Beware of Colorado Fireworks checks

[default]

Picked this up elsewhere, but thought it was worth repeating.

Coaches and team managers:

I have been hearing and reading quite a bit about the Colorado Fireworks tournament not refunding money to teams and completely ignorning all communications from those teams who rightfully have a refund coming.

The Denver BBB has received many complaints and Craig Brooks of Fireworks is trying to ignore them as best he can.

For Fireworks and similar tournaments, teams must send an entry fee with the application. Fireworks immediately deposits the checks. If a team is denied entry, or pulls out with written notice before being notified of its acceptance, they are to receive a refund, according to Fireworks policy. Apparently there are dozens of teams who should be getting a refund and Mr. Brooks is stiffing them. At the tune of around $700 or more per team, this is potentially fraud to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

Whether the Fireworks' policy of keeping the entry fee in certain cases is actually legal is a whole other matter. They state they will not refund it when teams back out after being accepted.

In any event, that policy isn't at issue right now. The issue is teams doing everything by the book and Mr. Brooks keeping their money and ignoring their communication.

So before you send Fireworks any money, be certain you are going to enter the tournament. The problem comes when a team also wants to enter Boulder if it can get accepted and has to send in both fees around the same time.

 

[default]

Sounds like a frustrating situation and a potentially sticky legal situation. One can put want they want into an agreement but each state has specific consumer protection laws and it is these laws that dictate what your rights to refunds really are, not nessairly the terms stated by the Fireworks organization. Also once a check is sent via US Mail it also comes under federal laws on postal fraud if team's money is wrongfully withheld from them. Sound like Mr.Brooks had better settle before a US Postal Inspector gets involved.

 

[default]

Also if he is stiffing the out of state teams, how many of those teams wants to go back to file a lawsuit against him. You have to go through their court systems which can be a hassle.

 

[default]

Also if he is stiffing the out of state teams, how many of those teams wants to go back to file a lawsuit against him. You have to go through their court systems which can be a hassle.

Sometimes it's the threat of leagal action that works. If Mr.Brooks is made aware that he may by definition be committing postal fraud and could face jail time perhaps that would shake his tree enough. If he still wants to be stubborn then one of those teams should file a complaint against him with the postal service and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[default]

Let me give you the other side of the coin. The team that I used to to coach when in Texas, the Texas Fireballs, went up there and had a blast. Good competition, well run and beautiful facilities - I am bummed that I missed it.

Coach Murph

 

[default]

Yes there are always two sides to every story but my comments are solely based on the assumption that those teams are entitled to their refunds.

 

[default]

I agree and thank you for the heads up - we are planning on going in 2010 and beyond - one of the better college - look tourneys out there.

Coach Murph

 

[default]

Seems irresponsible to put this out here, naming names, without all the facts. ;&

 

[default]

Seems irresponsible to put this out here, naming names, without all the facts. ;&

I see your point but it would be just as irresponsible to sit on this info and potentially cost Ohio teams money and time. I think with everything in life you must take the source into account. JoeA would not publicize this info without doing some fact checking and research. I took his post as more of a warning to our teams than that jab at Fireworks.

 

[default]

As a lawyer and an ex-journalist, I have a pretty good grasp of defamation law. Truth is a complete defense. I would never take even a slight chance of legally defaming someone.

People can either choose not to believe my post at the top or they can heed my warning.

 

[default]

I certainly am not questioning you or your character. I just know from personal experience that regardless of the facts and court documents rulings and judgements to back up those facts, court rulings and judgements, that the OFC previously edited any posting that named names. Since there is at least one posting regarding the original posting stating the experience was satisfactory and was not indicative of the original posting, it would seem to make sense to edit names. Maybe the OFC policy has changed. ;& Dunno, just my opinion. I certainly would be the last person defending those who take fees/money from kids/parents, just ask the #############!! :yahoo:

 

[default]

Legal action would be the way to go.

 

[default]

We applied and were not accepted to the Fireworks. As of now we have not received our refund. It's been about 5 weeks or so. Keeping our fingers crossed - wish we knew of this before we had applied.

 

[default]

We applied and were not accepted to the Fireworks. As of now we have not received our refund. It's been about 5 weeks or so. Keeping our fingers crossed - wish we knew of this before we had applied.

Sounds like "Fact" enough to be naming names!

 

[default]

Sounds like "Fact" enough to be naming names!

Agreed!

 

[default]

My bad - I didn't read the entire post (still have not lol) due to being so busy. Feel free to remove it.

 

[default]

The real question is. (As a TD myself), why must the checks be cashed before notifying the teams of who has entered. Are they afraid that checks might bounce to the biggest showcase tournament in the Summer. I cash after the teams have been selected. Usually several months in advance of the tournament. (Stingrays do the same thing). Best way in my opinion.

Quick look, found this:
http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-...s/4th-of-july-colorado-fireworks-llc-90023597

 

[default]

That site shows there were 10 complaints filed in the last few years, quite a few for a softball tournament. Almost all were resolved, as it seems to be the practice that the only way to get a refund is to file a complaint with the BBB.

How many teams did not think of filing a complaint with the BBB? If 10 did, I would guess probably three times that many didn't, and probably don't have a refund.