Business owner warning others about interactions with market company

Dayna Shogren, who owns Day and Co. Jewelry in Brooks, says a company called Autumn Oktoberfest, also allegedly connected to Roses Urban, reached out to her in September about a deal to book tables at three events for $200. Shogren booked for events at Strathmore (which occurred as scheduled on November 2), as well as an event in Airdrie on Dec. 2 and the Grinch Christmas Market in Medicine Hat.

“When I looked at the events, it did say a date and then a place, but not an actual venue,” she said on Friday, adding she did not receive a vendor information package after registering.

The show in Medicine Hat was scheduled for November 4 at the Medicine Hat Lodge. When Shogren emailed the company asking for information about her upcoming markets in late October, she was told the Medicine Hat event was being moved to December due to the lodge not allowing food vendors at the market.

“That alone is a big red flag, because when you book an event, you sign a contract, and it tells you very clearly (what’s allowed),” she said. “You know before booking an event what you are and aren’t allowed to have there, what you’re allowed to do.”

Shogren also began researching the company online through Facebook groups of home-based business owners, and others alleged they had been scammed by the same company, dating back to April 2017.

The posts allege the company is scamming business owners by setting up online events, telling vendors about them and taking the funds for booking. Then, the company allegedly doesn’t book the venue, sign a vendor contract or place a deposit to host the event. The company will then allegedly cancel the event or say they’re going to reschedule.

Shogren says she was unable to attend the rescheduled date for the Grinch Market, and has been trying to get a refund from Roses Urban. She was told she’d receive one electronically by November 9, but it didn’t happen.

When she was finally able to connect with the company, she was told they were having “technical difficulties,” but would let her know on November 15. She didn’t hear anything about her refund until Friday. According to messages Friday afternoon, the company and Shogren are trying to arrange an in-person meeting for a refund.

“We would issue you your refund, but new information came to light so we are wanting to provide you with some papers,” an email from the company reads. “If we issue you your refund right away, you may not come meet us or it will be difficult to get a hold of you to provide you with the documents.”

There is no indication in any of the emails what the documents are.

Shogren says the experience with the company has prompted her to give advice to other home-based businesses.

“Really research before you give somebody money for a table,” she said. “check around with other vendors, and see if it’s a reputable market.”

CHAT News reached out to Roses Urban Pop Up Market on Friday for comment. Attempts to call the phone number on their website were redirected to voicemail, but messages could not be left due to a lack of space on the phone.

The company sent an email shortly after 4 p.m. that did not answer our questions.

by Charles Lefebvre

Business owner warning others about interactions with market company

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