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‘Strictly rip-off’ dancing uproar
DANCING fans were left outraged after they paid up to £40 to see a celebrity tango demonstration - that lasted just three minutes.
More than 350 people packed into the Longfield Suite in Prestwich to enjoy the show starring Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone, who starred in the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.
They said the programme promised two half-hour dance demonstrations, but the dancing was cut short because Vincent was ill. Now disgruntled customers are demanding an apology and a refund from organiser Ronald Jager, of Oldham-based Jager Events, and have formed a campaign group. A similar event is due at the Longfield Suite in July.
"It was more like strictly rip off', than Strictly Come Dancing," said Kevin Hodges, of Brentwood Court, Prestwich, who enjoys ballroom dancing with his wife Christine. He plans to launch a website called strictlyripoff.com
Kevin added: "People were unhappy even before the non-event started. People were packed in like sardines. We had paid £25 each for normal tickets and then there was a VIP area with places going at £40 a ticket. All we could see was the back of people's heads."
"Then the couple arrived and it was announced that Vincent had a sore throat. They danced for three minutes, then they spoke for 20 minutes and did a brief question-and-answer session and that was it.
"We were absolutely enraged. We didn't pay £50 just to hear tittle tattle about where Flavia got her dress from. It was a total farce."
Another couple who attended the event on January 12 were Colin and Stephanie Smithies, of Woodhill Drive, Prestwich.
Their daughter Sharon said: "They were shocked and disappointed by what had happened and when they approached Mr Jager about it at the end, he brushed it off and walked away, saying it wasn't his fault that Vincent was ill and that he still had to pay the orchestra who played."
Sharon wrote to Mr Jager on behalf of her parents. She said he replied stating when audience members buy their tickets, they accept the risk of such things happening.
Bury Trading Standards have had several complaints about the event and are investigating.
In a letter to complainants, Ronald Jager says: "I am very sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with the show. Please accept my sincere apologies.
"I am sure you will understand that the health and fitness of the stars we have booked for the event is something which is beyond my control and cannot be guaranteed.
"Clearly events such as this are not without their risks. Unfortunately, Vincent Simone was unwell that evening and unable to dance for as long as he would have liked.
"However, as advertised, Vincent and Simone did provide a demonstration of their dancing skills, stayed for the evening, talking to the guests and signing autographs and the orchestra played for the entire evening, providing entertainment and dancing for all.
"Therefore, whilst I appreciate it is frustrating for some guests that Vincent and Flavia were unable to dance for longer, I feel that the advertised event was provided to the highest standard possible on the night."
He added: "Please also note that I was contractually obliged to pay Vincent and Flavia's full fee for the evening (which I considered fair considering the time they put into the event), as well as the fee of the orchestra.
"It will therefore not be possible for me to offer any refunds for the event. I truly hope that you will understand my position and continue to support Jager Dance Events in the future."
6:01pm Thursday 31st January 2008
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CommentPosted by: sitush, w/fld on 12:20am Fri 1 Feb 08
No particular interest in Strictly & have no idea who these dancers are, but on a legal point I would imagine that Jager's contract with the dancers is an entirely separate issue from his contract with those to whom tickets were sold.
This is, actually, a classic case of entrepreneurship: those who stump up the cash to set something up run the risk of eventualities & cannot offset one contract against another. He should perhaps have had the contract with the dancers drawn up in a more "encompassing" manner than clearly he claims he did. That is his problem, not the audience's problem. There is a legal precedent for this, if I recall, but it was set a long time ago, certainly before WW2, and has perhaps been modified since. Assuming the story as reported to be correct - especially the detail about promised length of dance sessions - then I wish the objectors well.
No particular interest in Strictly & have no idea who these dancers are, but on a legal point I would imagine that Jager's contract with the dancers is an entirely separate issue from his contract with those to whom tickets were sold.
This is, actually, a classic case of entrepreneurship: those who stump up the cash to set something up run the risk of eventualities & cannot offset one contract against another. He should perhaps have had the contract with the dancers drawn up in a more "encompassing" manner than clearly he claims he did. That is his problem, not the audience's problem. There is a legal precedent for this, if I recall, but it was set a long time ago, certainly before WW2, and has perhaps been modified since. Assuming the story as reported to be correct - especially the detail about promised length of dance sessions - then I wish the objectors well.
