Seasplash?

[garysteph1018]

Rob you are the best.... hands down! I will remove my response now

[dash]

This was a business deal with serious complications. Before labelling anyone "slimy thief" or "fun loving host" I would wait for the details from both sides.

[InnaDiRed]

Thought about that when I typed it. That is why I wrote allegedly. I will edit to try to make it more clear that this is the picture that has been painted and at this time is the only story I know. I certainly do not know all of the details. For all I know Mr. Lawe may be a fine man. But with the details I am given I am uneasy about doing business with his establishment.

Oh and I think labeling Jim as a "fun loving host" will probably be backed by many other boardies who have actually met him.

[dash]

I understand your sentiment. I once disliked a man intensely until I saw him walking hand in hand with his six year old son. I have softened somewhat.

[InnaDiRed]

Yes. I don't hate him. I am a reasonable person who understands there are usually three sides to a story. I was simply trying to express how I've been made to feel about this whole situation and my personal conflict now on what was the biggest thing to which I've been looking forward. This was so a previous poster would understand my and other posters "lack of compassion". I do appreciate your comment. It allowed me to clear up what may have been taken as a slanderous statement on someone that I have no dealing with or have ever met. My comments and labels were not meant as facts simply as a analysis of an unfortunate incident that I know one side to and am affected by.

[Rob]

I want to thank everyone for keeping this highly emotional situation on a even keel. People who have spent their hard earned dollars on a stay at Sea Splash have every right to ask questions and receive answers. But please be aware that we have only heard one side of the story. Only one side of the business dealings with the owner(s) of Sea Splash have been made public, which obviously paints a one sided picture.

I will be letting the management at Sea Splash know that they have every right to post their side of the story, but frankly, since this is a complicated business deal I would hazard to guess that they may not take me up on that offer.

But those who have reservations and Living Social vouchers should not face undo worry. As has been pointed out by the folks who have graciously taken the time to call Sea Splash, the resort has said that they will be honoring all reservations and vouchers for stays at the property.

And for those who may feel slighted that Jim is not currently there, please be aware that there was always the chance that Jim may have been off the island during your future stay. To harshly judge or condemn any property because a single person is not there is really not fair to any business.

One of the problems that the internet has created for businesses and people alike is that what was once delegated to one sided talk at a bar or dinner table and very limited in its reach now has the potential to become known world wide in a matter of moments. A "mob mentality" can take over as more people want to join the "bandwagon" and the truth can be lost. I know that some of you can relate and as one who has been unfairly treated by one sided talk in the past, it is not something I wish on anyone to have to deal with in their life.

So once again, thanks for keeping this thread informative, helpful and respectful to all. We hope this situation is resolved quickly and fairly for all involved.

[Ras Walleye]

"A "mob mentality" can take over as more people want to join the "bandwagon" and the truth can be lost. I know that some of you can relate and as one who has been unfairly treated by one sided talk in the past, it is not something I wish on anyone to have to deal with in their life.

So once again, thanks for keeping this thread informative, helpful and respectful to all. We hope this situation is resolved quickly and fairly for all involved."

Darn it Rob, I just finished getting all my pitchforks and torches ready.

Thanks for being the voice of reason, as usual. Here's hoping for a speedy and amicable resolution.

As a rasta friend of mine is fond of saying "business is business, and playtime is playtime. We should never lose sight of the fact that our playtime is someone else's business.

[Melody]

They are probably worried about losing their vacation money and/or the vacation itself. Most of these people have never met Jim nor his partner. They have come on this site specifically for information. It is only normal to expect them to be more worried about their vouchers. Which is understandable.

I would hazard a guess that 50% of the people posting have met Jim. I met him when visiting in February, which is ultimately why I purchased a voucher. I had already purchased and planned another trip in November, so really shouldn't (for financial reasons) have purchased another (for April 2013). And frankly, without Jim, I would have chosen to stay elsewhere due to the small beach area. I was aware of all the renovations Jim & Ted had already done, and were continuing to do. So yes, in addition to concern and compassion for Jim & Ted, I cannot help but think that the stay I purchased (in my mind), will not be the stay I end up with. I know that all rooms have not yet been renovated. I have serious concerns that without Jim & Ted there, room renovations will not be completed. I also have serious concerns that by the time April 2013 rolls around, if Sea Splash is still open, inclusions of the voucher may be forgotten about or simply not available.

Jim was very accommodating in regards to the voucher (as it appears he has been to all guests). He was not going to enforce the vouchers deadline, set for the end of April 2013. That is a big deal considering over 600 vouchers were sold.....doing the math, it could be extremely difficult (if not impossible) for a purchaser to find availability before the expiry date. Jim was going to accommodate split stays - I reserved two nights at the start of my trip, and two nights at the end of my trip. I believe the voucher states that the 4 nights must be consecutive. What's to stop returning management from saying, "sorry, this is what is on the voucher you purchased, you're SOL"? Jim indicated that the included breakfast was anything off the menu, coffee, juice, entree...that is not outlined in the voucher, we could find ourselves sitting down to a piece of dry toast.

Bottom line is, with Jim running Sea Splash, I envisioned a lovely stay with a happy vibe, where I was confident management was very motivated to please and accommodate guests. With Jim gone, I feel that I have legitimate concerns that the property will be reduced to the same situation as Jim found it in November 2011...closed....or perhaps worse yet from the perspective of a guest, on the brink of closing.

[Bnewb]

Reality check...any property, anywhere, any day could close up shop and/or the management/owners could change!
Fact...if something isn't in writing you're taking an extra chance that something may go wrong!

Why not alleviate the concern by simply calling and asking if they will be honoring everything you've requested, before speculating that it may not happen. This seems simple to me!!

[Melody]

I am fully aware that anything can happen with any plans or property. In light of this recent change, it just appears that the risk is increased. I do have it in writing via very brief and informal email replies from the current reservations manager, assuring me that "whatever Mr. Hurt says, goes" that no doubt could be easily disregarded under the circumstances. Since this news came out, I have requested a formal letter from management confirming my reservation, the inclusions and the amount of taxes payable. Have not yet had a response. If there is no response by Monday, I will try calling with my request, for what it's worth. Simply calling and getting a verbal assurance that everything will be honoured, as you mentioned, if it isn't in writing, it doesn't count for much.