Collapse of Sportive HQ

[BrumJim]

Organiser of principally the Coast to Coast Sportive, and a number of others, has gone bankrupt.

I'm following Coast-to-Coast on Facebook mainly because I did it myself in 2019, and this year's event was due to start in just over 2 week's time with travel and accommodation booked for those taking part (not me this year). Needless to say there are a large number of very annoyed people, with up to 1000 participants due to take part.

Bankruptcy, so it is expected that no one is getting any refunds.

 

[fossyant]

Looks like they do a few other Sportives, like LEJOG - some folk have lost £1.5k. Travel Insurance is useful.....

 

[Emanresu]

Looks like they do a few other Sportives, like LEJOG - some folk have lost £1.5k. Travel Insurance is useful.....

Or the Credit Card company if they paid some or all by a CC.

 

[DCLane]

They appear to have been wobbly for a while - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09960572/filing-history - although it's sad that a company like this has gone under.

And yes, there's a lot of very unhappy individuals. Particularly as places were still being advertised earlier today. A few in my club have booked ahead, at least one with the £1500 event. And some have used debit cards rather than a credit card to pay.

 

[mjr]

And some have used debit cards rather than a credit card to pay.

🤦 Does a chargeback work if the merchant has declared bankruptcy?

 

[DCLane]

🤦 Does a chargeback work if the merchant has declared bankruptcy?

If it's over £100 then you can claim back via your credit card company. The big event entrants can do this, although debit cards are more complex*, but most will lose out.

* When FlyBe went bust (again) we lost out because we'd paid for flights on a debit card, rather than a credit card, so we joined the list of creditors. Two years on and we're still waiting for a refund.

 

[Emanresu]

🤦 Does a chargeback work if the merchant has declared bankruptcy?

Wouldn't say it does. Basically anyone that paid cash or by debit card is an unsecured creditor.

Chargeback can't happen as the account into which the monies were paid are frozen at the moment bankruptcy is recorded.

 

[Jameshow]

I'm guessing b+B will be paid in arrears so you can't even go and stay in the B+B and DIY the route!!

 

[Slick]

If it's over £100 then you can claim back via your credit card company. The big event entrants can do this, although debit cards are more complex*, but most will lose out.

* When FlyBe went bust (again) we lost out because we'd paid for flights on a debit card, rather than a credit card, so we joined the list of creditors. Two years on and we're still waiting for a refund.

I think its time you let that one go.

 

[bikingdad90]

I suspect there might be a few others. My local one looks a bit shaky. I suspect that Covid has had a big impact.

 

[fossyant]

We've booked on some camp sites this year - they all said make sure you have insurance - e.g. weather stops you pitching. I never thought about it before....

So this year switched to a premium bank account with my bank, covers all travel uk and abroad, car recovery, and broken phones... was worth cutting the AA recovery/home start premium in half.

 

[derge]

I'm signed up for c2c. I'm not on facebook but I'm able to see the Sportive HQ page. Looks like people are still going to do the c2c route, which is great, and I think I'll still do it too. Gonna be tough with no bag transfer, I'll have to carry a lot of stuff with me.

 

[BrumJim]

I'm signed up for c2c. I'm not on facebook but I'm able to see the Sportive HQ page. Looks like people are still going to do the c2c route, which is great, and I think I'll still do it too. Gonna be tough with no bag transfer, I'll have to carry a lot of stuff with me.

There may be people and other companies who will be able to do this for you. Some offers on Facebook already.

Having done it, wouldn't recommend carrying your own stuff. Mainly due to Hard Knott Pass, Wrynose Pass and Limber Hill, but plenty of other reasons.

 

[Jameshow]

There may be people and other companies who will be able to do this for you. Some offers on Facebook already.

Having done it, wouldn't recommend carrying your own stuff. Mainly due to Hard Knott Pass, Wrynose Pass and Limber Hill, but plenty of other reasons.

I did it carrying my own stuff, travelling light with just a saddle bag for gear and a sleeping bat strapped on my handlebars.

Food I kept in the jacket pockets. I had long sleeved and short sleeved tops so I have 6 pockets which held a far bit of food, probably too much as a few pubs found us along the route!

 

[T4tomo]

I'm signed up for c2c. I'm not on facebook but I'm able to see the Sportive HQ page. Looks like people are still going to do the c2c route, which is great, and I think I'll still do it too. Gonna be tough with no bag transfer, I'll have to carry a lot of stuff with me.

There may be people and other companies who will be able to do this for you. Some offers on Facebook already.

There are several of companies that do it, especially coast to coast as its a popular route(s) for walkers and cyclists and its likely SportiveUK were using a 3rd party anyway - they may have even paid already (but unlikely)