explain to the people that got screwed what exactly happened since it doesn't seem the owners have any intentions of doing that, and you seemed to be convinced there's no wrongdoing going on here? Why did their personal tragedy force them to close one business, but not the other?
I sure hope those that were taken are looking to go to the authorities, because this has SCAM written all over it. There. I said it. Scam. People paid money for an expected service, the service wasn't provided, they should have returned those monies immediately. To do nothing is theft, plain and simple. |
*****Natalie*****
FYI--That avatar is NOT me; it's NOT my DH; it's NOT my father; and, I'm NOT related to him by blood or marriage. It's just a dude...wearing a Wal-Mart bag. 
"May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your crotch and may your arms be too short to scratch." TheSeaBee&Me, 5/20/2009
I love the smell of drama in the morning!
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,974
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 4/6/2012 9:45:51 AM
Why did their personal tragedy force them to close one business, but not the other?
Perhaps their Event Path business required more of their own personal management and hands-on attention, and the other one was set up so that it ran without much effort on their part. They appear to be two different kinds of businesses. However, that doesn't justify how they have handled the sudden closure of their Event Path business, especially without giving immediate refunds.
I just hope all the people who are slamming Nancy and Dale will beware of karma. You are truly heartless.
For the record, I have been trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, and I do have sympathy for anyone struggling with health issues. However, the Event Path owners' own actions (past and present) are the reason for the many complaints and concerns of possible impropriety.
They've taken people's money for retreats that were cancelled, without giving immediate refunds. Then they seemingly tried to do a disappearing act, with no apparent way for customers to contact them, and it isn't the first time that customers have felt cheated. If past promises to give refunds were fulfilled after SDV declared bankruptcy, no one has bothered to mention it here as far as I can tell. There is definitely an appearance of something being seriously wrong.
All my life I have been taught the importance of avoiding even the appearance of evil. This is a good example of the reason why it is important to avoid doing anything that might appear to be dishonest. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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fiftyfive
Just one more post!
PeaNut 548,889
March 2012
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/6/2012 10:37:00 AM
Well, if I were a bett'n woman, my bet would be on a ponzi type situation.
-------------------------------------------
NOTE DISCLAIMER: Just my opinion and speculation here, I have no hard evidence or facts.
--------------------------------------------
I'm sure it wasn't their original intent on their business developing into a ponzi type situation and their intentions were always honest. But I have a feeling that future event sales were paying the bills for current events and it just caught up with them and they could no, longer meet their obligations with vendors, hotels etc. Unfortunately this happens to a lot of mismanaged businesses. Just perhaps they had to pay for unexpected medical services with future event money, while this may be unfortunate it is still a dishonest way of doing business.
From my understanding the upcoming Orlando event this summer was even sold out and there was a waiting list.
I only come to this conclusion from their actions of trying to disable or hinder all forms of communications to their business. Nobody does that unless they are trying to hide something.
After all the business would still have some value if it was just a financial issue, and had the very real possibility of being taken over or even sold. But now after shutting down the website disconnecting the phone, email etc. Along with the bad PR it has received has basically made the business worthless now. You would be crazy to want to buy or take over the business now. So the question remains why would anyone do that for a health related issue in their life?
If they do claim bankruptcy your likely never to see a dime or maybe pennies on the dollar, unless you can get a chargeback completed from your credit card company first.
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devildog
Be gentle; I'm a delicate little flower
PeaNut 172,765
October 2004
Posts: 11,472
Layouts: 2
Loc: Why do you wanna know?
| Posted: 4/6/2012 11:42:10 AM
I only come to this conclusion from their actions of trying to disable or hinder all forms of communications to their business. Nobody does that unless they are trying to hide something.
This.
I'm actually floored that they shut down the first time, then started another company running the same type of business, but with a different name, and without making right to the people they screwed the first time.
IMO, that takes balls.
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*****Natalie*****
FYI--That avatar is NOT me; it's NOT my DH; it's NOT my father; and, I'm NOT related to him by blood or marriage. It's just a dude...wearing a Wal-Mart bag.
"May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your crotch and may your arms be too short to scratch." TheSeaBee&Me, 5/20/2009
I love the smell of drama in the morning!
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,974
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 4/6/2012 12:00:41 PM
Well, if I were a bett'n woman, my bet would be on a ponzi type situation. ... I'm sure it wasn't their original intent on their business developing into a ponzi type situation and their intentions were always honest. But I have a feeling that future event sales were paying the bills for current events and it just caught up with them and they could no, longer meet their obligations with vendors, hotels etc. Unfortunately this happens to a lot of mismanaged businesses. Just perhaps they had to pay for unexpected medical services with future event money, while this may be unfortunate it is still a dishonest way of doing business.
... I only come to this conclusion from their actions of trying to disable or hinder all forms of communications to their business. Nobody does that unless they are trying to hide something.
... the question remains why would anyone do that for a health related issue in their life?
If they do claim bankruptcy your likely never to see a dime or maybe pennies on the dollar, unless you can get a chargeback completed from your credit card company first.
This is pretty much how I look at it, too.
One thing, though, about bankruptcy. It does NOT protect you if the court decides that there is fraud involved. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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fiftyfive
Just one more post!
PeaNut 548,889
March 2012
Posts: 10
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/6/2012 12:01:50 PM
IMO, that takes balls.
-------------------------
Even more balls... or something else (won't post it's not very lady like)... is that my understanding, what they did to get around the legal issues of their last company going bankrupt, is that they put the new company's name in their kids names.
On the website (now down) it had listed Jeff, their son, as the president. All the recent bulk mailings they sent to me about up-coming events also contained Jeff's (as the president) signature.
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binbaum
PeaWee
PeaNut 432,766
July 2009
Posts: 7
Layouts: 0
Loc: Huntingtown, Maryland
 | Posted: 5/10/2012 11:49:44 AM
Has anyone heard anything new in regard to this situation? I am only asking because, in spite of my documentation, my credit card company will not re-emburse my money. I am out over $300 and am filing a complaint to the Maryland States Attorney's Consumer Protection Division. If they can't do anything at this time they may be able to prevent it happening a 3rd time. |
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nclady
PeaWee
PeaNut 425,548
June 2009
Posts: 2
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/30/2012 1:10:06 PM
I have been waiting on a refund for two years (since the Durham NC event). Guess that indicates the real deal about them. I attended the event and then the hotel charged my credit card (that I had to use to check in) for two days because Nancy & co or SDV did not pay them. | |
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nclady
PeaWee
PeaNut 425,548
June 2009
Posts: 2
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/30/2012 4:13:28 PM
My credit card company would not reimburse me either for the charge that the hotel made on my card because she did not pay them. I had paid her by check and In the beginnning Nancy emailed me that she would pay me because she said was paying other attendees from the Durham, NC event. She just plain lied and took many peoples money. | |
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happy2bscrapper
50 Peas in a pod.
PeaNut 313,715
April 2007
Posts: 50
Layouts: 0
Loc: New Jersey
| Posted: 2/16/2013 10:12:06 AM
Just to advise..... I paid for Parsippany with a check and never got a dime back from SDV.
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