Cheltz Fest 2021 Behind Closed Doors ?

[Lobos]

I was supposed to be buying my membership today but after this news, I’ll be holding off for a while.

Can’t see even 10,000 members being allowed in with this no fans and the other restrictions they announced being a 6-month thing.

If there are no spectators in 6 months then I don't think there will be any sport left that we can return to. Everyone might as well pull the plug. Shambles of a country.

[Istabraq]

I hadn’t thought of that aspect. In December, does anyone think a membership will be cheaper if a few of the meetings have been and gone? Or would it still be the full price? I might email to ask.

Not sure, but I would think it’s difficult to introduce another membership package when they haven’t done so before, and especially one that could upset existing members.
Just thinking aloud...

[Saxon Warrior]

There won't be any new membership types surely, if there are no racedays that current members are not allowed on course.

That would be madness.

They would just close memberships sometime this year, and hope they can get the members on course, at least for the Festival, and avoid refunding them everything.

If they are refunding £10 or £15 per day for October-Decembers racedays then the Festival is probably worth 60-65% of members annual membership payments.

Those sums for March's Festival will probably where Cheltenham start to focus full on in their representations to Government as October and November's dates pass without attendance.

[Lobos]

There won't be any new membership types surely, if there are no racedays that current members are not allowed on course.

That would be madness.

They would just close memberships sometime this year, and hope they can get the members on course, at least for the Festival, and avoid refunding them everything.

If they are refunding £10 or £15 per day for October-Decembers racedays then the Festival is probably worth 60-65% of members annual membership payments.

Those sums for March's Festival will probably where Cheltenham start to focus full on in their representations to Government as October and November's dates pass without attendance.

Great point.

[The King Pimm]

I thought the 6 month period was worse case and the government will review and change if the National situation improves?

[ryanh97]

I thought the 6 month period was worse case and the government will review and change if the National situation improves?

‘We should assume these restrictions will be in place for 6 months unless a significant change occurs’

I read that as it'll be 6 months unless a miracle happens TKP

[EnvoyAllen]

Guys and girls,

I hope not to extinguish anyone’s fire here (least myself, it’s an annual pilgrimage for me) but I have come as close today to purchasing an annual membership ‘inclusive’ of the festival.

But I haven’t, and we all need be warned.

At this present time, and it’s crystal clear in the ‘FAQ’s on their Jockey Club website (I’ve reread it twice within last hour to absolutely ascertain it’s relevance) that any refunds due to a member not being able to attend have so far only been discussed with regards meetings until the end of the year. It clearly in print states this. It also clearly states that it will be reviewing potential refunds for events in 2021 at a later late closer to these events (NY’s Day, Festival Trials at end of Jan and Festival mid March).

And even with refunds on events for this Autumn until the end of 2020, they don’t work out to much financially. The specific details are clearly on their website, so really would be foolish to debate on this forum. Crystal clear transparency so far - and all in the FAQ’s about 20/21 membership.

Today’s announcement from our government is a significant one for me personally looking to obtain membership to ‘guarantee’ entry to next year’s festival. I think that ‘guarantee’ is reasonably slim at present, and looking ahead for 6 months.

[Saxon Warrior]

Thats similar to the point I made earlier.
I've read everything before I renewed, and its clear, as you've said.

If there are no races in this coming season then the money I've paid can go into the following seasons membership instead of being refunded to me.

[EnvoyAllen]

Thats similar to the point I made earlier.
I've read everything before I renewed, and its clear, as you've said.

If there are no races in this coming season then the money I've paid can go into the following seasons membership instead of being refunded to me.

But Mr Saxon Warrior, and whilst I apologise in advance if I’ve misread any of the small print, it CLEARLY does not mention what refunds might be available should Cheltenham members not be allowed in. It only states the monetary figures that will be refunded with regards events until the end of this year.

Nobody buying a membership at this precise moment can be sure of the monetary refund at the moment.

In short, if I’m paying £450 as a new member (the £100 fee non returnable) and didn’t get to go to a single day at a Cheltenham until the last meeting at the end of April, I’d want £350 out of the £350 owed back to me. It seems transparently clear this will not be the case, and is written in print thus far with regards to the end of this year.

