Just read this comment from James here and also read the replies to it about how it seemed like an honest mistake and to give the man the benefit of the doubt which seems only fair.
Having been on that boat that day and gutted that it wasn't what was advertised I spoke to James afterwards and even bought him a pint as he genuinely seemed like he made an honest mistake and looked shellshocked by the levels of abuse that were being chucked at him.
Whilst I was on the boat I clocked the name of the company that ran it. Living in London and working with companies like this I felt it was a bit of bad move to go back on what they promised so I thought I would drop them an email to find out what had happened so I could get the truth and possible avoid them in the future.
I asked how they promised a free bar and free food to James to which they replied they had never promised any free bar and no food had been ordered.
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My suspicions then got the better of me and having seen the total stated by James that he said they were asking for I thought I would ask how much they were charging him to see if at least the amount he was saying matched up.
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James had stated that they were charging him £9,575 (in a message after the one above in this forum) - £7,000 for free drinks, £1,600 for hire of the boat and £975 for security. The company got back to me and said what they had in fact charged him was £1,140 for the boat hire, £900 for security, and £204 for the speaker hire (breakdown in screengrab). This left a slight overcharge of £106 which was put towards the bar (and explains why only a few people actually managed to get drinks when they first got on). A grand total of £2,244 was charged.
That is a difference of £7,331.
James told me that there were 312 people on that boat, so with each all paying £30 each - that is a total of £9,360!
James mate...care to explain this? I think you wrapped people around your finger, sold them a lie (inc myself) and have pocketed the money mate. I can't believe you would do this to your fellow fans.
You said that you were refunding people on the boat £20 each (apparently you failed to go down to London to sort this out as you had said in a previous message) but from what I've heard no one can get in touch with you to get this money back. Even if anyone can get their money back and you refund all 312 people (£6,240 to return) and pay the £2,244...you still stand to make a profit of £876! I think in some ways it goes beyond money now I've spoken to the company, it is more about the lies of telling people there was a free bar and food, and further lies around totals you were being charged so as to play the guilt card again.
I didn't want to bring this up again as it seemed things had died down but I hate the fact you mugged off your fellow Cov fans with this. That for me is my gripe! I'm going to Southend on Saturday so happy to discuss like adults.