“Bunny Hop” School Shuttle (JHB) secures Deposit under false pretenses then refuses Parent Refund

 Context:

I recently relocated from the coastal town of Durban to Johannesburg with my daughter in order to secure a position at a national retail chain in Sandton. I found a town house available for rent in a suburb called Northriding, close to the Dome. I also arranged a place for my daughter at the nearest public High School in our zone, namely Rand Park High. It was only when I understood the logistics of the area and the distance between home, school and work while taking into account the unrelenting traffic, I realized that I needed help. As a single parent I found it near impossible to get to my daughter on time, and she had to wait till very late at school till I fought my way through traffic.

It was then I decided to get in touch with local school shuttles. I approached the school for assistance and was given a few names, but was warned that they “strictly do not endorse” any operator and I undertake services at my own risk. Since my daughter’s safety is paramount, I opted for the most popular, well-used operators. Upon several calls and emails, I was politely informed by all that since I don’t fall within the 5km radius of the school, they cannot assist me. I was now starting to feel a bit desperate, and broadened my search to a few private operators. It was quite shocking the exorbitant fees that were quoted and discrepancies in contractual stipulations but I managed to wade through many and settle on one. I used this operator for most the year and when the already high fee, leapt up yet another 10%, I paid for the month of August 2013 and ended the service.

Incident: 

During the month of October 2013, I found myself working late more often, and my daughter needed to come home earlier to study for exams. Once again I needed to find a reliable and safe means of transport from school. After searching the web, I found Bunny Hop Transport, the sole proprietor being Zoe Hodgson-Arrow. I contacted her via email, requesting a quote for only a month (22 Oct- 22 Nov 2013) as my daughter would have completed her exams and did not need to return to school after the 22Nov 2013. She agreed on a once-off fee and sent me a contract, which I signed and returned. I was asked to deposit the full amount immediately in order to secure a place for my child as places were filling fast, so I did. 

Everything seemed to go well, but toward the end of the stipulated period, she inquired if I may need her services for January 2014. I indicated I may be interested in a monthly fee for only Jan/Feb & March 2014 as my lease ends and I will be moving closer to the school. I was quoted on R850 a month for an after-school pick up. She mentioned she is flexible and can do a month-to-month arrangement. This was followed by another urgent request for the entire amount of R850 to be deposited by the close of business. I thought is most irregular to demand the full payment for Jan 2014 when we were still in Nov 2013, but in order to secure a seat for my daughter for the next year I deposited the monies via EFT.

In Dec 2013, I received yet more requests for payment from Zoe Hodgson-Arrow. At this point I was very confused, and responded requesting she not include me in mails relating to her fulltime clients, as I had paid what was required as per our arrangement. I was then told in a nasty retort, that I must read my contract and that I only paid for Dec 2013 and I still needed to pay for Jan 2014. I immediately realized that I had been scammed out of my hard earned cash, by an unscrupulous operator. I immediately responded to the mail, reiterating that I had made it clear the payment was meant for Jan 2014, and as my daughter had finished school on the 22 Nov 2013, I would have never agreed to pay for Dec 2013.

In Ms. Hodgson-Arrow’s haste to receive funds, she failed to draw up a new contract with the dates I requested, so basically there is no proof or written agreement clarifying the duration of service or any terms and conditions. After bringing this to her attention she stated, she would just hold me to the old contract (which was now void). Her very weak attempt to justify taking money under false pretenses, is a clause in her contract which states I am liable to pay for school holidays, but Dec 2013 doesn't fall into the new period I stipulated, January 2014. She had never once, in all my communication with her, clarified that I was paying for Dec 2013, a month she basically does not work as schools are closed. Bunny Hop Transport had basically refused to refund me the R850 and further informed me that my “contract” (which doesn't exist) was henceforth cancelled and no further services would be rendered.

As much as I was appalled at the blatant unethical practice, I was also more disturbed by the character of the person, whom I entrusted the transportation of my child. I realized there is more at stake here than just money, there are probably many parents placing their children’s well being in the hands of money-driven operators who have little regard for offering safety. I also remembered while her services was still on track, Ms. Hodgson-Arrow had without my permission given my private number out to a client as a reference. I realized I had a responsibility to inform the public, particularly other parents of the incident in order to avoid them falling prey to similar unscrupulous practice.

What are the facts of this Incident?

Ø  No actual signed contract exists for the period I requested, therefore withholding my monies is done so illegally.

Ø  The Proprietor has not disclosed or clarified terms and conditions of new arrangement.

Ø  Proprietor has refused reimbursement on the grounds of dated void contract that does not fall within the period services were requested.

Ø  Proprietor has taken payment for a period during which no services were rendered.

What can be learnt from this Incident?

Ø  Always ensure the operator is listed by the regulating body of that industry. (In this instance however, I have not yet found a controlling body).

Ø  Ensure the operator is licensed with no criminal record.

Ø  Don’t be bullied into payment when operators use urgency to pressure you into payment, ensure you clarify the terms of the payment and everything is stipulated in contract.

Ø  Keep on record all email correspondence and proof of deposit.
 
  Interesting Update on this article has been a communication from another person in dispute with Zoe Hodgson-Arrow. This link was sent to me on 03 February 013:

http://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/archive/documents/deceitful_web_botha.html?printerFriendly=true

     Extract from article dated 12 Jan 2009:  "Venter paid the R2900 deposit, which was transferred – at Hodgson's request – into the Nedbank account of Brian Arrow. On December 23 another R2900, January's rent, was also transferred into Arrow's account.

On January 3 Venter called Hodgson to arrange for the keys of the cottage.

"She told me that the cottage had been let to a third party and due to the lack of funds she was not able to refund me."

Venter gave me all the correspondence, including the lease and bank transfers.

On January 4 an irate Venter e-mailed to Hodgson that "our relationship took a very bad turn …" Unsuccessful in getting back the R5800 she owed him, he has now handed the matter over to the police, wrote Venter."

Other Complaints on Hello Peter against Zoe Hodgson Arrow & Bunny Hop

http://hellopeter.com/bunny-hop-transport/complaints/left-children-stranded-1370027

Extract from article dated 30 March 2014: "I received a frantic call 90 minutes after schfrom my 8 year old to saying that they were stranded at school. I tried calling and texting Zoe to no avail. The next morning, Saturday I received a confusing text saying she would not be able to collect my kids that day due to a sprained ankle. Once again I tried calling her, without success. I emailed her asking her to call me urgently to discuss & requested that this be done that day failing which I would need to find an alternate service. When she did not call to explain within the time frame, I emailed her again to say that I was terminating her services due to unreliability and requested refund of February's fees. I then immediately had a response with refusal to refund and threats of legal action. I have since found numerous reports about this woman as a **** artist online and urge other parents to beware!!!"

http://hellopeter.com/bunny-hop-transport/complaints/*****-of-deposit-and-admin-fees-1332423 

Extract from article dated 17 February 2014: "Zoe cancelled our contract in January 2014, a few days before school began. We then had to make alternative plans for transport.She agreed to refund all monies but subsequently has not refunded us a cent.She makes lots of promises and then refuses to take any calls in connection with refunding any monies for services she has not performed. All prospective and existing clients should be made aware of her dealings.I intend to open a case of ***** against her."

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