[Saxon Warrior]

But Mr Saxon Warrior, and whilst I apologise in advance if I’ve misread any of the small print, it CLEARLY does not mention what refunds might be available should Cheltenham members not be allowed in. It only states the monetary figures that will be refunded with regards events until the end of this year.

Nobody buying a membership at this precise moment can be sure of the monetary refund at the moment.

In short, if I’m paying £450 as a new member (the £100 fee non returnable) and didn’t get to go to a single day at a Cheltenham until the last meeting at the end of April, I’d want £350 out of the £350 owed back to me. It seems transparently clear this will not be the case, and is written in print thus far with regards to the end of this year.

If Cheltenham were stupid enough to fleece their members in 2020/21, I would be surprised.

But, if they did, and they charged us for providing nothing then Consumer Law protects individuals being duped by businesses.

Holiday Letting companies mostly tried to fob off their customers with offers other than refunds and were hauled over the coals by the CMA, and ordered to refund.

I really don't see football clubs and the Jockey Club screwing their season ticket holders/members anyway.

But Consumer Law is there to protect you.

So are Credit Card chargeback regs if the service isnt provided by the credit card companies client, you claim it from the Credit Card company.

This all overrides anything that doesn't treat the customer fairly being written into companies rules on refunds etc.

Plenty of Holiday Lettings firms were lambasted by the CMA for trying the "non-refundable deposit" game, after failing to provide a holiday letting.

They were advised then forced to pay up if they didn't agree, to avoid court action by the CMA.

If anyone doesn't have membership to Cheltenham then I can understand any concern in how they get recompensed for no racing.

No doubt the Jockey Club and others who have taken members money will need to update the members on their refund policies in due course.

[EnvoyAllen]

If Cheltenham were stupid enough to fleece their members in 2021, I would be surprised.

But, if they did, and they charged me for providing nothing then Consumer Law protects individuals being duped by businesses.

Holiday Letting companies mostly tried to fob off their customers with offers other than refunds and were hauled over the coals by the CMA, and ordered to refund.

I really don't see football clubs and the Jockey Club screwing their season ticket holders/members anyway.

But Consumer Law is there to protect you.

So are Credit Card chargeback regs if the service isnt provided by the credit card companies client, you claim it from the Credit Card company.

This all overrides anything that doesn't treat the customer fairly being written into companies rules on refunds etc.

Agreed with every single word there Mr Warrior, I just know that I much prefer to make my decisions on the facts written in print as opposed to what I fully believe is the ethical and moral decisions a huge company SHOULD make, but haven’t discussed nor decided upon yet. I’m desperate to buy a membership to potentially allow me into next year’s festival - but today’s announcement from the government coupled with the FAQ’s on Cheltenham membership that are transparent (and mostly legally binding) mean that for the time being, I’m not going to risk it.

[Istabraq]

I wonder whether the brains behind this government are aware that spectators or no spectators, tens of thousands of racing fans will still descend upon the area for race week...

[Saxon Warrior]

Agreed with every single word there Mr Warrior, I just know that I much prefer to make my decisions on the facts written in print as opposed to what I fully believe is the ethical and moral decisions a huge company SHOULD make, but haven’t discussed nor decided upon yet. I’m desperate to buy a membership to potentially allow me into next year’s festival - but today’s announcement from the government coupled with the FAQ’s on Cheltenham membership that are transparent (and mostly legally binding) mean that for the time being, I’m not going to risk it.

I really dont blame you.

I think The Jockey Club need to come out quickly to ease those fears for you and any others that want membership - with written assurances.

[OverTheLast]

Let the country go out for half price food 3 weeks ago, close in fear now! Madness, shambles

[Lobos]

Let the country go out for half price food 3 weeks ago, close in fear now! Madness, shambles

Absolutely. I can't go and watch my team play or go racing but just down the road in Bridgewater a huge funfair has arrived and been given all clear to open. I give up. Nothing makes sense anymore.