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September 19, 2007

Comments

Vissago

I'd say post the list of peoples names, and what they owe - then update them by striking out the list as they pay.

Either that or restructure the geek dinners so that you dont have to foot the bill every time. Have it setup in such a way as that 'admission to geek dinner' equates to them say, paypaling you their 20 dollars - that way if they dont show up, nobody has to sport for them. Same thing with cruises and airlines. You pay in advance so nobody gets screwed if you change your mind or flake.

--Dan

Jennifer Fader

I count myself among the infants and would like and feel obligated to look at that behavior vs the value of what you've cultivated for all of us and like anything of value will pay in kind for my missing spot via paypal. I'm sorry that I am amongst those who get the most out of YOUR work and yet at the same time let my self get in the way of recognizing your efforts - this thing doesn't grow on a tree nor is it common - it's a garden you've grown for us and I for one apologize and have agreed to really think through how lame this is just for myself. Everyone else can take their own level of accountability.

Jason Cosper

There's a really good discussion about this topic on the BarCamp LA Google Group. I know you already know about it, Heather - I'm just trying to be helpful to any of the interested parties reading this blog entry.

http://groups.google.com/group/BarcampLA/browse_thread/thread/de6a04a806437b7

daMongolian

First Heather, thank you for organizing such an event.....I know such things can be a great undertaking and most time consuming. When you "work for yourself" as you do time is money.

1) Contact the noshows....explain the situation to them. if they don't pay or respond with a really good reasonable explanation, within say a week; Post the list. Let them know that you'll be posting it. Keep it posted and cross off names as they make good.

2) Tips....in the future, perhaps it would be prudent to include a standard 15% gratuity to what people are already paying. Or make it clear that the gratuity is NOT included in the price and that they are still responsible for that.

3) Bar tabs...ask the wait staff to either charge on a cash basis or open a tab for each individual/group ordering drinks. It's more of a hassle for them, so maybe increase that 15% from above.

4) yeah....request/require prepayment.

heathervescent

Fader - you didn't rsvp to this one. You're in the good. :)

heathervescent

Viss - yeah, we talked about doing that last night, but everyone has their reasons for not showing up - some of them are good. But I wanted to let everyone know what happened, so we can not have it happen again.

Jason - yup

daMongolian - thanks for your thoughts. It's the restaurants that have different deals. We'll find one that works out though.

lonelysandwich

i, for one, had a great time last night. i was too shy to take leftovers (for my dog and for my girlfriend). but there were a lot of leftovers. like 20 people worth of leftovers. 20 miserable, insensitive, ungracious people worth of leftovers. come to think of it, they would've tasted terrible. like regret vindaloo and tandoori thoughtlessness.

next time, i'll have my paypal ready when i RSVP, and so should everyone else.

PUBLISH THE NAMES OF THE ELECTRIC TWENTY

Rob Poitras

Next time, find a place that is more flexible if there are no shows. For the bar, each person should have their own tab. Way too hard to keep track of that if its a group.

Or have everyone prepay for the event. That seems like a nice idea.

J.J. Toothman

"I'm into guns, fire and unicorns" may be the best self-descriptive line of all time. I would definitely not want to have a debt to that person.

Chad Boyda

Make future events pre-pay registration. It works for other events and prevents issues like this. You had people who wanted to attend but couldn't because of the no shows, those people would have paid, so just let them pay in advance and filter out the flakes.

And if it were up to me? I would PUBLISH THE NAMES!

Patrick Barry

Heather: I'm one of the two that contacted you from the venue to tell you that I was there too early (having mis-read the start time) and that I would leave due to not feeling well. Sorry for my no-show. However, I will step up and pay if requested, since I RSVP'd and therefore am accountable for my actions (and in-actions). Also, I agree with the post that suggests payment in advance for future events. While you'll get less RSVPs due to (non-committal) people who keep last minute options open, the RSVPers who pay upfront will be more qualified and authentic. Those who pay in advance will be inclined to show up due to "use or lose".

heathervescent

Everyone - thanks for your comments. I've contacted the no-shows and asked them to pay.

LonelySandwich, Chad - I know the bloodthirst is out, but I'm sure no one forgot on purpose.

Rob - That is a lot easier said than done. Do you have any suggestions?

J.J. - Heh! Me either!

Patrick - I'm going to try a couple things. More flex if the restaurant allows, and if not, I'll set up an online pre-pay option. The next few dinners will be a bit of an experiment.

Thanks everyone!

I'll pay. I RSVPd and something came up at the last second, forgot to cancel

I'll pay, and everyone else who read the agreement and didn't show up should think about doing the same. I RSVPd and something came up at the last second then I forgot to cancel. Whose paypal should I send the $20 to?

Alex Peake

Lars P

I for one REFUSE to pay!

heathervescent

Lars - WTF? You don't even live in LA! Smart Ass! ;)

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