After cancelling several events due to the pandemic, the NMLRA has decided not to refund fees for camping reservations at its grounds. For some people, this is over $1,000 they laid out for the year.
The excuse is their "no refunds" policy in the agreement everyone signs. That agreement reads:
1) CAMP FEES
Camping fees must be paid for each camping unit occupying campsites. The established rules and regulations will govern your conduct on the Walter Cline Range campground. YOUR PERMIT MAY BE REVOKED for violations of any of the rules and regulations. NO REFUNDS.
That is the only mention of refunds anywhere in the agreement. The vast majority of people would interpret this to mean no refunds if the person reserving the site cancels, or if they get kicked out for violating the rules. Never does a venue keep fees if the venue cancels the event, but that is what they're doing.
It seems this policy was adopted when the NMLRA had to cancel an event after severe storm damage. They refunded fees then, and it nearly broke them financially. That was in 1996. In 24 years, the NMLRA has not improved its financial situation nor taken steps to ensure fees could be refunded if an event had to be cancelled.
The attitude so far has been, "Sorry, we are keeping your money. Rules are rules." They so much as said just that in their letters.
Nevermind they went ahead with plans for September while things were still uncertain. Nevermind the rules are vague. Nevermind it is unethical, and may be illegal to refuse refunds.
I had just joined the NMLRA in June, but if this is how they operate, I'm out. I emailed them and told them to cancel my membership.
Topic: NMLRA: Why I cancelled my membership (Read 1978 times)