WWYD? Update

[marshmallowhands]

I'm training for a local race in October. The other day I visited a local business where they had a sign posted that said "Sign up for our team and we'll reimburse you $25 off the registration fee."

So I asked for more info at the counter and someone gave me a flyer that said the same thing with more details about training runs, race day specifics and how to register and get reimbursed.

I went ahead and registered and sent my confirmation page to get reimbursed. The woman in charge emailed me back saying "Great! Glad to have you on the team. I'll be organizing some team training runs. By the way, I hope you weren't mislead by the paperwork but we only are reimbursing the first 10 team members. You are the 12th. I didn't change the flyers soon enough and we handed out too many promising reimbursement."

I am typically very non comfrontational but I think she's totally wrong here and want to at least suggest to her that they should honor the flyer. But I'd also like to keep it on ok terms so I can still do training runs with them. Anyone want to help me with my email?

Update: I emailed asking for the flyer to be honored. She emailed back that she will honor it and sed the check on Wednesday. Thanks everyone!

[orangeblossom]

I would say too bad, so sad, I expect the reimbursement to be honored. It's not your fault she didng take it down.

She also could have made it easier on herself up front, and said "the first ten only, and we will let you know if you're into first ten."

Let this be a lesson for her, to have better signage or be more prompt taking it down.

[downtoearth]

How much was the fee? If it was $50, I'd be bummed. If it was $40 or under, I'd just eat it if you want to meet some new training partners and/or know the people who work at the store.

I might just email back saying, "Oh, bummer. The main reason I signed up was because of the reimbursement, I am disappointed you aren't honoring that. I will try to make some training runs, anyway."

[josieposy]

Not your fault that the flyer wasn't specific. If they won't honor it, are you sure this is a business you want to train with in the future?

[sunterp]

I would ask them to honor the flyer.

[RoxMonster]

I would also want the reimbursement.

I would say something like, "I totally understand that mistakes happen, but since a mistake was made and the correct flyers had not been put out yet, I do feel it's fair that I get the $25 reimbursement. The main reason I signed up for this team was because of that, and when I inquired about more info, the first ten thing was not even mentioned at that time either."

[marshmallowhands]

The race is $75. With the reimbursement it's only $50 which I'd told myself was a reasonable amount to spend ona race.

[sfy]

I would probably call.  I think it's better to fight for your money on the phone, because it doesn't give people a chance to think about it or to craft a denial response.

If you decide to email, I'd say something like:

Hi X,

Yes, I'm afraid I was misled by the paperwork and I would not have registered for the team without it.  Candidly, I am bothered that I registered with the promise of being partially reimbursed, without any note regarding limitations, only to be told that I will not be reimbursed.  As a result, I would appreciate you honoring your flyer and reimbursing me the $25.  Thank you in advance, I am looking forward to the training runs.