7-Eleven Run 800: The Race I Ran Away From

Pout

I feel this is a good way to start the weekend.  After two months of trying to figure out who to address our concerns to, and not getting clear answers from race organizers and the store manager, we finally got the registration fees for the 7-Eleven Run 800 refunded. 

Yesterday, we saw that the store which was previously undergoing renovations has finally re-opened and I immediately inquired about the refund.  The store crew told me to return today as he still had to ask the store manager. 

The thing is, the store opened last week.  I believe I have given my contact numbers at least twice, when the store still had a phone line, or is it when they were still entertaining calls?  A business establishment cannot be without any means of contacting them, at least not a 7-Eleven store.  But not once did they ever call back as they have promised.  They did not even have the decency to inform us.  Talk about respect right? 

I wasn't really hoping for too much anymore, having been kept waiting for the last couple of months, but I figured it's worth a try.  At least I'll find closure with this matter, and that entails only two possible scenarios.  Either they give back our money immediately or  they would further delay things until we get pass the deadline for making the refunds, thereby forfeiting our rights.  When we came to the store this afternoon, it took a while for the store manager to come out of his office.  When he did, it was only to say that there was still no advisory about refunds.   My mouth must have fallen to the floor.  The last day for refund is on October 31 already and they still have no advisory?  I was thinking what kind of sick joke this is.

It's a good thing I had thought of printing out the refund procedures from the website.  This is what it states: (and mind you I was so tempted to paste it on the manager's face but I was mustering all the self-control I could to wage this final battle and get it over with, dignity and all still intact)

Anyway, the manager went back inside his office and I was already thinking there is probably just about 75% chance of getting our money back with that kind of answer.  It's a miracle that I didn't go ballistic and still had some ounce of patience left in me to give him a few more moments.  

It's such a relief that when he came back, he had photocopies of our receipts and ID's and we just had to sign those as proof of refund.  While I was signing, he had the nerve to ask if we really do not want to run that race anymore.  I just shook my head, trying not to speak anymore for fear that I might say something I would regret.  I just want to get things over with.  

Yay!  I got my money back and so did my running buddies.  I vowed never to patronize any of their stores as much as I can.  That's just a personal thing with me.  I know it's not a loss because I am after all just one customer.  But I am making a statement, a personal stand.  If a business establishment has no respect for customer's rights, then they don't deserve my patronage.

Well, at least now, this irritating situation is out of the way.  So, happy weekend to us!