Dishonest & Unreliable - Look Elsewhere!
Brief review:
Dana, of Cheyenne Arabians, cancelled our scheduled birthday party, ignored all calls/emails and has not returned our $200 deposit.
Full Review:
We scheduled a birthday party with Dana, of Cheyenne Arabians, a month in advance and unfortunately our original date rained out so we rescheduled another month in advance. We were notified a week and a half prior that that they wanted us to reschedule for the following weekend. Being now a month after the Birthday, into busy Spring with many of our guests traveling to be there, that wasn't possible. We also wondered if we can't rely on the date we scheduled then what assurances do we have that the next weekend would actually hold? In other words, no thanks.
I called Dana back within 10 minutes or her original call to cancel and reschedule us and left a voicemail letting her know that next weekend wouldn't work and requested she refund our deposit. We received no response. Over the course of the next week and a half (and minutes before posting this review to give one last opportunity to make things right) I left voicemails and emails asking for status of the deposit and thus far been have been ignored. It's now past our scheduled party date.
Let's recap. Dana/Cheyenne Arabians cancelled our agreed upon date and refused to give our deposit back. It did not rain on our rescheduled date, but due to Dana's schedule we were booted to the next weekend that worked for her..
Let me just say that there were so many red flags I ignored and I blame myself for trusting..
First, the multiple negative reviews across social media and Google that lend to similar experiences should have kept me away, but "they're local", I said, and "it's so close and convenient to home, it will be fine.."
Second, the prices and services are not accurate on the website--cheyennearabians.com. The website [still] states states that a "non-themed" birthday party is $295 (Wow that's reasonable), but I was quoted $600 verbally, plus additional $120 to add the pictured Jumbo Jump, which we also opted for despite the False Advertising. No there, are no "themed" parties any longer. Dana advised that the deposit was non-refundable, but we could reschedule if it rained. Got it.
What I don't get is how one can fail to deliver the service agreed upon and ethically keep the deposit? Dana cited a "family emergency" as the cause of cancellation 1.5 weeks prior. I wish I had that much notice of my own "family emergencies". Emergencies happen and gee I hope everything is okay, but why does that affect your paying customer? If you can't deliver, then refund, it's as Simple as that. We would have understood and been on our way bummed but not bitter. Nice business Cheyenne Arabians--Very nice!
Couple other notes. 1) They ask you to schlep out all of your own trash. That's fine, but that demand was an add on to our email communications after my deposit was cashed and I felt it should have been noted upfront. Also, felt a bit of an ask at their prices. Especially when they're keeping deposits for putting out very little prep for these parties. They provide a space for you to bring in and take out all of your own supplies. That's right, nothing on the website is accurate. Buyer beware.
2) They took over a week to cash the check. That's fine, but nearly impossible to get this group on the phone to confirm anything. We had to follow up over and over again across email and phone to get any sort of confirmation that we were "confirmed", which is an inconvenience when you're trying to get out RSVPs to your guests and aren't wholly sure if the party is "on" or not. Their communication is very poor. Please see the other reviews, if you need further validation.
I recommend you avoid this group and look elsewhere! And if you're looking I will give you a tip--Oma's Family Farm in Lakeside-A Real Business. We went down on April 6 (our cancelled party day) for their "Recess" days and spent about $50 for two adults and two kids. It was a wonderful day of fun activities with animals on a giant, well organized farm tailored for kids. There are concessions and an inconceivable amount of interactive play for the kiddos. Highly recommend you check them out! Despite Dana and Cheyenne Arabians ruining our planned birthday party and stealing our deposit, some positive came of the experience!
You have been warned!
Good luck to the Burris family and Cheyenne Arabians! Luck's needed when treating your very own patrons like dirt. read more