DO NOT BOOK GROUP EVENTS!
On June 27 I contacted the Lot Liberty Station to book an group event on December 14 for a premiere of Star Wars – 6 months before tickets went on sale. After discussion I received an email on July 12 from (former employee) Nicolas Alonzo stating that “Booking confirmed.” for a 7 pm showing. On July 18 I received an email from him “If it looks good, I will send a request for approval, at which time the terms & agreement and due dates will come into effect.” I signed the agreement and sent over a credit card authorization. On August 18 I received an email from Nicolas Alonzo stating” I received [sic] tour signed agreement” and a credit card authorization.
Two months went by.
On October 1 (one week before tickets went on sale) I received an email from Marcela Traylor the new event manager. On October 2 (six day before tickets went on sale) I received an email from here stating “Nic is not longer working with us. We are going to honor any event proposal that he gave you.” That same day I responded with “We are still confirmed on Dec 14...correct?” and sent her over ANOTHER copy of my credit card authorization. According to Marcela on October 3 (five days BEFORE tickets went on sale) “I am going to attach your credit card authorization to your documents.” After tickets went on sale (October 8) I got and email from Marcela on October 10 “Hi Jeff! I just talked to my manager, Mauricio Cardosa,and told me that the movie Star Wars is going to be playing at 9:45. Hope it is not a problem with you.” Well it was a problem as we had already been talking to clients and having clients from Mexico book travel to attend. I email her and her response was “Nic Alonzo didn't put your event in the manager calendar and Star Wars sold out in 30 min.” although I got confirmation from Nic on July 12 that it was confirmed.
She referred me to Mauricio Cardoza who is the general manager who I spoke with on October 16 and he was going to comp the tickets to the event due to the mix up then he backed out of that offer. Additionally Marcela sent me an email: “Nic charged you $21 per person and our price for Star Wars for December 14 is $35.” Then November 1 Maurico sent me an email: “After reviewing the contract and speaking with my head office we have chosen to cancel the event. Nick offered things that we don’t offer for free as a company. I would love to have your event with a different contract.” This after Marcela promised that “we are going to honor any proposal Nic gave you”; promised free tickets to compensate and then back out of the contract (after save the dates and invites were sent out to our clients) where there is nothing in the contract that they can back out of the contract without restitution.
We and our clients have been looking forward to this premiere since the opening date was set. It seems like since we are not making enough money it seems that they knowingly cancelled the contract. Obviously they do not have competent people there.