None — Another customer of a Charlotte hotel came forward after Action 9 helped one woman get her $2,000 party deposit back.
Daronda Blassinggame said she paid a $10,000 deposit to the Ramada Inn on Woodlawn Road to reserve a block of 150 rooms, along with the ballroom, during CIAA weekend in March.
The hotel shut its doors and wouldn't refund another woman's deposit until Action 9 stepped in and now, Blassinggame is worried that she'll lose her money.
"I feel bad about it because, you know, $10,000 is a lot of money just to not know if you're going to get back," she said.
Action 9 went to the Ramada and found a sign on the door saying it was closed for renovations. The door was open and the inside was dark. A woman approached Action 9's Don Griffin and said she was the formal general manager and would have the owner contact him.
Jack Harnett called from Boston and said he was having cash flow problems, but would make a decision about reopening by the end of this week.
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be careful about paying large deposits to reserve anything.
"In these uncertain economic times … you may be able to book it now, but it doesn't mean they are going to be there a year from now when you go to use it," BBB President Tom Bartholomy said.
The BBB said if you have to pay deposits, use a credit card because it will give you at least 60 days of money-back protection. If Blassinggame had used a credit card, it wouldn't be too late to get all of her money back.
"I've learned a big lesson," she said. "Basically, next time, put it on a credit card and then also do my homework."
Action 9 will check back to see what Ramada's owner decides about her $10,000.
Previous Stories: November 24, 2010: Action 9: Woman Pays Cash Deposit, Struggles To Get It Back