Q Haven
is one Smokin' Farker
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2006
- Location
- Orange, CT
We are the team that won Allentown and did not get paid. The organizer made a couple of small payments to keep us quiet in the months that followed, then repeatedly broke promises to make payments. KCBS advised me that my best recourse was to take the organizer to small claims court, which I did. I drove to Allentown and the organizer did not show up for the hearing. It was just me and the judge in the room, and I told him the story and he awarded me a judgment of the full amount owed and court costs, just over three grand.
Now I have a judgment against him that I need to pursue. I feel for anyone that is going through this again. We came away feeling like someone stole our wallets. It has caused us to reconsider whether to attend first year contests. The good thing is that the contest does count for the draw.
As for KCBS, it's a tough spot. I understand their need to help organizers to get contests off the ground, but they also need to be able to identify when an organizer is biting off more than they could chew, which is exactly what happened in Allentown. I believe the organizer would have paid every dime if huge crowds showed up and he made his score as he expected. But you cannot collect $10K in entry fees from contest teams and expect to just walk away when the public it was your job to deliver does not show up.
I have spoken to KCBS President Mike Peters on my case and the overall issue, and have every confidence that this is on his radar. KCBS was very helpful in the process and responsive whenever I reached out. They are creditors too and say they will not take a dime until all the teams are paid. I understand some Allentown teams have been receiving payments even recently, I encourage you to stay on him and get what you deserve.
I have been quiet about this because it was in the legal process. Sorry for the long post. Thought I would post it here because it seems relevant.
Now I have a judgment against him that I need to pursue. I feel for anyone that is going through this again. We came away feeling like someone stole our wallets. It has caused us to reconsider whether to attend first year contests. The good thing is that the contest does count for the draw.
As for KCBS, it's a tough spot. I understand their need to help organizers to get contests off the ground, but they also need to be able to identify when an organizer is biting off more than they could chew, which is exactly what happened in Allentown. I believe the organizer would have paid every dime if huge crowds showed up and he made his score as he expected. But you cannot collect $10K in entry fees from contest teams and expect to just walk away when the public it was your job to deliver does not show up.
I have spoken to KCBS President Mike Peters on my case and the overall issue, and have every confidence that this is on his radar. KCBS was very helpful in the process and responsive whenever I reached out. They are creditors too and say they will not take a dime until all the teams are paid. I understand some Allentown teams have been receiving payments even recently, I encourage you to stay on him and get what you deserve.
I have been quiet about this because it was in the legal process. Sorry for the long post. Thought I would post it here because it seems relevant.