Alford Inn

In April my sewing group had a retreat at The Alford Inn. While it is a nice space, the management is unprofessional. During our stay there was a extremely noxious smell of gasoline coming from the garage. We called the owner to report the smell. She told us it was probably coming from the gas can, because it had no lid, and to put it outside and leave the garage door open. We did that for a while, however when we wanted to turn in we closed the garage, as the door from the garage has no lock on it. When my friend called, the owner made her feel like she was lying about the smell, or simply overreacting. At no time did the owner show any concern for our well being or her shop. She did not come to inspect the smell, or ask us how we were the next day when she arrived at noon to settle our accounts. I was staying in the room across from the garage and had to find another bed to sleep in, as the smell was so nauseatingly strong. I had a headache all night. The next day when she arrived, she apologized out of mere formality without any sincerity. When my friend, who called her the night before, spoke with her again the owners exact words were «I said I was sorry, that’s all I can do.»
We had previously decided to schedule another retreat there, but upon further group discussions we decided to cancel our next retreat. I tried calling the owner to discuss our cancellation and she did not want to talk to me. She told me point blank to have my friend call her to discuss, she could not do anything with me. Needless to say I called my friend and she called the owner. The owner told her she couldn’t understand why we were holding the gas situation against her. She also acted like she didn’t want to really talk to my friend and said the check for our refund would be in the mail. We have yet to see our refund. My friend has made repeated attempts to contact the owner and she will not take or return her calls at this point. All we want is our money back and to move on. There is no reason for the run around we are getting.
What the owner doesn’t seem to understand, or want to recognize, is that if she handled this situation in a more appropriate manner, we would have stayed at her facility again. Her total lack of concern, and obvious disdain for dealing with us is what made us want to cancel our future retreat. In a business that relies on word-​of-​mouth advertising, we can not and will not ever recommend her shop or facility to any other quilters. She has treated us in a most unprofessional manner, and has showed no good faith to her customers.

On 08-​Nov-​2010, we sold the Alford Inn six high-​end steam irons specifically designed for quilters. Despite numerous phone calls & e-​mails, the Alford Inn has failed to respond to our requests for payment. We feel that such practices as ordering & not paying for goods should not escape review.