Posted by: Debra, Whitefield on 7:53pm Mon 4 Feb 08
After being a huge fan of Strictly and being so excited at seeing Vincent and Flavia perform I can only describe the evening as a total disaster. There were far to many people for the room, if I stood up to see the entertainment I was blocking someone elses view, in my opinion the organisers were not considerate to their public but only interested in bums on seats = money£. Major dissappointment. Extremely let down and if Mr Jager wants to uphold his reputation I think he should give everyone their money back. Very Angry from Whitefield
After being a huge fan of Strictly and being so excited at seeing Vincent and Flavia perform I can only describe the evening as a total disaster. There were far to many people for the room, if I stood up to see the entertainment I was blocking someone elses view, in my opinion the organisers were not considerate to their public but only interested in bums on seats = money£. Major dissappointment. Extremely let down and if Mr Jager wants to uphold his reputation I think he should give everyone their money back. Very Angry from Whitefield
Posted by: Alan Rea, Manchester on 5:13pm Fri 8 Feb 08
I am also holding dance evening events at The Longfield Suite and would just like to point out that our maximum guests will be 250 at our february event and we are not in any way connected to as Jager Dance Events, I appreciate as a dancer that you need room to social dance at these events. I hope many of you will still support the event, The dancers are World [bold]bold[/bold] Professional Latin American Dance Finalists[bold] and will provide an amazing showcase demonstration with costume changes.
With thanks, Alan Rea, [bold]Re-al Dancesport[/bold]
I am also holding dance evening events at The Longfield Suite and would just like to point out that our maximum guests will be 250 at our february event and we are not in any way connected to as Jager Dance Events, I appreciate as a dancer that you need room to social dance at these events. I hope many of you will still support the event, The dancers are World bold Professional Latin American Dance Finalists and will provide an amazing showcase demonstration with costume changes.
With thanks, Alan Rea, Re-al Dancesport
Posted by: Philip Hurst, wigan on 6:22pm Sun 10 Feb 08
As a professional dance teacher and the event holder of one of the largest social dance evenings in the northwest i am a great lover of dancing and deeply saddened to hear of the upset caused on the evening in question. I also am working with vincent and flavia in the near future as well as many other professional dancers and greatly hope that this one night has not spoilt the efforts of many others including myself to provide a great family night out that is so hard to find these days. philiphurst@hotmail.
co.uk
As a professional dance teacher and the event holder of one of the largest social dance evenings in the northwest i am a great lover of dancing and deeply saddened to hear of the upset caused on the evening in question. I also am working with vincent and flavia in the near future as well as many other professional dancers and greatly hope that this one night has not spoilt the efforts of many others including myself to provide a great family night out that is so hard to find these days. philiphurst@hotmail.
co.uk
Posted by: Ros Smith, Bury on 5:40pm Mon 11 Feb 08
Vincent Bemoan and Flavia Cash-register Strike Again
No content with disappointing eighty-one fans in Coventry who paid £129 for the privilege of not seeing them. Days later, Mr Vincent Bemoan and Miss Flavia Cash-register, together with events organizer Mr. Ronald “rip-off” Jager, have been allowed to fleece the unsuspecting public again. This dishonourable event has been made possible with the assistance of the Longfield Suites “nothing to do with us” senior management policy. The Longfield Suite management and Bury council for reasons best known to them, see fit to rent this superb council owned facility to any spiv or cowboy outfit they like. To add further insult to injury they are quite happy to let Rip-off Ronald run similar events in the future. When he and the rest of these “strictly cowboy” outfits should be run out of town.
As huge fans of Strictly Come Dancing we attended this event with our twelve-year-old daughter, who sacrificed one months dancing lessons to pay the extra so we could afford the VIP tickets at £40 each. We were really looking forward to seeing an extra special family night out. We did not expect the night to end up in tears.
The whole event was a total disgrace. It can only be describe as a money making exercise, for the benefit of Vincent Bemoan, Flavia Cash register, Rip-off Ronald and Bury Council. Mr. Rip-off has made an obscene profit out of this disaster, at our expense.
Ronald Rip-off has waltzed all the way to the bank and is refusing to give a refund.
My advice:
DO NOT ATTEND ANY EVENT ORGANIZED BY JAGERS EVENTS.
