[surban]

Hi:
I booked a 3 day charter with Gary Zoephel in November 2007 at $500/day
for September 28 – 30, 2008. He requested I send a $500 deposit which I did.
The third week of June 2008 I had some unexpected medical expenses come up
and cancelled this charter. Gary refuses to return my $500 deposit.
Be warned that he does not return deposits. I recommend you get his refund policy
in writing .
Here are both his websites.
http://www.islanddreamadventures.com/
http://www.fishingroatan.com/

Steve Urban

[kirbychristian]

To be fair, their refund (or lack of) policy on their website is pretty clear:

Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of non-refundable deposit.
$100.00 per 1/2 day Charter,
$250.00 deposit for full day Charter
$500 deposit if more than one day is scheduled.
Full balance for the charter/s is due on the arrival date.

Exceptions to the non-refundable policy are only for weather conditions or if our boat is unable to do the charter. Changing the date/s of the Charter can be permitted if extenuating circumstances occur and alternate dates are available.

Did you book via a credit card? Maybe you could get your credit card to overturn the charge?

[Legend]

"Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of non-refundable deposit."

I am sorry, but that is VERY clear. Many vendors in our industry have gone to this stage, because of the high numbers of cancellations. If you paid with a credit card, you have 60 days to file the complaint. But even then it's crap shoot as to if they will refund the money. The most friendly card for the consumer is AMEX and Discover, the least is Visa and MasterCard.