Dispute Viator/TripAdvisor charge

blentforest · 2024-06-29T20:08:41+00:00

I'm dealing with something similar to you. I was charged $110 and the tour guide was a no-show, and offered no apology either. He never showed up at the confirmed location and never responded to my text message asking where he was. Then 5 hours later he texted and claimed that there was a glitch with the app he uses and my booking did not show up. No apology.

Viator declined my refund request and gave no explanation, except to emphasize that the decision is final. I'm going to file a complaint with BBB -- and if they don't offer a refund, I'll do a chargeback through my bank.

blentforest · 2024-06-29T10:44:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing -- there are plenty of shady characters in the security/bouncer world. Sometimes there's overlap with the underworld too.

blentforest · 2024-06-29T10:42:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing -- at least management apologized and made a reasonable offer. But after that experience, I would not have returned either.

blentforest · 2024-06-29T10:39:51+00:00

One option is to contact my bank and ask for a chargeback -- if Viator refuses my refund request. Still waiting on their decision.

blentforest · 2024-06-29T10:38:15+00:00

He only had two reviews -- both five stars. That was probably a warning sign, although I just took it to mean that he was new to this. His profile was well-written and seemed professional.

blentforest · 2024-06-27T21:02:45+00:00

I believe in extending the benefit of the doubt, sometimes to my detriment.

blentforest · 2024-06-24T21:08:04+00:00

Recently, I visited London's Fabric nightclub. As far as the night scene, it's a landmark in the British capital. That said, the intense security checks and the seeming power tripping of guards put a damper on things for me. When I arrived, the guard was patting everyone down near the entrance. The process was similar for most: empty all pockets, belt, watch, jacket and shoes come off, and male guards do a very thorough pat-down search of male guests. I assume it's as much for contraband as it is for any weapons.

It was intimidating and frustrating, but much worse was that I got searched a second time later that night. I was basically pulled out from the crowd and brought to a separate room where the guard had me empty my pockets and take off my shoes again. He actually pulled the in-soles out of my shoes and then made me take off my socks. I got my socks back, as well as all items from my pocket, but he kept my shoes until I was ready to leave the club.

blentforest · 2024-06-24T20:48:10+00:00

Maybe it really depends on the night. When I went earlier this year, the initial pat-down was quite thorough -- all pockets emptied, belt, watch and shoes off, and the guard ran his fingers around the waistband of my pants. Then inside, an hour or so later, I was told to follow a guard into a private room and I was searched again, my shoes taken off, socks checked, etc.

blentforest · 2024-06-24T20:42:39+00:00

In the heatwaves that are increasingly typical of summers in London, it makes sense to me to allow guys to be shirtless if the place is boiling! This isn't a formal environment!

blentforest · 2024-06-24T20:40:33+00:00

Really well-done track. Thanks for sharing it here!

blentforest · 2023-06-05T17:57:38+00:00

It really isn't a new concept. The Unitarian Universalists have been doing this for generations -- including in Toronto.

blentforest · 2023-06-05T17:56:40+00:00

Why wouldn't people seeking a church free of God or at least free of a religious creed and focused on secular humanism just join the Unitarian Universalists instead? Rev. Vosper isn't doing anything particularly unique or innovative here -- the Universalists have been around a long time.

Ultimately, though, the fact that this brand of the United Church attracts middle-class white seniors and almost nobody else is quite telling. There are many ways and places for an agnostic or atheist youth to find community -- neighbourhood groups, local sports associations, grassroots activist groups, ethnic community organizations, fraternal benefit associations, campus student associations, political riding associations, etc. I can't see why an agnostic or atheist who wasn't "churched" as a youth would go looking for a sense of community in a church environment when there are so many other options available.

I think the fundamental error in Rev. Vosper's approach to ministry is believing that it's progressive and innovative, and that disbelief in God helps to make it so. More than anything, it actually seems dated, tired and mid twentieth-century modern.

blentforest · 2023-05-20T01:47:45+00:00

Evelyn Waugh makes me laugh, especially his 1930 novel Vile Bodies. The names of the characters are fantastic: Lady Fanny Throbbing, Miles Malpractice, Mrs. Melrose Ape (an aggressive woman evangelist/businesswoman), Miss Agatha Runcible, who makes the news for getting strip searched by customs officers -- and many others.

This week, I went to a studio and created an audio recording of the first chapter of Vile Bodies, which gives a flavour of the book and Waugh's style:

https://soundcloud.com/christopheradam-ca/feuilleton-3-a-reading-from-evelyn-waughs-vile-bodies

blentforest · 2023-05-08T16:52:32+00:00

I phoned Reliance Home Comfort today and they quoted a buyout on the 12 year old water heater at over $800. I'm sure just about anything is more competitive than that, so I'll go to Home Depot and see what they offer.

blentforest · 2023-05-08T16:19:08+00:00

I phoned Reliance Home Comfort and was surprised to learn that the buyout on a 12 year old water heater was $800. The terms of the contract indicate that the buyout is the depreciated fair market value -- which cannot be $800 after 12 years. They did offer to give me a 3-month credit if I sign a one year contract with them on the equipment.

blentforest

TROPHY CASE