PAY BY CREDIT CARD - this will separate the cash cowboys from the honest event organizers, and in the event of a similar calamity, you can get your money back.
Ros Smith
Ros1066@yahoo.co.uk
Vincent Bemoan and Flavia Cash-register Strike Again
No content with disappointing eighty-one fans in Coventry who paid £129 for the privilege of not seeing them. Days later, Mr Vincent Bemoan and Miss Flavia Cash-register, together with events organizer Mr. Ronald “rip-off” Jager, have been allowed to fleece the unsuspecting public again. This dishonourable event has been made possible with the assistance of the Longfield Suites “nothing to do with us” senior management policy. The Longfield Suite management and Bury council for reasons best known to them, see fit to rent this superb council owned facility to any spiv or cowboy outfit they like. To add further insult to injury they are quite happy to let Rip-off Ronald run similar events in the future. When he and the rest of these “strictly cowboy” outfits should be run out of town.
As huge fans of Strictly Come Dancing we attended this event with our twelve-year-old daughter, who sacrificed one months dancing lessons to pay the extra so we could afford the VIP tickets at £40 each. We were really looking forward to seeing an extra special family night out. We did not expect the night to end up in tears.
The whole event was a total disgrace. It can only be describe as a money making exercise, for the benefit of Vincent Bemoan, Flavia Cash register, Rip-off Ronald and Bury Council. Mr. Rip-off has made an obscene profit out of this disaster, at our expense.
Ronald Rip-off has waltzed all the way to the bank and is refusing to give a refund.
My advice:
DO NOT ATTEND ANY EVENT ORGANIZED BY JAGERS EVENTS.
PAY BY CREDIT CARD - this will separate the cash cowboys from the honest event organizers, and in the event of a similar calamity, you can get your money back.
Ros Smith
Ros1066@yahoo.co.uk
Posted by: Alan Rea, Manchester on 1:49pm Wed 13 Feb 08
The function that I, Re-al Dancesport am holding at The Longfield Suite this Saturday 16th February will still be going ahead although the numbers will be low I am sure people will have a fantastic night out and see Real World Professional Latin American Dancers in a full 5 dance show with room to move!. I would also like to assure Guests at future Re-al Dancesport Events that we do everything we can to provide exactly what we say we will do for you and hope that many of you will still attend and buy tickets for these events.
If you want to see the real deal join us this Saturday!
See more details www.re-al-dancesport
.co.uk or call 0161 337 0984.
This will seperate the us from the 'Cowboys' I am sure.
The function that I, Re-al Dancesport am holding at The Longfield Suite this Saturday 16th February will still be going ahead although the numbers will be low I am sure people will have a fantastic night out and see Real World Professional Latin American Dancers in a full 5 dance show with room to move!. I would also like to assure Guests at future Re-al Dancesport Events that we do everything we can to provide exactly what we say we will do for you and hope that many of you will still attend and buy tickets for these events.
If you want to see the real deal join us this Saturday!
See more details www.re-al-dancesport
.co.uk or call 0161 337 0984.
This will seperate the us from the 'Cowboys' I am sure.
Posted by: Bryan, Oldham on 4:18pm Mon 18 Feb 08
I attented the evening and was thoroughly disappointed when we had an abismal demonstration (not blaming Vincent and Flav they were great go to Philip Hursts!!) and we didn't even get our money back. [bold]DO NOT ATTEND HIS SCHOOL AND DO NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH HIM!!!!![/bold]
I attented the evening and was thoroughly disappointed when we had an abismal demonstration (not blaming Vincent and Flav they were great go to Philip Hursts!!) and we didn't even get our money back.
DO NOT ATTEND HIS SCHOOL AND DO NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH HIM!!!!! Posted by: Anne, Bolton on 11:41pm Sat 15 Mar 08
We went with our friends to see Vincent and Flavia at the Longfield Suite. We were very upset that we paid £50 per couple and only saw one dance by them, over the heads of other people. If Vincent was ill, the event should have been postponed until he was well. We feel as though we have been taken for a ride.
We went with our friends to see Vincent and Flavia at the Longfield Suite. We were very upset that we paid £50 per couple and only saw one dance by them, over the heads of other people. If Vincent was ill, the event should have been postponed until he was well. We feel as though we have been taken for a ride.
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