Imagination Stage - Canceled, Keeping Entire Tuition

[Anonymous]

Imagination Stage canceled their camps, but are only providing a credit for virtual camp this summer, or future camps or classes. Because there's no deposit, families paid for the full session upfront. The stated reason is that they do not issue refunds for cancellations that are beyond their control.

My kid was signed up for a two week session, so we're out $700.

[Anonymous]

Not surprised. Look at their 990s — they run an incredible loss even in non-covid years and camps make up a ton of their revenue each year. They’re not going to survive this.

[Anonymous]

If they are likely not going to survive, makes more sense to use the credit for the virtual camp.

[Anonymous]

If they have to refund money they won’t but with credits they will make it.

[Anonymous]

We're out $1100 for 3 weeks of camp there. I really hope DC still is interested in camp there next summer or I'll basically be forcing DC to go just to recoup that money. Not happy about this but I understand the funding problems.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm reasonably confident that DD would still want to go next summer, and she's also enjoyed some classes there, so those might be an option, too. But I also feel like next summer is SO far off, who knows what might be going on? Will they even be open? And she has zero interest in online camps; it would just be a battle to get her to go.

Also, I just feel like the way they went about it was really off-putting. A few other camps that we were signed up for issued refunds or credits, but noted that they were really feeling an economic crunch, and asked people to consider donating the deposit or tuition. And, actually, we did because I understand that things are really rough right now. With Imagination Stage, it was just flat-out "no refund, here's a credit, bye." There's no acknowledgement that some families might be experiencing economic hardship, there's no acknowledgment that the theater just can't afford to issue refunds if they want to stay open, or that they're using the money to continue paying staff. Nothing.

[Anonymous]

I got that email. The flippant tone of it has my strongly considering a chargeback or a dispute with my credit card company. Just because they can’t keep enough in reserve doesn’t mean they can steal my money as a forced donation.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you mean, OP.

There are ways to go about it. Imagination Stage has been a pillar of the community for years, and their work with children with special needs is particularly exemplary.

It's disappointing that they would communicate so poorly on this refund issue. When you're keeping someone's money, it's imperative to do so with kid gloves, and possibly give them an out. I know some camps refunded the entirety of the money to families who had qualified for partial financial aid, as a gesture to those who need it most.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could "sell" your space (or transfer) to another child for use during the school year/summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they have to refund money they won’t but with credits they will make it.

It depends on how long this goes on. All of their expenses except payroll still exist. Ticket sales are a huge part of their revenue stream and will not reopen until stage 4. In person classes, when allowed, will operate at 50% or less capacity forcing them to run at a loss. The new cleaning and distancing regulations are wildly expensive. I am sure they are just hanging on for dear life. Customer service is not at all on the radar now.
Only Washington Ballet could possibly be in a worse position due to their real estate responsibilities. Both are old not for profits with excellent reputations. I hope they make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you could "sell" your space (or transfer) to another child for use during the school year/summer?

That would make sense, as would allowing the summer camp credit to be used for non-camp Imagination Stage events. Money is fungible.

The other point, and this goes for all the camps keeping tuition, is to be upfront about their need to do so. If it's a matter of the camp surviving to next year, then it should say so. I'm sure many parents would take virtual camp, and perhaps a partial credit/discount for next year, over nothing at all and having to fight in small claims court or be an unsecured creditor in bankruptcy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they have to refund money they won’t but with credits they will make it.

It depends on how long this goes on. All of their expenses except payroll still exist. Ticket sales are a huge part of their revenue stream and will not reopen until stage 4. In person classes, when allowed, will operate at 50% or less capacity forcing them to run at a loss. The new cleaning and distancing regulations are wildly expensive. I am sure they are just hanging on for dear life. Customer service is not at all on the radar now.
Only Washington Ballet could possibly be in a worse position due to their real estate responsibilities. Both are old not for profits with excellent reputations. I hope they make it.

What real estate responsibilities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got that email. The flippant tone of it has my strongly considering a chargeback or a dispute with my credit card company. Just because they can’t keep enough in reserve doesn’t mean they can steal my money as a forced donation.

I spoke to my processing company today. Charge backs are less than 25% upheld if they are offering online options. The facility wins this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they have to refund money they won’t but with credits they will make it.

It depends on how long this goes on. All of their expenses except payroll still exist. Ticket sales are a huge part of their revenue stream and will not reopen until stage 4. In person classes, when allowed, will operate at 50% or less capacity forcing them to run at a loss. The new cleaning and distancing regulations are wildly expensive. I am sure they are just hanging on for dear life. Customer service is not at all on the radar now.
Only Washington Ballet could possibly be in a worse position due to their real estate responsibilities. Both are old not for profits with excellent reputations. I hope they make it.

What real estate responsibilities?

rent, mortgage, taxes.

[Anonymous]

someone on another thread who is a lawyer said this about refunds

this is a simple contract question. You paid consideration X to Party Y for service Z. X was non-refundable under the terms of the contract. However, Party Y failed to perform service Z, therefore the contract is now VOID. The fact that consideration X was nonrefundable per the terms of the contract is moot, because the contract is no longer operative. Therefore, your consideration should be returned. If Party Y wants to blame their failure to perform on someone or something else, that is their issue to pursue